Integrated Design, Engineering & Applied Science Minor
http://www.wesleyan.edu/ideas/
The broad and deep challenges of society demand nimble minds that can utilize an integrated skill set that includes design, engineering, and applied science. The Integrated Design, Engineering & Applied Science (IDEAS) program prepares students to succeed at the intersection of design, the arts, and engineering. Students develop foundational knowledge in design and engineering by working in collaborative groups on project-based studies. The core courses of the IDEAS minor provide a basis in both the technical and aesthetic aspects of design. These courses serve as the basis for more focused studies in a broad array of elective modules that span design and engineering disciplines.
Admission to the Minor
Students should complete two required courses, one focusing on Design & Engineering (CIS170, CIS175 , IDEA350, or IDEA173), and one on Design & Arts (ARST190, ARST233, or ARST283) to be admitted to the IDEAS minor. Declare the IDEAS minor through your WesPortal.
Minor Requirements
A minor in IDEAS requires six credits. Students must complete two project-based design courses, one focusing on engineering, and one on the arts. The remaining four elective courses come from course “modules.” Some courses offered on an irregular basis are not listed in modules, but may be used for electives, subject to approval from the minor advisor. In addition, students will assemble a digital or physical portfolio of their work from project-based courses to complete the minor.
Student Portfolio
Regardless of the module completed, students pursuing the minor will assemble a portfolio of their work from the courses completed to fulfill the minor. It will be expected that each student in the minor will begin the design of an online and/or physical portfolio in the required project-based minor courses. In consultation with an advisor, projects will be added to this portfolio and reviewed before completion of the minor. The portfolio will be used for both for the assessment of individual students, as well as the success of the minor.
Required Project-Based Design Courses
Students must complete one course from each group below.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One Project-Based Design & Engineering Course | 1 | |
| Introduction to Design and Engineering | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One Project-Based Design & Arts Courses | 1 | |
| Digital Art | ||
| Studies in Computer-based Modelling and Digital Fabrication | ||
| Physical Computing in Art and Design | ||
Elective courses from Modules:
The course modules provide topical focus in the wide array of areas in Design, Engineering, and Applied Sciences. The IDEAS modules consist of four courses above the two required courses, to make the total of six courses in the minor.
Some of the proposed modules include courses listed among those that will satisfy the two-course distribution requirement listed above. Students will most efficiently complete such a module by selecting a required course that also contributes to the module. Students will work with an advisor to help them achieve the appropriate depth of study in the module area. Related courses that are not offered on a regular basis may be approved for minor credit, subject to review by the minor advisor. Students may propose substitutions or alternate modules, which must have approval from the advisor of the minor. Typically, introductory (100-level) courses may not be counted toward the elective requirement.
2D Design
The study of communication design ranging from letterpress printing and the history of books to contemporary graphic design and on to web design, always referencing production and its technology.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, three of the following design courses: | 1 | |
| Drawing I | ||
| Digital Art | ||
| Typography | ||
| Graphic Design | ||
| One course in the History of Design: | 1 | |
3D Design
The study of objects, their design, and technologies of production. This module consolidates project-based learning in architecture, product design and furniture design.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following design courses: | 3 | |
| Studies in Computer-based Modelling and Digital Fabrication | ||
| Architecture I | ||
| Architecture II | ||
| Space Design for Performance | ||
| Text and the Visual Imagination | ||
| One course in the History of Architecture: | 1 | |
| European Architecture to 1750 | ||
| European Architecture and Urbanism, 1750-1910 | ||
| American Architecture and Urbanism, 1770--1914 | ||
| Architecture of the 20th Century | ||
| Energy and Modern Architecture, 1850--2015 | ||
| One additional course from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Drawing I | ||
| Digital Art | ||
Applied Math
Mathematical methods applied in science, engineering, computer science, and social science.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Design and Engineering | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Differential Equations | ||
| An Introduction to Probability | ||
| Mathematical Statistics | ||
| Waves and Oscillations | ||
| Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos | ||
| Mathematical Physics | ||
Biological or Biochemical
Applications of biology and biochemistry to solve challenges in life and health sciences.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Design and Engineering | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Principles and Mechanisms of Cell Biology | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| Genomics Analysis | ||
| Introductory Medical Biochemistry | ||
| Introduction to Biomolecular Structure | ||
| Advanced Genetics | ||
| Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences | ||
| Molecular Modeling and Design | ||
Chemical
Applications of chemistry to the design of new chemicals, materials, and energy production.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Design and Engineering | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Principles of Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Principles of Organic Chemistry II | ||
| Physical Chemistry I: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy | ||
| Physical Chemistry II: Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, and Kinetics | ||
| Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences | ||
| Molecular Modeling and Design | ||
Computer
Applications of computer science to the design of new computer hardware and software.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Design and Engineering | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Physical Computing in Art and Design | ||
| Computer Science II | ||
| Algorithms and Complexity | ||
| Design of Programming Languages | ||
| Computer Structure and Organization | ||
| Software Engineering | ||
Digital Design
Design whose final form is the web or virtual space.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, the following design courses: | 3 | |
| Drawing I | ||
| Digital Art | ||
| Text and the Visual Imagination | ||
| One course in the History of Design: | 1 | |
| European Architecture to 1750 | ||
| European Architecture and Urbanism, 1750-1910 | ||
| Architecture of the 20th Century | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Studies in Computer-based Modelling and Digital Fabrication | ||
| Physical Computing in Art and Design | ||
Electrical
Applications of electrical and magnetic systems to the design of new devices and communications.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Design and Engineering | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Radio Astronomy | ||
| Waves and Oscillations | ||
| Quantum Mechanics I | ||
| Electricity and Magnetism | ||
| Experimental Optics | ||
| Electronics Lab | ||
Environmental
Application of environmental and ecological knowledge to the protection of ecosystems and human population.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Design and Engineering | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Ecology | ||
| Soils | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Environmental Geochemistry | ||
| Introduction to GIS | ||
| Modeling the Earth and Environment | ||
Geomechanics/Geosystems
Applications of geology and earth science to the development and preservation of subterranean resources.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Design and Engineering | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Mineralogy | ||
| Earth Materials | ||
| Structural Geology | ||
| Introduction to GIS | ||
| Modeling the Earth and Environment | ||
Materials Science
Discovery, design, and properties of new materials.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Design and Engineering | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Chemistry of Materials and Nanomaterials | ||
| Nanomaterials Lab | ||
| Thermal and Statistical Physics | ||
| Condensed Matter | ||
Mechanical
Application of mechanics, kinematics, and thermodynamics to design and develop new mechanical systems.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Introduction to Design and Engineering | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Physical Chemistry II: Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, and Kinetics | ||
| Waves and Oscillations | ||
| Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos | ||
| Classical Dynamics | ||
| Thermal and Statistical Physics | ||
| Condensed Matter | ||
Performance Design
Stage design for theater or dance, sets, costumes, and lighting.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| One course in the History of Design: | 1 | |
| European Architecture to 1750 | ||
| European Architecture and Urbanism, 1750-1910 | ||
| Architecture of the 20th Century | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list: | 2 | |
| Text and the Visual Imagination | ||
| Lighting Design for the Theater | ||
| Media for Performance | ||
| Space Design for Performance | ||
| Introduction to Costume Design for Performance | ||
| One additional credit from the following list, for a total of six credits: | 1 | |
| Applied Scenography: From Idea to the Stage | ||
and | ||
| Performance Practice in Design A | ||
or | ||
| Performance Practice in Design B | ||
Additional Minor Information
- There may be prerequisite courses required for some of the courses listed above. These prerequisites do not count towards the minor.
- Some of the courses may be cross-listed with other departments; students can enroll in any listing for the specified course.
- Students may propose an alternate course module or a different combination of elective courses, in consultation with the IDEAS advisor.
- Some courses may overlap with existing major requirements. A student may only count two course credits toward the IDEAS minor that are also counted towards a major, linked major, certificate, or other minor, unless receiving explicit approval from the IDEAS minor administrator to waive this requirement.