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Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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IAP 2011 Courses Sponsored by OEIT

Educational Technology

Parallel Computing Master Class (MATLAB)

Going Beyond the Block Diagram to Include Electrical and Mechanical Machines in Your Models (MATLAB)

Numerical Computation in MATLAB: Applying Numerical Methods to Problem Solving

Electricity Demand and Price Forecasting with MATLAB

Getting the Most from Variable Generation Using MATLAB

Getting Started Using Optimization with MATLAB Products

Ball Tracking Demo: Designing and Modeling a Multidomain System in MATLAB and Simulink

Object-Oriented Programming for MATLAB

Medical Image Processing with MATLAB

Mathematical Modeling with MATLAB Products

Up and Running with WordPress in 60 minutes

Outreach and Innovation Incubation

2011 iCampus Prize Information Session

What's Ahead? E-Learning at Institute Level - Insight, Conversation/Discussion around it... and Lunch

 Academic Skills & Resources

Big Docs in Word: Tips and Tricks to Format your Thesis

Arts

Beginning Music Synthesis

Parallel Computing with MATLAB

Friday, January 21
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: Room 4-231

In this session, you will learn how to solve computationally and data-intensive problems using multicore processors and computer clusters. We will introduce you to high-level programming constructs that enable you to parallelize applications to boost your execution speed. We will show you how to overcome the memory limits of your desktop computer and solve problems that require manipulating very large matrices by distributing your data. We will also illustrate how you can run the same application on a single machine using Parallel Computing Toolbox and on a large-scale computing resource such as a cluster using MATLAB Distributed Computing Server. This session will focus on converting a few serial MATLAB examples to run in parallel.

This session will cover:

  • Toolboxes with built-in support for parallel computing
  • Creating parallel applications to speed up independent tasks
  • Programming with distributed arrays to work with large data sets
  • Scaling up to computer clusters, grid environments, or clouds
  • Tips on developing parallel algorithms

About the presenter: Jiro Doke
Jiro joined MathWorks in 2006 as a senior application engineer. He received his B.S. from Georgia Institute of Technology and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, both in mechanical engineering. His Ph.D. research focused on biomechanics of human movement, specifically of human gait. His experience in MATLAB comes from extensive use of the tool for data acquisition, analysis, and visualization while in graduate school.

E-mail: jiro.doke@mathworks.com

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Going Beyond the Block Diagram to Include Electrical and Mechanical Machines in Your Models

Friday, January 14
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Location: Room 4-231

This session will demonstrate how to employ simulation in the development process for wind turbines. The session will focus on the following topics:

  • Developing a mechanical model of a wind turbine using Simulink and SolidWorks software
  • Developing three-phase AC circuit simulations that couple the mechanical and electrical effects of induction generators connected to the electric grid
  • Employing the electrical and mechanical simulation models to design and optimize the embedded software control algorithms

About the presenter: Terry Denery
Terry is the marketing manager for the physics-based modeling and simulation tools at MathWorks. Before joining MathWorks in 2004, he worked at MSC.Software as an engineer in the sales organization, supporting the ADAMS, visualNastran 4D, Dynamic Designer, and CATIA v5i products. At Knowledge Revolution, which was acquired by MSC.Software and produced the motion simulation tools Working Model and Interactive Physics, Terry founded the Technical Services group, which served customers through technical support, training, and consulting. Before working at Knowledge Revolution, Terry developed solid rocket propulsion systems at Hercules, Inc.

Terry has degrees in chemical and mechanical engineering from the University of Virginia as well as a Ph.D. in aeronautics and astronautics, focusing on fluid dynamics and thermodynamics, from Stanford University.

E-mail: terry.denery@mathworks.com

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Numerical Computation in MATLAB: Applying Numerical Methods to Problem Solving

Friday, January 14
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: Room 4-231

Software packages such as MATLAB provide a numerical approach to solving complex problems. Using computation we can apply numerical methods to obtain numeric solutions to a variety of problems.

We will start this session by applying linear algebra to an x-ray tomography model and solving linear systems in MATLAB. We’ll then see how matrix decompositions can be applied to ranking, abstraction, and other problems. Next we will explore how ODEs are solved numerically and how to carry this out in MATLAB. Finally we will investigate data-fitting techniques to develop a model from available data. Using root-finding and optimization techniques, we’ll look at how to solve nonlinear equations.

By the end of the session you will have learned how to apply various numerical computation techniques in MATLAB. Key topics include:

  • Solving linear systems
  • Applying matrix decompositions (eigenvalue decomposition, singular value decomposition)
  • Solving ordinary differential equations numerically
  • Carrying out data fitting using interpolation and least squares fitting
  • Solving nonlinear equations using root-finding and optimization

You can bring a laptop to this hands-on lab. You are also encouraged to view the online MATLAB tutorial to refresh your knowledge on MATLAB before the session.

About the presenter: Laura Proctor
A training engineer at MathWorks, Laura focuses on developing and delivering training solutions for academic users. She has a particular interest in creating Web-based content for online learning. Laura has a B.S. in mathematics and a B.S. in mechanical and aerospace engineering with a minor in physics from the University of Missouri. She also has an M.S. in mechanical engineering and an M.S. in computation for design and optimization from MIT.

E-mail: laura.proctor@mathworks.com

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Electricity Demand and Price Forecasting with MATLAB

Tuesday, January 18
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Location: Room 4-163

In this session, you will learn how you can use MATLAB to build models to forecast short-term electricity demand (load) and prices. Techniques explored include linear regression, neural networks, and regression trees. These models are presented in a larger data analysis context that includes accessing data from multiple sources as well as generating charts and reports.

Highlights include:

  • Forecasting short-term electricity demand and prices
  • Accessing electricity and weather data from regional wholesale electricity markets
  • “White-box” modeling using customizable algorithms and viewable-source functions
  • Exporting results as reports and standalone applications

Familiarity with MATLAB is not required.

About the presenter: Ameya Deoras
Ameya is an application engineer at MathWorks with a focus on the finance industry. Prior to joining MathWorks in 2008, Ameya undertook graduate research in computational gene prediction as well as robust speech recognition, both involving building statistical models for pattern recognition on large data sets using MATLAB. Ameya holds a B.S. in electrical engineering from the University of Illinois and an M.S. in electrical engineering from MIT.

E-mail: ameya.deoras@mathworks.com

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Getting the Most from Variable Generation Using MATLAB

Tuesday, January 18
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: Room 4-163

The increasing penetration of variable generation, such as wind and solar, on electric grids across the world brings unique challenges in ensuring that reliability and production goals are met. The challenge is more profound for larger installations, where accurate assessment of power generation capacity at the site, voltage support, and mitigation of undesirable modes require close attention. Modeling and simulation of these systems is critical for identifying capacity, de-risking equipment selection, de-risking architectural design, and ensuring that operational criteria are met. Further, there is a broader challenge of ensuring that the transmission system can support these installations in a secure and reliable way, while supporting open and fair market competition. This presentation will discuss how you can:

  • Support engineering decisions using MathWorks tools
  • Assess power generation capacity at a wind farm site using symbolic computation in MATLAB
  • Perform Wind and solar farm physical modeling in Simulink and SimPowerSystems
  • Assess the impact of variable generation on transmission system congestion using optimization and statistics in MATLAB

About the presenters: Graham Dudgeon and Dan Doherty
Graham is the energy production industry marketing manager at MathWorks. Prior to this role, he was a principal technical consultant with MathWorks, focusing primarily on physical modeling and control design. In his capacity as a technical consultant, Graham worked with a broad range of customers in the energy, aerospace, defense, marine, automotive, and transport industries. Before joining MathWorks in 2004, Graham held a senior research fellow position at the University of Strathclyde, working with the Centre for Economic Renewable Power Delivery (CERPD) and the Rolls-Royce University Technology Centre in Electrical Power Systems. He began his professional career working with the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency, an agency of the U.K. Ministry of Defence. He received his M.Eng. (Distinction) in avionics and Ph.D. in multivariable control from the University of Glasgow.

Dan works as a product manager at MathWorks, focusing on core math and data analysis products including Symbolic Math Toolbox. He has been with MathWorks for over 7 years, in a variety of roles including product marketing specialist and product manager. Prior to joining MathWorks, Dan received a B.S.E. and M.S.E. in mechanical engineering from the University of New Hampshire, where his research focused on prediction of cutting forces during CNC machining.

E-mail: graham.dudgeon@mathworks.com or dan.doherty@mathworks.com

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Getting Started Using Optimization with MATLAB Products

Wednesday, January 19
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Location: Room 4-163

Spatial transforms can make thumbnail views, fix a slanted horizon line, align multiple images of a scene, or warp images in bizarre and creative ways. MATLAB and Image Processing Toolbox offer tools to do all these things and more.

In this session, you will learn the essential and practical concepts you need to understand and apply spatial image transforms. For example, where does a transformed image go? Why are spatial transforms implemented backwards? You'll find out how to align and overlay transformed images, how to define your own transforms, and how to troubleshoot when things go awry. You will see how to have a little fun with some oddball transforms ranging from polar-coordinate image twisting to randomized image melting.

About the presenter: Loren Shure
Loren is a principal MATLAB developer and has worked at MathWorks for more than 20 years. She has co-authored several MathWorks products in addition to adding core functionality to MATLAB. Loren currently works on the design of the MATLAB language. She graduated from MIT with a B.Sc. in physics and has a Ph.D. in marine geophysics from the University of California, San Diego, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, IGPP. Loren writes about MATLAB on her blog, The Art of MATLAB.

Steve coauthored the book Digital Image Processing Using MATLAB and writes regularly about image processing and MATLAB in his blog, Steve on Image Processing. He holds a B.E.E. and a Ph.D., both in electrical engineering, from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a senior member of the IEEE.

E-mail: loren.shure@mathworks.com

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Ball Tracking Demo: Designing and Modeling a Multidomain System in MATLAB and Simulink

Wednesday, January 19
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Location: Room 4-163

In this session, we will demonstrate how to develop an algorithm in MATLAB that you can incorporate into a dynamic system using Simulink. We will develop an object tracking algorithm in MATLAB and then use Simulink to design and model the mechanical and electrical components of the motor. We will also show how to design and automatically tune the controller to optimize system performance. Our last step will be to implement the system on real-time hardware.

Highlights include:
Developing an Algorithm in MATLAB

Case study: Data/image acquisition and analysis

  • Accessing data (from files or hardware)
  • Analyzing and visualizing data in MATLAB
  • Publishing and deploying the results

Modeling and Controlling a System in Simulink
Case study: Object tracking mechanism

  • Realizing the MATLAB algorithm for real-world use
  • Modeling and simulating the electromechanical dynamic system
  • Performing feedback control design and optimization
  • Automatically generating code for prototyping

About the presenters: Jiro Doke and Terri Xiao
Jiro joined MathWorks in 2006 as a senior application engineer. He received his B.S. from Georgia Institute of Technology and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, both in mechanical engineering. His Ph.D. research focused on biomechanics of human movement, specifically of human gait. His experience in MATLAB comes from extensive use of the tool for data acquisition, analysis, and visualization while in graduate school.

Terri joined MathWorks in 2009 as a senior application engineer. She is a control design automation generalist with focus on physical modeling and control tools. Her previous work experience includes four years at SySense Inc., a consulting company specializing in navigation, guidance, and control systems for the aerospace industry. At SySense, she worked on guidance and control algorithms design for hypersonic unmanned aerial vehicles. She managed the Trajectory Optimization Project for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Global Strike Weapon program, developed the energy management guidance law for the aero-assist Advanced Maneuvering Reentry Vehicle, and designed the optima global reaches guidance law for the aero-assist High-Life Aeroshell hypersonic vehicle. Terri received her B.S. and M.S. in mechanical engineering from University of California, Los Angeles. She is currently working on a master’s degree with a concentration in systems and controls.

E-mail: jiro.doke@mathworks.com or terri.xiao@mathworks.com

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Object-Oriented Programming in MATLAB

Thursday, January 20
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Room 4-163

The object-oriented programming system in MATLAB enables easier development and maintenance of large applications and data structures. Using practical examples, this session will demonstrate how to define classes and work with objects, highlighting the benefits of this programming approach over traditional procedural techniques. Features covered include class definitions, properties, property attributes, methods, method attributes, and inheritance. No knowledge of object-oriented programming is required.

About the presenter: Eric Johnson
Eric is an application engineer at MathWorks. Prior to joining MathWorks in 2008, Eric worked with General Motors to develop a high-performance manufacturing simulation. He holds an M.S.E. and B.S.E. in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. His primary research involved modeling of abrasive manufacturing processes, and he moonlighted on several medical research collaborations.

E-mail: eric.johnson@mathworks.com

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Medical Image Processing with MATLAB

Thursday, January 20
1:00–4:00 p.m.
Room 4-163

This session will be particularly valuable for anyone intending to use MATLAB to acquire, process, and analyze medical images. We will begin by showing how you can import, display, and examine images in MATLAB. We will then step through segmenting an image to extract quantitative information as well as developing and leveraging an algorithm for batch processing. We will explore volume visualization of a brain MRI image stack, optimize the alignment of CT and MRI data, and show how to reconstruct an image from radon and fan-beam geometries. You will also learn ways to share your results, via reports or deployed applications.

Highlights include:

  • Technical computing workflow: quantifying tissue metastasis
  • Volume visualization from a brain MRI image stack
  • Multimodal image registration: optimizing the alignment of CT and MRI data
  • Image reconstruction in computed tomography
  • Automating analysis and sharing results

About the presenter: Brett Shoelson, Ph.D.
Before joining MathWorks in 2005, Brett spent 13 years focusing on process automation with MATLAB (with an emphasis on medical image processing) in the biomedical arena. Brett holds a B.A. in anthropology from the University of Florida, a B.S. in biomedical engineering from Mercer University (Macon, Georgia), and an M.S. and Ph.D. in biomedical engineering from Tulane University. Following his doctoral work, he did postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School and spent five years doing research at the National Institutes of Health.

E-mail: brett.shoelson@mathworks.com

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Mathematical Modeling with MATLAB Products

Friday, January 21
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Location: Room 4-231

Mathematical models are critical to understanding and accurately simulating the behavior of complex systems. They enable important tasks such as forecasting system behavior for various “what if” scenarios, characterizing system response, and designing control systems.

This session will show how you can use MATLAB products for mathematical modeling tasks, including:

  • Developing models using data fitting and first-principle modeling techniques
  • Optimizing the accuracy of models
  • Simulating models and postprocessing results
  • Documenting and sharing models

You will also learn about different approaches you can use to develop models, including developing models programmatically using the MATLAB language, deriving closed-form analytical equations using symbolic computation, and leveraging prebuilt graphical tools for specific modeling tasks such as curve and surface fitting.

About the presenter: Dan Doherty
Dan works as a product manager at MathWorks, focusing on core math and data analysis products including Symbolic Math Toolbox. He has been with MathWorks for over 7 years, in a variety of roles including product marketing specialist and product manager. Prior to joining MathWorks, Dan received a B.S.E. and M.S.E. in mechanical engineering from the University of New Hampshire, where his research focused on prediction of cutting forces during CNC machining.

E-mail: dan.doherty@mathworks.com

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2011 iCampus Prize Information Session
Brandon Muramatsu

Rescheduled due to snow. NEW DATE: Thu Jan 20, 12-01:00pm, 1-142

Have you ever thought, “My education at MIT would be infinitely better or easier if there was just a technology to…? Or, “Student life at MIT could be dramatically improved with this creative application of technology...?” Well, now’s the time to show MIT and your fellow classmates how you might provide solutions to these problems! Will your submission join the ranks of Course Picker, NB and Lingt as winners of the iCampus Prize? Participate in the iCampus Technology Innovation Student Prize competition in 2011! OEIT and the MIT Council on Educational Technology are hosting an information session to provide information on the 2011 prize.
Web: http://icampusprize.mit.edu/
Contact: Brandon Muramatsu, mura@mit.edu

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What's Ahead? E-Learning at Institute Level - Insight, Conversation/Discussion Around It…and Lunch
Toru Iiyoshi
Tue Jan 25, 11am-1:00pm, 26-142

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Signup by: 24-Jan-2011
Limited to 30 participants.
Single session event

What is going on with e-learning at the Institute level and what is the future going to bring?

Plan on enjoying a light lunch and sharing insights, views, questions, answers, and hunches! There will be a short 15-20 minute presentation (around 11:30am) on the institutional efforts that have been made over the last several months to explore the possibilities of technology-enabled education at MIT. What MIT faculty and students think about some critical educational values, cultures, and priorities, and how they can be supported and enhanced by technology will also be shared and discussed.


Contact: Toru Iiyoshi, NE 48-308, (617) 715-2461, iiyoshi@mit.edu

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Beginning Music Synthesis

Discover MIT's hidden music studio: Learn about music synthesis and music editing.

Molly Ruggles

DUE TO THE SNOW STORM, THIS CLASS HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED TO FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 10:30 AM (rm 26-139)

Enrollment limited: advance sign up required (see contact below)
Limited to 10 participants.
Single Session event.
Prereq: Bring flash drive.


Learn about Apple's Garage Band and its range of musical and sonic features. We'll explore the software interface, its capabilities, musical and more. Bring a flash drive. Best for those with some musical experience and who are comfortable using the piano keyboard as a compositional tool.

To sign up: email Molly Ruggles.
Limited to MIT students, faculty and staff
Contact: Molly Ruggles, NE48-308, ruggles@mit.edu
Sponsor: Office of Educational Innovation and Technology

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Big Docs in Word: Tips and Tricks to Format your Thesis
 

Lourdes Aleman
Tue Jan 18, 10:30am-12:00pm, DIRC (14N-132)

Enrollment limited: first come, first served
Signup by: 17-Jan-2011
Limited to 30 participants.
Single session event

Are you writing and formatting your thesis this year? Don’t let WORD get you down. This 1.5 hour interactive tutorial led by a recent PhD graduate will illustrate some simple shortcuts you can take in Microsoft Word 2007 to make thesis formatting a breeze (automatically generating/updating table of contents, applying consistent formatting throughout the document, etc.), saving you many precious hours. The room where the workshop will be held has 20 PC's available on a first-come first-serve basis or you can bring your own laptop. The hands-on workshop will be conducted in Microsoft Word only, print instructions for Word 2008 for Macs will be available. Note: this workshop will not cover formatting a bibliography or reference managing programs. Please register for this IAP session at (URL).

Contact: Lourdes Aleman, NE48-308, 715-5348, laleman@mit.edu
Cosponsor: Biology

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Up and Running with WordPress in 60 Minutes
Molly Ruggles
Thu Jan 20, 10:30am-12:00pm, NMC 26-139

Enrollment limited: first come, first served
Signup by: 19-Jan-2011
Limited to 10 participants.
Single session event


For those who've never laid eyes on the Word Press dashboard, we'll walk you through webscripts' easy installation and then show you some basic configurations as well as get you started with using widgets, plugins, styling and more.


To sign up: email Molly Ruggles, NE48-308, 617-625-5915, ruggles@mit.edu
 

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Keywords

Office of Educational Innovation and Technology
Building NE48-308, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307
Phone: (617) 252-1981; Fax: (617) 452-4044