Apply to the university, begin undeclared
MIT says you apply to the entire university and all first-year students begin undeclared, free to choose any course of study without further admission procedures.
Undergraduate · MIT
MIT Course 6-7: computer science and molecular biology, entered after arriving
MIT does not admit students to a major: every first-year student begins undeclared and may choose any course of study without further admission procedures. Course 6-7, Computer Science and Molecular Biology, is one of MIT's numbered majors, combining computing and biology in a single SB degree with an MEng version. For an A-level or IB applicant, the questions are what the Catalog's degree chart combines, how the major is reached and what MIT requires, including the SAT or ACT. This guide claims no direct admission to Course 6-7.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What MIT says about MIT Course 6-7
Taken from MIT Admissions' Majors & Minors, Tests & Scores and International pages and the MIT Course Catalog's Course 6-7 degree chart, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check MIT's pages for the 2028-entry details.
A numbered major
MIT majors are conventionally called courses and numbered rather than named; 6-7 combines computer science and molecular biology.
A laboratory requirement in the programme
The chart says the 12-unit Laboratory Requirement can be satisfied by 7.003[J] or 20.109 in the Departmental Program.
Restricted electives across three lists
Students select 24 units from biology restricted electives, AI+D advanced subjects, or computational biology.
SAT or ACT required; A Levels and IB named
MIT requires the SAT or the ACT and asks for the transcript to include external exams such as the IB or A Levels.
Official sources
- MIT Admissions: Majors & Minorsmitadmissions.org
- MIT Course Catalog: Computer Science and Molecular Biology (SB, Course 6-7)catalog.mit.edu
- MIT Admissions: Tests & Scoresmitadmissions.org
Read on 31 October 2026 on MIT Admissions' Majors & Minors, Tests & Scores and International pages and the MIT Course Catalog's Course 6-7 degree chart, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. MIT's EECS and Biology department pages, the subject descriptions behind the chart, the unit totals in the chart tables, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The major
What the Catalog chart says 6-7 combines
The Course Catalog lists Computer Science and Molecular Biology (SB, Course 6-7) alongside an MEng. The chart builds on MIT's General Institute Requirements, with departmental substitutions: the REST requirement can be met by 5.12 and 6.C06[J]/18.06, and the 12-unit Laboratory Requirement by 7.003[J] or 20.109. Students then select 24 units from biology restricted electives, AI+D advanced subjects or computational biology; listed examples include CRISPR and deep learning for the life sciences. This guide did not read the unit totals or subject descriptions.
Is it the right major?
6-7, Course 6-3 or Biology
MIT describes each as a separate course of study, so the choice is made after arriving. Avandy's comparison is general.
6-7 fits if
you want computer science and molecular biology in one degree.
Course 6-3 or 6-4 fits if
your interest is computing or AI without the biology. Avandy's MIT Course 6-3 and 6-4 guide covers them.
Biology fits if
your interest is life science rather than computing; this guide did not read the Biology pages.
Admission and testing
SAT or ACT, with A Levels and the IB named
MIT says it requires the SAT or the ACT for first-year and transfer applicants, without the ACT writing or science sections. For international applicants, the transcript should include results of external examinations such as the IB or A Levels, with predicted grades sent if available. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not MIT's.
Do you want both biology and computing?
The chart combines laboratory work and computing electives.
Are you comfortable choosing a course later?
MIT applicants begin undeclared.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
MIT requires one of them.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
MIT's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check MIT's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. MIT has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check MIT for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Course 6-7 degree chart and plan the SAT or ACT.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to MIT Course 6-7?
No. MIT says you apply to the entire university, not to a specific major or school, and all first-year students begin undeclared.
Are there extra admission steps to enter 6-7?
MIT says students are free to choose among its courses of study without additional requirements or admission procedures.
Does MIT consider A Levels and the IB?
Yes. The transcript should include results of external exams such as the IB or A Levels, with predicted grades sent if available.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
MIT says it requires the SAT or the ACT for first-year and transfer applicants.
Is there an MEng?
The Catalog lists Computer Science and Molecular Biology (MEng) as well as the SB.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are MIT's wording with no entry-year label. Check MIT's pages again when MIT publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about MIT Course 6-7
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their biology and computing, how they would handle the combined laboratory and programming load and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.