Integrated Design, Engineering & Applied Science Minor
Department website: http://www.wesleyan.edu/ideas/
Minor Description
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 (IDEA170, IDEA175 , or IDEA173), and one on Design & Arts (IDEA190, ARST233, or ARST285) 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 | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| One Project-Based Design & Arts Courses | 1 | |
| Digital Foundations | ||
| Studies in Computer-based Modelling and Digital Fabrication | ||
| Form And Code | ||
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.
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 | ||
| How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials | ||
| Space Design for Performance | ||
| Text and the Visual Imagination | ||
| One course in the History of Architecture: | 1 | |
| European Architecture to 1750 | ||
| Romanesque and Gothic Art and Architecture | ||
| Italian Art and Architecture of the 16th Century | ||
| European Architecture and Urbanism, 1750-1910 | ||
| American Architecture and Urbanism, 1770--1914 | ||
| Architecture of the 20th Century | ||
| Contemporary World Architecture | ||
| Buddhist Art and Architecture in East Asia | ||
| Energy and Modern Architecture, 1850--2015 | ||
| One additional course from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Drawing I | ||
| Digital Foundations | ||
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 | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| 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 | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| 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 | ||
| Molecular Modeling and Design | ||
| Science Materials For a Malagasy Classroom | ||
| Introductory Medical Biochemistry | ||
| Introduction to Biomolecular Structure | ||
| Advanced Genetics | ||
| Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences | ||
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 | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| 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 | ||
| Chemistry of Materials and Nanomaterials | ||
| 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 | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Form And Code | ||
| Computer Science II | ||
| Algorithms and Complexity | ||
| Design of Programming Languages | ||
| Computer Structure and Organization | ||
COMP342 | ||
| Computational Media: Videogame Development | ||
DIGITAL AND GRAPHIC DESIGN
Design in 2D and 3D, ranging from letterpress printing to the creation of virtual spaces, always referencing production and its technology.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: | 2 | |
| Digital Foundations | ||
| Drawing I | ||
| Graphic Design | ||
| Text and the Visual Imagination | ||
| One course in Art History at the 200-level or higher: 1 | 1 | |
| Survey of Greek Archaeology and Art | ||
| Visualizing the Classical | ||
| Survey of Roman Archaeology and Art | ||
| Romanesque and Gothic Art and Architecture | ||
| Early Medieval Art, c. 300-1100 | ||
| Pyramids and Funeral Pyres: Death and the Afterlife in Greece and Egypt | ||
| Northern Renaissance Art | ||
| Early Renaissance Art and Architecture in Italy | ||
| Italian Art and Architecture of the 16th Century | ||
| Art and Society in Ancient Pompeii | ||
| Art and Culture of the Italian Baroque | ||
| Revolutionary France and the Birth of Modern Art, 1789-1900 | ||
| European Architecture and Urbanism, 1750-1910 | ||
| American Architecture and Urbanism, 1770--1914 | ||
| Contemporary Art Since 1980 | ||
| Art After 1945 | ||
| Architecture of the 20th Century | ||
| Just Cities: Architectures of Public Encounter | ||
| Contemporary World Architecture | ||
| Islamic Art and Architecture | ||
| Buddhist Art and Architecture in East Asia | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 2 | |
| Studies in Computer-based Modelling and Digital Fabrication | ||
| Form And Code | ||
| Computational Media: Videogame Development | ||
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 | ||
| Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis | ||
| Principles of Engineering | ||
| One course in computing and programming foundations: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Programming | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| 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 | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| 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 | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| 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 | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| One course in statics and dynamics: | 1 | |
| How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials | ||
| One additional course from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 1 | |
| 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 | ||
| Bioinformatics Programming | ||
| How to Talk to Machines | ||
| How to Design Programs | ||
| Computer Science I | ||
| Computational Physics | ||
| One course is statics and dynamics: | 1 | |
| How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials | ||
| One additional course from the following list, for a total of six courses: | 1 | |
| 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 | ||
| American Architecture and Urbanism, 1770--1914 | ||
| Architecture of the 20th Century | ||
| Two additional courses from the following list: | 2 | |
| Text and the Visual Imagination | ||
| Studies in Computer-based Modelling and Digital Fabrication | ||
| 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.