HSSP Summer 2016
Course Catalog
Filter Catalog by Grade:
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|---|---|
| Arts | Computer Science |
| Humanities | Mathematics |
| Science | Miscellaneous |
This is 2016's catalog. Summer Registration for 2017 will open tentatively around May 28, and the updated catalog will be released around May 23rd.
Arts
A10515: Introduction to Music Theory Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Isabel Quispe
This course would cover the basic aspects of music theory: melody, harmony, rhythm, form and structure of pieces ranging from the Baroque to the post-Romantic period.
Prerequisites
Know how to read sheet music.
Prerequisites
Know how to read sheet music.
A10512: History of Heavy Metal
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Lauren Paul
Heavy metal has, since its inception, been as much a cultural movement as a musical one. This course will cover the history and development of metal from the mid-20th century on. We will explore everything from the big hair of Poison to the dark cult of the Norwegian inner circle.
Computer Science
C10552: Introduction to Computation Full!
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Orhan T. Celiker
Computation is a powerful tool that powers many things in the modern society. But how do we make the computers do our bidding? In this class, we will start from the fundamentals of computing and explore methods and practices that allow us to compute useful things. We will get an idea of what is (and more importantly, what is not) computable.
This is a suitable class for complete beginners to computer science and programming.
Prerequisites
A laptop that has Python 3 installed (we can help you with the installation). Basic familiarity with fundamental physics laws and formulas.
This is a suitable class for complete beginners to computer science and programming.
Prerequisites
A laptop that has Python 3 installed (we can help you with the installation). Basic familiarity with fundamental physics laws and formulas.
C10511: Philosophy of AI Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Michaela Ennis
Think about artificial intelligence in the context of better understanding human intelligence. Discussion of papers from Turing and Minsky to modern machine learning in the context not only of engineering applications, but also of how humans work. Inspired by https://courses-csail-mit-edu.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/6.803/schedule.html
Each class will include 30 minutes of material presentation and 30 minutes of discussion.
Prerequisites
Some basic knowledge of computer science would be ideal, but not required
Each class will include 30 minutes of material presentation and 30 minutes of discussion.
Prerequisites
Some basic knowledge of computer science would be ideal, but not required
C10546: Making Games with Gameblox Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Paul Medlock-Walton
Make small, simple games using Gameblox, an online blocks based programming environment made here at MIT. So far, users have made a wide range of games, from tower defense, to maze, and item collection games. By applying basic programming concepts, you'll make something fun that others can play online.
No previous programming experience is required.
No previous programming experience is required.
C10550: Essentials of Information and Computer Security Full!
Learn the principles of computer exploitation and securing information. Topics may include cryptography, reverse engineering, binary exploitation, and web hacking. Classes will include hands-on computer labs.
Prerequisites
Basic programming experience in any language
Prerequisites
Basic programming experience in any language
Humanities
H10536: Friendship and Curiosity: A Book or a Smartphone? Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
yc yu
What is a friend? Why are friends friends?
What are you curious about? What do you think is the answer? How do we find answers?
Smartphones can carry thousands of ebooks; would we rather pick up a book or a smartphone?
To answer these questions, we read chapters of Plato's $$\textit{Lysis}$$, $$\textit{Republic}$$ etc. and hope to find clues.
Prerequisites
Complete reading assignments and participate in discussion.
What are you curious about? What do you think is the answer? How do we find answers?
Smartphones can carry thousands of ebooks; would we rather pick up a book or a smartphone?
To answer these questions, we read chapters of Plato's $$\textit{Lysis}$$, $$\textit{Republic}$$ etc. and hope to find clues.
Prerequisites
Complete reading assignments and participate in discussion.
H10559: Wanting, Pleasure, and the Good Life Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Leonard Katz
What is success in life -- or living well? 'Being a winner' in competitive games, or in politics, or in business deals aimed at 'besting' others in pursuing 'wealth'? Succeeding in getting what one wants? Plato, in his dialogue Gorgias, argues not -- and that thinking and acting in these ways makes us miserable. We will read this philosophical classic closely, discuss it critically, and see how these issues connect with adolescence, neuroscience, politics, and most importantly with how to live well.
Prerequisites
Ability and interest to read about 16 pages of material every week slowly and patiently and discuss issues raised thoughtfully. Zeyl's translation, published by Hackett, will be used, but you can use older translations free online or from libraries before we meet. Before our first class read the first 20 pages or so up to the place (in 461B, if you see marginal numbers) where Polus interrupts. Think especially about the argument leading up to this point. Think of Gorgias as an esteemed expert in debating, advertising, and political consulting who's selling his services to people planning political careers, like Donald Trump and young people who want to be like him.
Prerequisites
Ability and interest to read about 16 pages of material every week slowly and patiently and discuss issues raised thoughtfully. Zeyl's translation, published by Hackett, will be used, but you can use older translations free online or from libraries before we meet. Before our first class read the first 20 pages or so up to the place (in 461B, if you see marginal numbers) where Polus interrupts. Think especially about the argument leading up to this point. Think of Gorgias as an esteemed expert in debating, advertising, and political consulting who's selling his services to people planning political careers, like Donald Trump and young people who want to be like him.
H10517: Women of SciFi and Fantasy
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Stirling Newberry
Read a few of the classic authors and set your pen down to learn the task of offering up your own work. You will have to buy The Mists of Avalon and The Left Hand of Darkness to read - and a notebook for your own work. Also helpful is a way of looking up on the Internet.
H10521: Intro to Kantian Philosophy
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Elise Bickford
Come learn about the brilliant and inspirational philosopher Immanuel Kant! In this course, we will broadly cover Kantian ideas in metaphysics, ethics, aesthetics, and human agency. We also will examine Kant's influence on contemporary philosophy and political theory.
Prerequisites
Willingness to read some difficult philosophical texts
Prerequisites
Willingness to read some difficult philosophical texts
H10547: A Brief History of Film Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Joshua Segaran
A brief history of film, starting from the early silent era to the 1970's. We will be looking at the progression of narrative film both domestic and international.
H10558: Sociological Imagination Journey Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Izumi Ludgate
In this class, you will be introduced to the world of sociology.
Sociology is a very broad subject, but to put it simply, it is a study on human behavior. Human beings are social beings and once we are out in the world, we need to connect and interact with other human beings. You will be exploring various sociological perspectives through utilizing your own experiences in understanding about the world we live in.
Prerequisites
None
Sociology is a very broad subject, but to put it simply, it is a study on human behavior. Human beings are social beings and once we are out in the world, we need to connect and interact with other human beings. You will be exploring various sociological perspectives through utilizing your own experiences in understanding about the world we live in.
Prerequisites
None
H10525: Wanting, Pleasure, and the Good Life
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Leonard Katz
What is success in life -- or living well? 'Being a winner' in competitive games, or in politics, or in business deals aimed at 'besting' others in pursuing 'wealth'? Succeeding in getting what one wants? Plato, in his dialogue Gorgias, argues not -- and that thinking and acting in these ways makes us miserable. We will read this philosophical classic closely, discuss it critically, and see how these issues connect with adolescence, neuroscience, politics, and most importantly with how to live well.
Prerequisites
Ability and interest to read about 16 pages of material every week slowly and patiently and discuss issues raised thoughtfully. Zeyl's translation, published by Hackett, will be used, but you can use older translations free online or from libraries before we meet. Before our first class read the first 20 pages or so up to the place (in 461B, if you see marginal numbers) where Polus interrupts. Think especially about the argument leading up to this point. Think of Gorgias as an esteemed expert in debating, advertising, and political consulting who's selling his services to people planning political careers, like Donald Trump and young people who want to be like him.
Prerequisites
Ability and interest to read about 16 pages of material every week slowly and patiently and discuss issues raised thoughtfully. Zeyl's translation, published by Hackett, will be used, but you can use older translations free online or from libraries before we meet. Before our first class read the first 20 pages or so up to the place (in 461B, if you see marginal numbers) where Polus interrupts. Think especially about the argument leading up to this point. Think of Gorgias as an esteemed expert in debating, advertising, and political consulting who's selling his services to people planning political careers, like Donald Trump and young people who want to be like him.
H10526: Introduction to Fiction Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Caitlyn Kinsella
Where do you begin, when you decide to write? During the first two weeks of class, discussion will focus on questions of originality, inspiration, and the varied motivations for telling stories. In addition, we will look at the basics of fiction–– character, dialogue, plot, structure, and style–– and how they are used to build creative work. Frequent writing exercises will be used to put these techniques into practice.
Over the course of the following four weeks, each student will write a short story to be workshopped by the group in a fun and supportive atmosphere. The goal is for each student to leave the class with a completed draft of his or her story, thoughtful and personalized critiques from the instructor and other students, and recommendations for outlining and revision.
Prerequisites
Willingness to share your written work, and the ability to make time for assigned reading and writing outside of class
Over the course of the following four weeks, each student will write a short story to be workshopped by the group in a fun and supportive atmosphere. The goal is for each student to leave the class with a completed draft of his or her story, thoughtful and personalized critiques from the instructor and other students, and recommendations for outlining and revision.
Prerequisites
Willingness to share your written work, and the ability to make time for assigned reading and writing outside of class
H10533: How public spaces shape culture: an exploration of architecture and anthropology Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Kaylee Brent
How do you create the perfect study space? The perfect zone for a game of pick-up basketball? How can you craft the perfect plaza that will get strangers to talk to each other?
Are you interested in architecture? Anthropology? Sociology? Design? Aren't really sure but think the idea of shaping human interactions by creating public spaces sounds super nifty?
We'll learn about how design influences use of public spaces, which in turn shapes the sort of culture you create.
Are you interested in architecture? Anthropology? Sociology? Design? Aren't really sure but think the idea of shaping human interactions by creating public spaces sounds super nifty?
We'll learn about how design influences use of public spaces, which in turn shapes the sort of culture you create.
H10540: How to Write for an Animated Show Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Emily Ramirez
It’s easy for us to have favorite shows and hated shows, and analyzing what makes them so great (or awful) is a skill essential to creating our own stories. In this class, we will look into theory and practice to create screenplays and understand the key factors to ensuring success when animated. Students will analyze various works of animation, written text, and live-action film to understand the key differences in approach to animation. Class will consist of discussions of these works, and students will be expected to read and watch ahead of time to maximize their experience. Students will also be given creative writing assignments which will be peer reviewed in class and a final project which will consist of producing a thirty-second animated short.
Prerequisites
A love of writing and animation! No artistic experience necessary although helpful. For those in 7-9th grade: If you would like to enroll, email me directly at emilyram@mit.edu
Prerequisites
A love of writing and animation! No artistic experience necessary although helpful. For those in 7-9th grade: If you would like to enroll, email me directly at emilyram@mit.edu
H10541: RELIEF: Topics in Civil Litigation Full!
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Julia Arnous
We will cover a variety of topics and terms in American civil litigation - from certiorari to preemption to insider trading to equitable relief.
What is an arbitration clause, and why would you look for one? Who counts as an accredited investor? What makes someone an employee - and why does it matter to companies like Uber? How do you know if a company is public or private? What's a class action, and why are you receiving a $25 gift card in the mail?
We'll treat questions like these - and briefly cover the tools used for legal research.
Not everyone is interested in becoming a lawyer - but at some point, someone might steal your money, deny you your wages, or misrepresent the product they sell you.
Knowledge of the law has practical benefits - and study of the law allows us to consider social, political, and economic issues.
Prerequisites
No legal knowledge required or expected. We will be starting from the beginning.
What is an arbitration clause, and why would you look for one? Who counts as an accredited investor? What makes someone an employee - and why does it matter to companies like Uber? How do you know if a company is public or private? What's a class action, and why are you receiving a $25 gift card in the mail?
We'll treat questions like these - and briefly cover the tools used for legal research.
Not everyone is interested in becoming a lawyer - but at some point, someone might steal your money, deny you your wages, or misrepresent the product they sell you.
Knowledge of the law has practical benefits - and study of the law allows us to consider social, political, and economic issues.
Prerequisites
No legal knowledge required or expected. We will be starting from the beginning.
H10527: Intro to Sociology/Human Diversity to Globalization Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Izumi Ludgate
Sociology is a very broad discipline that examines how humans interact with each other and how human behavior is shaped by social structures (groups, communities, organizations), social categories (age, gender, class, race, etc.), and social institutions (politics, religion, education, etc.).
If you are ready to go on a sociological journey to better understand yourself and the world around you, this class is for you.
If you are ready to go on a sociological journey to better understand yourself and the world around you, this class is for you.
H10537: Dreams, Dreaming and the Subconscious
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Carol Hardick
Hello Everyone!
With an the interdisciplinary approach of dream science, cognitive psychology, art and humanities, Dreams, Dreaming and the Subconscious will introduce you to the huge topic of the subconscious with an emphasis on the sleeping brain.
Ideas about dreams filter into our pop culture. The Harry Potter series and the movies Inception and the Matrix, for example, have lots of twists and turns and raise questions about memory, knowledge and artificial intelligence. What’s possible and what isn’t? What’s déjà vu? Can an idea be planted in a person’s mind? Can two people share a dream? Can a person’s mind be controlled or manipulated?
With lots of discussion, we’ll use different perspectives and the principles of critical thinking to study the mystery, the nature of the mind and learn different theories about dreams and the subconscious.
As we discuss the breadth and depth of the mind, the sheer ingenuity of an individual’s ability to think and create in so many ways, (and even do it while we’re sleeping,) we open the door to understanding that vast universe we call a mind.
With an the interdisciplinary approach of dream science, cognitive psychology, art and humanities, Dreams, Dreaming and the Subconscious will introduce you to the huge topic of the subconscious with an emphasis on the sleeping brain.
Ideas about dreams filter into our pop culture. The Harry Potter series and the movies Inception and the Matrix, for example, have lots of twists and turns and raise questions about memory, knowledge and artificial intelligence. What’s possible and what isn’t? What’s déjà vu? Can an idea be planted in a person’s mind? Can two people share a dream? Can a person’s mind be controlled or manipulated?
With lots of discussion, we’ll use different perspectives and the principles of critical thinking to study the mystery, the nature of the mind and learn different theories about dreams and the subconscious.
As we discuss the breadth and depth of the mind, the sheer ingenuity of an individual’s ability to think and create in so many ways, (and even do it while we’re sleeping,) we open the door to understanding that vast universe we call a mind.
Mathematics
M10519: Advanced Topics in Combinatorics Full!
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Kavish Gandhi,
Timothy Ngotiaoco
This class will cover a diverse array of subjects in enumerative combinatorics, at its core the art of counting carefully, from generating functions to partitions to Young tableaux to perhaps a taste of game theory, among other advanced topics. After presenting some classic topics in combinatorics as well as some results with delightful proofs, we will also address areas of current research in combinatorics, and describe how combinatorics is applied ubiquitously to solve important problems in computer science and physics, among many other scientific fields.
Each class period will have a handout with all of the results presented in lecture, which will usually be derived completely with proof. Challenge problems will be given out at the end of class.
Prerequisites
A strong background in mathematics will be helpful, but is not necessary; we will perhaps reference techniques from calculus or group theory, but will derive everything necessary in class. This class will not be easy, but will hopefully be very fun and will blow your mind with some of the wonders of combinatorics!
Each class period will have a handout with all of the results presented in lecture, which will usually be derived completely with proof. Challenge problems will be given out at the end of class.
Prerequisites
A strong background in mathematics will be helpful, but is not necessary; we will perhaps reference techniques from calculus or group theory, but will derive everything necessary in class. This class will not be easy, but will hopefully be very fun and will blow your mind with some of the wonders of combinatorics!
M10523: Fun with Probability
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Sandeep Silwal
Come learn what makes probability fun and arguably the most useful branch of mathematics! We will learn about various concepts such as expected value, bayes rule, etc and connect these concepts with number theory, real world problems, games, paradoxes, etc.
Prerequisites
Enthusiasm for math and little knowledge of algebra. A little experience with probability would be helpful but not required!
Prerequisites
Enthusiasm for math and little knowledge of algebra. A little experience with probability would be helpful but not required!
M10555: Knot Theory
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Carlos Cortez
This course will be an exposition to the beautiful subject of knot theory. While knot theory first attracted interest due to an outdated atomic model, it is now a central topic of study in low-dimensional topology with connections to several other fields. Furthermore, it is easy and fun to experiment with - we'll provide the string! However, you may be surprised at how difficult it is to tell if your friend's knot is the same as yours.
Topics will be tailored to the audience. Likely ones include: examples of knots and links, Reidemeister moves, prime knots, knot invariants (particularly knot polynomials), Seifert surfaces, braid groups. You may even learn a couple of party tricks and some knot-so-great puns!
Prerequisites
Despite some theorems in knot theory requiring advanced mathematics to prove rigorously, we will focus in understanding and experimenting with them - which does not require such a strong background. Most, if not all, of the course should be accessible to students familiar with polynomials and functions. Knowledge of the definition of a group could be useful occasionally, but will not be assumed.
Topics will be tailored to the audience. Likely ones include: examples of knots and links, Reidemeister moves, prime knots, knot invariants (particularly knot polynomials), Seifert surfaces, braid groups. You may even learn a couple of party tricks and some knot-so-great puns!
Prerequisites
Despite some theorems in knot theory requiring advanced mathematics to prove rigorously, we will focus in understanding and experimenting with them - which does not require such a strong background. Most, if not all, of the course should be accessible to students familiar with polynomials and functions. Knowledge of the definition of a group could be useful occasionally, but will not be assumed.
M10535: How to Win Games Full!
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Della Hendrickson
We play a game, starting with 100 berries. On your turn, you eat between 1 and 5 berries, and the person who eats the last person wins. What's the best strategy?
We'll talk about a large class of games like this (called impartial games), and learn how to win all of them. If there's time at the end we'll talk briefly about partisan games, where the legal moves are different for different players.
We'll talk about a large class of games like this (called impartial games), and learn how to win all of them. If there's time at the end we'll talk briefly about partisan games, where the legal moves are different for different players.
M10530: Numbers That Do Weird Things
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Jordan Hines
You've heard of the natural numbers, integers, rationals, reals, and complex numbers. These number systems are nice, but don't all of those nice properties get boring after a while?
In this class, we'll construct and play around with number systems that behave differently than the number systems you're used to: ones where multiplication isn't commutative (or associative), ones where something like $$\dots 121012102$$ makes sense, and more! Along the way we'll encounter multiple branches of mathematics. Come see how many strange examples we can get through!
Prerequisites
Familiarity with complex numbers. Knowledge of calculus may be helpful for some parts of the class, but it is not required.
In this class, we'll construct and play around with number systems that behave differently than the number systems you're used to: ones where multiplication isn't commutative (or associative), ones where something like $$\dots 121012102$$ makes sense, and more! Along the way we'll encounter multiple branches of mathematics. Come see how many strange examples we can get through!
Prerequisites
Familiarity with complex numbers. Knowledge of calculus may be helpful for some parts of the class, but it is not required.
M10516: Relational Databases Before There Were Such Things
Difficulty: ****
Teachers:
Stirling Newberry
Long before there were databases, the underlying mathematics was discovered. Travel over 2000 years with Galilei, Cantor, Gödel, Turing, Nash, and Codd to learn the secrets of games.
Science
S10528: Books I Wish I'd Read Before College Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Shaun Datta
This course will be a casual opportunity to read and discuss books I wish I'd read before college, either because they contain content that I feel would be useful to undergraduates (particularly those studying physics and math), or because I haven't had the time to sit down and appreciate them since coming to college. The reading list includes The Second Law by P. W. Atkins, What is Life? by Schr$$\ddot{o}$$dinger, A Beautiful Question by Frank Wilczek, and QED by Richard Feynman. The course will provide a forum for you to discuss your thoughts on the readings and engage in an open-ended conversation. This list is by no means exhaustive, and we can add or take away from our repertoire based on your interests. This class is going to be fun, so I hope you take it!
Prerequisites
An interest in reading great writing
Prerequisites
An interest in reading great writing
S10545: Phenomenology of Superconductivity
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Alfred Zong
Superconductivity is one of the most exciting discoveries in the 20th century. Superconductors are cool (literally) not just because they have zero electrical resistance; they exhibit a whole zoology of strange properties that still fascinate physicists today. This course will introduce many properties of superconductors and provide several theoretical frameworks to study their phenomenology. Topics include London equations, Ginzburg-Landau theory, Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory, and Josephson junction. We will end with discussions on high-Tc superconductors, which are at the forefront of condensed matter research today.
Prerequisites
Prior experiences with calculus, AP physics and elementary quantum mechanics are highly recommended.
Prerequisites
Prior experiences with calculus, AP physics and elementary quantum mechanics are highly recommended.
S10543: Electronics for Medical Device Design
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Jason Yang
Come learn the basics of Electronics and Electrical Engineering with a medical device twist. Note that this class is focused on the electronics and design pertaining to medical design, starting from the very basics. Though we will be starting from the basics, we will be moving fast and there will be math.
Prerequisites
Calculus
Prerequisites
Calculus
S10520: Introduction to Plasma Physics and Nuclear Fusion Full!
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Megan Kralj
Plasma, the fourth state of matter, plays a key role in a variety of real-world problems, from solving the energy crisis to understanding the cosmos. This course provides an introduction to plasma physics, with a focus on understanding the underlying mechanics of future fusion reactors. Some of the topics covered are thermonuclear processes, nuclear fusion reactors, magnetic confinement, computer simulations, and black hole accretion disks. We will wrap up the course by examining a real plasma instability currently being researched by physicists and engineers at MIT!
The difficulty of the course may vary between lectures, as well as depend highly upon the level of calculus and physics background knowledge that students have.
Prerequisites
Prior exposure to either physics, calculus, or programming will be helpful, but is not necessary.
The difficulty of the course may vary between lectures, as well as depend highly upon the level of calculus and physics background knowledge that students have.
Prerequisites
Prior exposure to either physics, calculus, or programming will be helpful, but is not necessary.
S10518: (Not So) Close Encounters of a Third Kind (That we haven't found yet)
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Megan Russell,
Devany West
Is there life on other planets? How could we find it? How can we even find other planets? And how did life begin on earth in the first place? So many questions, and we'll try to come up with some answers while nerding out about the satellites and other stuff!
Prerequisites
None!
Prerequisites
None!
S10514: Innovations in Cancer Biology Full!
Have you ever wondered how we could possibly cure cancer? It seems like a hopeless cause - the NIH invested over $4.8 billion in funding in 2013 alone - yet cancer still causes unnecessary suffering for so many people.
This class will examine the six biological hallmarks of cancer (Hanahan et al 2011). The class will focus on current, cutting-edge therapies that hopefully can eradicate cancer such as immunotherapy, personalized medicine/genomics screening, nanoparticle delivery, and siRNAs/mRNAs. We will read popular science articles and discuss their scientific validity (aka fancy speak for "see if they’ll actually work"). We will also see how we can use computers through bioinformatics to mine for drug candidates. We will also have lectures from people who are currently working in the field of cancer biology.
(this class was named after Bob Weinberg’s [professor at MIT] famous 850-page tome, The Biology of Cancer - you should totally check it out)
This class will examine the six biological hallmarks of cancer (Hanahan et al 2011). The class will focus on current, cutting-edge therapies that hopefully can eradicate cancer such as immunotherapy, personalized medicine/genomics screening, nanoparticle delivery, and siRNAs/mRNAs. We will read popular science articles and discuss their scientific validity (aka fancy speak for "see if they’ll actually work"). We will also see how we can use computers through bioinformatics to mine for drug candidates. We will also have lectures from people who are currently working in the field of cancer biology.
(this class was named after Bob Weinberg’s [professor at MIT] famous 850-page tome, The Biology of Cancer - you should totally check it out)
S10549: Space: Exploring the Final Frontier Full!
Difficulty: **
Like space? We do too! Come learn about and discuss current and future progress, problems, and questions in space exploration. We’ll talk about missions to Mars, the search for extraterrestrial life and what happens if we find out we’re not alone, the rise of the commercial space industry, and all sorts of cool topics at the intersection of science fiction and reality.
S10542: Laser Physics
Difficulty: ***
Teachers:
Anya Burkart
What exactly are lasers? How do they work and who developed them? What kinds of lasers are there and how dangerous are they? How can lasers be applied in bioscience research as well as in every day life? We will delve into all these questions and more in our study of laser physics.
Prerequisites
Physics (independent study is sufficient, especially on Maxwell's equations and the nature of light)
Prerequisites
Physics (independent study is sufficient, especially on Maxwell's equations and the nature of light)
S10524: Natural History 101 Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Mary Spanjers
Natural History is funny because once history actually becomes cool, we call it science. Earth's past is a fun way to learn a lot of science from evolution to isotopes. We'll cover the tools used to uncover Earth's past, the history of our planet and organisms, and why fossils are actually the best thing ever. You will hold fossils.
Prerequisites
None, however the class will get into science above current grade level which students will not be expected to know.
Prerequisites
None, however the class will get into science above current grade level which students will not be expected to know.
S10531: Drug Discovery For Neglected Tropical Diseases Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Travis DeLano
Neglected diseases affect 1 in 6 people globally, primarily in the poorest parts of the world. Because there is little hope of recouping costs from patients with so little money, only 2% of medical research and development funds are spent on neglected diseases yearly. This course will explore the threats posed by and progress towards treating a variety of neglected tropical diseases, including leishmaniosis, African sleeping sickness, Zika virus, and Ebola.
Prerequisites
Basic Biology or Chemistry recommended, but not required.
Prerequisites
Basic Biology or Chemistry recommended, but not required.
S10534: Reading Climate Records
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Kaylee Brent
What sort of world did the dinosaurs walk on? What about the creatures that lived before the Permian Extinction? Hey, how do scientists know what the Earth's climate looked like even ten thousand years ago, before historical records? And how do we use this information to help make predictions about the future of the planet's changing climate?
Come learn about paleoclimate (that means old climate) and how we measure and understand it -- using ice cores, sediments, rocks, and even stalagmites! And find out what all this information about the past means for our shared future on Earth.
Prerequisites
Some chemistry required; some earth science preferred but not necessary
Come learn about paleoclimate (that means old climate) and how we measure and understand it -- using ice cores, sediments, rocks, and even stalagmites! And find out what all this information about the past means for our shared future on Earth.
Prerequisites
Some chemistry required; some earth science preferred but not necessary
S10532: Climate Change: Scientific, Political, and Economic Analysis
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Josh Moss
Climate change poses a dangerous threat to our planet, and the vast majority of scientists agree that humans are largely responsible for causing it. This class will largely focus on understanding the science, notably the chemistry and physics of the atmosphere, governing climate change, and will also include analysis of the cutting-edge climate research currently being undertaken in labs all around the world. The later portions of the class will involve analyzing the political and economic repercussions of climate change and will culminate in a mock government scenario in which the students will attempt to work together to devise a plan to combat climate change.
Prerequisites
Basic understandings of chemistry and physics and an open mind are recommended
Prerequisites
Basic understandings of chemistry and physics and an open mind are recommended
S10551: The Human Body Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Dawn Truong
Want to become a doctor? Interested in human and cell biology?
We will learn about the human body and discuss the ethics of new, on-the-edge scientific treatments.
We will learn about the human body and discuss the ethics of new, on-the-edge scientific treatments.
Miscellaneous
X10522: Nerds Examining Wizarding Theory and Society (N. E. W. T. S.) Full!
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Penrose Allphin,
Lee Friedman
When you think Harry Potter, what comes to mind? Is it the enormous fanbase? The fantastical world building? The cultural impact? From wizarding technology to Rowlinguistics, from the Ministry of Magic to Quidditch, let’s take an in-depth look at the social intricacies of one of the most culturally significant pieces of literature of our time.
Prerequisites
Being familiar with the Harry Potter universe will be essential for this class, so please have read the series!
Prerequisites
Being familiar with the Harry Potter universe will be essential for this class, so please have read the series!
X10557: Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Lecture Series
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Ahaan Rungta
Lecture series in the humanities, arts, and social sciences.
X10548: World Changer's Think Tank
Difficulty: *
Teachers:
Yoo Eun Kim,
Emily Pond
Keep your coins; I want CHANGE!
Are you interested in starting your own community service project? If you want to design and implement a project that maximizes impact for your school or community, attend World Changer's Think Tank (WCTT)! WCTT has been presented in leadership and service conventions throughout the United States and will cover the following topics: brainstorming ideas, budgeting, delegating, advertising, executing, and building on your results.
What are you waiting for? Be a World Changer!
Are you interested in starting your own community service project? If you want to design and implement a project that maximizes impact for your school or community, attend World Changer's Think Tank (WCTT)! WCTT has been presented in leadership and service conventions throughout the United States and will cover the following topics: brainstorming ideas, budgeting, delegating, advertising, executing, and building on your results.
What are you waiting for? Be a World Changer!
X10554: Slightly Advanced Card Games Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Joanna Sands,
Margaret Sands
Do you want to be the next NAPOLEON of card games? In this class, you'll learn enough card games to become the PRESIDENT of your own club. You'll TRACTOR in wins - like shooting FISH in a barrel. So do you know what words should be coming out of your MAOth? "OH HELL, guess I'll sign up."
Prerequisites
None!
Prerequisites
None!
X10529: Economics Games Full!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Vladislav Nivorozhkin
Despite my interest in Economics, I sometimes find myself bored just sitting in class listening to my professors talking for almost an hour. Likewise, I am sure that many of you can empathize with my boredom. That is why, in this course, I will keep the talking to a minimum. Instead, I will teach you only what you need to know in preparation for a series of online games related to the field of Economics. These games will cover topics ranging from America's deficit and debt issues, to even public goods.
X10510: LaTeX!
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Ahaan Rungta
Come learn the art of the most useful and fun math typesetting language in the world! At the end of this course, you should be able to write a paper or mathematical proof in fancy font - LaTeX!
Prerequisites
The ability to type.
Prerequisites
The ability to type.
X10556: Math & Science Lecture Series
Difficulty: **
Teachers:
Ahaan Rungta
Lecture Series in mathematics and the sciences.