Registration Instructions
All students taking classes are expected to meet with their advisors to discuss fall and spring term subject selection. Students are strongly encouraged to submit their online registration before classes begin to ensure accurate course enrollments. The deadline to complete the registration process without penalty is the Friday following registration day at 5:00pm.
The process:
- Students and advisors meet to agree on subject selections for the term.
- Academic advisor approves the subject selections for which the student has pre-registered. (If the advisor is a WHOI faculty member, they send an email to the WHOI Registrar indicating approval of the selected courses, and the WHOI Registrar approves the online registration.)
- Student completes registration process by submitting the digital form.
Total Units for Full-Time Students
Spring and Fall terms: 36-56 units
Summer session: 24-36 units
IAP: JP students do not register unless taking a specific course OR submitting their final thesis during IAP.
Registering for Research
All JP students register for research or thesis units every semester. Students working on a master's, engineer's, or doctoral thesis should register for thesis units.
- School of Science: Only students who have passed the thesis proposal defense and advanced to candidacy or are working on a master’s degree should register for thesis units (X.THG). Pre-thesis proposal students should register for the pass/D/fail research option (12.983 or 12.981) unless instructed otherwise by their advisor.
- School of Engineering: Varies by MIT department; see below.
Students can also consult their handbook, Academic Advisor, or MIT Graduate Administrator for guidance.
Research Subject Numbers
| Course 1 - Civil & Environmental Engineering | |
| 1.THG | Graduate Thesis (all JP students in Course 1) |
| Course 2 - Mechanical Engineering | |
| 2.689 | Projects in Oceanographic Engineering (pre-qualifying exam) |
| 2.THG | Graduate Thesis (post-qualifying exam) |
| Course 6 - Electrical Engineering & Computer Science | |
| 6.9920 | Introductory Research in EECS (taken in the first year) |
| 6.THG | Graduate Thesis (taken after spring of 1st year) |
| Course 7 - Biology | |
| 7.491 | Research in Biological Oceanography (pre-thesis proposal) |
| 7.THG | Graduate Thesis (post-thesis proposal) |
| Course 12 - Earth, Atmospheric & Planetary Sciences | |
| 12.980 | Current Research in Joint Program at MIT (letter graded - only use this number if specifically advised to do so; advised at MIT; pre-thesis proposal) |
| 12.981 | Current Research in Joint Program at MIT (Pass/D/Fail; advised at MIT; pre-thesis proposal) |
| 12.982 | Current Research in Joint Program at WHOI (letter graded - only use this number if specifically advised to do so; advised at WHOI; pre-thesis proposal) |
| 12.983 | Current Research in Joint Program at WHOI (Pass/D/Fail; advised at WHOI; pre-thesis proposal) |
| 12.THG | Graduate Thesis (post-thesis proposal) |
| Course 16 - Aeronautics & Astronautics | |
| 16.THG | Graduate Thesis (all JP students in Course 16) |
Adding and Dropping Courses
Students wishing to add or drop subjects from their registration should use the MIT Registrar's website. The student initiates the change; it is then approved by an advisor or administrator. Once the approval is made, the student must submit the change or the process will not be complete.
The deadline to add is in the fifth week of the term; the drop deadline is during the twelfth week of the term. Students should make sure to allow time for for the approver of the change to submit their decision.
Teaching Trainees
Teaching Trainees should register for the following using the department number where the subject is taught:
| Subject Department | Subject Number | Units |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – CEE | N/A or 1.984 | see subject description |
| 2 – ME | N/A | -- |
| 6 – EECS | 6.981 | 24 (if fulltime TT) |
| 7 – Biology | 7.934 | 15 |
| 12 – EAPS | 12.446 | 1 |
Cross-registration
For students who want to take courses at Harvard, please see the MIT cross-registration page for instructions about cross-registering.