A Comprehensive Guide to Subject Selection for Software Engineering at MIT

Choosing the right courses for a software engineering major requires careful planning and a deep understanding of the departmental requirements. This guide provides a detailed overview of the subject requirements for the software engineering track at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), with a focus on meeting both the General Institute Requirements (GIRs) and the Departmental Requirements.

General Institute Requirements (GIRs)

The General Institute Requirements (GIRs) at MIT are designed to provide a broad base of knowledge and skills. These requirements include a Communication Requirement that must be satisfied through designated subjects. For software engineering, several of these subjects can meet the Communication Requirement while providing valuable foundational knowledge.

Communication Requirement

The Communication Requirement is integrated into both the Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (HASS) Requirement and the Departmental Requirements. Here are the subjects that can be selected to fulfill this requirement:

6.805[J] in the Departmental Program, which is a communication-intensive subject. With a minimum of two subjects designated as communication-intensive CI-H to satisfy the Communication Requirement. At least one lab course to fulfill the Laboratory Requirement.

Science Requirement and REST Requirement

The Science Requirement and the Restricted Electives in Science and Technology (REST) Requirement are met by specific subject choices. Here are the subjects from the Departmental Program that can fulfill these requirements:

6.004 - Computation Structures 6.042[J] or 18.062[J] - Mathematics for Computer Science

Departmental Program

The Departmental Program requires students to choose at least two subjects designated as communication-intensive (CI-M) to meet the Communication Requirement. Here are several subjects that can be chosen:

6.01 - Introduction to EECS via Robotics (CI-M) 6.02 - Introduction to EECS via Communications Networks (CI-M) 6.03 - Introduction to EECS via Medical Technology (CI-M) 6.004 - Computation Structures 6.006 - Introduction to Algorithms 6.009 - Fundamentals of Programming 6.031 - Elements of Software Construction 6.033 - Computer System Engineering (CI-M) 6.034/6.036 - Artificial Intelligence or Introduction to Machine Learning 6.045[J]/6.046[J] - Automata Computability and Complexity or Design and Analysis of Algorithms

Additional Elective Subjects

Elective subjects are crucial for exploring different aspects of software engineering. These subjects allow students to deepen their knowledge in specific areas of interest. Here are some recommended advanced undergraduate subjects:

6.023[J] - Fields, Forces, and Flows in Biological Systems 6.025[J] - Medical Device Design (CI-M) 6.035 - Computer Language Engineering 6.047 - Computational Biology: Genomes, Networks, Evolution 6.061 - Introduction to Electric Power Systems 6.101 - Introductory Analog Electronics Laboratory (CI-M) 6.115 - Microcomputer Project Laboratory (CI-M) 6.172 - Performance Engineering of Software Systems 6.175 - Constructive Computer Architecture 6.182 - Psychoacoustics Project Laboratory (CI-M)

Independent Inquiry Subjects

Independent inquiry subjects provide students with the opportunity to explore advanced topics in great depth. Here are some recommended advanced undergraduate subjects:

6.035 - Computer Language Engineering 6.047 - Computational Biology: Genomes, Networks, Evolution 6.100 - Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Project 6.111 - Introductory Digital Systems Laboratory 6.115 - Microcomputer Project Laboratory - Independent Inquiry (CI-M) 6.131 - Power Electronics Laboratory - Independent Inquiry (CI-M) 6.141 - Robotics: Science and Systems (CI-M) 6.161 - Modern Optics Project Laboratory (CI-M) 6.163 - Strobe Project Laboratory (CI-M) 6.170 - Software Studio 6.172 - Performance Engineering of Software Systems 6.182 - Psychoacoustics Project Laboratory (CI-M) 6.805[J] - Foundations of Information Policy (CI-M) 6.806 - Advanced Natural Language Processing 6.819 - Advances in Computer Vision 6.905 - Large-scale Symbolic Systems

Keyword: software engineering, MIT, course selection