Common Ground Subjects
What Are Common Ground Classes?
Common Ground classes blend computing with other fields students are studying. Think of them as bridges between computing fields like computer science and your major, whether that’s biology, economics, architecture, or literature.
These courses help you become “bilingual” in both computing and your discipline. For instance, rather than just learning programming separately, you’ll learn how computational tools and thinking apply directly to another field such as your major. This is increasingly valuable since almost every discipline now uses advanced computational methods.
How to Spot Them
Look for the “.C” in course numbers. For example, 9.C20/16.C20/18.C20 (Introduction to Computational Science and Engineering) shows that four departments collaborated on this course. The “.C” is your signal that it’s a Common Ground class.
Browse Current Offerings
C01/C51 Modeling with Machine Learning: from Algorithms to Applications
Undergraduate & Graduate, 12 units (6+6). Spring semester only. Students enroll in the core (6.C01 or 6.C51), which covers ML fundamentals, plus one discipline-specific module:
- ML for Sustainable Systems
Offered under 1.C01, 1.C51 - Physical Systems Modeling and Design Using ML
Offered under 2.C01, 2.C51 - ML for Molecular Engineering
Offered under 3.C01, 3.C51, 10.C01, 10.C51, 20.C01, 20.C51 - Modeling with ML for CS
Offered under 6.C01, 6.C51 - ML in Molecular and Cellular Biology
Offered under 7.C01, 7.C51 - Modeling with ML for Urban Planning
Offered under 11.C01, 11.C51 - Modeling with ML: Financial Technology
Offered under 15.C51 - Modeling with ML: Nuclear Science and Engineering Applications
Offered under 22.C01, 22.C51 - ML Applications for Supply Chain
Offered under SCM.C51
C02 Artificial Intelligence for Climate Action (NEW)
Graduate, 12 units. Spring semester only. Offered under 6.S891, 6.S893, 12.S992.
C03/C53 Computational Methods for Engineering Sustainable Systems (NEW)
Undergraduate & Graduate, 12 units. Spring semester only. Offered under 1.C03, IDS.C03, 1.C53, IDS.C53.
C04 Applied Remote Sensing of the Earth (NEW)
Graduate. Spring semester only. Offered under IDS.S21.
C06 Linear Algebra and Optimization
Undergraduate, 12 units. Fall semester only. Offered under 6.C06, 18.C06.
C11 Introduction to Autonomy
Undergraduate, 6 units. Spring semester only. Offered under 6.S080, 16.S690.
C57/C571 Optimization Methods
Undergraduate & Graduate, 12 units. Fall semester only. Offered under 15.C57, 6.C57, 6.C571, IDS.C57.
C20 Introduction to Computational Science and Engineering
Undergraduate, 6 units. Fall and spring semesters. Offered under 9.C20, 16.C20, 18.C20, CSE.C20.
C21 Interdisciplinary Numerical Methods
Undergraduate, 12 units (6+6). Spring semester only. Students enroll in the core (16.C21, 18.C21), which covers basic numerical methods, plus one specialized module:
- Numerical Methods for Partial Differential Equations
Offered under 16.C21A, 18.C21A - Numerical Methods for Large-Scale Linear Algebra
Offered under 16.C21B, 18.C21B - Parallel Numerical Methods
Offered under 16.C21C, 18.C21C
C25 Real World Computation with Julia
Undergraduate, 12 units. Fall semester only. Offered under 1.C25, 6.C25, 12.C25, 16.C25, 18.C25, 22.C25.
C27/C67 Computational Imaging: Physics and Algorithms
Undergraduate & Graduate, 12 units. Fall semester only. Offered under 2.C27, 2.C67, 3.C27, 3.C67, 6.C27, 6.C67.
C31 Hack Yourself: Data-Driven Learning and Wellbeing
Undergraduate, 12 units. Fall and spring semesters. Offered under 6.S056, ES.S70.
C35/C85 Interactive Data Visualization and Society
Undergraduate & Graduate, 12 units. Spring semester only. Offered under 6.C35, 6.C85, 11.C35, 11.C85.
C36 Humane User Design Experience
Undergraduate, 12 units. Fall semester only. Offered under 6.S061, 21A.S02, 21A.S10.
C395/C895 Algorithmic and Human Decision-Making
Undergraduate, 12 units. Spring semester only. Offered under 6.C395, 14.C395.
C40 Ethics of Computing
Undergraduate, 12 units. Fall semester only. Offered under 6.C40, 24.C40.
C41 AI and Rationality
Undergraduate, 12 units. Fall semester only. Offered under 6.S044, 24.S00.
C42 AI Alignment: Moral, Political, and Computational Foundations (NEW)
Undergraduate, 12 units. Spring semester only. Offered under 6.S051, 17.S917.
Machine Learning Challenge for Biomedical Discoveries
Undergraduate, 6 units, IAP only. Offered under 6.S099.
Practical Computational Thinking
An IAP course series offered in collaboration with the MIT Libraries, CSAIL, ORCD, and the Schwarzman College of Computing. This series aims to teach hands-on computational skills that you can use in your research and coursework at MIT.