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2016
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Courseware
Provides students with the basic tools for analyzing experimental data, properly interpreting statistical reports in the literature, and reasoning under uncertain situations. Topics organized around three key theories: Probability, statistical, and the linear model. Probability theory covers axioms of probability, discrete and continuous probability models, law of large numbers, and the Central Limit Theorem. Statistical theory covers estimation, likelihood theory, Bayesian methods, bootstrap and other Monte Carlo methods, as well as hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, elementary design of experiments principles and goodness-of-fit. The linear model theory covers the simple regression model and the analysis of variance. Places equal emphasis on theory, data analyses, and simulation studies.
- Subjects:
- Mathematics and Statistics and Biology
- Keywords:
- Statistics Cognitive science
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- Courseware
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Courseware
With the growing availability and lowering costs of genotyping and personal genome sequencing, the focus has shifted from the ability to obtain the sequence to the ability to make sense of the resulting information. This course is aimed at exploring the computational challenges associated with interpreting how sequence differences between individuals lead to phenotypic differences in gene expression, disease predisposition, or response to treatment.
- Subjects:
- Computing and Biology
- Keywords:
- Genomics Genomes
- Resource Type:
- Courseware
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Courseware
The aim of this class is to introduce the exciting and often under appreciated discoveries in RNA biology by exploring the diversity of RNAs—encompassing classical molecules such as ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs), transfer RNAs (tRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) as well as newer species, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), long-noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs). For each new class of RNA, we will evaluate the evidence for its existence as well as for its proposed function. Students will develop both a deep understanding of the field of RNA biology and the ability to critically assess new papers in this fast-paced field. This course is one of many Advanced Undergraduate Seminars offered by the Biology Department at MIT. These seminars are tailored for students with an interest in using primary research literature to discuss and learn about current biological research in a highly interactive setting. Many instructors of the Advanced Undergraduate Seminars are postdoctoral scientists with a strong interest in teaching.
- Subjects:
- Biology
- Keywords:
- RNA
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- Courseware
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Courseware
In this course, we will investigate the diverse types and functions of different RNA species, with a focus on "non-coding RNAs," i.e. those that do not directly encode proteins. The course will convey both the exciting discoveries in and frontiers of RNA research that are propelling our understanding of cell biology as well as the intellectual and experimental approaches responsible. The molecular biology revolution firmly established the role of DNA as the primary carrier of genetic information and proteins as the primary effector molecules of the cell. The intermediate between DNA and proteins is RNA, which initially was regarded as the "molecule in the middle" of the central dogma. This view has been transformed over the past two decades, as RNA has become recognized as a critical regulator of cellular processes.
- Subjects:
- Biology
- Keywords:
- Non-coding RNA RNA
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- Courseware
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Courseware
How do we sense hunger? How do we sense pain? What causes growth in our bodies? How are we protected from pathogens? The answer to many of these questions involves small polymers of amino acids known as peptides. Peptides are broadly used as signal molecules for intercellular communication in prokaryotes, plants, fungi, and animals. Peptide signals in animals include vast numbers of peptide hormones, growth factors and neuropeptides. In this course, we will learn about molecular bases of peptide signaling. In addition, peptides potentially can be used as potent broad-spectrum antibiotics and hence might define novel therapeutic agents.
- Subjects:
- Biology
- Keywords:
- Peptides
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- Courseware
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Courseware
Parasites require a hospitable organism to reproduce and spread and have evolved multiple strategies to subvert their hosts. Parasites scavenge nutrients directly from host cells, evade the host immune system and even modify host behavior to increase their transmission. This course will explore the strategies used by a ubiquitous and harmful class of parasites to hijack the biology of their host cells. We will discuss pathogens such as Plasmodium and Toxoplasma, responsible for some of the deadliest and most pervasive infectious diseases on the planet. By exploring how these pathogens invade a host cell and replicate while evading the immune system, students will gain a broad understanding of basic cell biology, biochemistry and immunology, as well as learn techniques commonly used in cell biology. Students will be challenged to think creatively and flexibly to understand, critique, interpret, and design scientific experiments in the field of host-pathogen interactions.
- Subjects:
- Biology
- Keywords:
- Pathogenic microorganisms Parasites
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- Courseware
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Courseware
This first course in the physics curriculum introduces classical mechanics. Historically, a set of core concepts—space, time, mass, force, momentum, torque, and angular momentum—were introduced in classical mechanics in order to solve the most famous physics problem, the motion of the planets. The principles of mechanics successfully described many other phenomena encountered in the world. Conservation laws involving energy, momentum and angular momentum provided a second parallel approach to solving many of the same problems. In this course, we will investigate both approaches: Force and conservation laws. Our goal is to develop a conceptual understanding of the core concepts, a familiarity with the experimental verification of our theoretical laws, and an ability to apply the theoretical framework to describe and predict the motions of bodies.
- Subjects:
- Physics
- Keywords:
- Kinematics Torque Mass (Physics) Angular momentum Force energy Motion Mechanics
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- Courseware
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Courseware
This course explores the relationship between ancient Greek philosophy and mathematics. We investigate how ideas of definition, reason, argument and proof, rationality / irrationality, number, quality and quantity, truth, and even the idea of an idea were shaped by the interplay of philosophic and mathematical inquiry. The course examines how discovery of the incommensurability of magnitudes challenged the Greek presumption that the cosmos is fully understandable. Students explore the influence of mathematics on ancient Greek ethical theories. We read such authors as: Euclid, Plato, Aristotle, Nicomachus, Theon of Smyrna, Bacon, Descartes, Dedekind, and Newton.
- Subjects:
- Philosophy and Mathematics and Statistics
- Keywords:
- Philosophy Ancient Mathematics -- Philosophy
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- Courseware
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Courseware
This course offers an in-depth the theoretical foundations for statistical methods that are useful in many applications. The goal is to understand the role of mathematics in the research and development of efficient statistical methods.
- Subjects:
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Keywords:
- Mathematical statistics
- Resource Type:
- Courseware
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Courseware
This course provides students with decision theory, estimation, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. It introduces large sample theory, asymptotic efficiency of estimates, exponential families, and sequential analysis.
- Subjects:
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Keywords:
- Mathematical statistics
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- Courseware
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Courseware
In this course, we study elliptic Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) with variable coefficients building up to the minimal surface equation. Then we study Fourier and harmonic analysis, emphasizing applications of Fourier analysis. We will see some applications in combinatorics / number theory, like the Gauss circle problem, but mostly focus on applications in PDE, like the Calderon-Zygmund inequality for the Laplacian, and the Strichartz inequality for the Schrodinger equation. In the last part of the course, we study solutions to the linear and the non-linear Schrodinger equation. All through the course, we work on the craft of proving estimates.
- Subjects:
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Keywords:
- Fourier analysis Differential equations Partial
- Resource Type:
- Courseware
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Courseware
This graduate-level course focuses on current research topics in computational complexity theory. Topics include: Nondeterministic, alternating, probabilistic, and parallel computation models; Boolean circuits; Complexity classes and complete sets; The polynomial-time hierarchy; Interactive proof systems; Relativization; Definitions of randomness; Pseudo-randomness and derandomizations;Interactive proof systems and probabilistically checkable proofs.
- Subjects:
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Keywords:
- Computational complexity
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- Courseware
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Courseware
This course is the continuation of 18.785 Number Theory I. It begins with an analysis of the quadratic case of Class Field Theory via Hilbert symbols, in order to give a more hands-on introduction to the ideas of Class Field Theory. More advanced topics in number theory are discussed in this course, such as Galois cohomology, proofs of class field theory, modular forms and automorphic forms, Galois representations, and quadratic forms.
- Subjects:
- Mathematics and Statistics
- Keywords:
- Galois cohomology Algebraic number theory Class field theory
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- Courseware
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Courseware
This course provides an introduction to writing about science (including medicine, technology, and engineering) for general readers. With a strong emphasis in background research, this course will help students build a foundation for strong science writing. Students will read works by accomplished science writers. Each assignment will focus on a different popular form, such as news articles, interviews, essays, and short features.
- Subjects:
- English Language
- Keywords:
- Communication in science Communication of technical information Technical writing
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- Courseware
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Courseware
Like other scientists, medical researchers and clinicians must be capable of presenting their work to an audience of professional peers. Unlike many scientists, however, physicians must routinely translate their sophisticated knowledge into lay terms for their own patients and for the education of the public at large. A surprising number of physicians write for less utilitarian reasons as well, choosing the narrative essay as a means of exploring the non-technical issues that emerge in their clinical practice. Over the course of the semester, we will explore the full range of writings by physicians and other health practitioners.
- Subjects:
- English Language
- Keywords:
- Medical writing
- Resource Type:
- Courseware
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Courseware
In this course, you will be exposed to the work of many great documentary photographers and photojournalists, as well as to writing about the documentary tradition. Further, throughout the term, you will hone your photographic skills and 'eye,' and you will work on a photo documentary project of your own, attempting to reduce a tiny area of the moving world to a set of still images that convey what the viewer needs to know about what you saw—without hearing the sounds, smelling the odors, experiencing what was happening outside the viewfinder, and without seeing the motion.
- Subjects:
- Photography
- Keywords:
- Photojournalism Documentary photography
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- Courseware
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Courseware
This course offers analysis and practice of various forms of scientific and technical writing, from memos to journal articles, in addition to strategies for conveying technical information to specialist and non-specialist audiences. Comparable to 21W.780 Communicating in Technical Organizations, but methods in this course are designed to deal with special problems of advanced ELS or bilingual students. The goal of the workshop is to develop effective writing skills for academic and professional contexts. Models, materials, topics and assignments vary from term to term.
- Subjects:
- English Language
- Keywords:
- Technical writing
- Resource Type:
- Courseware
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Courseware
We will explore images that pertain to the emergence of Japan as a modern state. We will focus on images that depict Japan as it comes into contact with the rest of the world after its long and deep isolation during the feudal period. We will also cover city planning of Tokyo that took place after WWII, and such topics as the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. A unique feature of this offering is that we will run it concurrently with the edX MOOC and two University of Tokyo MOOCs, Visualizing Postwar Tokyo and Four Faces of Contemporary Japanese Architecture, for much of the remainder of the class.
- Subjects:
- Area Studies, Visual Arts, and Building and Real Estate
- Keywords:
- Arts Japan
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- Courseware
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Courseware
This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of the process of designing games and playful experiences. Students are familiarized with methods, concepts, techniques, and literature used in the design of games. The strategy is process-oriented, focusing on aspects such as: Rapid prototyping, play testing, and design iteration using a player-centered approach.
- Subjects:
- Interactive and Digital Media and Computing
- Keywords:
- Games
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- Courseware
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Courseware
This course studies how international modernism interacted with the concept of "nation" and how contemporary discourses concerning globalism changes that dynamic. This course also looks at how art uses and critiques globalization on various levels.
- Keywords:
- Art globalization Nationalism art
- Resource Type:
- Courseware