First day of classes by Matt McGann '00

Yesterday was the first day of classes at MIT. I remember the excitement and anticipation I had on my first day back in 1996; I wish I could go through it all again!

You might be wondering, what would I take as a first term freshman at MIT? What you’ll generally see is something like this:

• Some version of calculus
• Some version of physics
• Some version of chemistry
• A humanities, arts and social science (HASS) elective
• A freshman seminar

That’s a general framework, but because MIT provides a good amount of flexibility, some students do other things that best suit their needs. And even within the courses that are required, there are many different options: some with large lectures from noted professors, others with small classes lead by strong teachers; some focus on theory, others on application; and so on. Also, remember that all freshman come in to MIT “undeclared,” and use the entire freshman year to explore MIT before choosing a major.

In order to provide some real, concrete examples, I went to the Facebook and looked at the class schedules of some of my “friends” (names removed to protect the innocent). Here are a few representative schedules:

Student #1

• 18.01A/18.02A: Calculus (a combined single and multivariable calculus course, taught by the beloved Professor Arthur Mattuck)
• 8.012: Physics I (often referred to as “Physics for Masochists” because of its rigorous, theory-based style)
• 3.091: Introduction to Solid-State Chemistry (perhaps the most popular freshman class because of its incredible teacher, Professor Don Sadoway)
• 21L.011: The Film Experience (a very good choice for a HASS elective)
• 8.S67: Particle Physics (Freshman Seminar, with Prof. Richard Yamamoto ’57)

Student #2

• 18.022: Multivariable Calculus (with the legendary Prof. Hartley Rogers)
• 7.012: Introduction to Biology (taught by Professor Eric Lander!!)
• 5.112: Principles of Chemical Science (the advanced theoretical version)
• 21L.448: Darwin and Design (HASS)

Student #3

• 18.022: Multivariable Calculus (again, taught by Hartley)
• SP.311: Concourse, a freshman learning community with integrated small classes, which includes special versions of:
  • 8.01: Physics I (the Concourse version is taught by a good friend of mine)
  • 3.091: Introduction to Solid-State Chemistry
  • 9.00: Introduction to Psychology (HASS, with Prof. Jeremy Wolfe)
• 22.A06: Nuclear Technologies (Freshman Seminar, with Professor Andrew Kadak)

Student #4

• 18.01: Calculus I (single variable calculus)
• 8.01: Physics I (classical mechanics, taught in the collaborative and interactive TEAL format)
• 5.111: Principles of Chemical Science (Professors Ceyer & Drennan)
• 21H.601: Islam and the West (HASS)
• 7.A18: Genes In the News (Freshman Seminar)

And what did I take, back in the fall of 1996?

Student #Matt

• 18.02: Multivariable Calculus (taught by my beloved Hartley back then)
• 8.012: Physics I (taught by the awesome Nobel Laureate Wolfgang Ketterle that year, who I should note is teaching an 8.012 recitation section this year!)
• 5.11: Chemistry (back before they had both a 5.111 and 5.112)
• 9.00: Introduction to Psychology (with Stephen Pinker)
• “The History of MIT” Freshman Seminar (no course number anymore, though it was a great seminar)

Coming soon: a more in-depth look at freshman advising seminars. For more information about other exciting classes at MIT, cruise on over to Mollie’s latest entry. Finally, for those of you in Central Florida, I’ll see you tonight at 7pm in Winter Park!