First-Year Students – MIT Department of Chemistry

First Year Pre-Orientation Program (FPOP)

DChem: Discover Chemistry

Through Discover Chemistry, incoming first-year students gain exposure to chemistry and related opportunities at MIT and beyond.

Discover Chemistry introduces students to MIT Chemistry through interactive events and discussions with our faculty, students, and alumni. The program will expose you to chemistry and related research, and introduce you to MIT and Boston in a fun and exciting way!

There is no charge for this program. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Orientation Office at orientation@mit.edu

5.301: Chemistry Laboratory Techniques (IAP Course)

The aim of this IAP course is to provide first-year students with intensive practical training in basic chemistry lab techniques, including:

Transfer and manipulation of small quantities of organic and inorganic compounds
Purification methods for liquid and solid substances (distillation, recrystallization, chromatography)
Structure and determination by NMR, infrared, UV spectroscopic analysis, and Mass Spectroscopy
Quantitative analysis of biochemical, organic, and inorganic substances by spectroscopic and chromatographic methods

5.301 is intended to provide first-year students with the skills necessary to undertake original research projects in chemistry. Students selected for this course are guaranteed a UROP in the Department of Chemistry for the Spring or Summer 2025, however, this course is not a Prereq for a Chemistry UROP.

For more information and to apply for this IAP course, please visit the 5.301 page.

Campus Preview Weekend (CPW)

High school students who have been admitted to MIT are cordially invited to visit the campus on the Campus Preview Weekend and at other times. Please contact Jennifer Weisman, Academic Administrator for more information.

Visit Our Office

First-year students are invited to visit the Chemistry Education Office (6-205) at any point to learn more about the chemistry major. The Chemistry Education Office staff are happy to provide information about the major requirements, chemistry subjects, UROP opportunities, and career possibilities.

First-year students are also welcome to contact Jennifer Weisman, Academic Administrator to set up an individual appointment to discuss the chemistry major or to visit chemistry classes.

Additional Information for First-Year Students

Advanced Standing Exam (ASE)

Chemistry GIR Courses

5.111

5.111 is offered both Fall and Spring semesters
5.111 is aimed at students with one year of high school chemistry and/or < 4 on the AP Chemistry exam
5.111 reviews some challenging concepts from AP Chemistry (Ex: Chemical Equilibrium)
5.111 covers the same material as 5.112 using modern applications as illustrations (life science, medicine, biotechnology, energy, the environment)

5.112

5.112 is a Fall course intended for students who have taken two or more years of high school chemistry or who have earned a score of at least 4 on the ETS Advanced Placement Exam.
5.112 eliminates most concepts too familiar from AP Chemistry (Ex: Lewis Dot Structures)
5.112 covers the remaining topics at a more leisurely pace using contemporary research as illustrations

An Important Note:

5.112 is NOT the equivalent of 8.012 or 18.012. Rather, 5.11 has been separated into two subjects, 5.111 and 5.112, with the intent of having two classes with smaller enrollments. The division is also meant to allow students with a single year of high school chemistry not to feel at a disadvantage relative to students with more high school chemistry experience