Support

Office hours

Office hours are AI-first. For routine implementation, debugging, or derivation questions, students are encouraged to try AI first and bring the attempted approach.

Human help stays directly available for filling in any gap, probing beyond the AI answer, conceptual questions, privacy or accessibility concerns, and tool failures. An AI attempt is useful context, not an admission condition.

GradSupport

For graduate students, a variety of issues may impact your academic career including faculty/student relationships, funding, and interpersonal concerns. In the Office of Graduate Education (OGE), GradSupport provides consultation, coaching, and advocacy to graduate students on matters related to academic and life challenges. If you are dealing with an issue that is impacting your ability to attend class, complete work, or take an exam, you may contact GradSupport by email at gradsupport@mit.edu or via phone at (617) 253-4860. More info can be found at GradSupport.

Student Support Services

For undergrad students, if you are dealing with a personal or medical issue that is impacting your ability to attend class, complete work, or take an exam, you should contact a dean in Student Support Services (S3). S3 is here to help you. The deans will verify your situation, provide you with support, and help you work with your professor or instructor to determine next steps. In most circumstances, you will not be excused from coursework without verification from a dean. Please visit the S3 website for contact information and more ways that they can provide support.

Disability and Access Services

We are committed to the principle of equal access, and we are more than willing to make arrangements to help accommodate students with disabilities or related challenges. In general, knowing about the kind of help you need earlier in the semester means that we will be better prepared to provide that help effectively, in coordination with Disability and Access Services. If you have a disability and are not planning to use accommodations, it is still recommended that you meet with DAS staff to familiarize yourself with their services and resources. If you have been approved for accommodations by DAS, 6.S950 staff are ready to assist with implementation. Please send these approved requests to inform us, and we will work to implement these accommodations.

Mental health

MIT is a challenging environment, and 6.S950 is a challenging course. As such, it is normal to expect some level of stress, and a lot of hard work, during 6.S950. A certain level of stress is healthy and is part of the learning process. However, too much stress can be a bad thing, and if you are feeling overwhelmed, we want to help, so please do not hesitate to reach out.

Additionally, if you or someone you know is struggling with mental health issues (including significant stress, mood changes, excessive worry, substance or alcohol abuse, or problems with eating or sleeping), we strongly encourage you to contact or visit one or more of the following resources, who may be able to provide additional guidance and support:

Page updated August 28, 2026.