ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY MINOR

The Environment & Sustainability Minor is an undergraduate minor offering interdisciplinary coursework and investigations into the real-world challenges facing people and the planet.

Situated at MIT, the Environment & Sustainability Minor is one of several academic programs that equips students in any major to tackle deeply challenging problems facing societies worldwide.  The complexity of environmental issues and MIT’s unique approach to solving problems present MIT students with extraordinary opportunities:

• To join forces and tackle problems with classmates from wildly different majors (think electrical engineering and political science; or chemistry and urban planning);
• To access the knowledge of leading experts and educators in sustainability (including Nobel laureates); and
• To bring new ideas and diverse perspectives to MIT and a world that urgently needs solutions.

E&S Minor requirements

Two Core classes are the foundation of the E&S Minor, and 70 other classes are offered as electives for students to explore topics in depth and/or gain a broad understanding of an environmental theme or approach to sustainability.

Subject requirements – complete the following in any sequence:

21 units from two Core subjects:

 

36 units (min.) from elective subjects (generally 3 or 4 subjects):

Pick from electives across 17 different departments (including D-Lab and Terrascope, with many CI-H options) that span 4 topic areas – mix and match across topics, or focus on just one.  See below for a list by topic areas or click here for a downloadable pdf of all electives.

 

A minimum of four subjects (or 48 units) taken for the Environment and Sustainability minor cannot also count toward a student’s major or other minor. In other words, only one subject that counts toward a student’s major or other minor degree may also count toward the E&S Minor elective requirement. And, only one Terrascope subject can be counted toward the E&S Minor.

Applying for the E&S Minor

Apply for the minor in four simple steps – definitely before your final semester, and ideally early in your MIT career to make the most of the E&S Minor program:

• Print/download and fill out the Application Form, leaving sections blank that you’d like to discuss;
• Email the form to esi@mit.edu and request a meeting with Dr. Amanda Graham, Executive Director of ESI;
• Bring your transcript and questions to your meeting with Dr. Graham.  You’ll go over plans for fulfilling requirements, advising group options, and steps for completing the application with an advisor’s signature.
• Look for emails from ESI or Dr. Graham with details on your advising group assignment for Fall 2018.

Completing the Minor

In addition to fulfilling the subject and application requirements above, students must complete the following steps before the 3rd week of their final semester (the semester after which they’ll receive an S.B. degree) – in February for students who graduate in June.

• Print/download and fill out the Completion Form and email it to esi@mit.edu.
• Email the Completion Form to your advisor with a request for certification that you’ve met all the criteria for the E&S Minor. A student will need to provide his/her advisor with an unofficial transcript and may need to schedule an in-person meeting.
• Deliver/send your final Completion Form – with signatures – to the Environmental Solutions Initiative, esi@mit.edu.

Advising and Activities Outside the Classroom

Students enrolled in the E&S Minor are matched with a faculty-led advising group that meets to discuss topics ranging from career exploration and research trends, to subject selection and the overlaps between the E&S Minor curriculum and students’ majors.

Outside the classroom, students have the opportunity to connect with stellar MIT faculty and find a community of supportive peers – through undergraduate research opportunities (UROPs), student groups, field trips, lectures and other activities.  The Environmental Solutions Initiative regularly hosts events to inspire and connect students with thought leaders from civil society, business and industry, and innovative research.  Check out our Events page for upcoming events, and look for UROP announcements on our list of Current Opportunities – and sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of the Home page.

Questions?

Email Environmental Solutions Initiative (ESI): esi@mit.edu