4.462 Building Technologies II: Building Structural Systems I (MIT)
This course serves as an introduction to the history, theory, and construction of basic structural systems with an introduction to energy issues in buildings. Emphasis is placed on developing an understanding of basic systematic and elemental behavior; principles of structural behavior and analysis of individual structural elements and strategies for load carrying. The subject introduces fundamental energy topics including thermodynamics, psychrometrics, and comfort, as they relate to building d
Stem Cells: Programming and Personalized Medicine
After years of relentless lab work, rising and falling expectations, and the challenge of a sometimes hostile public, Rudolf Jaenisch says, “The scenario that looked like a fantasy … has come closer to reality. We can study complex human diseases in a Petri dish and potentially contribute to therapy.” In this l
An introduction to biological systematics
This unit is concerned with macroevolution – the patterns and processes of evolution above the species level. A crucial consideration in macroevolutionary studies is that of the evolutionary relationships (phylogeny) of the organisms in question. The unit begins with an introduction to the scope of macroevolutionary studies and illustrates methods of reconstructing phylogeny, from both morphological and molecular data.
Neuroeconomics
A pioneer in a “dangerously hot research area,” Drazen Prelec peers into the human brain while it makes decisions. In his corner of the new field of neuroeconomics, Prelec uses a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) machine to scan minds pondering the pros and cons of purchasing and selling products like
How to Read 1,000,000 Manga Pages: Visualizing Patterns in Games, Comics, Art, Cinema, Animation, TV
In his introduction, moderator Ian Condry advocates utilizing the expertise and innovation of all disciplines in order to best explore new directions in the humanities. He suggests that the challenge of discovery may ultimately be useful as theoretical exploration, which incorporates the transformative power of art as well.
<
Weapons of Mass Confusion: Assessing the True Risks
Panelists gathered for this discussion agree that when setting weapons policy it is counterproductive to lump weapons together. The dangers from nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons need to understood individually. Owen Cote says nuclear weapons, with their large-scale production process and instant lethal capacity, belong in one categ
Can Nuclear Energy and Non-Proliferation Co-Exist?
If nuclear energy becomes a central tool in addressing climate change, will nuclear weapons proliferation inevitably follow? In the words of Matthew Bunn, “The horse ain’t entirely out of the barn—there are still things to do.” He and fellow panelists acknowledge the link between civilian nuclear energy programs
Human Rights and Politics in Israel-Palestine
Human rights are central to the fraught politics between Israelis and Palestinians, these two panelists argue. Any conceivable solution to such an endless conflict must begin by acknowledging the current bleak realities of Palestinian life under Israeli rule, they say.
Anat Biletzki and the group B'T
Beyond the Bench: Preparing MIT Students for the Challenges of Global Leadership
MIT produces students who are “deep, entrepreneurial, passionate, diverse and active,” says Phillip Clay, the kind of talented individuals who should play major parts on the world stage. MIT has begun a drive to ensure that its students fulfill their promise. Central to this mission, Richard Samuels says, is
The Future of Government-Citizen Engagement
As the U.S. moves toward universal broadband access, look for increased government openness, new opportunities for civic engagement, and some dangers along the way, say these panelists.
While Chris Csikszentmihalyi acknowledges the civic potential of broadband, he does not believe it will be a simple matter for geog
Student Remarks
Nicholas Pearce is a proud advocate of programs that help young people from urban areas transition into higher education. He has not only benefited from such programs, but has given back through his
participation as a volunteer, mentor, and speaker. As a high schooljunior, he attended MIT's six-week summer program, Minority Introduction t
Opening Remarks/How the Brain Invents the Mind
In trying financial times, Susan Hockfield remains optimistic and committed to pursuing MIT’s massive, multi-year initiatives in energy and life sciences. She prefaces her “whirlwind” tour of MIT for an alumni audience by referencing the campus-wide relief at the change in presidential administrations, which promises
The State of Drupal
Dries Buytaert relates a synopsis of his life with Drupal. From its inception during Buytaert's "typical geek" undergraduate days in Antwerp in 1999, to the upcoming release of Drupal 7, Buytaert places a particular emphasis on the community that has been created by the nature of an open source product. Drupal is "softwar
Brazilmax
This website presents thoroughly researched information about Brazil in all the aspects of its life. One particular section describes the different area of Brazil, carefully mixing geographical information with tourist attractions, providing access to maps and also promising a places index at the time of cataloguing. Another section offers a long list of literary guides to the character of the country and its inhabitants. The section 'features' offers detailed information on: art and culture; b
2.2.7 Samples and populations
Observation, measurement and the recording of data are central activities in science. Speculation and the development of new theories are crucial as well, but ultimately the predictions resulting from those theories have to be tested against what actually happens and this can only be done by making further measurements. Whether measurements are made using simple instruments such as rulers and thermometers, or involve sophisticated devices such as electron microscopes or lasers, there are decisio
Islam in British stone
Developed by Asian Youth Alliance (AYA), the Islam in British Stone website promotes Britain's most significant Muslim heritage sites and Islamic-influenced buildings, and provides information about the earliest mosques, prayer halls and historically significant Muslim and Islamic heritage sites in Britain. The 'Heritage Sites' section contains a timeline of these buildings, with further information and links for each building, and a note to say whether it was the first in the area and/or whethe
Teresa de Castro's website
The website of the Spanish historian Dr. Teresa de Castro offers electronic versions of some of her scholarly work on the history of food. Users may choose between navigating the site in English or Spanish, while her work may be in Spanish, English, or Italian. De Castro has published books and articles on the history of food in Spain (including Al-Andalus and Sefarad) and Australia. She has made available electronic versions of some of her books online: "Food mentality in Spain at the Renaissan
88 Bar
The English-language blog, 88 Bar, covers observations of popular culture posted by its experienced contributors. The website is little more than a series of posts, gateways and video and image files, but provides a helpful overview of cultural currents for those living outside China. 88 Bar was created by Chinese-born graphic designer, Jason Li, and Lyn Jeffery, a research director at Institute for the Future, who has spent more than 25 years covering mainland Chinese affairs. Posts on 88 Bar c
China gateway
China Gateway is a collection of annotated gateways of relevance to undergraduate students and their teachers. Although primarily meant as a study aid for the students of Boston College, China Gateway aims to offer a concise introduction to the manner in which developments in the digital world have aided the study of Chinese culture and society. From the Culture and History section of the main page, users will find links to gateways (themed in sections), covering: geography and maps; language an
Village Works
From 1992 to 1993, women in villages of rural north west China were given cameras to record a year of their daily life, as pat of a women's reproductive health programme supported by the Ford Foundation. The resulting pictures not only formed an exhibition, but were used as prompts to discussions with officials on improving conditions in the areas involved. From the main page of the website, users can view a textual introduction to the project, and link to selected photographs, covering: work; f
