IAP 2025 Classes
For-credit subjects:
18.02A Calculus
- Prof John Bush and staff
- Jan. 6-31
- MTWRF1
- TR10-11.30 or TR2-3.30 +final
This class will meet in person on campus. Lectures will be held in 54-100.
12 units (only 6 will count toward IAP credit limit)
This is the second half of 18.02A and can be taken only by students who took the first half in the fall term; it covers the remaining material in 18.02.
18.031 System Functions and the Laplace Transform
- Dr Shivam Nadimpalli
- Jan. 13-31
- MWF 11-1
- Classroom: 2-146
3 units (P/D/F graded)
Studies basic continuous control theory as well as representation of functions in the complex frequency domain. Covers generalized functions, unit impulse response, and convolution; and Laplace transform, system (or transfer) function, and the pole diagram. Includes examples from mechanical and electrical engineering.
18.063 Matrix Calculus for Machine Learning and Beyond
- Profs Alan Edelman and Steven Johnson
- Jan. 21-31
- MWF 11-1
- Classroom: 2-131
3 units
We all know that calculus courses such as 18.01 and 18.02 are univariate and vector calculus, respectively. Modern applications such as machine learning require the next big step, matrix calculus.
This class covers a coherent approach to matrix calculus showing techniques that allow you to think of a matrix holistically (not just as an array of scalars), compute derivatives of important matrix factorizations, and really understand forward and reverse modes of differentiation. We will discuss adjoint methods, custom Jacobian matrix vector products, and how modern automatic differentiation is more computer science than mathematics in that it is neither symbolic nor finite differences.
Prereq: Linear Algebra such as 18.06 and multivariate calculus such as 18.02
18.091 Introduction to Metric Spaces
- Dr. Shivam Nadimpalli
- Jan. 13-31
- MWF 10-11
- This class will meet in person on campus in room 2-146
3 units (P/D/F graded)
Covers metrics, open and closed sets, functional spaces, continuous functions (in the topological sense), completeness and compactness. Covering pp. 229-266 in Lebl’s Basic Analysis I: Introduction to Real Analysis, vol. 1 (available as a free PDF download at https://www.jirka.org/ra/).
Prerequisites/Audience: 18.100A/P is the recommended prerequisite for this class. (18.100B/Q will have covered the material in this class.) Intended to bridge the gap between 18.100A and 18.100B for students with a basic understanding of material covered in 18.100A, ideally making further classes such as 18.101, 18.102, 18.103, 18.901 more accessible.
18.095 Mathematics Lecture Series
- MWF1-2.30
- R10.30-12 or R1-2.30
- This class will meet in person on campus. Lectures will be held in 2-190, and many should also be recorded. Recitations will meet in 2-147.
6 units (P/D/F graded)
Ten lectures by mathematics faculty members on interesting topics from both classical and modern mathematics. All lectures accessible to students with calculus background and an interest in mathematics. At each lecture, reading and exercises are assigned. Students prepare these for discussion in a weekly problem session.
Lecture Schedule Coming Soon
Non-credit activities and classes:
Math Lecture Series (non-credit version)
The same ten lectures listed above for 18.095 are also open to the public and you may attend as many or as few as you wish. Check back often to see new postings, including lecturers, titles and abstracts.
(Students wishing to receive course credit must register for 18.095, attend all ten lectures plus weekly recitations, and complete problem sets.)
Introduction to LaTeX
Enrollment: Unlimited, but sign-up required to have Canvas access (sign up at https://forms.gle/mik3BQ3teYxaabC37)
This will be an introduction to LaTeX, the programming language used for writing math (and other equation-dense) papers. Students learn basic codes, packages, and formatting they will need for writing papers in Course 18 CI-Ms, including 18.100P/Q, 18.200, 18.821. This self-paced, asynchronous workshop is geared for Course 18 majors, but might also be of interest to other equation-dense fields like Course 8 or Course 6. Asynchronous session.
Contact: Malcah Effron, (617) 324-2302,
Integration Bee
Details available soon!
Music Recital
Stay Tuned!!!