September 2002
Memorandum 3807
Minor form

MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Graduate Office, Room 38-444

THE MINOR REQUIREMENT

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Each student must complete a minor program, approved by the Doctoral Committee, which consists of two MIT subjects, at least one of which is an advanced graduate subject. The intent of the minor is to provide a broadening experience and the subject matter may fall well outside of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.

The subjects in the minor program should constitute a coherent study within a single discipline. One of the subjects may be introductory. At least one of the subjects must involve study at an advanced level. Please note that

are normally not acceptable for a minor program although special cases may be approved by petition. Subjects taken at Harvard under cross-registration are acceptable.

The minor program will be completed when

The Doctoral Committee is appointed at the time of completion of the RQE and this may occur after the student has spent several years in the doctoral program. Students who would like to start taking the subjects for the minor program before they have a Doctoral Committee may submit the form in order to seek early approval of the minor program. The form asks for a description of the major area of interest as well since the minor program is expected to be distinct from the major area of interest.

If the Area Chair approves the proposed minor, the Doctoral Committee will accept it unless there are changes in the minor program or in the major area. If such changes have occurred, the Doctoral Commitee will have to determine whether the minor and major are still sufficiently distint; if not, a new minor program will need to be approved by the Doctoral Committee.

Minor form