Massachusetts Institute of Technology facts for kids
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| Motto | Mens et Manus (Latin) |
|---|---|
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Motto in English
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"Mind and Hand" |
| Type | Private land-grant research university |
| Established | April 10, 1861 |
| Founder | William Barton Rogers |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $23.5 billion (2023) |
| Chancellor | Melissa Nobles |
| President | Sally Kornbluth |
| Provost | Cynthia Barnhart |
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Academic staff
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1,069 |
| Students | 11,920 (2023–24) |
| Undergraduates | 4,576 (2023–24) |
| Postgraduates | 7,344 (2023–24) |
| Location |
,
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United States
42°21′35″N 71°5′31″W / 42.35972°N 71.09194°W |
| Campus | Midsize city, 166 acres (67.2 ha) |
| Newspaper | The Tech |
| Colors | Cardinal Red and Steel Gray |
| Nickname | Engineers |
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Sporting affiliations
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| Mascot | Tim the Beaver |
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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It was started in 1861. MIT has been very important in developing many areas of modern technology and science.
MIT was founded because the United States was becoming more industrialized. It followed a European model, focusing on hands-on learning in labs for applied science and engineering. MIT is one of only three private universities in the U.S. that are also "land-grant" schools. This means they received land from the government to help fund education for everyone.
The university has a campus that stretches over a mile along the Charles River. It also has important off-campus facilities like the MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Many famous people have been part of MIT. As of 2023, 101 Nobel Prize winners, 26 Turing Award winners, and 8 Fields Medalists have been connected to MIT. This includes former students, teachers, or researchers. MIT also has a strong spirit of starting new businesses. Many notable companies have been founded or co-founded by MIT alumni.
Contents
History of MIT
How MIT Began
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In 1861, a plan to create the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was approved. This was proposed by William Barton Rogers. He was a professor who wanted to create a new kind of school. It would focus on the fast changes happening in science and technology.
Rogers wanted a school that taught the scientific ideas behind how things work. He believed in learning through experiments and labs. His plan was similar to the German research university model. This model focused on professors doing their own research and teaching in small groups.
Early Years and Growth
MIT's first classes were held in Boston in 1865. The school was part of the Morrill Land-Grant Colleges Act. This act helped fund schools that offered practical education for working people. MIT was informally known as "Boston Tech."
The institute quickly focused on hands-on lab learning. It grew a lot in the late 1800s. New programs in different types of engineering were added. More buildings were built, and the number of students grew to over a thousand.
For many years, there were talks about MIT joining Harvard University. However, MIT faculty and alumni wanted the school to stay independent. In 1916, MIT moved to a large new campus in Cambridge. This new campus was built on land next to the Charles River. It was largely paid for by anonymous donations from someone called "Mr. Smith." In 1920, "Mr. Smith" was revealed to be George Eastman, the founder of Eastman Kodak. He gave a lot of money to MIT.
Changes in Learning
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In the 1930s, leaders at MIT decided to focus more on pure sciences like physics and chemistry. They reduced the amount of time students spent on vocational training. This helped MIT become known for leadership in both science and engineering.
Later, in 1949, a report suggested that MIT should offer a broader education. It warned against letting engineering and government research take away from science and humanities. Because of this, the MIT School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences and the MIT Sloan School of Management were created in 1950. These new schools helped MIT offer a wider range of subjects.
Contributions to National Defense
MIT played a big role in developing technology during World War II. Scientists at MIT's Radiation Laboratory helped create radar technology. This work was very important for the war effort and for future research. Other projects included control systems for aiming guns and bombs, and early digital computers. By the end of the war, MIT was a major research partner for the government.
After the war, MIT continued to work on important defense projects. This included guidance systems for rockets and the Project Apollo space missions. These projects helped MIT grow in size and importance. The number of faculty and graduate students increased greatly.
In the late 1960s and early 1970s, some students and faculty protested against the Vietnam War. They were concerned about MIT's involvement in defense research. In response, MIT moved some of its classified research off-campus. This helped the university stay united during a difficult time. MIT's research for the military has continued, including work on robots and drones.
Recent History and Innovations
MIT has been a leader in the digital age. Students and faculty helped create early interactive computer video games. They also developed much of the language and culture used by computer hackers. Many important computer organizations started at MIT. These include the GNU Project for free software and the MIT Media Lab. The World Wide Web Consortium, which sets standards for the internet, was also founded at MIT by Tim Berners-Lee.
In 2002, MIT started the OpenCourseWare project. This project makes course materials for over 2,000 MIT classes available online for free. In 2011, MIT began offering formal certificates for online courses through its "MITx" program. This led to the creation of the "edX" online learning platform, which is now used by many universities.
In 2013, an MIT police officer, Sean Collier, was killed. The MIT community honored him by creating the Collier Medal. This award is given each year to someone who shows kindness and helps build community.
MIT continues to be at the forefront of new technology. In 2017, it opened the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab to study artificial intelligence. In 2018, MIT announced a new Schwarzman College of Computing. This college focuses on AI and how it can be used in many different fields.
MIT scientists also played a key role in the LIGO project. This project was designed to detect gravitational waves. In 2015, gravitational waves were detected for the first time. For this discovery, an MIT physicist, Rainer Weiss, won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2017.
MIT Campus
MIT's campus is about 166 acres in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It runs for about a mile along the Charles River. The campus is split in half by Massachusetts Avenue. Most student dorms are on the west side, and most academic buildings are on the east. The Harvard Bridge is close to MIT. It is famous for being measured in "smoots," a funny unit of length.
Each building at MIT has a number and often a name. Academic buildings are usually called by their number. Dorms are called by their name. Many buildings are connected by tunnels. These tunnels help students get around in bad weather and are also used for fun "hacking" activities.
MIT has a powerful nuclear reactor on campus. It is one of the strongest university reactors in the U.S. In 1999, Bill Gates gave $20 million to MIT to build a computer lab. This lab was designed by the famous architect Frank Gehry.
MIT Nano, also known as Building 12, is a special facility for tiny-scale research. It has a huge "cleanroom" for delicate experiments. This building cost $400 million to build. Other cool facilities include a wind tunnel for testing aerodynamics and a tank for testing ship designs.
MIT works to be environmentally friendly. It uses shuttles that run on alternative fuels. It also has a plant that provides most of the campus's electricity, heating, and cooling. MIT is the largest taxpayer in Cambridge. It owns a lot of land for future growth.
Campus Buildings and Design
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MIT's School of Architecture was the first formal architecture program in the U.S. The first buildings on the Cambridge campus were finished in 1916. They were designed by William Welles Bosworth. These large buildings were made of reinforced concrete, which was new for a university building. The Great Dome, which looks like the Pantheon, is a famous part of these buildings. It covers the Barker Engineering Library.
Later buildings include Alvar Aalto's Baker House and Eero Saarinen's MIT Chapel. More recent buildings like Frank Gehry's Stata Center and Steven Holl's Simmons Hall have very modern designs. These buildings stand out from the older, classical buildings in the Boston area.
Student Housing at MIT
Undergraduate students are guaranteed housing for all four years in one of MIT's 11 dorms. Students living on campus get support from graduate student tutors and faculty. Different dorms have different social vibes. For example, East Campus is known for its unique culture. MIT also has dorms for graduate students and apartments for married students.
MIT has many fraternities, sororities, and independent living groups. About half of the men and a quarter of the women join these groups. Most of these groups are located across the river in Boston. In 2002, MIT changed its rules to require all first-year students to live in dorms. This change was made to ensure a safe and supportive environment for new students.
How MIT is Organized
MIT is a non-profit organization. It is run by a group of people called the MIT Corporation. This board approves the budget, new programs, and faculty appointments. They also choose the university's president. The current president is Sally Kornbluth, who started in January 2023.
MIT has five main schools: Science, Engineering, Architecture and Planning, Management, and Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences. It also has the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing. Each school has different academic departments. The head of each department reports to the dean of their school.
Learning at MIT
MIT is a large research university. Most students are in graduate programs. MIT is recognized by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The school year is divided into two main semesters, fall and spring. There is also a special 4-week period in January called "Independent Activities Period."
MIT students often use numbers to refer to their majors and classes. For example, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science is "Course 6." An introductory physics class might be called "8.01."
Undergraduate Studies
| Academic Year | Undergraduates | Graduate | Total Enrollment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017–2018 | 4,547 | 6,919 | 11,466 |
| 2018–2019 | 4,602 | 6,972 | 11,574 |
| 2019–2020 | 4,530 | 6,990 | 11,520 |
| 2020–2021 | 4,361 | 6,893 | 11,254 |
| 2021–2022 | 4,638 | 7,296 | 11,934 |
| 2022–2023 | 4,657 | 7,201 | 11,858 |
MIT's undergraduate program takes four years. It balances professional majors with arts and sciences. In 2020–2021, only 4.1% of applicants were admitted, making it very selective. MIT offers 44 different undergraduate degrees. Most students major in engineering or science.
All undergraduate students must complete core classes called General Institute Requirements (GIRs). These include science, math, and humanities classes. Students also need to take "communication-intensive" classes. These classes focus on improving speaking and writing skills. All students must also pass a swimming test and take physical education classes.
MIT classes often involve lectures, small group discussions, weekly homework, and tests. The workload can be intense. However, MIT has a "pass/no-record" grading system for first-year students. This means that if a freshman passes a class, it just shows as "pass" on their transcript. If they don't pass, it's not recorded. This helps reduce stress for new students.
In 1969, MIT started the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP). This program lets undergraduate students work directly with professors and researchers. Students can earn credit, get paid, or volunteer for these projects. Many students participate in UROP. Some even publish their work or start new companies based on their research.
Graduate Studies
MIT's graduate program works closely with the undergraduate program. Many classes are taken by both undergraduate and graduate students. MIT offers doctoral degrees in many fields, including humanities, social sciences, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math). It also offers professional degrees like the Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Most doctoral students receive financial support. This can be through fellowships, research assistantships, or teaching assistantships.
MIT Bootcamps
MIT Bootcamps are short, intense programs. They focus on innovation and leadership. These week-long programs are taught by MIT instructors.
University Rankings
| ARWU World | 3 |
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| THES World | 3 |
| USNWR National University | 2 |
| Washington Monthly National University | 3 |
| Forbes | 4 |
MIT is consistently ranked among the top universities in the world. Its School of Engineering is often ranked number one. MIT is also highly ranked in computer science, natural sciences, business, architecture, economics, and mathematics.
Times Higher Education calls MIT one of the world's "six super brands." This means it's one of the most famous and respected universities globally. In 2017, it was ranked the second-best university for arts and humanities. MIT is also known for giving students a great return on their investment after graduation.
Working with Others
MIT has a history of working with businesses and the government. In 1946, MIT leaders helped start the first American venture-capital firm. This firm helped new companies get funding. MIT also has a program to connect with industries.
MIT is close to Harvard University. This has led to many research projects together. Students at MIT and Harvard can also take classes at each other's schools. MIT also has programs with Wellesley College and the University of Cambridge in the UK.
MIT works with other research groups in the Boston area. It also has international partnerships in places like Singapore and Italy.
MIT publishes Technology Review magazine. It also has its own publishing company, MIT Press. This press publishes books and journals about science, technology, and other topics.
MIT Microphotonics Center and PhotonDelta created a global plan for integrated photonics. This plan helps guide research in tiny light-based technologies. In 2022, a group called Open Philanthropy gave MIT over $13 million to study potential risks from artificial intelligence.
Libraries and Museums
MIT has five main libraries, each focusing on different subjects like engineering or economics. They have millions of books, journals, and digital resources. The libraries also have special collections, like a large collection of science fiction books.
The MIT Museum was founded in 1971. It collects and shows items important to MIT's history and culture. The museum also has educational programs for the public. It hosts the annual Cambridge Science Festival.
Research at MIT
MIT is known for its very high level of research activity. In 2017, it spent $952 million on research. The U.S. government is the biggest source of funding for MIT's research. MIT employs about 1300 researchers in addition to its professors.
MIT researchers have invented or greatly improved many important technologies. These include magnetic-core memory, radar, and inertial guidance systems. They also made key contributions to information theory and digital circuit design. In computer science, MIT has been central to the development of artificial intelligence, computer languages, and robotics.
Many MIT faculty members have won Nobel Prizes for their work in physics, chemistry, and biology. For example, Professor Eric Lander was a main leader of the Human Genome Project. Important discoveries made at MIT include synthetic penicillin and the genetic causes of diseases like ALS.
In humanities and social sciences, MIT economists have won many Nobel Prizes. Linguists like Noam Chomsky have written important books on language. The MIT Media Lab is famous for its creative research in computer technology.
Many people connected to MIT have won MacArthur Fellowships, also known as "Genius Grants." Several Pulitzer Prize-winning writers have also worked at MIT.
Discoveries and Innovations from MIT
MIT has been a place where many groundbreaking discoveries and inventions have happened.
Science Breakthroughs
- Oncogene – Robert Weinberg found the genetic basis of human cancer.
- Reverse transcription – David Baltimore discovered how some viruses make DNA from RNA.
- Thermal death time – This research, done in the late 1800s, helped with food canning. It is also used in medical devices and medicines.
- Electroweak interaction – Steven Weinberg developed a theory that unites two fundamental forces of nature.
Computer and Applied Science Inventions
- Akamai Technologies – This company helps make the internet faster by delivering content more efficiently.
- Cryptography – MIT researchers developed the RSA cryptosystem, a key method for secure communication.
- Digital circuits – Claude Shannon developed the theory for digital circuits, which are the basis of modern computers.
- Electronic ink – This technology, used in e-readers, was developed at the MIT Media Lab.
- Emacs (text editor) – A powerful text editor that started at the MIT AI Lab.
- Flight recorder (black box) – Charles Stark Draper developed the black box, which is crucial for airplane safety. His lab also designed the computer that guided the Apollo Moon landings.
- GNU Project – Richard Stallman started the free software movement at MIT.
- Julia (programming language) – A modern programming language developed at MIT.
- Lisp (programming language) – John McCarthy invented this programming language at MIT in 1958.
- Lithium-ion battery improvements – MIT researchers found ways to make these batteries perform much better.
- MIT OpenCourseWare – MIT helped kickstart the movement of making university course materials available online for free.
- Perdix micro-drone – An autonomous drone that can work together with other drones using artificial intelligence.
- Project MAC – A major project that led to important research in operating systems and artificial intelligence.
- Radar – Developed at MIT's Radiation Laboratory during World War II.
- SKETCHPAD – An early computer program that was a big step in computer graphics and design.
- VisiCalc – The first spreadsheet program for personal computers, created by MIT alumni.
- World Wide Web Consortium – This group sets international standards for the World Wide Web.
- X Window System – A system for graphical user interfaces widely used on Unix and Linux computers.
Companies Started by MIT Alumni
Many successful companies have been founded by people who studied or worked at MIT:
- Analog Devices, 1965
- BlackRock, 1988
- Bose Corporation, 1964
- Buzzfeed, 2006
- Dropbox, 2007
- Hewlett-Packard, 1939
- HuffPost, 2005
- Intel, 1968
- Khan Academy, 2008
- Koch Industries, 1940
- Qualcomm, 1985
- Raytheon, 1922
- Renaissance Technologies, 1982
- Texas Instruments, 1930
- TSMC, 1987
- VMware, 1998
A study found that living MIT alumni have started 25,800 companies. These companies employ over three million people and generate about $1.9 trillion in revenue each year. If these companies were a country, they would have the 11th highest GDP in the world!
Student Life and Traditions
MIT students and faculty value hard work and technical skills. MIT has never given out honorary degrees. It also does not give athletic scholarships or special honors at graduation.
Many older students and alumni wear a special, heavy class ring called the "Brass Rat". The design changes slightly each year. But it always features the MIT seal, the class year, and a beaver. The beaver is MIT's mascot. A common student saying, "IHTFP," has many funny meanings, like "I Have Truly Found Paradise."
Rivalry with Caltech
MIT has a friendly rivalry with the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Both schools are known for science and engineering. The rivalry involves academic challenges and fun pranks.
In 2005, Caltech students pranked MIT's Campus Preview Weekend. They gave out t-shirts that said "MIT" on the front and "...because not everyone can go to Caltech" on the back. In 2006, MIT got back at them by "stealing" Caltech's 1.7-ton Fleming cannon. They brought it to Cambridge and displayed it. The rivalry continues with creative pranks.
Student Activities
MIT has over 500 student groups. These include a campus radio station, a student newspaper called The Tech, and an annual entrepreneurship competition. There's also a crime club and a model railroad club.
The Independent Activities Period (IAP) is a special four-week time in January. Students can take fun, optional classes, attend lectures, and participate in activities. Popular IAP activities include robot design competitions and the annual "mystery hunt". Many students also do internships during IAP.
Many MIT students enjoy "hacking." This means exploring hidden areas like rooftops and steam tunnels. It also means playing clever practical jokes. Famous hacks include moving Caltech's cannon and putting a Wright Flyer on top of the Great Dome.
Sports at MIT
MIT has 31 varsity sports teams. It has one of the largest athletic programs in NCAA Division III. MIT teams are called the MIT Engineers. They have won many national championships. MIT is also a leader in producing Academic All-Americas, who are great athletes and students.
People of MIT
Students at MIT
| Race and ethnicity | Total | ||
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| Asian | 32% |
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| White | 26% |
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| Hispanic | 16% |
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| Foreign national | 10% |
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| Other | 10% |
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| Black | 7% |
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| Economic diversity | |||
| Low-income | 19% |
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| Affluent | 81% |
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In 2018–2019, MIT had 4,602 undergraduate students and 6,972 graduate students. Students came from all 50 U.S. states and 115 other countries.
MIT is very competitive to get into. For the undergraduate Class of 2025, only 4.1% of applicants were admitted. For graduate programs, about 12.6% of applicants were admitted.
Tuition and fees for 2019–2020 were about $53,790 for nine months. Many students receive financial aid.
MIT has accepted female students since 1870, when Ellen Swallow Richards was admitted. She also became the first female faculty member. The number of women at MIT has grown over the years. By 2009, women made up 45% of undergraduates and 31% of graduate students.
Professors and Staff
As of 2021, MIT had 1,069 faculty members. Professors teach classes, advise students, and do their own research. Many MIT faculty members have won Nobel Prizes. As of October 2020, 37 current or past MIT faculty have won Nobel Prizes.
Professors who have made amazing contributions to research and the MIT community can become "Institute Professors." Susan Hockfield, a brain scientist, was MIT's president from 2004 to 2012. She was the first woman to hold this position.
Many MIT faculty members have gone on to lead other universities. Others have been recruited to lead government agencies. For example, Ernest Moniz became the U.S. Secretary of Energy. Sheila Widnall, an alumna and professor, was the first woman to lead a branch of the U.S. military.
MIT is the second-largest employer in Cambridge. Employees often describe MIT as a "smart," "creative," and "friendly" place to work.
Famous Alumni
MIT has over 120,000 alumni who have achieved great success. They work in science, public service, education, and business. As of 2020, 41 MIT alumni have won Nobel Prizes. Many have also received other prestigious scholarships.
In U.S. politics, MIT alumni include former Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Senator Alex Padilla. In international politics, alumni include former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan and the current President of Colombia, Virgilio Barco Vargas.
MIT alumni have founded or co-founded many well-known companies. These include Intel, Hewlett-Packard, Bose, and Dropbox.
Many MIT alumni have become leaders of other universities. These include Harvard University, Carnegie Mellon University, and Purdue University.
More than one-third of U.S. crewed spaceflights have included MIT-educated astronauts. Four of the 12 people who have walked on the Moon graduated from MIT. This includes Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin. MIT alumni also played a big role in creating the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.
Famous alumni in non-science fields include author Hugh Lofting, sculptor Daniel Chester French, and guitarist Tom Scholz from the band Boston. Paul Krugman, a Nobel Prize-winning economist and The New York Times columnist, also graduated from MIT. Famous architects I.M. Pei and Gordon Bunshaft are also MIT alumni.
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Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, ScD 1963
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Former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, SM 1972
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President of Colombia (1986–1990) Virgilio Barco Vargas, SB 1943
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Former Federal Reserve Bank chairman and 2022 Nobel Laureate Ben Bernanke, PhD 1979
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Economics Nobel laureate Esther Duflo, PhD 1999
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Physicist and Nobel laureate Richard Feynman, SB 1939
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Astronaut and USAF Colonel Michael Fincke, SB 1989
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Sculptor Daniel Chester French
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Economics Nobel laureate Paul Krugman, PhD 1977
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Space Shuttle Challenger astronaut and physicist Ronald McNair, PhD 1976
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, SB 1975, SM 1976
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Architect I. M. Pei, BArch 1940
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Claude Shannon, PhD 1940
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CEO of General Motors Alfred P. Sloan, SB 1895
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"Boston" guitarist Tom Scholz, SB 1969, SM 1970
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Astronaut and engineer Mike Massimino, PhD 1992
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Chemist and Nobel laureate Robert Burns Woodward, SB 1936, PhD 1937
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See also
In Spanish: Instituto de Tecnología de Massachusetts para niños
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology School of Engineering
- Whitehead Institute
- Eli and Edythe L. Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
- Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research
- The Coop, campus bookstore
