IAP non-credit

Culture of Automation in Biotechnology through Art and Data

Note: room is now E15-341

This two-day IAP workshop will explore the aesthetic dimensions of microfluidics and biotechnology. It will focus on creating interactive artworks highlighting the intersection of science and art through microfluidic technologies, including various lab-on-a-chip devices. Participants will prototype works that explore the cultural and visual implications of lab automation and biotechnological advancements, highlighting their aesthetic significance.

ACT lecturer Matej Vakula and Dr. Mehdi Salek, the lead instructor for MIT’s New Engineering Education Transformation Program, will lead the workshop.

Undergraduates welcome.

Please email Matej Vakula at matej@mit.edu for more information or to sign up.

Mehdi Salek
IAP
2025
N/A
Schedule
January 15-16, 2025: 9:30-5
Location
E15-341
Enrollment
Limited to 20
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.s02

Special Subject: Design — Chasing Dust Bunnies: Architectural Illustration in Fragments

Architects often craft images that show only the most polished views and idealized spaces to define a building’s identity and spatial experience.

This workshop proposes an alternative approach to image-making, one that focuses on small, fragmented views of a space in order to capture architecture’s overlooked moments. By illustrating architectural spaces at the size of 1’x1’x1’ fragments, we will get impressions of spaces that traditional architectural images would otherwise neglect—such as corners, undersides, sills, material details, traces of occupation and maintenance. In foregrounding these minor moments, the workshop invites a political reconsideration of which spaces and narratives are valued, challenging the hierarchy of architectural representation.

Dust bunnies—the small clumps of debris that form in the corners—will guide the process of identifying these fragments. Upon closer inspection, dust bunnies reveal a microcosm of their environment, as they indiscriminately collect tiny fragments from their surroundings. We will speculate on the origins of the particles within dust bunnies and depict the architectural fragments they might have once belonged to. Throughout the workshop, dust bunnies will be our guides into illustrating overlooked rhythms and spaces of occupation and maintenance.

Undergraduates welcome.

IAP
2025
1-0-0
G
Schedule
January 27-31, 2024: MTWRF 3-5
Location
5-216
Prerequisites
Permission of Instructor
Enrollment
Limited to 10
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.URG

Undergraduate Research in Design (UROP)

Research and project activities, which cover the range represented by the various research interests and projects in the department. Students who wish a letter grade option for their work must register for 4.URG.

consult: S. Tibbits
IAP
2025
TBA
U
Schedule
consult dept. UROP rep
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.UR

Undergraduate Research in Design (UROP)

Research and project activities, which cover the range represented by the various research interests and projects in the Department.

consult S. Tibbits
IAP
2025
TBA
U
Schedule
consult dept. UROP rep
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.THU

Undergraduate Thesis

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

Advisor
IAP
2025
0-1-11
U
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
4.119 or 4.THT
Required Of
BSAD
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.THG

Graduate Thesis

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

Advisor
IAP
2025
TBA
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
All graduate degrees except SMACT
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.689

Preparation for History, Theory and Criticism PhD Thesis

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.

Advisor
IAP
2025
TBA
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
PhD HTC
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.489

Preparation for Building Technology PhD Thesis

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

Advisor
IAP
2025
3-0-3
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
PhD BT
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.488

Preparation for BT Thesis

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

Advisor
IAP
2025
TBA
G
Schedule
see advisor
Prerequisites
permission of instructor
Required Of
SMBT
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes
4.190

Professional Experience in Architecture

Practical experience through summer and January IAP internships secured by the student in the field of architecture, urbanism, digital design, art, or building technology. Before registering for this subject, students must have an offer from the organization and complete the Department of Architecture application with their advisor's signature. Upon completion of the internship, students must submit an evaluation form available from the departmental academic office. Students are limited to a total of three approved experiences.

Internship Supervisor
IAP
2025
0-1-0
G
Schedule
N/A
Location
N/A
Prerequisites
Permission of instructor
Open Only To
Course 4 graduate students
Can Be Repeated for Credit
Yes