Massachusetts Institute of Technology: faculties, teaching, history and interesting facts

In the world there is a huge number of higher education institutions. Some become popular thanks to the films, others due to their graduates. Massachusetts Institute of Technology is familiar to many due to its position and reputation in the world. Every year it receives thousands of applications from students from around the world. And only 10-15% of the total get a ticket to the technological life of the institute.

Welcome

This higher educational institution of the USA has several names. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - the most popular name of the university. It is not only a university, but also a research center, where graduates and teachers work on state projects. Every year they receive the largest orders for the development of military technology. MIT is considered the largest research structure. The Institute can be called a competitor of large companies Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon.

MIT became the first, where they started dealing with robotics and artificial intelligence. Therefore it is not surprising that all existing engineering programs are recognized as the best in the country. In addition to technical specialties, there are political science, philosophy, linguistics, management, etc.

The Charter

Massachusetts Institute of Technology was founded in 1861. William Burton Rogers fought for his formation. After filing a charter, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts did not think long and founded a new institution. In his head stood MIT and the Boston Society of Natural Science.

The main desire of the founder of the university was to create a new form of education. At the end of the 19th century, science developed rapidly, which meant that an institution was needed that could monitor progress and become a step above classical education. The foundation of the MIT was so quickly approved by both scientists and the people that it was necessary for Rogers to seek sponsors urgently, to work on the curriculum and to find a suitable place for the university.

Despite the difficulties, William Burton had a plan, according to which the development of the new institute was to be accelerated. It consisted of three points (principles):

• Educational value of useful knowledge.
• Priority of practical classes.
• Synthesis of technical and human sciences.

For Rogers, the main thing was not the study of details and manipulations, but the acquisition of knowledge and understanding of scientific principles.

Unfortunately, the first lectures of the Massachusetts University of Technology began only in 1865. This delay was due to the unstable situation in the country. Nevertheless, the first lesson took place in a rented room near Boston, in a small settlement.

Attempts to merge

The first building of the Massachusetts University of Technology was received only in 1866. It was located in the Back Bay area. For a long time MIT was called "Boston Techno". But this "nickname" was gone by 1916. It was to this time that the campus of the University expanded so much that it had to spread across the river to Cambridge.

The first half-century all went according to the plan of Rogers. But over time the concept changed and the MIT started to have problems. In addition to the lack of funds for the maintenance of this kind of research center, there was also a shortage of professionals who would lead the students. This was due to the narrow specialization of the institute.

Nearby was the famous Harvard University, which at that time began to encroach on the unity of the MIT. The administration wanted a merger, but the technology students were against it, so in 1900 this plan failed. Only 14 years later, the MIT merged with the Harvard Department, but only on paper. According to the court's decision, the merger did not happen.

Lucky case

During the time when Harvard University was building plans for unification, MIT was no longer placed in its laboratories and lecture rooms. The new president Richard Maclaurin wanted to expand the territory of the institute. In this he was helped by a happy incident. On the bank account of MIT came money from an anonymous rich man. They could buy a mile of industrial land, which is located on the river Charles. Later, the name of the donor was found out - George Eastman became him. In 6-7 years the institute was able to move to new, equipped buildings. They remain the "home" for all students to this day.

Changes

In 1930, the head of Massachusetts University of Technology became Carl Taylor Compton. He and his vice president Wenivar Bush worked on the curriculum. From the plans of Rogers, nothing at all. Preference was given to the real sciences (chemistry, physics). And the work in the workshops noticeably decreased.

The events in the country have strengthened the confidence in MIT research. The university maintained its reputation and leadership in the field of engineering. Before the Second World War, a huge number of projects were developed here, which later contributed immensely to military research programs.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has changed noticeably. This was due to the fact that the state involved him in research work on military facilities during the Second World War. Thanks to those political events, the university managed to qualitatively increase the personnel and physical laboratories. Now the main driving force was graduate students.

A huge contribution of MIT brought in during the Cold War. Then the "cosmic fever" absorbed the whole world. Many doubted the superiority of the United States over the USSR. It was the work of the research center that elevated and demonstrated the strength and power of American scientists.

But there was also a downside to the coin. Similar studies revolted students and some teachers. The campus has turned into a protest platform. The activists asked the leadership about the new laboratories from which the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory and the Lincoln Laboratory were later formed.

There were also problems of a political nature. MIT is, perhaps, the first university that can be called "the enemy of President Nixon." Due to the radical views of the head of the Viesner Institute, Nixon significantly cut financial assistance to MIT.

Women and Science

It is no coincidence that the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has become involved in such a problem as feminism. Almost from the moment the institute was founded, both men and women were co-educated here. But the girls here were a rarity. Only in 1964 the first female hostel was founded. By 2005, 40% of female students and 30% of graduate students studied at MIT. The first was introduced to the teaching staff of Richards. She specialized in environmental protection. After such an event, the institute's management realized that the quantitative preponderance of male teachers was significant. This situation required immediate correction. In just a few years, MIT's articles stated that the status of a woman in a scientific society has improved noticeably. The proof of this was the appointment of Susan Hockfield as the first female president of the university.

Scientific intrigues

Of course, I did not lose MIT and scientific disagreements. The first big scandal was the case of Professor David Baltimore and Teresa Imanishi-Kari. The scientists were accused of falsifying the results of the study. Congress did not prove their participation in the substitution, but forced the processor to abandon the candidacy for the post of head of the Rockefeller University.

The question of the right to vote of the scientist was raised more than once. This was first talked about after the scandal of David Noble. He was refused the extension of the contract, after which he issued a number of books and documents in which the criticism of MIT's cooperation with the military departments and large corporations was displayed. A similar situation occurred in 2000, when charges against the institute were brought by Ted Postol. He announced the falsification of research by the administration of the university regarding the testing of ballistic missiles.

Russian cooperation

Leo Rafael Reif, the current president of MIT in 2011, signed a document on the formation of the Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology. Thanks to Viktor Vekselberg, who is the president of the Skolkovo Foundation, this document came into force. Now they teach here on the principle of project training.

This was not the end of Rafael Rife's activities in Russia. Two years after the founding of SINT, he headed the International Council of MIPT (Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology).

A scientist's dream

Many who are interested in science at least once thought about how to enter the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Students from all over the world are drawn here, because here is the best education in the field of technology in the world. Everyone who comes in at once can determine the topic and the group for research. Accommodation of students is controlled. There is always a place for entrants on campus.

The teaching staff includes a huge number of scientists, among them about 1000 professors. Despite the fact that the Massachusetts University of Technology has its specialization, students are also trained in the humanitarian field. Some of those who were trained in creative disciplines became Pulitzer Prize laureates.

Since this is not only a university, but also a research structure, there are also outstanding personalities in this sphere. Among the graduates and teachers there are now more than 80 owners of the Nobel Prize.

What to choose?

If you decide to enter MIT, you need to think carefully about what specialty to study. Future bachelors can choose 46 major programs and 49 additional. In general, the Institute is divided into five schools, which in turn have certain departments and directions. Here you can get a profession of an architect, an astronomer, a biologist, a physicist or chemist, an engineer, etc. As mentioned above, there is also a faculty for the humanities, where they teach philosophy, linguistics, history,

What to do?

Everyone has the opportunity to enroll in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Master's and Baccalaureate students from all over the world. To participate in the competition you need to have good results in TOEFL and SAT. Write an essay and pass the text. Also have at least two recommendations from teachers. If necessary, pass the interview in person or by Skype.

If you do not have the opportunity to attend a personal university, everything can be done through the MIT website. After registration, all available information will appear in front of you: arrival dates, deadlines, exam results and so on.

Cost

If you are going to go to Cambridge, Massachusetts, you need to understand the financial question. On average, a year should give about 45 thousand dollars, including accommodation. In general, the university offers a huge number of programs for those who are difficult to pay for training. Therefore, 58% of applicants immediately receive a scholarship.

The average size of it in principle can cover training and living - about 40 thousand dollars. There is an opportunity to receive grants and other financial assistance. The only condition is diligence and high scores.

Before entering, you need to explore all the opportunities that the Massachusetts University of Technology provides. The cost of training can be minimal. If the income of the applicant's family is less than $ 60,000 per year, the MIT can take on not only full payment for education, but personal expenses.

It is worth mentioning that the university administration is pleased to take talented students or students. If you actively manifested yourself in a university or school, participated in social projects, had a high rating in the classroom, then you have every chance of becoming a student at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. You just need to have a high score in English, pass a standard American exam and show yourself in an interview.