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Can someone please explain how MIT course numbers work? I get that "18" means maths, but why do specific courses sometimes have two digits after the "." and so

by mkl 8y ago

Can someone please explain how MIT course numbers work? I get that "18" means maths, but why do specific courses sometimes have two digits after the "." and sometimes three, and if the level of study is encoded in it, why does it seem to jump to starting with "6"?

moinnadeem 8y ago
MIT student here, there's really no rhyme or reason. Generally, higher numbers mean more advanced courses, but that's about it.
augustt 8y ago
The first digit is the general area: 18.0x are mostly intro classes, 18.1x are analysis classes, 18.7x is algebra, etc.
amirhirsch 8y ago
Two numbers like 18.XX means that it is intended for non-math majors so 18.02 is the basic multivariable calculus that every MIT alum needs to graduate, 18.022 is multivariable calculus with an emphasis on theory and 18.023 is with an emphasis on application and usually taken by people considering math majors (though also fulfill the core requirement) The class numbering schema is by field: http://math.mit.edu/academics/classes.php http://math.mit.edu/academics/classes.php 18.1XX Analysis / Calculus 18.2XX Discrete 18.3XX Applied 18.4XX Computational 18.5XX Logic 18.6XX Probability and Statistics 18.7XX Algebra and Number Theory 18.8XX Just project lab 18.9XX Topology and Geometry
- mkl 8y ago
  Thanks!
afarrell 8y ago
There is no strict system after the “.” however the 3-numeral course numbers tend to be advanced/grad classes. There are some smaller patterns within each major but nothing knits those together. 6.82x tend to be systems classes like networks or OS. But 17.828 isn’t like an intro to constitutional law and 6.42 isn’t Causes and Prevention of Software Project Failure.
- vecter 8y ago
  This is misleading and false when it comes to Course 18. Math classes numbering has much more structure. 18.XYZ where Z >= 5 are grad classes. X = 1 is Analysis X = 2 is Mathematical Physics X = 3 is Applied Mathematics X = 4 is Theoretical Computer Science X = 5 is Logic X = 7 is Algebra X = 9 is Topology

by mkl 8y ago

moinnadeem 8y ago

MIT student here, there's really no rhyme or reason. Generally, higher numbers mean more advanced courses, but that's about it.

augustt 8y ago

The first digit is the general area: 18.0x are mostly intro classes, 18.1x are analysis classes, 18.7x is algebra, etc.

amirhirsch 8y ago

Two numbers like 18.XX means that it is intended for non-math majors so 18.02 is the basic multivariable calculus that every MIT alum needs to graduate, 18.022 is multivariable calculus with an emphasis on theory and 18.023 is with an emphasis on application and usually taken by people considering math majors (though also fulfill the core requirement) The class numbering schema is by field: http://math.mit.edu/academics/classes.php http://math.mit.edu/academics/classes.php 18.1XX Analysis / Calculus 18.2XX Discrete 18.3XX Applied 18.4XX Computational 18.5XX Logic 18.6XX Probability and Statistics 18.7XX Algebra and Number Theory 18.8XX Just project lab 18.9XX Topology and Geometry

mkl 8y ago
Thanks!

afarrell 8y ago

There is no strict system after the “.” however the 3-numeral course numbers tend to be advanced/grad classes. There are some smaller patterns within each major but nothing knits those together. 6.82x tend to be systems classes like networks or OS. But 17.828 isn’t like an intro to constitutional law and 6.42 isn’t Causes and Prevention of Software Project Failure.

vecter 8y ago
This is misleading and false when it comes to Course 18. Math classes numbering has much more structure. 18.XYZ where Z >= 5 are grad classes. X = 1 is Analysis X = 2 is Mathematical Physics X = 3 is Applied Mathematics X = 4 is Theoretical Computer Science X = 5 is Logic X = 7 is Algebra X = 9 is Topology