<p>does anyone know where i can find the basic of list of classes required for every major... ? also if i took Calculus AB (5 on ap test) should i just retake it at MIT to get a better grasp of it ... i wanna take it nice and slow.
what type of classes are required (physics, chemistry etc..)</p>
<p>I'm sure some students will answer your question, but as a first cut, there are two answers to your question.</p>
<p>First, there are the [General Institute Requirements<a href="GIRs:%20chart%20%5Burl=web.mit.edu/catalogue/overv.chap3-chart.shtml%5Dhere%5B/url%5D">/url</a>, which everyone is required to take or place out of. You can take different "versions" of these, some more theoretical than others, but every undergrad must take them. (Short form: two semesters of calculus, two of physics, one of bio, one of chem, and some lab and humanities requirements.)</p>
<p>Next, look up the majors you're interested in the [url=web.mit.edu/catalogue/degre.intro.shtml]departmental chart](web.mit.edu/catalogue/overv.chap3-gir.shtml) to see detailed charts of classes required or recommended for each major.</p>
<p>General Institute Requirements
2 semesters physics (mechanics and E&M)
2 semesters calculus (single and multivariable)
1 semester chemistry
1 semester biology
2 semesters [url=<a href="http://web.mit.edu/catalogue/overv.chap3-gir.shtml#restr%5DREST%5B/url">http://web.mit.edu/catalogue/overv.chap3-gir.shtml#restr]REST[/url</a>] (restricted electives in science and technology)
1 semester lab
8 semesters HASS (humanities, arts, and social sciences)</p>
<p>For calc AB, you're actually sort of required to re-take calc:
[quote=<a href="http://web.mit.edu/firstyear/2010/subjects/ap.html#math">http://web.mit.edu/firstyear/2010/subjects/ap.html#math</a>]
Although no credit is given for the Calculus AB exam, a score of 4 or 5 places you into the accelerated Calculus sequence 18.01A/18.02A. A score of 4 or 5 on the AB portion of the BC Calculus exam offers the same placement as the regular Calculus AB exam.
[/quote]
So you could choose to start in 18.01 (single-variable) or go to 18.01A, which would offer a 6-week review of single-variable before going on to multivariable. If you're planning to major in engineering, I'd advise taking 18.01A, since you'd be finished with 18.02 (multivariable) by the end of IAP and able to take 18.03 (diff eq) spring term.</p>
<p>I think you should move on to 18.02. Don't do 18.01 for sure, mabye 18.01A if you want to stay at MIT during IAP.</p>
<p>If MIT lets you test out of something it usually means that you know the material.</p>
<p>Make sure you progress well so you can take classes you want to later.</p>
<p>Credit is not offered for AP Calc AB, only for a 5 on the AP Calc BC exam. That's the only way to skip 18.01 via APs, as far as I know.</p>
<p>much clearer... i was reading the major requirements and was like... wow thats very easy only like 12 classes ... then I saw there are also GIRs !
I think i will take 18.01A :) i'm not very confident in my abilities lol well at MIT anyways</p>
<p>also how are the humanities classes... like can you take whatever you want (psychology,history of warfare , chinese art etc...) or does it have to be specific classes</p>
<p>Haha, sort of both. The humanities requirement is somewhat complicated to explain, so if I'm confusing, I'm sorry.</p>
<p>You have to take a total of three classes, each from a different list</a> of classes. That's the "distribution" requirement, and it makes sure you get exposure to a broad range of humanities classes. </p>
<p>Then there's the "concentration" requirement, which asks that you take three or four classes in a</a> particular field. (You can use one of your distribution classes to contribute to the concentration requirement.)</p>
<p>The rest of the classes are completely elective.</p>
<p>For example, I concentrated in Anthropology, so I took three anthro classes. I took psychology, intro to poetry, and anthropology as my three distribution classes. I took intro to linguistics and two Spanish classes as my electives.</p>
<p>if I got a 5 on AP Cal BC, do I get the credits for 18.01? does that mean I only need to take one more semester of math, or does that mean I still need to take two more semesters of math (including one beyond multivariable calculus)?</p>
<p>Short answer: yes, yes, no. You'll want to read the page about AP</a> credits for Class of 2010. As Mollie hinted above, if you receive a 4 or 5 on the AP Calc BC exam, you can either place out of 18.01 and be required only to take one further semester of calc (18.02), or you may choose to take 18.01A "for review purposes" (<-- from the AP credit webpage).</p>
<p>thanks, you are very helpful!</p>
<p>if i pass the chemistry exam during the freshmen orientation, do i get the credits for general chemistry? if i pass the exam, can i take organic chemistry in the first semester of my freshmen year?</p>
<p>Yes, if you pass the chemistry</a> advanced standing exam, you'll get 12 units of credit for 5.111 and can register for 5.12 during first semester.</p>
<p>Not very many people pass the exam, though, just as a heads-up.</p>
<p>Here is info on the Advanced Standing Chemistry exam for the Class of '09:</p>
<p>
[quote]
This material is substantially more advanced than material covered in a typical two year high school course of advanced placement chemistry. ... If you have an exceptionally strong background in chemistry, you should consider taking this exam. A passing grade on this exam will earn you credit for 5.111 and a grade of P on your transcript, thereby fulfilling your General Institute Requirement in Chemistry.
[/quote]
If you pass the exam, you can register for any courses that successful completion of 5.111 would qualify you to register for. It's known to be a very tough exam, with few students successfully passing each year.</p>
<p>((WHOOPS! Sorry, Mollie, we cross-posted, with the same link and everything! :) ))</p>
<p>So, what's up with the whole HASS thing though? I got what you said, but 8 classes? that's a LOT. like...a lot.</p>
<p>8 HASS classes seems cool to me. 1 every semester as a stress-reliever... sounds good to me.</p>
<p>Not sure if anyone else mentioned this...but a 4 or 5 on the AP Calc AB exam gets you permission to take 18.01A.</p>
<p>hmm a hass class isn't necessarily a stress-reliever :-P</p>
<p>Yeah, 8 classes is a lot. So when people say we don't get a "well-rounded" education, tell them to shove that in their pipe and smoke it.</p>
<p>hm.. so what does a freshman @ MIT usually take? With only 4-5 courses / semester and as a freshman I'd think most people take the same stuff.
My CPW host took 18.023 and loved it, so i'll go that route, but what about the other ones?
Is it usually: math, physics, english (of some sort), and...one more?</p>
<p>would any of you upperclassmates list your schedule for 1st semester freshmen, 2nd semester freshmen, 1st semester sophomore, and 2nd semester sophomore?</p>
<p>Also, may I take any class during winter or summer breaks?</p>