<p>MIT doesn’t have a core. “Core” refers to a set of required classes that all students take. MIT instead has what are generally referred to as “general requirements” which allow you to take a number of different courses that satisfy some general requirement (for instance “biology”). </p>
<p>Note that Caltech does not have a “pure” core, our required classes are partially a core and partially general requirements. </p>
<p>It’s also worth noting that our core is much more extensive than MIT’s general requirements–even our english majors have to take 5 terms of physics (mechanics, e&m, quantum, thermo, waves) 5 terms of math (proof based calc, linear algebra, multivariable, odes, probability/stats), 2 terms of chemistry, 1 term of biology… etc. </p>
<p>The argument that you should be taking these courses anyway (even if they were not required) is one that holds some validity, but I do not personally subscribe to it. It can be very difficult (scheduling wise, support wise, and content wise) to take courses far outside of your field. Requiring the courses means that they are much more accessible to individuals who otherwise may not have the opportunity to take them at all. </p>
<p>I’m not saying that this is better or worse, but it is certainly different.</p>
<p>As for MIT’s research opportunities, I don’t know anything about that.</p>