2026-2027 Edition

Academic Catalog

Integrated Design, Engineering, Arts & Society Minor

Department website: http://www.wesleyan.edu/ideas/

Minor Description

The Minor in Integrated Design, Engineering, Arts & Society (IDEAS) prepares students to succeed at the intersection of design, the arts, and engineering in a liberal arts context. Students develop foundational knowledge in these areas by working in collaborative groups and individually on project-based assignments that emphasize making and doing as critical forms of knowledge. 

Admission to the Minor

To be considered for admission onto the IDEAS Minor program, students should complete at least one (1) course from the required core courses of the Engineering Foundation Lab or Introductory Design Studio and declare the IDEAS minor through their WesPortal.

 

Minor Requirements

A minor in IDEAS includes 2 requirements:

  1. Courses: 7 credits (comprising of 3 Core and 4 Concentration credits)

    The core provides a foundation in the technical, aesthetic, and human dimensions of design and engineering and the elective courses are focused in one concentration area that span design and engineering disciplines.  

2. Student Website Portfolio

1. COURSES

Core (3 credits)
The IDEAS Core is designed to introduce students to hands-on, project-based studio, laboratory, and critical coursework in design and engineering. There are multiple possible introductory courses to fulfill Core requirements. Students will take one class from each of the three groups:

​​Elective credits from Concentrations (4 credits)
The concentration courses provide topical focus in the wide array of areas in Design, Engineering, Arts & Society. Students are required to select an area of concentration when they declare for the IDEAS minor, these include:

  • Applied Math
  • Archaeology
  • Arts and Design
  • Biological or Biochemical
  • Chemical
  • Computer
  • Electrical
  • Environmental
  • Geomechanics / Geological
  • Interactive Media & Game Design
  • Materials Science
  • Mechanical
  • Performance Design

Students also have the option to work with their advisor and propose a self-designed concentration. This is a different combination of elective courses chosen in consultation with the IDEAS advisor to help them achieve the appropriate depth of study.

 

2. STUDENT WEBSITE PORTFOLIO

All IDEAS minors will create a website portfolio encompassing work developed within IDEAS courses. The portfolio should document the student’s work from IDEAS project-based courses, and may include appropriate work from a student’s primary major. At a minimum, a portfolio should include the best work a student has produced from at least three (3) IDEAS courses. Presented using images and text, the projects included should encompass both completed and process work. 

The design and presentation of the portfolio comprise a personal statement about its author, their training, interests, and ambitions. Students are strongly advised to add to this portfolio each semester, based on their ongoing work. The portfolio will be reviewed by the student’s advisor as one of the major requirements. Students are encouraged to create a portfolio that can be used to present their work for future employment or graduate studies.

IDEAS Minor Concentrations 

 

Applied Math Concentration

4 concentration courses required (1 in Engineering Design, 1 in Computing and Programming, 2 in Statics and Dynamics)
1 Course in Engineering Design
IDEA170Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering1
IDEA175Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering1
IDEA210How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials1
IDEA211Materials and Design Concepts for Structures1
IDEA212Metal Manufacturing Through the Ages: The Science Behind Metal and Impact of Metal in Society1
IDEA213Design for Scale: The Nuts and Bolts of Mass Manufacturing1
IDEA215Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis1
IDEA292Interdisciplinary Project Lab1
One computing and programming foundations course from the following list:
BIOL265Bioinformatics Programming1
COMP112Introduction to Programming1
COMP113Bioinformatics Programming1
COMP114How to Talk to Machines1
COMP115How to Design Programs1
COMP116Introduction to Programming and Machine Knitting1
COMP211Computer Science I1
IDEA185Creative Coding1
PHYS340Computational Physics0.5
One additional course from the following list:
IDEA292Interdisciplinary Project Lab1
MATH225Introduction to Real Analysis1
MATH229Differential Equations1
MATH231An Introduction to Probability1
MATH232Mathematical Statistics1
PHYS213Waves and Oscillations1
MATH261Introduction to Abstract Algebra1
PHYS217Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos1
PHYS565Mathematical Physics1

Archaeology Concentration

4 Concentration Courses Required
One Archaeology Introductory Course (required)
ARCP204Introduction to Archaeology1
One archaeology course (introducing experimental approaches) from the following list:
ARCP201Art and Archaeology of the Bronze Age Mediterranean1
ARCP203The Secrets of Ancient Bones: Discovering Ancient DNA and Archaeology1
ARCP210The Technological Primate: Archaeological Approaches to Ancient Technology1
ARCP210The Technological Primate: Archaeological Approaches to Ancient Technology1
ARCP214Survey of Greek Archaeology and Art1
ARCP233History and Archaeology of Industrial Connecticut1
ARCP275Introduction to Archaeological Science: Natural Science Approaches to the Human Past1
ARCP350Animals in Archaeology1
Two Archaeology Project-based courses from the following list:
ARCP233History and Archaeology of Industrial Connecticut1
ARCP257Environmental Archaeology1
ARCP285Off with its Pedestal! The Greek Vase as Art and Artifact1
ARCP291East Asian Archaeology1
ARCP352Ancient Medicine: Potions, Poisons, and Phytochemistry in the Ancient Mediterranean1
ARCP355Decoding the Stone Age: Analysis of Lithic Technology 1
ARCP360Experimental Archaeology: Material Science and Past Behaviors1

Arts & Design Concentration

4 Concentration Courses Required
Three design studio courses from the following list:
ARST220Ecological Design I: Being at Home in the World1
ARST221A Thousand Years of Iteration: Design for an Uncertain Future1
ARST233Studies in Computer-based Modelling and Digital Fabrication1
ARST235Architecture I1
ARST236Fast & Furious1
ARST237Printmaking I1
ARST238Print Culture 1011
ARST243Introduction to Graphic Design1
ARST246Graphic Design: Website as Portfolio1
ARST270Fundamentals of Design I1
ARST271Designing With Living Systems: Soft + Hairy1
ARST286Introduction to Time-Based Media1
ARST287Video Basics1
ARST320Ecological Design II: Worn Out/Broken In 1
ARST321Wood: Building with the Forest1.5
ARST336Architecture II1.5
ARST338Printmaking II1
ARST339Surface Tension1
ARST346Sculpture II1
ARST370Regenerative Design II1
ARST386Intermediate Time-Based Media1
IDEA210How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials1
THEA185Text & Visual Imagination: Introduction to Eco Design for Performance1
THEA359Space Design for Performance1
One course in the history of architecture from the following list:
ARHA109Introduction to Western Art I: Ancient to Medieval1
ARHA151European Architecture and Urbanism to 17501
ARHA210Court, Cathedral, Cloister: Medieval Art, ca. 1100-14001
ARHA213Cross, Book, Bone: Early Medieval Art, ca. 300-11001
ARHA220Northern Renaissance Art1
ARHA221Early Renaissance Art and Architecture in Italy1
ARHA224Italian Art and Architecture of the 16th Century1
ARHA233Art and Culture of the Italian Baroque1
ARHA241Introduction to European Avant-Garde, 1880-19401
ARHA244European Architecture and Urbanism, 1750-19101
ARHA246American Architecture and Urbanism, 1770-19141
ARHA254Architecture of the 20th Century1
ARHA256New York City: Architecture and Urbanism1
ARHA258Contemporary World Architecture1
ARHA263CCuratorial Workshop: The Northern Renaissance Print1
ARHA276Eccentricity, Gender, and Occidentalism in Edo-Period Art (1615-1868)1
ARHA284Buddhist Art and Architecture1
ARHA352Energy and Modern Architecture, 1850-20251

Biological or Biochemical Concentration

4 Concentration Courses Required
One engineering lab course from the following list:
IDEA170Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering1
IDEA175Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering1
IDEA210How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials1
IDEA211Materials and Design Concepts for Structures1
IDEA212Metal Manufacturing Through the Ages: The Science Behind Metal and Impact of Metal in Society1
IDEA213Design for Scale: The Nuts and Bolts of Mass Manufacturing1
IDEA215Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis1
IDEA292Interdisciplinary Project Lab1
One computing and programming foundations course from the following list:
COMP112Introduction to Programming1
COMP113Bioinformatics Programming1
COMP114How to Talk to Machines1
COMP115How to Design Programs1
COMP116Introduction to Programming and Machine Knitting1
COMP211Computer Science I1
PHYS340Computational Physics0.5
Two biological/biochemical electives from the following list:
BIOL212Principles and Mechanisms of Cell Biology1
BIOL263Demystifying Data: Introductory Data Analysis and Modeling1
BIOL265Bioinformatics Programming1
BIOL267Engineering Biology: Cells and Tissues1
BIOL270Systems Biology with Programming1
BIOL310Genomics Analysis1
CHEM396Molecular Modeling and Design1
IDEA261Science Materials For a Malagasy Classroom1
MB&B228Medical Biochemistry1
MB&B325Introduction to Biomolecular Structure1
MB&B377Advanced Genetics1
MB&B381Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences1

Chemical Concentration

4 Concentration Courses Required
One engineering lab course from the following list:
IDEA170Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering1
IDEA175Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering1
IDEA210How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials1
IDEA211Materials and Design Concepts for Structures1
IDEA212Metal Manufacturing Through the Ages: The Science Behind Metal and Impact of Metal in Society1
IDEA213Design for Scale: The Nuts and Bolts of Mass Manufacturing1
IDEA215Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis1
IDEA292Interdisciplinary Project Lab1
One computing and programming foundations course from the following list:
COMP112Introduction to Programming1
COMP113Bioinformatics Programming1
COMP114How to Talk to Machines1
COMP115How to Design Programs1
COMP116Introduction to Programming and Machine Knitting1
COMP211Computer Science I1
PHYS340Computational Physics0.5
Two additional courses from the following list:
CHEM251Organic Chemistry I1
CHEM252Organic Chemistry II1
CHEM337Physical Chemistry I1
CHEM338Physical Chemistry II1
CHEM377Chemistry of Materials and Nanomaterials1
CHEM381Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences1
CHEM396Molecular Modeling and Design1

Computer Concentration

4 Concentration Courses Required
One engineering lab course from the following list:
IDEA170Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering1
IDEA175Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering1
IDEA211Materials and Design Concepts for Structures1
IDEA212Metal Manufacturing Through the Ages: The Science Behind Metal and Impact of Metal in Society1
IDEA213Design for Scale: The Nuts and Bolts of Mass Manufacturing1
IDEA215Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis1
IDEA292Interdisciplinary Project Lab1
One computing and programming foundations course from the following list:
COMP112Introduction to Programming1
COMP113Bioinformatics Programming1
COMP114How to Talk to Machines1
COMP115How to Design Programs1
COMP116Introduction to Programming and Machine Knitting1
COMP211Computer Science I1
PHYS340Computational Physics0.5
Two additional computer electives from the following list:
COMP212Computer Science II1
COMP301Automata Theory and Formal Languages1
COMP312Algorithms and Complexity1
COMP321Design of Programming Languages1
COMP331Computer Structure and Organization1
COMP355Computational Design and Fabrication1
IDEA285Digital Projects Lab1
IDEA350Computational Media: Videogame Development2

Electrical Concentration

4 Concentration Courses Required
One engineering lab course from the following list:
IDEA170Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering1
IDEA175Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering1
IDEA211Materials and Design Concepts for Structures1
IDEA212Metal Manufacturing Through the Ages: The Science Behind Metal and Impact of Metal in Society1
IDEA213Design for Scale: The Nuts and Bolts of Mass Manufacturing1
IDEA215Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis1
IDEA292Interdisciplinary Project Lab1
One computing and programming foundations course from the following list:
COMP112Introduction to Programming1
COMP113Bioinformatics Programming1
COMP114How to Talk to Machines1
COMP115How to Design Programs1
COMP116Introduction to Programming and Machine Knitting1
COMP211Computer Science I1
PHYS340Computational Physics0.5
Two additional courses from the following list:
ASTR240Radio Astronomy1
PHYS213Waves and Oscillations1
PHYS214Quantum Mechanics I1
PHYS324Electricity and Magnetism1
PHYS342Experimental Optics0.5
PHYS345Electronics Lab0.5

Environmental Concentration

4 Concentration Courses Required
One engineering lab course from the following list:
IDEA170Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering1
IDEA175Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering1
IDEA210How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials1
IDEA211Materials and Design Concepts for Structures1
IDEA212Metal Manufacturing Through the Ages: The Science Behind Metal and Impact of Metal in Society1
IDEA213Design for Scale: The Nuts and Bolts of Mass Manufacturing1
IDEA215Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis1
IDEA292Interdisciplinary Project Lab1
One computing and programming foundations course from the following list:
COMP112Introduction to Programming1
COMP113Bioinformatics Programming1
COMP114How to Talk to Machines1
COMP115How to Design Programs1
COMP116Introduction to Programming and Machine Knitting1
COMP211Computer Science I1
PHYS340Computational Physics0.5
Two additional courses from the following list:
BIOL216Ecology1
E&ES244Soils1
E&ES246Hydrology1
E&ES250Environmental Geochemistry1
E&ES275Remote Sensing for Natural Hazards1
E&ES280Introduction to GIS1
E&ES283Drones and Change1
E&ES329Fire Ecology and Management1
E&ES3611
E&ES375Modeling the Earth and Environment1
E&ES395Quantitative Chemical Analysis1

Geomechanics / Geosystems Concentration

4 Concentration Courses Required
One engineering lab course from the following list:
IDEA170Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering1
IDEA175Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering1
IDEA210How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials1
IDEA211Materials and Design Concepts for Structures1
IDEA212Metal Manufacturing Through the Ages: The Science Behind Metal and Impact of Metal in Society1
IDEA213Design for Scale: The Nuts and Bolts of Mass Manufacturing1
IDEA292Interdisciplinary Project Lab1
One computing and programming foundations course from the following list:
COMP112Introduction to Programming1
COMP113Bioinformatics Programming1
COMP114How to Talk to Machines1
COMP115How to Design Programs1
COMP116Introduction to Programming and Machine Knitting1
COMP211Computer Science I1
PHYS340Computational Physics0.5
Two additional courses from the following list:
E&ES213Mineralogy1
E&ES215Earth Materials1
E&ES223Structural Geology1
E&ES280Introduction to GIS1
E&ES375Modeling the Earth and Environment1

Interactive Media & Game Design Concentration

4 Concentration Courses Required
Interactive Media Electives (1 Required, up to 3 may be counted towards the minor)
COMP333Software Engineering1
DDC228The Evolution of Audio in Interactive Entertainment; Creating Music with Limiting Technology0.5
DDC229Creating Audio in Interactive Worlds 0.5
DDC230Video Game Audio Design1
IDEA185Creative Coding1
IDEA243Introduction to Graphic Design1
IDEA360Media for Performance1
ARST386Intermediate Time-Based Media1
MUSC220Composing, Performing, and Listening to Experimental Music1
MUSC221Live-Electronics for Composition, Improvisation, and Sound Art1
MUSC223Music, Recording, and Sound Design1
Game Design Electives (1 required, up to 3 may be counted)
FILM331Video Games as/and the Moving Image: Art, Aesthetics, and Design1
IDEA209Educational Game Lab: Project-Based, Game-Based Pedagogy1
IDEA350Computational Media: Videogame Development2
IDEA351Videogame Architecture and Programming in Unity1
IDEA419Student Forum (Interactive Prototype Studio)1
IDEA420Student Forum (Interactive Prototype Studio)1
(Or other game-focused student forum with approval of minor advisor)

Materials Science Concentration

4 Concentration Courses Required
One engineering design courses from the following list: (if not completed in general requirements)
IDEA170Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering1
IDEA213Design for Scale: The Nuts and Bolts of Mass Manufacturing1
IDEA292Interdisciplinary Project Lab1
One computing and programming foundations course form the following list:
COMP112Introduction to Programming1
COMP113Bioinformatics Programming1
COMP114How to Talk to Machines1
COMP115How to Design Programs1
COMP211Computer Science I1
PHYS340Computational Physics0.5
Two courses in materials from the following list:
ARCP360Experimental Archaeology: Material Science and Past Behaviors1
ARST321Wood: Building with the Forest1.5
ARST271Designing With Living Systems: Soft + Hairy1
CHEM373Polymer Chemistry1
IDEA210How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials1
IDEA211Materials and Design Concepts for Structures1
IDEA212Metal Manufacturing Through the Ages: The Science Behind Metal and Impact of Metal in Society1

Mechanical Concentration

4 Concentration Courses Required
Two courses in engineering fundamentals from the following list:(if not completed in Core requirements)
IDEA170Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering1
IDEA210How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials1
IDEA211Materials and Design Concepts for Structures1
IDEA212Metal Manufacturing Through the Ages: The Science Behind Metal and Impact of Metal in Society1
IDEA213Design for Scale: The Nuts and Bolts of Mass Manufacturing1
IDEA215Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis1
IDEA292Interdisciplinary Project Lab1
One computing and programming Foundations course from the following list:
COMP112Introduction to Programming1
COMP113Bioinformatics Programming1
COMP114How to Talk to Machines1
COMP115How to Design Programs1
COMP116Introduction to Programming and Machine Knitting1
COMP211Computer Science I1
COMP353Robotics1
PHYS340Computational Physics0.5
One course in Statics and Dynamics course from the following list:
IDEA210How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials1
IDEA211Materials and Design Concepts for Structures1

Performance Design Concentration

4 Concentration Courses Required
Two performance design courses form the following list:
ARST233Studies in Computer-based Modelling and Digital Fabrication1
THEA185Text & Visual Imagination: Introduction to Eco Design for Performance1
THEA305Lighting Design for the Theater1
THEA359Space Design for Performance1
THEA360Media for Performance1
THEA383Introduction to Costume Design for Performance1
One history of design course from the following list:
ARHA151European Architecture and Urbanism to 17501
ARHA244European Architecture and Urbanism, 1750-19101
ARHA246American Architecture and Urbanism, 1770-19141
ARHA248Frank Lloyd Wright: Myth and Fact1
ARHA254Architecture of the 20th Century1
ARHA284Buddhist Art and Architecture1
ARHA287Islamic Art and Architecture1
One practicum:
THEA434Applied Scenography: From Idea to the Stage0.5
and
THEA435Performance Practice in Design A0.5
or
THEA437Performance Practice in Design B1