IDEAS Minor Concentrations
There are thirteen available concentrations for the IDEAS Minor.
To fulfill the IDEAS Minor requirements, students must take 3 IDEAS core classes and 4 IDEAS Minor concentation classes. Course lists for each concentration are available below:
- Applied Math
Mathematical methods applied in science, engineering, computer science, and social science.
4 concentration courses required (2 in Engineering Design; 1 in Computing and Programming Foundations; 1 from Applied Math Electives)
Course List Code Title Courses 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 BIOL265 Bioinformatics Programming 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 from Applied Math Electives: 1 IDEA292 Interdisciplinary Project Lab MATH229 Differential Equations MATH231 An Introduction to Probability MATH232 Mathematical Statistics PHYS213 Waves and Oscillations PHYS217 Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos PHYS565 Mathematical Physics - Archaeology
Archaeological and Design Approaches to Ancient Objects and Ancient Technologies.
3 IDEAS Core Classes required, the following are recommended:
- Design & Engineering Course: IDEA170 Introduction to Mechanical Design and Engineering
- Design & Art Course: ARST220 Ecological Design 1: Being at Home in the World
- Design & Technology Course: ARCP 210/IDEA 205: The Technological Primate: Archaeological Approaches to Ancient Technology
4 concentration courses required (1 Archaeology Introductory course; 1 Archaeology course introducing experimental approaches; 2 Archaeology project-based courses)
Course List If not completed in the general requirements, two of the following engineering design courses: Code Title Courses Archaeology Required Course 1 ARCP204 Introduction to Archaeology Archaeology Courses introducing Experimental Approaches 1 ARCP201 Art and Archaeology of the Bronze Age Mediterranean ARCP203 Greek Archaeology and Art ARCP210 The Technological Primate: Archaeological Approaches to Ancient Technology ARCP214 Ancient DNA and Archaeology ARCP275 Introduction to Archaeological Science: Natural Science Approaches to the Human Past ARCP350 Animals in Archaeology Archaeology Project-Based Courses 2 ARCP234 Art and Society in Ancient Pompeii ARCP257 Environmental Archaeology ARCP285 Off with its Pedestal! The Greek Vase as Art and Artifact ARCP291 East Asian Archaeology ARCP293 Numismatics and the Archaeology of Money ARCP352 Ancient Medicine: Potions, & Phytochemistry in the Mediterranean ARCP360 Experimental Archaeology: Linking Modern Observations to Past Behaviors - 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.
4 concentration courses required (3 from Arts and Design Electives; 1 in History of Architecture)
Course List Code Title Courses 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 ARHA109 Introduction to Western Art I: Ancient to Medieval 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 - Biological or Biochemical
Applications of biology and biochemistry to solve challenges in life and health sciences.
4 concentration courses required (1 in Engineering Design; 1 in Computing and Programming; 2 from Biological/Biochemical Electives)
Course List Code
Title Courses 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 courses from Biological/Biochemical Electives: 2 BIOL212 Principles and Mechanisms of Cell Biology BIOL265 Bioinformatics Programming BIOL267 Engineering Biology BIOL310 Genomics Analysis BIOL322 Cell Migration 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
Applications of chemistry to the design of new chemicals, materials, and energy production.
4 concentration courses required (1 in Engineering Design; 1 in Computing and Programming Foundations; 2 in Chemical Electives)
Course List Code Title Courses 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 Chemical Electives: 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
The computer concentration focuses the design of new computational systems. Students gain breadth with coursework relevant to both hardware (Engineering Designs) and software system (Computing and Programming Foundations) designs, and depth in their area of interest by taking additional courses (Computer Electives).
4 concentration courses required (1 in Engineering Design; 1 in Computing and Programming; 2 in Computer Electives)
Course List Code Title Courses 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 Computer Electives: 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
Applications of electrical and magnetic systems to the design of new devices and communications.
4 concentration courses required (1 from Engineering Design; 1 from Computing and Programming Foundations; 2 from Electrical Electives)
Course List Code Title Courses 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 Electrical Electives 2 ASTR240 Radio Astronomy PHYS213 Waves and Oscillations PHYS214 Quantum Mechanics I PHYS324 Electricity and Magnetism PHYS342 Experimental Optics PHYS345 Electronics Lab - Environmental
Application of environmental and ecological knowledge to the protection of ecosystems and human populations.
4 concentration courses required (1 in Engineering Design; 1 in Computing and Programming; 1 from Environmental Electives)
Course ListCode Title Courses If not completed in the general requirements, one of the following Engineering Design courses: 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 courses from Environmental Electives: 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
Applications of geology and earth science to the development and preservation of subterranean resources.
4 concentration courses required (1 in Engineering Design; 1 in Computing and Programming; 2 in Geomechanics/Geosystems Electives)
Course List Code Title Courses 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 - Interactive Media & Game Design
The application of design thinking and creative computing towards creating games and other interactive digital works.
4 concentration courses required (1 in Game Design and 1 in Interactive Media required; no more than 3 electives can be taken in either category)
Code Title Courses Game Design Electives, (1 Required, up to 3 may be counted toward minor) 1 IDEA350 Computational Media: Game Development FILM331 Video Games as/and the Moving Image: Art, Aesthetics, and Design IDEA209 Educational Gaming Lab IDEA 419/420 Interactive Prototype Studio (or other game-focused student forum with approval of Minor Liason) Interactive Media Electives, (1 Required, up to 3 may be counted toward minor) 1 IDEA185 Form and Code IDEA243 Introduction to Graphic Design IDEA360 Media for Performance MUSC220 Composing, Performing, and Listening to Experimental Music MUSC221 Live-Electronics for Composition, Improvisation, and Sound Art MUSC223 Music, Recording, and Sound Design DDC228 The Evolution of Audio in Interactive Entertainment; Creating Music with Limiting Technology DDC229 Creating Audio in Interactive Worlds COMP333 Software Engineering - Materials Science
Discovery, design, and properties of new materials.
4 concentration courses required (2 in Engineering Design, 1 in computing and Programming; 1 in Statics and Dynamics)Course List Code Title Courses 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 Mechanics and Materials 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 course in Statics and Dynamics: 1 IDEA210 Mechanics and Materials IDEA211 Materials and Design Concepts for Structures
- Mechanical
Application of mechanics, kinematics, and thermodynamics to design and develop new mechanical systems.
4 concentration courses required (2 in Engineering Design;1 in Computing and Programming; 1 in Statics and Dynamics)
Course List Code Title Courses 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 Mechanics and Materials 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 course in Statics and Dynamics: 1 IDEA210 Mechanics and Materials IDEA211 Materials and Design Concepts for Structures - Performance Design
Stage design for theater or dance, sets, costumes, and lighting.
4 concentration courses required (2 from Performance Design Electives; 1 in History of Design; 1 Practicum)
Course List Code Title Courses Two courses from Performance Design Electives: 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 ARHA151 European Architecture and Urbanism to 1750 ARHA244 European Architecture and Urbanism, 1750-1910 ARHA246 American Architecture and Urbanism, 1770--1914 ARHA 248 Frank Lloyd Wright: Myth and Fact ARHA254 Architecture of the 20th Century ARHA284 Buddhist Art and Architecture ARHA287 Islamic Art and Architecture One course in Practicum: 1 THEA434 Applied Scenography: From Idea to the Stage and THEA435 Performance Practice in Design A or THEA437 Performance Practice in Design B
AY 24-25 Minor Concentration Liaison Contact Information
Available to students pre minor declaration. Declared IDEAS minors should always contact their assigned advisor first.
Minor Concentration | Liaison | |
Archaeology | Kate Birney | kbirney@wesleyan.edu |
Arts and Design | Yu Nong Khew | ykhew@wesleyan.edu |
Applied Math | Karen Collins | kcollins@wesleyan.edu |
Biological or Biochemical | Jennifer Mitchell | jmitchell@wesleyan.edu |
Chemical | Colin Smith | colin.smith@wesleyan.edu |
Computer | Sonia Roberts | sroberts@wesleyan.edu |
Electrical | Francis Starr | fstarr@wesleyan.edu |
Environmental | Phil Resor | presor@wesleyan.edu |
Geomechanics/Geosystems | Phil Resor | presor@wesleyan.edu |
Interactive Media & Game Design | Camilla Zamboni | czamboni@wesleyan.edu |
Materials Science | Greg Voth | gvoth@wesleyan.edu |
Mechanical | Greg Voth | gvoth@wesleyan.edu |
Performance Design | Marcela Oteíza | motezia@wesleyan.edu |
Self-Designed | CoDES Director (Elijah Huge) |
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