There will be no virtual ‘Drop-In’ Hours during Independent Activities Period (IAP). If you would like to speak with a member of our staff, you can schedule an appointment: Monday-Friday: 9:00am-5:00pm EST, by emailing us at omemit@mit.edu or emailing an OME team member directly https://ome.mit.edu/who-is-ome/staff.

Programs & Services

Program Overview

The Interphase EDGE (IP) program is a holistic experience that combines academics, community building, and the best of individual development. The experience begins with a summer component where scholars learn new problem-solving strategies, gain exposure to faculty from across the Institute, and begin to form lifelong relationships. Over the following two years, scholars are challenged to take full advantage of the MIT resources, thus gaining the most from their undergraduate experience.

This summer, we are excited to be expanding the Interphase EDGE Program to include an online cohort of 20 scholars in addition to the 70 scholars on campus. As the online cohort will be using the MITx academic platform, we have named the expansion to the program Interphase EDGEx (IPx).

IP/x classes are designed to help incoming first-year students get acquainted with academics at MIT. This means participants will not just be learning concepts but also how to approach classes and studying at MIT. Scholars will also participate in non-academic workshops and group projects that will help them to learn about the resources that are available to them and assist them in starting to build a strong community before the fall semester begins. Because the summer programing ends a few weeks before the fall semester begins, we arrange for all scholars to move into their fall dorms, free of cost, as soon as the summer portion of the program is over.

The academic year programing for both Interphase EDGE and Interphase EDGEx scholars will be the same.

The Interphase EDGE/x Experience

Summer Experience

During the summer, this program gives students an opportunity to get a first glimpse of what the next four years of their lives are going to be. Students get the chance to meet upperclassmen, participate in workshops, and explore campus. With the help of the Interphase EDGE/x staff, residential facilitators, and their fellow peers, scholars learn to successfully navigate through MIT by the end of the summer. Below is the list of courses that participants will enroll in during the summer component:

Physics

This course introduces classical mechanics: straight-line kinematics; vectors; motion in a plane; uniform circular motion; motion in three dimensions; Newton's laws; universal gravitation; collisions and conservation of momentum; work; kinetic and potential energy. Translational and rotational motion will be taught in parallel throughout the course. The emphasis is not so much on derivations as it is on the conceptual understanding of the underlying physics principles.

*This class will be offered in Interphase EDGEx

Calculus

Calculus is the study of differentiation and integration of functions of a single or multi variable. Single variable topics include elementary functions; limits and continuity; differentiation, including rules, applications to graphing, rates, and extreme problems; indefinite integrals and integration techniques; definite integrals; fundamental theorem of calculus; applications of integration to geometry and science. Multi variable topics include scalar functions of several variables; partial derivatives; directional derivatives and gradients; double and triple integrals; determinants; matrices; vectors in 3-space; line and surface integrals in space; and (time permitting) conceptual understanding and applications of Divergence, Green's, and Stokes' theorems.

*This class will be offered in Interphase EDGEx

Chemistry

Chemistry is designed to give students a fundamental working knowledge of chemistry that will aid to prepare them for their GIR chemistry course (either 3.091, 5.111, or 5.112). It is an introduction to chemistry, discussing basic principles of atomic and molecular electronic structure, stoichiometry, limiting reagents, thermodynamics, ideal gas and intermolecular interactions in gases and liquids, solutions, enthalpy, acid-base and redox equilibria. Problem-solving skills are developed throughout the course.

Communication/Writing

This course will help students improve their ability to write, present, work in teams, and communicate cross-culturally both during their next four years at MIT and in their careers after graduation. The course begins with the idea that communication is a rhetorical act: that is, the creation of any message — whether it is written or spoken — must begin with an understanding of the audience to whom it is being addressed and the purpose of the communication. The course will help students learn to construct and evaluate arguments by finding appropriate evidence, weave evidence together cohesively, and critically assess the strengths and weaknesses of different points of view.

Physical Education

Over the summer, scholars participate in one physical education class, which will count towards their MIT graduation requirement. This includes the opportunity to complete MIT’s mandatory swim requirement. If scholars successfully complete the swim test, they will be able to take either advanced swimming options, fitness and nutrition, or other options that vary from year to year.

 

Academic Year Experience

Academic Year 1:

During their first year at MIT, scholars attend biweekly meetings with their Interphase EDGE/x advisor in order to ensure they have the resources and support they need. In addition to one-on-one meetings, students have the chance to participate in workshops and networking events that help guide them on their path to success. First-year workshops tend to focus on the following:

  • Study Skills
  • Time & Stress Management
  • Combating Test Anxiety
  • Impostor Syndrome
  • Major Exploration
  • Industry Collaborations
  • Introductions to Resources Across Campus (i.e., Office of the First Year, UROP, S^3, etc.)

Summer 2 (Non-Residential):

Sophomores are encouraged to follow the approved summer plan discussed with their Interphase EDGE/x advisor. This summer plan should be something that aligns with scholars' professional goals and assists in their holistic development. It will also be required for scholars to attend the Interphase EDGE/x Sophomore Scholars retreat (late August, prior to the start of fall 2nd year classes).

Academic Year 2:

In year two, sophomores continue to meet with their Interphase EDGE/x advisor, who serve as professional coaches, at least once per month. Scholars will also continue to participate in workshops and networking events that cater to their individual and the collective's growing needs. Sophomores may act as a resource for the first-year scholars as "informal" peer mentors. Sophomore workshops tend to focus on the following:

  • Professional Email Writing
  • Interview Preparation
  • Industry Collaborations
  • Introductions to Resources Across Campus (i.e., CAPD, PKG, S^3, etc.)