IDEAS Minor Concentrations

There are eleven available concentrations for the IDEAS Minor.

  • Arts and Design Concentration

    Arts and Design

    The study of objects, their design, and technologies of production. This module consolidates project-based learning in architecture, product design and furniture design.

    If not completed in the general requirements, three of the following design courses: 3
    IDEA160
    		 Product Design I
    ARST220
    		 Ecological Design I: Being at Home in the World
    ARST221
    		 A Thousand Years of Iteration: Design for an Uncertain Future
    ARST233
    		 Studies in Computer-based Modelling and Digital Fabrication
    ARST235
    		 Architecture I
    ARST236
    		 Fast & Furious
    ARST271
    		 Biodegradable Design: Soft and Hairy
    ARST320
    		 Ecological Design II: Worn Out/Broken In
    ARST336
    		 Architecture II
    ARST370
    		 Product Design II
    IDEA210
    		 How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials
    THEA359
    		 Space Design for Performance
    THEA185
    		 Text & Visual Imagination: Introduction to Eco Design for Performance
    One course in the History of Architecture: 1
    ARHA151
    		 European Architecture and Urbanism to 1750
    ARHA210
    		 Romanesque and Gothic Art and Architecture
    ARHA224
    		 Italian Art and Architecture of the 16th Century
    ARHA244
    		 European Architecture and Urbanism, 1750-1910
    ARHA246
    		 American Architecture and Urbanism, 1770--1914
    ARHA254
    		 Architecture of the 20th Century
    ARHA258
    		 Contemporary World Architecture
    ARHA284
    		 Buddhist Art and Architecture in East Asia
    ARHA352
    		 Energy and Modern Architecture, 1850-2020
  • Applied Math Concentration

    Applied Math

    Mathematical methods applied in science, engineering, computer science, and social science.

    If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: 2
    IDEA170
    		 Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering
    IDEA175
    		 Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering
    IDEA210
    		 How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials
    IDEA211
    		 Materials and Design Concepts for Structures
    IDEA215
    		 Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis
    IDEA292
    		 Interdisciplinary Project Lab
    One course in computing and programming foundations: 1
    COMP112
    		 Introduction to Programming
    COMP113
    		 Bioinformatics Programming
    COMP114
    		 How to Talk to Machines
    COMP115
    		 How to Design Programs
    COMP211
    		 Computer Science I
    PHYS340
    		 Computational Physics
    One additional course from the following list: 1
    MATH229
    		 Differential Equations
    MATH231
    		 An Introduction to Probability
    MATH232
    		 Mathematical Statistics
    PHYS213
    		 Waves and Oscillations
    PHYS217
    		 Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos
    PHYS565
    		 Mathematical Physics
  • Biological or Biochemical Concentration

    Biological or Biochemical

    Applications of biology and biochemistry to solve challenges in life and health sciences.

    If not completed in the general requirements, one of the following engineering design courses: 1
    IDEA170
    		 Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering
    IDEA175
    		 Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering
    IDEA210
    		 How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials
    IDEA211
    		 Materials and Design Concepts for Structures
    IDEA215
    		 Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis
    IDEA292
    		 Interdisciplinary Project Lab
    One course in computing and programming foundations: 1
    COMP112
    		 Introduction to Programming
    COMP113
    		 Bioinformatics Programming
    COMP114
    		 How to Talk to Machines
    COMP115
    		 How to Design Programs
    COMP211
    		 Computer Science I
    PHYS340
    		 Computational Physics
    Two additional courses from the following list: 2
    BIOL212
    		 Principles and Mechanisms of Cell Biology
    BIOL265
    		 Bioinformatics Programming
    BIOL310
    		 Genomics Analysis
    CHEM396
    		 Molecular Modeling and Design
    IDEA261
    		 Science Materials For a Malagasy Classroom
    MB&B228
    		 Introductory Medical Biochemistry
    MB&B325
    		 Introduction to Biomolecular Structure
    MB&B377
    		 Advanced Genetics
    MB&B381
    		 Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences
  • Chemical Concentration

    Chemical

    Applications of chemistry to the design of new chemicals, materials, and energy production.

    If not completed in the general requirements, one of the following engineering design courses: 1
    IDEA170
    		 Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering
    IDEA175
    		 Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering
    IDEA210
    		 How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials
    IDEA211
    		 Materials and Design Concepts for Structures
    IDEA215
    		 Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis
    IDEA292
    		 Interdisciplinary Project Lab
    One course in computing and programming foundations: 1
    COMP112
    		 Introduction to Programming
    COMP113
    		 Bioinformatics Programming
    COMP114
    		 How to Talk to Machines
    COMP115
    		 How to Design Programs
    COMP211
    		 Computer Science I
    PHYS340
    		 Computational Physics
    Two additional courses from the following list: 2
    CHEM251
    		 Principles of Organic Chemistry I
    CHEM252
    		 Principles of Organic Chemistry II
    CHEM337
    		 Physical Chemistry I: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
    CHEM338
    		 Physical Chemistry II: Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, and Kinetics
    CHEM377
    		 Chemistry of Materials and Nanomaterials
    CHEM381
    		 Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences
    CHEM396
    		 Molecular Modeling and Design
  • Computer Concentration

    Computer

    Applications of computer science to the design of new computer hardware and software.

    If not completed in the general requirements, one of the following engineering design courses: 1
    IDEA170
    		 Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering
    IDEA175
    		 Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering
    IDEA211
    		 Materials and Design Concepts for Structures
    IDEA215
    		 Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis
    IDEA292
    		 Interdisciplinary Project Lab
    One course in computing and programming foundations: 1
    COMP112
    		 Introduction to Programming
    COMP113
    		 Bioinformatics Programming
    COMP114
    		 How to Talk to Machines
    COMP115
    		 How to Design Programs
    COMP211
    		 Computer Science I
    PHYS340
    		 Computational Physics
    Two additional courses from the following list: 2
    IDEA285
    		 Digital Projects Lab
    COMP212
    		 Computer Science II
    COMP301
    		 Automata Theory and Formal Languages
    COMP312
    		 Algorithms and Complexity
    COMP321
    		 Design of Programming Languages
    COMP331
    		 Computer Structure and Organization
    IDEA350
    		 Computational Media: Videogame Development
  • Electrical Concentration

    Electrical

    Applications of electrical and magnetic systems to the design of new devices and communications.

    If not completed in the general requirements, one of the following engineering design courses: 2
    IDEA170
    		 Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering
    IDEA175
    		 Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering
    IDEA211
    		 Materials and Design Concepts for Structures
    IDEA215
    		 Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis
    IDEA292
    		 Interdisciplinary Project Lab
    One course in computing and programming foundations: 1
    COMP112
    		 Introduction to Programming
    COMP113
    		 Bioinformatics Programming
    COMP114
    		 How to Talk to Machines
    COMP115
    		 How to Design Programs
    COMP211
    		 Computer Science I
    PHYS340
    		 Computational Physics
    Two additional courses from the following list: 2
    ASTR240
    		 Radio Astronomy
    PHYS213
    		 Waves and Oscillations
    PHYS214
    		 Quantum Mechanics I
    PHYS324
    		 Electricity and Magnetism
    PHYS342
    		 Experimental Optics
    PHYS345
    		 Electronics Lab
  • Environmental Concentration

    Environmental

    Application of environmental and ecological knowledge to the protection of ecosystems and human population.

    If not completed in the general requirements, one of the following engineering design courses: 1
    IDEA170
    		 Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering
    IDEA175
    		 Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering
    IDEA210
    		 How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials
    IDEA211
    		 Materials and Design Concepts for Structures
    IDEA215
    		 Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis
    IDEA292
    		 Interdisciplinary Project Lab
    One course in computing and programming foundations: 1
    COMP112
    		 Introduction to Programming
    COMP113
    		 Bioinformatics Programming
    COMP114
    		 How to Talk to Machines
    COMP115
    		 How to Design Programs
    COMP211
    		 Computer Science I
    PHYS340
    		 Computational Physics
    Two additional courses from the following list: 2
    BIOL216
    		 Ecology
    E&ES244
    		 Soils
    E&ES246
    		 Hydrology
    E&ES250
    		 Environmental Geochemistry
    E&ES253
    		 Energy Sustainability: An examination of US, New England and Connecticut Energy
    E&ES280
    		 Introduction to GIS
    E&ES361
    		 Living in a Polluted World
    E&ES375
    		 Modeling the Earth and Environment
  • Geomechanics/Geosystems Concentration

    Geomechanics/Geosystems

    Applications of geology and earth science to the development and preservation of subterranean resources.

    If not completed in the general requirements, one of the following engineering design courses: 1
    IDEA170
    		 Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering
    IDEA175
    		 Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering
    IDEA210
    		 How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials
    IDEA211
    		 Materials and Design Concepts for Structures
    IDEA292
    		 Interdisciplinary Project Lab
    One course in computing and programming foundations: 1
    COMP112
    		 Introduction to Programming
    COMP113
    		 Bioinformatics Programming
    COMP114
    		 How to Talk to Machines
    COMP115
    		 How to Design Programs
    COMP211
    		 Computer Science I
    PHYS340
    		 Computational Physics
    Two additional courses from the following list: 2
    E&ES213
    		 Mineralogy
    E&ES215
    		 Earth Materials
    E&ES223
    		 Structural Geology
    E&ES280
    		 Introduction to GIS
    E&ES375
    		 Modeling the Earth and Environment
  • Materials Science Concentration

    Materials Science

    Discovery, design, and properties of new materials.

    IDEA215
    Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis
    If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: 2
    IDEA170
    		 Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering
    IDEA175
    		 Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering
    One course in computing and programming foundations: 1
    COMP112
    		 Introduction to Programming
    COMP113
    		 Bioinformatics Programming
    COMP114
    		 How to Talk to Machines
    COMP115
    		 How to Design Programs
    COMP211
    		 Computer Science I
    PHYS340
    		 Computational Physics
    One course in statics and dynamics: 1
    IDEA210
    		 How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials
    IDEA211
    		 Materials and Design Concepts for Structures
  • Mechanical Concentration

    Mechanical

    Application of mechanics, kinematics, and thermodynamics to design and develop new mechanical systems.

    If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: 2
    CIS170
    		 Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering
    CIS175
    		 Introduction to Electrical Design & Engineering
    IDEA215
    		 Introduction to Sensors, Measurement, and Data Analysis
    One course in computing and programming foundations: 1
    COMP112
    		 Introduction to Programming
    COMP113
    		 Bioinformatics Programming
    COMP114
    		 How to Talk to Machines
    COMP115
    		 How to Design Programs
    COMP211
    		 Computer Science I
    PHYS340
    		 Computational Physics
    One course is statics and dynamics: 1
    IDEA210
    		 How Things Fail: Mechanics and Materials
    IDEA211
    		 Materials and Design Concepts for Structures
  • Performance Design

    Performance Design

    Stage design for theater or dance, sets, costumes, and lighting.

    Two courses from the following list: 2
    THEA185
    		 Text & Visual Imagination: Introduction to Eco Design for Performance
    ARST233
    		 Studies in Computer-based Modelling and Digital Fabrication
    THEA305
    		 Lighting Design for the Theater
    THEA360/DANC364
    		 Media for Performance
    THEA359
    		 Space Design for Performance
    THEA383
    		 Introduction to Costume Design for Performance
    One course in the History of Design: 1
    ARHA244
    		 European Architecture and Urbanism, 1750-1910
    ARHA246
    		 American Architecture and Urbanism, 1770--1914
    ARHA254
    		 Architecture of the 20th Century
    ARHA151
    		 European Architecture and Urbanism to 1750
    One additional credit from the following list: 1
    THEA434
    		 Applied Scenography: From Idea to the Stage
    and
    THEA435
    		 Performance Practice in Design A
    or
    THEA437
    		 Performance Practice in Design B