Courses and Schedule

Do you have experience with robotics and want to take your skills to the next level? You will be challenged throughout this course to design, build, and control a walking quadrupedal robot of your own creation! 

Project Highlights:

• Learn how to sketch like an engineer and turn your sketches into computerized 3D models.
• Bring your 3D-modeled robot into the real world using 3D printing.
• Attach motors to it and program it using the Arduino programming language.
• Code in different walking motions as your robot explores the world.

Broadly, the course serves as a high-level overview to introduce students to the wide range of modern legged robotics.

Have you ever broken a bone and received an x-ray, a cast, and a pair of crutches at the doctor’s office? Have you ever been tested for COVID before traveling or visiting friends and loved ones? Perhaps someone you know relies on a medical device such as an insulin pump or a pacemaker to keep them alive? You can thank biomedical engineers for all of these technologies and so much more!

Project Highlights:

• Hands-on laboratory exercise in different areas of biomedical engineering (BME), such as biomechanics, bioinstrumentation, and medical imaging.
• Explore the engineering design process and various rapid prototyping techniques (3D printing, laser engraving, etc.)
• Construct your very own biomedical device.

In this course, students will be introduced to computer science and programming concepts using Python. Students will build problem-solving skills to think like a computer scientist, developed computational solutions, and implemented applications in Python. Students will work in groups to design a Minesweeper game, leveraging many of the topics learned in the course.

The course will cover the following topics:

• Variables and control structures (if statements, loops)

• Basic data types and data structures: integers, booleans, floats, strings, lists, tuples, sets, dictionaries.

• Functions, procedures, calls, parameters, arguments, return values, recursion. 

• An introduction to object oriented programming: classes, instances, objects, attributes, methods, instance variables.

• Working with files. 

• Graphical user interfaces (GUI).

• Understanding and fixing programming errors and dealing with exceptions.

• Fundamental algorithms such as linear and binary search.

• Solving problems using algorithmic thinking. 

• Basic algorithm design and analysis. 

• Additional topics such as an introduction to Machine Learning and Web Development may be covered based on student interest. 

This course addresses students who already have some basic background in computing and programming in any language (such as Java or Python).  By the end of the course, students will know how to think like a computer scientist, develop computational solutions to problems at a high level, critically compare different algorithms that solve the same problem, and implement applications in Python from scratch. 

The course consists of the following components, which build on each other: 

• A brief review of the Python language, with a focus on object oriented programming.
• Formal analysis of algorithms and big-O notation. Students will implement, analyze and compare a number of comparison-based sorting algorithms. 
• Theory and implementation of fundamental data structures such as stacks, queues, heaps, trees. 
• Graphs and associated algorithms (tree traversals, shortest paths). 
• An introduction to Artificial Intelligence and problem solving using heuristic state-space search, as well as adversarial search and game playing. 
• Additional topics such as an introduction to Machine Learning and neural networks may be covered based on student interest. 

Each day will consist of short lectures and practice exercises. As a final project during the last week of the course, students will develop AI players for a board game and have their AIs compete against each other in a tournament. While students will work on exercises and projects independently, supported by the instructor and SSLs, we will foster a collaborative work environment using tools such as Git and collaborative code editors, as well as chat and video conferencing.

Since this is an advanced level course, we recommend students to have prior knowledge in:

• Variables and data types
• basic Python data types: integers, booleans, floats, strings, lists, tuples, dictionaries.
• expressions vs. statements
• control structures(if statement, loops)
• reading from and writing to files
• functions, function calls, parameters, arguments, return values
• namespace, scoping rules for functions
• object oriented programming: classes, instance objects, attributes, methods, data fields (instance variables), encapsulation.

Additional math requirements:

• basic algebra and trigonometry (pre-calculus) -- ideally some exposure to gradients and derivatives
• vectors. Ideally (but not necessarily) some exposure to matrices.

A world with cleaner energy, greener infrastructure, and renewable resources is attainable in the near future! In this course, you will be introduced to a typology of problems by context and common frameworks for addressing them through the application of appropriate technology and policy. You will work in groups to design and present a poster detailing your findings.

Project Highlights:

• Overview of sustainable development challenges and possible solutions
• Indicators of sustainability
• Life Cycle and Supply Chain Analysis
• Sustainable Energy Systems and Electrification
• Renewable Energy and Alternative fuels
• Circular Economy and Sustainable Waste Management
• Water treatment
• Transport
• The role of Industry 4.0 in achieving sustainable solutions
• Economics of sustainability and public policy

Welcome to a journey where math meets real-world problems! In this course, we'll explore how the superpowers of mathematics and logical thinking can be used to solve big societal issues. (no math wizardry required) 

Project Highlights:

• Learn to use tools like optimization (finding the best solution), simulation (testing out different scenarios), and data analysis (making sense of lots of complex information) to make a real difference. 
• Explore potential improvements in healthcare, education, and city planning.
• Build projects using numbers and math to make a difference, one smart decision at a time!

Have you ever wondered how new products are created? Do you want to make something in your life easier?

This course will focus on the design process in order to develop an initial prototype of a new, student-chosen invention. Throughout the course, you will build up their design skills, including ideation techniques, concept development, rapid prototyping, electronic and mechanical components, and manufacturing techniques. You will progress through the entire design process by identifying a problem, coming up with multiple possible solutions, developing a concept using sketches and modeling, and building initial prototypes. Depending on the proposed solution, students may use 3D modeling software, 3D printing, laser cutting, or soldering - let your project and your imagination be your guide! Every week, you will present your progress to the rest of the class and receive feedback as you push to iterate and improve on your devices.

Ever wondered how sunlight can power our world? In this course, you will explore elements of electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering, all supporting the engineering of solar energy systems. Join us for a high-voltage adventure into the world of solar energy!  

Project Highlights:

• Design and build your very own solar oven to bake delicious treats.
• Investigate two kinds of solar energy: photovoltaic (conversion of solar energy to electrical form) and solar thermal (direct use of solar energy). 
• Learn the basics of electricity and solar cells while creating a solar array.
• Work with Arduino to create digital circuits and program sensors.
• Simulate a voting machine and understand how technology shapes the world.

Join us if you want to be a part of the league of problem solvers and innovators who tackle global challenges using skills in chemical engineering! This course offers an overview of what chemical engineers do and the ways chemical engineers think. It describes the roles chemical engineers serve across industries to develop quantitative solutions to process problems using material balance strategies.

Project Highlights:

• Discover the unique role of chemical engineers in creating cutting-edge projects
• Explore chemical reactions and their use in optimizing chemical processes.
• Learn to use approaches for evaluating chemical processes and bacterial balances and their application to process flow calculations.
• Take on real chemical engineering projects to combat health, energy, and environmental challenges.

*Students applying to this course must have completed high school Chemistry before taking this course. If this does not reflect on your transcript, please include it in your resume.

Unleash the power of data and become a data-driven decision maker! In this course, you will explore three perspectives of data science: inferential thinking, computational thinking, and real-world applications. You will experience the entire process like a real data scientist, from collecting and analyzing relevant data, to drawing conclusions and providing recommendations. 

Project Highlights:

• Understand fundamental statistical theories and their applications
• Use computer programming to conduct computation, data manipulation, data visualization, and data analysis.
• Have the ability to examine a dataset, ask interesting questions, and use data science knowledge to provide solutions.

Have you ever wondered how companies use your data and what privacy protections exist? In this class, we'll see how much can be learned about you based on your data, and dive into the tools that protect your privacy.

Project Highlights: Learn about cutting-edge privacy technologies and how they are used in practice. Hear about famous privacy violations, what went wrong, and what could have been done to prevent them.  Think like a boss: real-world case studies of privacy tools in practice where you get to recommend solutions!