Program of thesis research leading to the writing of an SB thesis. Intended for seniors. Twelve units recommended.

Program of research and writing of thesis; to be arranged by the student with supervising committee. 

Description coming soon.

Description coming soon.

U: 4.s40 | G: 4.s42

Architects today face a rapidly changing climate, with intensifying heatwaves and escalating risks of flooding and fire. At the same time, adding intermittent renewable energy to a constrained electricity grid—while meeting growing demand—presents one of society’s biggest challenges. The electrification of heating systems, essential for decarbonization, is reshaping utility and construction cost paradigms that underpin even passive building design strategies. This evolving energy landscape brings both challenges, such as threatening peak demands, and opportunities, such as periods of energy abundance that would otherwise lead to renewable power curtailment. In this research seminar, students will explore how building design can address such emerging issues in an evolving context.

Students will complete a research project or evidence-based design project of their choice, with support in developing skills, as needed, such as building energy simulation or data analysis. Prior completion of 4.401/4.464 Environmental Technologies in Buildings or a similar course is recommended.

Design+ is a first-year undergraduate advising seminar made up of approximately 30 first-year undergraduate students, 4 faculty advisors, and 4 or more undergraduate associate advisors.

The academic program is flexible to account for diverse student interests within the field of design, and students work with advisors to select a mix of academic and experiential opportunities.

Design+ assists incoming first-year students in their exploration of possibilities in design across MIT. 

Design+ includes a dedicated study space, kitchen, lounge, and a variety of maker spaces which offer Design+ students a second campus home for making and braking.

Design+ introduces first year undergraduate students to opportunities 
Design+ around design such as internships, international travel, and 
Design+ UROPs with some of the most exciting design labs at MIT

For registration and other administrative questions contact The Office of the First Year.

Required for doctoral students in HTC as a prerequisite for work on the doctoral dissertation. Prior to candidacy, doctoral students are required to write and orally defend a proposal laying out the scope of their thesis, its significance, a survey of existing research and literature, the methods of research to be adopted, a bibliography and plan of work. Work is done in consultation with HTC Faculty, in accordance with the HTC PhD Degree Program guidelines.

Required of doctoral students in HTC as a prerequisite for work on the doctoral dissertation. The Minor Exam focuses on a specific area of specialization through which the student might develop their particular zone of expertise. Work is done in consultation with HTC faculty, in accordance with the HTC PhD Degree Program Guidelines.

Required of doctoral students in HTC as a prerequisite for work on the doctoral dissertation. The Major Exam covers a historically broad area of interest and includes components of history, historiography, and theory. Preparation for the exam will focus on four or five themes agreed upon in advance by the student and the examiner, and are defined by their area of teaching interest. Work is done in consultation with HTC faculty, in accordance with the HTC PhD Degree Program Guidelines.

Studies theoretical and historiographical works pertaining to the fields of art and architectural history. Members of seminar pursue work designed to examine their own presuppositions and methods.