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Media Arts and Sciences
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Undergraduate SubjectsMAS.342 Safeguarding the Future
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(Subject meets with MAS.842) Prereq: None Units: 3-0-9 
Leading experts guide discussions of how to safeguard the world against the greatest threats to our future. Topics range from the overt perils of pandemic and nuclear proliferation to the underlying coordination failures responsible for climate change, and from technological stagnation to transformative AI. Draws on the history of invention and science communication to explore which technologies are most likely to shape the future and how inventors and developers can influence outcomes, with the goal of determining how to accomplish as much good as possible. Emphasizes science writing and communication. Students write three op-eds on key issues and participate in a group project aiming to coordinate effective action. Students taking the graduate version complete additional work. K. Esvelt, M. Specter MAS.453[J] Mobile and Sensor Computing
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(Same subject as 6.1820[J]) Prereq: 6.1800 or permission of instructor Units: 3-0-9
Focuses on "Internet of Things" (IoT) systems and technologies, sensing, computing, and communication. Explores fundamental design and implementation issues in the engineering of mobile and sensor computing systems. Topics include battery-free sensors, seeing through wall, robotic sensors, vital sign sensors (breathing, heartbeats, emotions), sensing in cars and autonomous vehicles, subsea IoT, sensor security, positioning technologies (including GPS and indoor WiFi), inertial sensing (accelerometers, gyroscopes, inertial measurement units, dead-reckoning), embedded and distributed system architectures, sensing with radio signals, sensing with microphones and cameras, wireless sensor networks, embedded and distributed system architectures, mobile libraries and APIs to sensors, and application case studies. Includes readings from research literature, as well as laboratory assignments and a significant term project. Staff MAS.460[J] Cybersecurity
()  Not offered regularly; consult department (Same subject as 17.447[J], IDS.050[J]) (Subject meets with 17.448[J], IDS.350[J], MAS.660[J]) Prereq: None Units: 3-0-9
Focuses on the complexity of cybersecurity in a changing world. Examines national and international aspects of overall cyber ecology. Explores sources and consequences of cyber threats and different types of damages. Considers impacts for and of various aspects of cybersecurity in diverse geostrategic, political, business and economic contexts. Addresses national and international policy responses as well as formal and informal strategies and mechanisms for responding to cyber insecurity and enhancing conditions of cybersecurity. Students taking graduate version expected to pursue subject in greater depth through reading and individual research. N. Choucri, S. Madnick, A. Pentland MAS.490 Independent Study in Media Arts and Sciences
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged  TBA.
Special projects on group or individual basis. Registration subject to prior arrangement of subject matter and supervision by staff. S. Shubart No textbook information available MAS.491 Independent Study in Media Arts and Sciences
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged [P/D/F] TBA.
Special projects on group or individual basis. Registration subject to prior arrangement of subject matter and supervision by staff. S. Shubart No textbook information available MAS.UR Undergraduate Research in Media Arts and Sciences
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Prereq: None Units arranged [P/D/F] TBA.
Individual or group study, research, or laboratory investigations under faculty supervision, including individual participation in an ongoing research project. See UROP coordinator for further information M. El-Kouedi Textbooks arranged individually MAS.URG Undergraduate Research in Media Arts and Sciences
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Prereq: None Units arranged TBA.
Individual or group study, research, or laboratory investigations under faculty supervision, including individual participation in an ongoing research project. See UROP coordinator for further information. M. El-Kouedi Textbooks arranged individually Graduate SubjectsMAS.552[J] City Science
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(Same subject as 4.557[J]) Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-0-9 Lecture: W1-4 (E15-341)
Focuses on innovative propositions for shaping the cities of tomorrow, responding to emerging trends, technologies, and ecological imperatives. Students take part in "what-if?" scenarios to tackle real-world challenges. Through collaborative, project-based learning in small teams, students are mentored by researchers from the City Science group. Projects focus on the application of these ideas to case study cities and may include travel. Invited guests from academia and industry participate. Repeatable for credit with permission of instructor. Fall: K. Larson Spring: K. Larson No textbook information available MAS.600 Human 2.0
()Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 0-9-0
Covers principles underlying current and future technologies for cognitive, emotional and physical augmentation. Focuses on using anatomical, biomechanical, neuromechanical, biochemical and neurological models of the human body to guide the designs of augmentation technology for persons with either unusual or normal physiologies that wish to extend their cognitive, emotion, social or physical capability to new levels. Topics include robotic exoskeletons and powered orthoses, external limb prostheses, neural implant technology, social-emotional prostheses, and cognitive prostheses. Requires student presentations, critiques of class readings, and a final project including a publication-quality paper. Enrollment limited. Staff MAS.630 Advanced Seminar: Affective Computing and Ethics
()Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 2-0-10 URL: https://sites.google.com/media.mit.edu/mas-630-2024
Instructs students on how to develop artificial intelligence technologies that help people measure and communicate emotion, that respectfully read and that intelligently respond to emotion, and that have internal mechanisms inspired by the useful roles emotions play in humans. Students will also discuss ethical questions that arise with the use of emotion-AI technologies and how to prevent misuse. Topics vary from year to year, and may include the interaction of emotion with cognition and perception; the communication of human emotion via face, voice, physiology, and behavior; construction of computers, agents, and robots having skills of emotional intelligence; the role of emotion in decision-making and learning; and ethical uses of affective technologies for education, autism, health, and market research applications. Weekly reading, discussion, and a term project required. Enrollment limited. R. W. Picard MAS.660[J] Cybersecurity
()Not offered regularly; consult department (Same subject as 17.448[J], IDS.350[J]) (Subject meets with 17.447[J], IDS.050[J], MAS.460[J]) Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-0-9
Focuses on the complexity of cybersecurity in a changing world. Examines national and international aspects of overall cyber ecology. Explores sources and consequences of cyber threats and different types of damages. Considers impacts for and of various aspects of cybersecurity in diverse geostrategic, political, business and economic contexts. Addresses national and international policy responses as well as formal and informal strategies and mechanisms for responding to cyber insecurity and enhancing conditions of cybersecurity. Students taking graduate version expected to pursue subject in greater depth through reading and individual research. N. Choucri, S. Madnick, A. Pentland MAS.664 AI for Impact: Solving Societal-Scale Problems
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Prereq: None Units: 3-0-6
Examines internal and external entrepreneurship driven by artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, aiming to utilize digital innovations that lead to societal change. Probes a range of AI-generated business models and opportunities, exploring challenges in key sectors such as digital health, sustainability, fintech, and the decentralization of society and commerce by developing sustainable and economically viable solutions. Content includes blockchain, privacy technology, data markets, and AI advancements like Web3 and distributed machine learning. Cases illustrate examples of both successful and failed businesses, as well as difficulties in deploying and diffusing products. Guest speakers provide real-world insights into entrepreneurship. As a final project, students work in teams to develop a business plan executive summary for one of the featured technologies. Enrollment is limited; please see subject website for details. R. Raskar, P. Agrawal, S. Karaman MAS.665[J] Foundations of AI Ventures
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(Same subject as IDS.865[J]) Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-0-9 URL: https://aiforimpact.github.io/fall25.html Lecture: R10-12 (E14-633)
Seminar focuses on developing and building entrepreneurial ventures to drive global positive impact. Students tackle challenges in the broad sectors of digital health, sustainability, fintech, and the decentralization of society and commerce by developing enduring and economically viable solutions. Topics include blockchain, privacy-tech, data markets, and AI technologies such as Web3 and Distributed Machine Learning. Guest speakers and case studies reveal successes and failures in deploying products and services. Homework explores established and emerging business models, plus opportunities from innovations at MIT and beyond. The final project involves creating an executive summary for a business plan, suitable for submission to the MIT $100K Entrepreneurship Competition's Accelerate Contest or MIT IDEAS. Enrollment is limited; please see subject website for details. R. Raskar, P. Agrawal, S. Karaman No textbook information available MAS.690 Independent Study in Media Arts and Sciences
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged TBA.
Opportunity for independent study under regular supervision by a faculty member. Registration subject to prior arrangement of subject matter and supervision by staff. S. Shubart No textbook information available MAS.712 Learning Creative Learning
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-0-9 [P/D/F]
An introduction to the design of technologies, activities, and communities to support young people in creative learning experiences. Through readings, activities, and group discussions, explores the four P's of creative learning: projects, passion, peers, and play. Draws on examples from the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab, including the Scratch programming language and online community. Special focus on how to engage learners from many different backgrounds, with many different interests. M. Resnick MAS.745 Next-Generation Nanoelectronics and Biotechnology
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Prereq: None Units: 2-0-10 Lecture: R1-3 (E15-466)
Students learn about next generation nanoelectronics devices and beyond CMOS computing technologies including spintronics, neuromorphic computing, use of novel nanomaterials (such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides) to make disruptive devices. Students also investigate applications of nanoelectronics and nanotechnology in bioengineering specifically for understanding and probing the brain. D. Sarkar No textbook information available MAS.750 Human-Robot Interaction
()Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 2-0-7
In-depth exploration of the leading research, design principles, and technical challenges in human-robot interaction (HRI), with an emphasis on socially interactive robots. Topics include mixed-initiative interaction, multi-modal interfaces, face-to-face communication, human-robot teamwork, social learning, aspects of social cognition, and long-term interaction. Applications of these topics to the development of personal robots for health, education, elder care, domestic assistance, and other domains will be surveyed. Requires student presentations, critiques of class readings, student projects, and a final project including a publication quality paper. C. Breazeal MAS.771 Autism Theory and Technology
()Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 2-0-10
Illuminates current theories about autism together with challenges faced by people on the autism spectrum. Theories in communicating, interacting socially, managing cognitive and affective overload, and achieving independent lifestyles are covered. In parallel, the course presents state-of-the-art technologies being developed for helping improve both theoretical understanding and practical outcomes. Participants expected to meet and interact with people on the autism spectrum. Weekly reading, discussion, and a term project required. Enrollment limited. Staff MAS.772 AI for Mental Health
()Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: None Units arranged
Provides instruction about behaviors and technologies that promote good mental health and foster resilience to stress and anxiety. Covers AI and smart technologies used in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating mental disorders. Students develop a project of their choosing on the topic, which may include novel technology design and evaluation, human subjects studies, machine learning and data analysis, or other investigations that propose and evaluate new ways to use AI for improving mental health. Enrollment limited; preference to MAS and other MIT students in their final year. Staff MAS.790 Independent Study in Media Arts and Sciences
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units arranged TBA.
Opportunity for independent study under regular supervision by a faculty member. Registration subject to prior arrangement of subject matter and supervision by staff. S. Shubart No textbook information available MAS.808 Decoders 2.0: Microfabricated Devices
() Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-0-6
Explores various microfabricated device layouts and their impacts on the world through guest lectures. Follows with literature review wherein students compose a summary paper based on representative papers published by the guest lecturers. As a final project, students write and publish on the class website a comprehensive perspective article based on guest lectures. May be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. Limited to 10; preference to Media Arts and Sciences students. C. Dagdeviren MAS.809 Decoders 1.9: Introduction to Microfabrication
()Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-6-3
Lectures along with cleanroom lab sessions (in Conformable Decoders' YellowBox) provide exposure to cleanroom processes and microfabrication techniques. Builds practical experience with all five components of the microfabrication techniques, including cleaning, deposition, patterning, etching, and testing. Working in small teams, students complete a midterm project in which they create a video of a microfabrication process demonstrated in the cleanroom. As a final project, students identify a problem that would be tackled with a collective device fabricated in the cleanroom in following semester. Students work throughout the term to develop a class booklet of microfabrication terms. Limited to 10 students, no listeners. C. Dagdeviren MAS.810 Decoders 1.8: Project Realization in Cleanroom
()Not offered regularly; consult department Prereq: MAS.809 and permission of instructor Units: 3-6-3
Builds on the combination of knowledge and skills learned in D1.0 and D1.7, respectively to guide students to develop their own mechanically adaptive (i.e., stretchable & flexible) piezoelectric systems. Students write an article about their research findings that will be published on the course website by the end of term. Instructs how to do literature review, to compose clear and concise sentences to describe findings, and to write a perspective article in a collective manner. Limited to 10; no listeners. Staff MAS.825[J] Musical Aesthetics and Media Technology
()Not offered regularly; consult department (Same subject as 21M.580[J]) Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-3-6
In-depth exploration of contemporary concepts in music and media. Studies recent music that uses advanced technology, and the artistic motivations and concerns implied by the new media. Practical experience with computer music technology, including MIDI and post-MIDI systems. Special emphasis on the interactive systems for professionals as well as amateurs. Midterm paper and term project required. Staff MAS.826[J] Projects in Media and Music
() Not offered regularly; consult department (Same subject as 21M.581[J]) Prereq: MAS.825 Units: 3-3-6
Current computer music concepts and practice. Project-based work on research or production projects using the Media Lab's computer music, interactive, and media resources. Requires significant studio work and a term project. Projects based on class interests and skills, and may be individually or group-based. May be repeated for credit with permission of instructor. T. Machover MAS.834 Tangible Interfaces
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-3-6 Lecture: T1-4 (E15-341)
Explores design issues surrounding tangible user interfaces, a new form of human-computer interaction. Tangible user interfaces seek to realize seamless interfaces between humans, digital information, and the physical environment by giving physical form to digital information and computation, making bits directly manipulable with hands and perceptible at the periphery of human awareness. In the design studio environment, students explore experimental tangible interface designs, theories, applications, and underlying technologies, using concept sketches, posters, physical mockups, and working prototypes. H. Ishii No textbook information available MAS.836 Sensor Technologies for Interactive Environments
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-3-6
A broad introduction to a host of sensor technologies, illustrated by applications drawn from human-computer interfaces and ubiquitous computing. After extensively reviewing electronics for sensor signal conditioning, the lectures cover the principles and operation of a variety of sensor architectures and modalities, including pressure, strain, displacement, proximity, thermal, electric and magnetic field, optical, acoustic, RF, inertial, and bioelectric. Simple sensor processing algorithms and wired and wireless network standards are also discussed. Students are required to complete written assignments, a set of laboratories, and a final project. Staff MAS.837 Principles of Electronic Music Interfaces
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Prereq: Permission of instructor Units: 3-0-9
Explores the ways in which electronic music is controlled and performed. A solid historical perspective is presented, tracing the development of various families of electronic musical controllers and instruments from their genesis in the late 1800s onwards. Design principles and engineering detail are also given for various current and classic controllers. Evolving issues in the control of computer music for live performance and interactive installations are discussed, including computer mapping of sensor signals and transduced gesture onto sound, music, and other media. Weekly reading assignments are given, and a final project or paper is required. J. Paradiso MAS.838[J] Prototyping our Sci-Fi Space Future: Designing & Deploying Projects for Zero Gravity Flights
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