ESG Science Subjects
Biology
ES.7012 Introductory Biology
 ( ) 
Prereq: None
Units: 5-0-7
Credit cannot also be received for 7.012, 7.013, 7.014, 7.015, 7.016, ES.7013
 TBA.
Equivalent to 7.012; see 7.012 for description. Instruction provided through small, interactive classes. Limited to students in ESG.
P. Christie
No textbook information available
ES.7013 Introductory Biology
()
Prereq: None
Units: 5-0-7
Credit cannot also be received for 7.012, 7.013, 7.014, 7.015, 7.016, ES.7012
Lecture: MTWRF9 (24-619) or MTWRF10 (24-619) or MTWRF2 (24-619)
Equivalent to 7.013; see 7.013 for description. Instruction provided through small, interactive classes. Limited to students in ESG.
P. Christie
Textbooks (Spring 2025)
Chemistry
ES.5111 Principles of Chemical Science
( ) 
Prereq: None
Units: 5-0-7
Credit cannot also be received for 3.091, 5.111, 5.112, CC.5111, ES.5112
Equivalent to 5.111; see 5.111 for description. Instruction provided through small, interactive classes taught by ESG staff. Limited to students in ESG.
P. Christie
ES.5112 Principles of Chemical Science
()
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units: 5-0-7
Credit cannot also be received for 3.091, 5.111, 5.112, CC.5111, ES.5111
Equivalent to 5.112; see 5.112 for description. Instruction provided through small, interactive classes taught by ESG staff. Limited to students in ESG.
Staff
Mathematics
ES.1801 Calculus
() 
Prereq: None
Units: 5-0-7
Credit cannot also be received for 18.01, 18.01A, CC.1801, ES.181A
Equivalent to 18.01; see 18.01 for description. Instruction provided through small, interactive classes. Limited to students in ESG.
A. Parzygnat
ES.1802 Calculus
(, ) 
Prereq: Calculus I (GIR)
Units: 5-0-7
Credit cannot also be received for 18.02, 18.022, 18.02A, CC.1802, ES.182A
Lecture: MTWR11 (24-619) Recitation: F11 (24-619)
Equivalent to 18.02; see 18.02 for description. Instruction provided through small, interactive classes. Limited to students in ESG.
Fall: A. Parzygnat
Spring: G. Stoy
No textbook information available
ES.1803 Differential Equations
(, ) 
Prereq: None. Coreq: Calculus II (GIR)
Units: 5-0-7
Credit cannot also be received for 18.03, CC.1803
Lecture: MTRF10 (24-618) or MTRF11 (24-618) Recitation: W10 (24-618) or W11 (24-618)
Equivalent to 18.03; see 18.03 for description. Instruction provided through small, interactive classes. Limited to students in ESG.
Fall: J. Bloom
Spring: J. Orloff, G.Stoy
No textbook information available
ES.1806 Linear Algebra
(New)
()
Prereq: Calculus II (GIR)
Units: 4-0-8
Credit cannot also be received for 6.C06, 18.06, 18.700, 18.C06
Lecture: MTWR12 (24-621) or MTWR2 (24-621) or MTWR3 (24-618) Recitation: F10 (24-611A) or F11 (24-307) or F12 (24-618) or F2 (24-618) or R4 (24-621) or F3 (24-618)
Basic subject on matrix theory and linear algebra, emphasizing topics useful in other disciplines, including systems of equations, vector spaces, determinants, eigenvalues, singular value decomposition, and positive definite matrices. Applications to least-squares approximations, stability of differential equations, networks, Fourier transforms, and Markov processes. Uses linear algebra software. Compared with 18.700, more emphasis on matrix algorithms and applications. Enrollment limited to Experimental Study Group (ESG) students only.
Staff
No textbook information available
ES.181A Calculus
() ; first half of term
Prereq: Knowledge of differentiation and elementary integration
Units: 5-0-7
Credit cannot also be received for 18.01, 18.01A, CC.1801, ES.1801
Equivalent to 18.01A; see 18.01A for description. Instruction provided through small, interactive classes. Limited to students in ESG.
J. Bloom
ES.182A Calculus
(,  )
Prereq: Calculus I (GIR)
Units: 5-0-7
Credit cannot also be received for 18.02, 18.022, 18.02A, CC.1802, ES.1802
 Lecture: MTWRF11 (24-611A) Recitation: TBA
Equivalent to 18.02A; see 18.02A for description. Instruction provided through small, interactive classes. Limited to students in ESG.
Fall: J. Bloom
IAP: J. Bloom
No textbook information available
Physics
ES.801 Physics I
() 
Prereq: None
Units: 5-1-6
Credit cannot also be received for 8.01, 8.011, 8.012, 8.01L, ES.8012
Equivalent to 8.01; see 8.01 for description. Instruction provided through small, interactive classes. Limited to students in ESG.
A. Barrantes De Karma
ES.8012 Physics I
()
Prereq: None
Units: 5-0-7
Credit cannot also be received for 8.01, 8.011, 8.012, 8.01L, ES.801
Equivalent to 8.012; see 8.012 for description. Limited to students in ESG.
P. Rebusco
ES.802 Physics II
() 
Prereq: Calculus I (GIR) and Physics I (GIR)
Units: 5-1-6
Credit cannot also be received for 8.02, 8.021, 8.022, ES.8022
Lecture: MTWRF10 (24-621) or MTWRF11 (24-621)
Equivalent to 8.02; see 8.02 for description. Instruction done through small, interactive classes. Limited to students in ESG.
A. Barrantes
No textbook information available
ES.8022 Physics II
(, )
Prereq: Physics I (GIR); Coreq: Calculus II (GIR)
Units: 5-0-7
Credit cannot also be received for 8.02, 8.021, 8.022, ES.802
Lecture: MW11-1,F11 (24-611A)
Equivalent to 8.022; see 8.022 for description. Students complete group projects. Some content is decided by students. Limited to students in ESG.
Fall: P. Rebusco
Spring: P. Rebusco
No textbook information available
ESG Writing Program
ES.729[J] Engineering Communication in Context
()  
Not offered regularly; consult department
(Same subject as 21W.729[J])
Prereq: None
Units: 3-1-8
Introduces writing, graphics, meetings, reading, oral presentation, collaboration, and design as tools for product development. Students work in teams to conceive, design, prototype, and evaluate energy-related mechanical engineering products. Instruction focuses on communication tasks that are integral to the design process, including design notebooks, email, informal and formal presentations, meeting etiquette, literature searches, white papers, proposals, and reports. Other assignments address the cultural situation of engineers and engineering in the world at large. Limited to 18; preference to ESG students.
Staff
ESG HASS Subjects
ES.112 Philosophy of Love
() 
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units: 4-0-8
Credit cannot also be received for ES.9112
Explores the nature of love through works of philosophy, literature, film, poetry, and individual experience. Investigates the distinction among eros (desiring or appreciative love), philia (mutuality), and agape (love as pure giving). Students discuss ideas of love as a feeling, an action, a species of 'knowing someone,' or a way to give or take. Authors include Plato, Kant, Buber, D. H. Lawrence, Rumi, and Aristotle. Preference to students in ESG and Concourse.
Staff
ES.113 Ancient Greek Philosophy and Mathematics
()
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units: 3-0-9
Explores the relationship between ancient Greek philosophy and mathematics. Investigates how ideas of definition, reason, argument and proof, rationality/irrationality, number, quality and quantity, truth, and even the idea of an idea were shaped by the interplay of philosophic and mathematical inquiry. Examines how discovery of the incommensurability of magnitudes challenged the Greek presumption that the cosmos is fully understandable. Explores the influence of mathematics on ancient Greek ethical theories. Authors: Euclid, Plato, Aristotle, Nicomachus, Theon of Smyrna, Bacon, Descartes, Dedekind, and Newton. Preference to students in Concourse and ESG.
Staff
ES.114 Non-violence as a Way of Life
()
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units: 3-0-9
Credit cannot also be received for ES.9114
Addresses the philosophical question of what a non-violent life entails. Investigates its ethical dimensions and challenges, and considers whether we can derive a comprehensive moral theory from the principle of non-violence. Discusses the issues of lying, the duty to forgive, non-violent communication, the ethics of our relationship to anger, the possibility of loving enemies, and the ethics of punishment and rehabilitation. Includes readings from primary exponents of non-violence, such as Tolstoy, Gandhi and King.
L. Perlman
ES.9112 Philosophy of Love - MIT Prison Initiative
()
Prereq: None
Units: 3-0-9
Credit cannot also be received for ES.112
Lecture: TBA
Explores the nature of love through works of philosophy, literature, film, poetry, and individual experience. Investigates the distinction among eros (desiring or appreciative love), philia (mutuality), and agape (love as pure giving). Students discuss ideas of love as a feeling, an action, a species of 'knowing someone,' or a way to give or take. Authors include Plato, Kant, Buber, D. H. Lawrence, Rumi, and Aristotle. Taught inside a secure Massachusetts correctional facility with a mix of MIT students and incarcerated students. Limited to 10.
L. Perlman
No textbook information available
ES.9114 Non-violence as a Way of Life - MIT Prison Initiative
()
Prereq: None
Units: 3-0-9
Credit cannot also be received for ES.114
Addresses the philosophical question of what a non-violent life entails. Investigates its ethical dimensions and challenges, and considers whether we can derive a comprehensive moral theory from the principle of non-violence. Discusses the issues of lying, the duty to forgive, non-violent communication, the ethics of our relationship to anger, the possibility of loving enemies, and the ethics of punishment and rehabilitation. Includes readings from primary exponents of non-violence, such as Tolstoy, Gandhi and King. Taught inside a secure Massachusetts correctional facility with a mix of MIT students and incarcerated students. Limited to 10.
L. Perlman
ES.92 Authenticity - MIT Prison Initiative
(, )
Prereq: None
Units: 3-0-3 [P/D/F]
Lecture: TBA
Explores the question of how to live an authentic life, through works of western and eastern philosophy and contemporary psychology. Topics include emotions, anger, honesty, forgiveness, non-violent communication, conflict resolution, kindness and cruelty and compassion. Taught inside a secure Massachusetts correctional facility with a mix of MIT students and incarcerated students. Limited to 12.
Fall: L. Perlman
Spring: L. Perlman
No textbook information available
ESG Seminars
ES.010 Chemistry of Sports: Understanding How Exercise Affects Your Body
()
Prereq: None
Units: 2-1-3 [P/D/F]
Lecture: T3-5 (24-619)
Students apply chemistry knowledge to physical fitness through the study of three sports: swimming, cycling, and running. Classroom component focuses on nutrition, exercise, anatomy, physiology, and the chemistry of supplements and sports equipment. Laboratory component focuses on training for and completion of triathlon competition. Students may earn up to 2 PE points during the term by attending supervised triathlon training workouts. Preference to students in ESG.
P. Christie, S. Lyons
No required or recommended textbooks
ES.011 Kitchen Chemistry
()
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units: 2-1-3 [P/D/F]
An experimental and "hands-on" approach to applied chemistry in cooking. Students perform experiments to illustrate chemical principles, such as extraction, denaturation, and phase changes. Preference to students in ESG.
Staff
ES.100 An Introduction to Maker Skills
()
Prereq: None
Units: 1-1-1 [P/D/F]
Lecture: F4 (24-611A)
Introduction to making and use of MIT's maker spaces intended to build skills needed for designing, conducting, and completing experiments and design projects, such as may be encountered in undergraduate classwork and research activities. Includes maker space training (i.e., wood shop, digital fabrication, and electronics fabrication) and open-ended design projects, with work evenly divided between class, homework, and maker space activities. Limited to 12 by makerspace training and scheduling; priority given to ESG students.
D. Custer
No textbook information available
ESG Teaching and Research
ES.200 ESG Undergraduate Teaching
() 
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Units: 2-0-4 [P/D/F]
An opportunity to assist in the teaching of subjects in ESG in biology, chemistry, humanities and social sciences, mathematics, and physics. Student instructors may be involved in grading, running problemsolving sessions, or teaching classes depending on experience and interest. Qualified students may also develop and teach undergraduate seminars under the supervision of an appropriate faculty or staff member. Student instructors meet weekly with staff to discuss their teaching and cover a variety of topics related to effective teaching techniques. Limited to students in ESG.
P. Christie
ES.201 ESG Undergraduate Teaching
()
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Units: 1-0-2 [P/D/F]
TBA.
An opportunity to assist in the teaching of subjects in ESG in biology, chemistry, humanities and social sciences, mathematics, and physics. Student instructors may be involved in grading, running problem solving sessions, or teaching classes depending on experience and interest. Qualified students may also develop and teach undergraduate seminars under the supervision of an appropriate faculty or staff member. Student instructors meet every other week with staff to discuss their teaching and cover a variety of topics related to effective teaching techniques. Limited to students in ESG.
G. Stoy
No required or recommended textbooks
ES.210 ESG Independent Study
(, , ,  )
Prereq: Permission of instructor
Units arranged [P/D/F]
IAP: Lecture: TBA
Spring: TBA.
Opportunity for independent study under regular supervision by a staff member. Projects require prior approval, as well as a written proposal and a final report. Limited to students in ESG.
Fall: Paola Rebusco
IAP: G. Ramsay
Spring: Graham Ramsay
Summer: Graham Ramsay
No textbook information available
ES.UR Undergraduate Research in ESG
(, , , )
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
IAP: TBA.
Spring: TBA.
For students wishing to pursue undergraduate research opportunities in the Experimental Study Group. Limited to students in ESG.
Fall: G. Ramsay
IAP: G. Ramsay
Spring: G. Ramsay
Textbooks arranged individually
ESG Special Subjects
ES.S10 Special Seminar in Science
()
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. May not be used for GIR credit, but may be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Preference to students in ESG.
Staff
ES.S11 Special Seminar in Science
()
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. May not be used for GIR credit, but may be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Preference to students in ESG.
Staff
ES.S20 Special Seminar in Mathematics
()
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
Lecture: MW11-12.30 (24-618)
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. May not be used for GIR credit, but may be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Preference to students in ESG.
Gabrielle Stoy
No textbook information available
ES.S21 Special Seminar in Mathematics
(, , )
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. May not be used for GIR credit, but may be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Preference to students in ESG.
Staff
ES.S30 Special Seminar in Engineering and Computer Science
()
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
URL: https://esg.mit.edu/learninginnovation/undergraduate-seminars/
Lecture: W3-5 (24-621)
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. May not be used for GIR credit, but may be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Preference to students in ESG.
C. Cardozo
No textbook information available
ES.S31 Special Seminar in Engineering and Computer Science
(, )
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
Lecture: TWR EVE (7-8.30 PM) (24-619)
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. May not be used for GIR credit, but may be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Preference to students in ESG.
Fall: Titus Roesler
IAP: Titus Roesler
No textbook information available
ES.S40 Special Seminar in the Humanities
()
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
TBA.
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. May not be used for GIR credit, but may be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Preference to students in ESG.
L. Perlman
No textbook information available
ES.S41 Special Seminar in the Humanities
(, )
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units arranged
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. May not be used for GIR credit, but may be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Preference to students in ESG.
Fall: Staff
Spring: Staff
ES.S42 Special Seminar in the Humanities
(, )
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units arranged
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. May not be used for GIR credit, but may be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Preference to students in ESG.
Staff
ES.S50 Special Seminar in the Arts
()
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. May not be used for GIR credit, but may be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Preference to students in ESG.
Staff
ES.S51 Special Seminar in the Arts
(, , )
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. May not be used for GIR credit, but may be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Preference to students in ESG.
Staff
ES.S60 Special Seminar in Social Science
()
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. May not be used for GIR credit, but may be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Preference to students in ESG.
Staff
ES.S601 Special Topics in Computer Science
()
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units arranged
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. Limited to 10. Preference given to ESG students.
Staff
ES.S602 Special Topics in Computer Science
()
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. Preference given to ESG students.
Staff
ES.S61 Special Seminar in Social Science
()
Not offered regularly; consult department
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. May not be used for GIR credit, but may be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Preference to students in ESG.
Staff
ES.S70 Special Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies
(, )
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
Lecture: F2-4 (24-621)
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. May not be used for GIR credit, but may be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Preference to students in ESG.
Fall: W. Roush
Spring: W. Roush
No textbook information available
ES.S71 Special Seminar in Interdisciplinary Studies
()
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
TBA.
Covers topics not included in the permanent curriculum. May not be used for GIR credit, but may be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Preference to students in ESG.
C. Kaufmann
No textbook information available
ES.S90 Special Studies in the MIT Initiative for Teaching Incarcerated Individuals
()
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
TBA.
Seminar taught inside a secure Massachusetts correctional facility with a mix of MIT students and incarcerated students. Topics vary from year to year. Limited to 10.
D. Keith-Lucas
No textbook information available
ES.S91 Special Studies in the MIT Initiative for Teaching Incarcerated Individuals
()
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
TBA.
Seminar taught inside a secure Massachusetts correctional facility with a mix of MIT students and incarcerated students. Topics vary from year to year. Limited to 10.
J. Abbott
No textbook information available
ES.S92 Special Studies in the MIT Initiative for Teaching Incarcerated Individuals
()
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
TBA.
Seminar taught inside a secure Massachusetts correctional facility with a mix of MIT students and incarcerated students. Topics vary from year to year. Limited to 10.
Staff
No textbook information available
ES.S93 Special Studies in the MIT Initiative for Teaching Incarcerated Individuals
(New)
(, )
Prereq: None
Units arranged [P/D/F]
TBA.
Seminar taught inside a secure Massachusetts correctional facility with a mix of MIT students and incarcerated students. Topics vary from year to year. Limited to 10.
Fall: L. Perlman
Spring: L. Perlman
No textbook information available
|
