First-Year Discovery Subjects
The subjects listed below were created specifically to help first-year students discover majors, minors, concentrations, and topics of interest. All first-year students are encouraged to take one or more of these subjects even if they feel that they already know their intended major. These subjects also count towards the 6 units for discovery and related exceptions rather than the normal first-year credit limit, making it easy to fit one or more of them into your schedule.
Fall 2025
1.009 Climate Change – 3 units
Provides an introduction to global climate change processes, drivers, and impacts. Offers exposure to exciting MIT research on climate change. Students explore why and how the world should solve this global problem and how they can contribute to the solutions. Students produce a mini-project on the topic. Subject can count toward the 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first year students.
3.002 Materials for Energy and Sustainability – 3 units
Materials play a central role in the ongoing global transformation towards more sustainable means of harvesting, storing, and conserving energy, through better batteries, fuel cells, hydrogen electrolyzers, photovoltaics, and the like. Methods for producing materials such as cement, steel, ammonia, and ethylene, which rank amongst today’s largest industrial emitters of greenhouse gases, are being re-invented. Much of this work is taking place at MIT and surrounding cleantech startups. This class discusses the underlying science of selected new technologies, the challenges which must be overcome, and the magnitude of their potential impact. Visits to the startups behind each case study and meetings with the scientists and engineers creating these technologies are included. Subject can count toward 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first-year students. Preference to first-year students.
6.9101J Introduction to Design Thinking and Innovation in Engineering – 3 units
Introduces students to concepts of design thinking and innovation that can be applied to any engineering discipline. Focuses on introducing an iterative design process, a systems-thinking approach for stakeholder analysis, methods for articulating design concepts, methods for concept selection, and techniques for testing with users. Provides an opportunity for first-year students to explore product or system design and development, and to build their understanding of what it means to lead and coordinate projects in engineering design. Subject can count toward the 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first-year students. Enrollment limited to 25; priority to first-year students.
11.S04 Special Subject: Topics in Affordable Housing – 3 units
Weekly seminar-style discussions on topics in affordable housing, including federal funding programs, homelessness prevention and shelters, local land use and zoning for affordability, innovative housing models/designs, fair housing laws, the history of public housing in the US, and international comparisons. Subject can count toward the 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first year students.
15.000 Explorations in Management – 3 units
Broad introduction to the various aspects of management including analytics, accounting and finance, operations, marketing, entrepreneurship and leadership, organizations, economics, systems dynamics, and negotiation and communication. Introduces the field of management through a variety of experiences as well as discussions led by faculty or industry experts. Also reviews the three undergraduate majors offered by Sloan as well as careers in management. Subject can count toward the 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first year students. Limited to undergraduates; preference to first years.
17.90 Politics, Policy, and Political Science: What Does It All Mean? – 3 units
Explores the scope of political science, policy, and politics through conversations with faculty who research across the field. Topics include misinformation and democracy, dictatorships, nuclear war and AI, and why governments make the policy decisions they do. Gives a broad overview of the role of methods and data in political science. This class counts towards the 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first-year students.
20.001 Introduction to Professional Success and Leadership in Biological Engineering – 3 units
Interactive introduction to the discipline of Biological Engineering through presentations by alumni practitioners, with additional panels and discussions on skills for professional development. Presentations emphasize the roles of communication through writing and speaking, building and maintaining professional networks, and interpersonal and leadership skills in building successful careers. Provides practical advice about how to prepare for job searches and graduate or professional school applications from an informed viewpoint. Prepares students for UROPs, internships, and selection of BE electives. Subject can count toward the 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first-year students.
22.016 Seminar in Fusion and Plasma Physics – 1 unit
Discusses the challenges and opportunities on the path to fusion energy through a range of plasma and fusion energy topics, including discussion of the global energy picture, basic plasma physics, the physics of fusion, fusion reactors, tokamaks, and inertial confinement facilities. Covers why nuclear science, computer science, and materials are so important for fusion, and how students can take next steps to study fusion while at MIT. Includes tours of laboratories at the Plasma Science and Fusion Center. Subject can count toward the 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first-year students. Limited to 20. Preference to first years and sophomores majoring in Course 22.
21G.014 Introduction to Russian Politics and Society – 3 units
Introduces students to contemporary Russia through analysis of major political, social, and cultural trends and addresses how they have developed due to the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Considers the role of identity, state propaganda, civil society — including those in exile — and music both as an instrument of political power and popular resistance. Study materials include academic and media articles, recent documentaries, and video interviews with prominent figures in Russian science and culture. Subject can count toward the 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first year students. Limited to 15.
CC.010 Seminar I – 3 units
The key academic integration in which philosophical, historical, and sociological topics are connected with modern science. Combination of outside speakers and Concourse faculty lead weekly luncheon discussion. Subject can count toward the 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first year students. Limited to Concourse students.
SP.248 The NEET Experience – 3 units
Gives first-year students an opportunity to explore various interdisciplinary domains, or threads — Autonomous Machines, Climate and Sustainability Systems, Digital Cities, and Living Machines — all of which are a part of the New Engineering Education Transformation (NEET) program. Students gain knowledge and skills in those domains through interactions with NEET faculty, instructors, and students and exercise their algorithmic, creative, and systems thinking through team-based challenges. Subject can count toward the 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first-year students.
SP.251 How to Change the World: Experiences from Social Entrepreneurs – 3 units
This course explores different approaches to driving durable change in social and environmental problems. Drawing from MIT Solve’s global network of social innovators and organizations, the course focuses on the role of technology and entrepreneurship while also exploring policy and advocacy. Students will learn to identify and assess problems, evaluate whether different approaches are effective solutions, and meet a variety of senior leaders. At the end of the semester, students will be able to articulate the problems they are most interested in, and have a plan for working on solutions during their time at MIT. This class is ideal for those interested in the PKG Center, D-Lab, or pursuing startups with an impact focus. A sample syllabus from the past run of the subject is here. Subject can count toward the 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first year-students. Limited to 25; preference to first-year students.
SP.252 Careers in Medicine – 3 units
Explores careers in medicine and health care. Additionally, explores potential majors for students looking to go into these different careers, which include physicians, physician-scientists, research scientists, biomedical engineers, bioinformatics analysts, computational biologists, health data scientists, health system managers, and health economists. Majors could include biological engineering, biology, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science, and more. Allows students to explore how they can have an impact in the field of medicine in a variety of different ways. Exposes students to career paths that are patient-facing (clinical) as well as career paths that are behind the scenes. Includes field trips to nearby labs and companies. Subject can count toward the 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first-year students. Limited to 25; preference to first-year students.
SP.259 Pathways to Social Justice at MIT and Beyond – 3 units
Explores student pathways to support social change and social justice efforts within the greater Boston region and how students can be agents of change throughout their lives. Students are introduced to ethical, reciprocal, and community-informed approaches to creating social change through readings, lectures, class discussions, critical reflection, and direct service experiences with local community organizations. Aims to create a supportive community for undergraduate students to build a network of thoughtful MIT stakeholders dedicated to creating social good in the world. Subject offered by the PKG Public Service Center. Subject can count toward the 6-unit discovery-focused credit limit for first-year students.