6-9 Master of Engineering

The Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences offer a joint curriculum leading to a Master of Engineering (MEng) in Computation and Cognition that focuses on the emerging field of computational and engineering approaches to brain science, cognition and machine intelligence. This program is only open to Computation and Cognition (6-9) majors at MIT.

The Master of Engineering in Computation and Cognition is a five to five-and-a-half year program in which Course 6-9 students earn a bachelors and master's degree. Students may earn the degree concurrently or sequentially with their undergraduate degree. Students will meet all degree requirements for the 6-9 major and complete an additional 90 units including 24 units of thesis work.  The MEng compresses the coursework necessary for a four-year bachelor's and a two-year master's degree into ten or eleven semesters. Students begin fulfilling MEng requirements in their latter semesters as undergraduates.

The curriculum provides flexibility to accommodate students with a wide diversity of interests in this area—from biologically-inspired approaches to artificial intelligence, to reverse engineering circuits in the brain. This joint master’s program prepares students for careers that include advanced applications of artificial intelligence and machine learning, as well as further graduate study in systems and cognitive neuroscience. Students in the program are full members of both departments, with one academic advisor from each department.

MEng Admission

Admissions Criteria:

  • A technical GPA 4.25 or better (letter grades in 6-9 courses and any other courses in 6, 8, or 18)
  • Completion of 9 subjects (or 102 units) counting toward the 6-9 major
  • An overall GPA of 4.0 is required by the end of the term in which students apply
  • One UROP or SuperUROP  (The EECS or BCS Office may contact research supervisors for their views on candidates).
  • A commitment from a faculty member to supervise their thesis research.
  • Students in their Junior or Senior year should submit an online application in November or April.

If you are a 6-9 major meet the criteria above and your research program is adequately developed, you will be admitted into the MEng program.

Apply at the MEng Application Website (available in November and April).

Degree Chart

The Master of Engineering degree is awarded only to students who have already received, or who will simultaneously receive, the Bachelor of Science in Computation and Cognition (Course 6-9). Refer to the undergraduate degree chart for requirements. 

The graduate component of the MEng program is described below.

Course 6-9P Graduate Requirements

Required Subjects 
6.THMMaster of Engineering Program Thesis24
Restricted Electives 
Four graduate subjects totaling at least 42 units, which includes two subjects from the EECS advanced subjects and two from the BCS advanced subjects42-48
Two subjects from the list of mathematics restricted electives24
Total Units90-96

EECS Advanced Subjects

6.231Dynamic Programming and Reinforcement Learning12
6.241[J]Dynamic Systems and Control12
6.245Multivariable Control Systems12
6.246, 6.247Advanced Topics in Control12
6.248, 6.249Advanced Topics in Numerical Methods12
6.251[J]Introduction to Mathematical Programming12
6.252[J]Nonlinear Optimization12
6.254Game Theory with Engineering Applications12
6.255[J]Optimization Methods12
6.256[J]Algebraic Techniques and Semidefinite Optimization12
6.260, 6.261Advanced Topics in Communications12
6.262Discrete Stochastic Processes12
6.263[J]Data-Communication Networks12
6.265[J]Discrete Probability and Stochastic Processes12
6.267Heterogeneous Networks: Architecture, Transport, Proctocols, and Management12
6.268Network Science and Models12
6.332, 6.333Advanced Topics in Circuits12
6.334Power Electronics12
6.335[J]Fast Methods for Partial Differential and Integral Equations12
6.336[J]Introduction to Numerical Simulation12
6.337[J]Introduction to Numerical Methods12
6.338[J]Numerical Computing and Interactive Software12
6.339[J]Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations12
6.341Discrete-Time Signal Processing12
6.344Digital Image Processing12
6.345[J]Automatic Speech Recognition12
6.347, 6.348Advanced Topics in Signals and Systems12
6.374Analysis and Design of Digital Integrated Circuits12
6.375Complex Digital Systems Design12
6.434[J]Statistics for Engineers and Scientists12
6.435Bayesian Modeling and Inference12
6.436[J]Fundamentals of Probability12
6.437Inference and Information12
6.438Algorithms for Inference12
6.440Essential Coding Theory12
6.441Information Theory12
6.442Optical Networks12
6.443[J]Quantum Information Science12
6.450Principles of Digital Communication12
6.452Principles of Wireless Communication12
6.453Quantum Optical Communication12
6.454Graduate Seminar in Area I6
6.456Array Processing12
6.521[J]Cellular Neurophysiology and Computing 112
6.522[J]Quantitative Physiology: Organ Transport Systems12
6.524[J]Molecular, Cellular, and Tissue Biomechanics12
6.525[J]Medical Device Design12
6.542[J]Laboratory on the Physiology, Acoustics, and Perception of Speech12
6.544, 6.545Advanced Topics in BioEECS12
6.552[J]Signal Processing by the Auditory System: Perception12
6.555[J]Biomedical Signal and Image Processing12
6.556[J]Data Acquisition and Image Reconstruction in MRI12
6.561[J]Fields, Forces, and Flows in Biological Systems12
6.630Electromagnetics12
6.631Optics and Photonics12
6.632Electromagnetic Wave Theory12
6.637Optical Imaging Devices, and Systems12
6.644, 6.645Advanced Topics in Applied Physics12
6.685Electric Machines12
6.690Introduction to Electric Power Systems12
6.695[J]Engineering, Economics and Regulation of the Electric Power Sector12
6.719Nanoelectronics12
6.720[J]Integrated Microelectronic Devices12
6.728Applied Quantum and Statistical Physics12
6.730Physics for Solid-State Applications12
6.731Semiconductor Optoelectronics: Theory and Design12
6.732Physics of Solids12
6.735, 6.736Advanced Topics in Materials, Devices, and Nanotechnology12
6.774Physics of Microfabrication: Front End Processing12
6.776High Speed Communication Circuits12
6.777[J]Design and Fabrication of Microelectromechanical Systems12
6.780[J]Control of Manufacturing Processes12
6.781[J]Nanostructure Fabrication12
6.820Foundations of Program Analysis12
6.823Computer System Architecture12
6.824Distributed Computer Systems Engineering12
6.828Operating System Engineering12
6.829Computer Networks12
6.830Database Systems12
6.832Underactuated Robotics12
6.833The Human Intelligence Enterprise12
6.834[J]Cognitive Robotics12
6.835Intelligent Multimodal User Interfaces12
6.836Multicore Programming12
6.837Computer Graphics12
6.838Shape Analysis12
6.839Advanced Computer Graphics12
6.840[J]Theory of Computation12
6.841[J]Advanced Complexity Theory12
6.842Randomness and Computation12
6.845Quantum Complexity Theory12
6.846Parallel Computing12
6.849Geometric Folding Algorithms: Linkages, Origami, Polyhedra12
6.850Geometric Computing12
6.851Advanced Data Structures12
6.852[J]Distributed Algorithms12
6.853Topics in Algorithmic Game Theory12
6.854[J]Advanced Algorithms12
6.856[J]Randomized Algorithms12
6.857Network and Computer Security12
6.858Computer Systems Security12
6.860[J]Statistical Learning Theory and Applications12
6.863[J]Natural Language and the Computer Representation of Knowledge12
6.864Advanced Natural Language Processing12
6.865Advanced Computational Photography12
6.866Machine Vision12
6.867Machine Learning12
6.869Advances in Computer Vision12
6.870Advanced Topics in Computer Vision12
6.872[J]Biomedical Computing12
6.874[J]Computational Systems Biology: Deep Learning in the Life Sciences12
6.875[J]Cryptography and Cryptanalysis12
6.876Advanced Topics in Cryptography12
6.878[J]Advanced Computational Biology: Genomes, Networks, Evolution12
6.881Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence12
6.882Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence12
6.883Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence12
6.884Advanced Topics in Artificial Intelligence12
6.885-6.888Advanced Topics in Computer Systems12
6.889-6.893Advanced Topics in Theoretical Computer Science12
6.894-6.896Advanced Topics in Graphics and Human-Computer Interfaces12
6.935[J]Financial Market Dynamics and Human Behavior9
6.945Large-scale Symbolic Systems12
6.946[J]Classical Mechanics: A Computational Approach12
1

Cannot count as EECS Advanced Subject if undergraduate version is taken as part of the Course 6-9 SB degree.

BCS Advanced Subjects

9.016[J]Acoustics, Production and Perception of Speech12
9.021[J]Cellular Neurophysiology and Computing 112
9.073[J]Statistics for Neuroscience Research 212
9.110[J]Nonlinear Control12
9.123[J]Neurotechnology in Action12
9.181[J]Developmental Neurobiology 112
9.190Computational Psycholinguistics 112
9.272[J]Topics in Neural Signal Processing12
9.285[J]Audition: Neural Mechanisms, Perception and Cognition12
9.301[J]Neural Plasticity in Learning and Memory9
9.34[J]Biomechanics and Neural Control of Movement12
9.422[J]Principles of Neuroengineering12
9.455[J]Revolutionary Ventures: How to Invent and Deploy Transformative Technologies9
9.520[J]Statistical Learning Theory and Applications 112
9.530Emergent Computations Within Distributed Neural Circuits 112
9.583[J]Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging: Data Acquisition and Analysis12
9.601[J]Language Acquisition I9
9.660Computational Cognitive Science 112
9.822[J]Psychology and Economics12
1

Cannot count as BCS Advanced Subject if undergraduate version is taken as part of the Course 6-9 SB degree.

2

Subject can count as BCS Advanced Subject or Mathematics Restricted Elective, but not both.

Mathematics Restricted Electives

Probability and Statistics (maximum of 1) 
Introduction to Inference 1 
Introduction to Probability 1 
Fundamentals of Probability 
Statistics for Brain and Cognitive Science 1 
Statistics for Neuroscience Research 2 
Topics in Neural Signal Processing 2 
Introduction to Probability and Statistics 
Probability and Random Variables 
Fundamentals of Statistics 
Discrete Mathematics (maximum of 1) 
Mathematics for Computer Science 1 
Principles of Discrete Applied Mathematics 
Linear Algebra (maximum of 1) 
Linear Algebra 1 
Modern Algebra 
Complex Variables (maximum of 1) 
Complex Variables with Applications 
Methods for Scientists and Engineers 
Real Analysis (maximum of 1) 
Real Analysis 
Other Subjects 
Statistical Physics I 
Computational Science and Engineering I 
Computational Science and Engineering II 
Introduction to Numerical Analysis 
Theory of Numbers 
1

Cannot count as Mathematics Restricted Elective if taken as part of the Course 6-9 SB degree.

2

Subject can count as BCS Advanced Subject or Mathematics Restricted Elective, but not both.

Funding

Departmental funding for the MEng program is not guaranteed. However, students may apply for funding from two sources: teaching assistantships and research assistantships. Students will have the opportunity to apply for funding before they begin the MEng program. Full-time TA or RA assistantships pay a monthly stipend, full tuition and health insurance. Students with TAships should expect to work approximately 20 hours a week on teaching. Students may request funding as a research assistant from their thesis supervisor, however, RA support for MEng students is not common.

Information regarding teaching assistantships including the application process can be found here.

Students with a full-time TAship or RAship may only register for two 12 unit subjects in addition to 12 units of thesis credit and 12 units of assistantship credit. Students holding a half- TAship or half-RAship may register for an additional class. Because students receive credit for their thesis work as well as TAships and RAships, they are registered for 48 to 60 units each term.

Term limits: MEng students are only eligible for RAships and TAships during their first three regular semesters (summers are excepted) as a graduate student. If a student has been a graduate TA at least once or has unusual circumstances that have delayed progress on the thesis or classes, the student may request one additional term (a fourth term) of support eligibility.  

For more detailed information regarding the cost of attendance, including specific costs for tuition and fees, books and supplies, housing and food as well as transportation, please visit the SFS website.

MEng Q&A

When is the best term to become a graduate student?

Students in the MEng program have to transition from being an undergraduate to being a graduate student at some point before they graduate. Specifically, they must be registered as a graduate student prior to their last regular semester in the MEng program. 

With a source of graduate funding and sufficient progress with requirements, students will often choose to become a graduate student in the fourth year (eighth term). Not all of the requirements for the undergraduate degree have to be completed in order to become an MEng student. Students must have at least 180 units beyond the GIRs with at least 15 of the GIRs completed to become a graduate student. In order to earn an MEng, students must be a full-time graduate student for at least one regular semester (not counting summer term or IAP) to earn the degree. Some students may opt to become graduate students after the start of the fifth year due to funding or to finish undergraduate requirements. Students typically only have six subjects left to complete for the bachelor's and master's degrees when becoming a graduate student. 

How do Thesis Units work?

Thesis units work differently than for other subjects. Students must register for 12 units of 6.THM in each graduate term until their thesis is submitted. However, only 24 units will affect their grade point average (the thesis receives a letter-grade).

How does the Thesis Proposal work?

Students are encouraged to find the subject of their MEng thesis during their junior or senior year. Often student’s thesis research builds on prior UROP or SuperUROP projects.  Students register for 6.THM during the summer term or fall semester of their graduate year. Students are encouraged to submit a thesis proposal after determining the scope of their research project with their supervisor.  Proposals are due during the first semester of the MEng program and will serve as a point of departure for the thesis work.

What are the Subject Requirements?

 It is necessary to fulfill the requirements of and receive the 6-9 degree along with, or before,  the MEng degree. The MEng requires two BCS advanced subjects, two EECS advanced subjects, two math restricted electives along with the Master's thesis.

How much progress on the MEng is required each term?

MEng students are expected to make  progress on their theses each term and are expected to take at least one class (if needed) each term.  Students are encouraged to take courses and work on the thesis simultaneously, in order to ensure timely completion of the degree.

What are Buckets?

Buckets refer to the categorization of subjects as fulfilling requirements for the students undergraduate or graduate degree.To graduate with MEng students must have 66 units, plus thesis units, in their graduate program.  At the same time they must have completed all of the requirements of the 6-9 undergraduate program.  This means that students will have roughly 474 total units (17 GIRS = 204, 180 units beyond the GIRs, 66 units in the grad program, plus a minimum of 24 thesis units = 474 units).

What are the Support and Enrollment Limits?

MEng students can not have RA and TA support beyond their first three regular terms (not including summer).  Students may petition for one additional term of support if they have served as a TA for one semester or have other extenuating circumstances.  

What are the Academic Requirements for the MEng?

MEng graduate students must maintain a 4.0 GPA and must earn grades that are a B- or better in all courses.  Students must also make continual progress towards their thesis each term. Students who do not meet these requirements may receive warning letters from the Office of the Vice Chancellor and may not be permitted to complete the program.

Contact

For more information:

BCS Academic Office
Building 46 Room 2005
bcs-undergrad-admin@mit.edu