Classes

Explore all classes offered by the Department  — use the filters in the right column below to view classes by discipline groups or by semester.

The Department of Architecture is “Course 4.” The method of assigning numbers to classes is to write the course number in Arabic numerals followed by a period and three digits, which are used to differentiate courses. Most classes retain the same number from year to year. Architecture groups its numbers by discipline group.

Please select both Aga Khan and HTC to search for Aga Khan classes. 

Filter by
Groups
Year
Semester
Thesis
Sort by
4.566

Advanced Projects in Digital Media

Class website

Develop independent projects in the study of digital media as it relates to architectural design. Students propose a project topic such as digital design tool, modeling and visualization, motion graphics, interactive design, design knowledge representation and media interface.

Fall
2024
2-2-2
G
2-2-5
G
2-2-8
G
Schedule
W 5-7
Location
7-304
Prerequisites
4.562 or 4.564 or permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
Document Uploads
4.580

Inquiry into Computation and Design

Explores the varied nature, history and practice of computation in design through lectures, readings, small projects, discussions, and guest visits by Computation group faculty and others. Topics may vary from year to year. Aims to help students develop a critical awareness of different approaches to and assumptions about computation in design beyond the specifics of techniques and tools, and to open avenues for further research.

Fall
2024
3-0-9
G
Schedule
T 9:30-12:30
Location
5-232
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
SMArchS Computation
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
Document Uploads
4.580

Inquiry into Computation and Design

Explores the varied nature, history and practice of computation in design through lectures, readings, small projects, discussions, and guest visits by Computation group faculty and others. Topics may vary from year to year. Aims to help students develop a critical awareness of different approaches to and assumptions about computation in design beyond the specifics of techniques and tools, and to open avenues for further research.

Fall
2025
3-0-9
G
Schedule
T 9:30-12:30
Location
5-231
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
SMArchS Computation
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.580

Inquiry into Computation and Design

Explores the varied nature, history and practice of computation in design through lectures, readings, small projects, discussions, and guest visits by Computation group faculty and others. Topics may vary from year to year. Aims to help students develop a critical awareness of different approaches to and assumptions about computation in design beyond the specifics of techniques and tools, and to open avenues for further research.

4.580 Syllabus (MIT Certificate Protected)

Fall
2022
3-0-9
G
Schedule
T 9:30-12:30
Location
5-231
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
SMArchS Computation
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.580

Inquiry into Computation and Design

Explores the varied nature, history and practice of computation in design through lectures, readings, small projects, discussions, and guest visits by Computation group faculty and others. Topics may vary from year to year. Aims to help students develop a critical awareness of different approaches to and assumptions about computation in design beyond the specifics of techniques and tools, and to open avenues for further research.

4.580 Syllabus (MIT Certificate Protected)

Fall
2023
3-0-9
G
Schedule
T 9:30-12:30
Location
5-231
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
SMArchS Computation
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.581
4.582

Proseminar in Computation / Research Seminar in Computation

4.581 Proseminar in Computation (G) / 4.582 Research Seminar in Computation (G)

In-depth presentations of current research in design and computation.

Fall
2022
3-0-9
G
Schedule
T 9:30-12:30
Location
1-246
Prerequisites
4.581: permission of instructor; 4.582: 4.580 or permission of instructor
Required Of
PhD Design and Computation
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.581
4.582

Proseminar in Computation / Research Seminar in Computation

4.581 Proseminar in Computation (G) / 4.582 Research Seminar in Computation (G)

In-depth presentations of current research in design and computation.

Fall
2023
3-0-9
G
Schedule
T 9:30-12:30
Location
1-246
Prerequisites
4.581: permission of instructor; 4.582: 4.580 or permission of instructor
Required Of
PhD Design and Computation
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.581
4.582

Proseminar in Computation / Research Seminar in Computation

4.581 Proseminar in Computation (G) / 4.582 Research Seminar in Computation (G)

In-depth presentations of current research in design and computation.

Fall
2024
3-0-9
G
Schedule
T 9:30-12:30
Location
1-246
Prerequisites
4.581: permission of instructor; 4.582: 4.580 or permission of instructor
Required Of
PhD Design and Computation
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.581
4.582

Proseminar in Computation / Research Seminar in Computation

4.581 Proseminar in Computation (G) / 4.582 Research Seminar in Computation (G)

Introduction to traditions of research in design and computation scholarship.

4.582 Research Seminar in Computation

In-depth presentations of current research in design and computation.

Fall
2025
3-0-9
G
Schedule
T 9:30-12:30
Location
5-232
Prerequisites
4.581: permission of instructor; 4.582: 4.580 or permission of instructor
Required Of
PhD Design and Computation
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.583

Forum in Computation

Group discussions and presentation of ongoing graduate student research in the Computation program.

Fall
2024
3-0-0
G
Schedule
M 5:30-7
Location
5-216
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
Document Uploads
4.583

Forum in Computation

Group discussions and presentation of ongoing graduate student research in the Computation program.

Fall
2025
3-0-0
G
Schedule
M 5:30-7
Location
5-216
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.583

Forum in Computation

Group discussions and presentation of ongoing graduate student research in the Computation program.

Fall
3-0-0
G
Schedule
M 6:30-8
Location
5-216
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.583

Forum in Computation

Group discussions and presentation of ongoing graduate student research in the Computation program.

4.583 Syllabus (MIT Certificate Protected)

Fall
2022
3-0-0
G
Schedule
M 6:30-8
Location
5-216
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.583

Forum in Computation

Group discussions and presentation of ongoing graduate student research in the Computation program.

4.583 Syllabus (MIT Certificate Protected)

Fall
2023
3-0-0
G
Schedule
M 6:30-8
Location
5-216
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.587

SMArchS Computation Pre-Thesis Preparation

Preliminary study in preparation for the thesis for the SMArchS degree in Computation. Topics include literature search, precedents examination, thesis structure and typologies, and short writing exercise.

4.587 Syllabus (MIT Certificate protected)

Spring
2024
3-0-3
G
Schedule
F 1-4
Location
1-136
Prerequisites
4.221 or permission of instructor
Required Of
SMArchS Comp
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.587

SMArchS Computation Pre-Thesis Preparation

Preliminary study in preparation for the thesis for the SMArchS degree in Computation. Topics include literature search, precedents examination, thesis structure and typologies, and short writing exercise.

Spring
2025
3-0-3
G
Schedule
R 4-6
Location
1-136
Prerequisites
4.221 or permission of instructor
Required Of
SMArchS Comp
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
Document Uploads
4.587

SMArchS Computation Pre-Thesis Preparation

Preliminary study in preparation for the thesis for the SMArchS degree in Computation. Topics include literature search, precedents examination, thesis structure and typologies, and short writing exercise.

Spring
2022
3-0-3
G
Schedule
F 2:30-5:30
Location
9-450A
Prerequisites
4.221 or permission of instructor
Required Of
SMArchS Comp
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.587

SMArchS Computation Pre-Thesis Preparation

2/27/23: Schedule changed to F 12-2 

Preliminary study in preparation for the thesis for the SMArchS degree in Computation. Topics include literature search, precedents examination, thesis structure and typologies, and short writing exercise.

Spring
2023
3-0-3
G
Schedule
F 12-2
Location
4-144
Prerequisites
4.221 or permission of instructor
Required Of
SMArchS Comp
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
Document Uploads
4.588

Preparation for SMArchS Computation Thesis

Students select thesis topic, define method of approach, and prepare thesis proposal for SMArchS Computation degree. Faculty supervision on a group basis. Intended for SMArchS Computation program students, prior to registration for 4.ThG.

Fall
2024
2-0-4
G
Schedule
R 3-5
Location
3-329
Required Of
SMArchS Computation
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.588

Preparation for SMArchS Computation Thesis

Students select thesis topic, define method of approach, and prepare thesis proposal for SMArchS Computation degree. Faculty supervision on a group basis. Intended for SMArchS Computation program students, prior to registration for 4.ThG.

Advisor
Spring
2025
2-0-4
G
Schedule
see advisor
Required Of
SMArchS Computation
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.588

Preparation for SMArchS Computation Thesis

Students select thesis topic, define method of approach, and prepare thesis proposal for SMArchS Computation degree. Faculty supervision on a group basis. Intended for SMArchS Computation program students, prior to registration for 4.ThG.

Fall
2023
2-0-4
G
Schedule
T 4-7
Location
5-232
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Required Of
SMArchS Computation
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
Document Uploads
4.588

Preparation for SMArchS Computation Thesis

Students select thesis topic, define method of approach, and prepare thesis proposal for SMArchS Computation degree. Faculty supervision on a group basis. Intended for SMArchS Computation program students, prior to registration for 4.ThG.

Fall
2025
2-0-4
G
Schedule
T 3-6
Location
3-329
Required Of
SMArchS Computation
Can Be Repeated for Credit
No
4.589

Preparation for Design and Computation PhD Thesis

Selection of thesis topic, definition of method of approach, and preparation of thesis proposal in computation. Independent study supplemented by individual conference with faculty.

Advisor
Fall
2022
TBA
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
PhD Comp
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.589

Preparation for Design and Computation PhD Thesis

Selection of thesis topic, definition of method of approach, and preparation of thesis proposal in computation. Independent study supplemented by individual conference with faculty.

Advisor
Spring
2025
TBA
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
PhD Comp
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.589

Preparation for Design and Computation PhD Thesis

Selection of thesis topic, definition of method of approach, and preparation of thesis proposal in computation. Independent study supplemented by individual conference with faculty.

Advisor
Fall
2023
TBA
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
PhD Comp
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes