Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Course Catalogs

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT ) Course Catalogs have been issued since the first year classes were offered at MIT beginning in 1865 and continue to the present (2016). The MIT Course Catalog is currently published each August by the MIT Reference Publications Office.

The word Course is used in a specific way at MIT. Each department or program within the Institute is identified by Course number. When capitalized, the word Course refers to an organized curriculum leading to a specified degree; otherwise, the word course, or subject, refers to an individual class.

For example, Course 2 or Course II refers to the Department of Mechanical Engineering; the numeral 2.05 (Thermodynamics) indicates a subject in Mechanical Engineering.

To understand developments and changes in the degree programs and development of curricula at MIT, one can use Course Catalogs in conjunction with sets of administrative records of the Institute. Catalogs complement the minutes of faculty meetings, and records of faculty committees which provide evidence of the development of research and teaching areas, faculty discussions on curriucula, proposed degree programs and other aspects of graduate and undergraduate education at MIT.

Publication titles for the catalogs have varied through the years (such as Catalogue, Catalog, Courses of Instruction, and Courses of Study). They contain a description of courses for each academic year, also program and degree requirements. In many years additional information is included into the catalog.

Early catalogs may also include the following: History and purpose of the Institute; Lists of professors, students, and graduates; Objects and regulations of the Institute; Conditions for admission and graduation; Residence information; thesis lists; building images and floor plans; Lowell Institute courses, degree programs and requirements; fees; courses arranged for officers of the United States Army and Navy.