Hi there! I'm Nathan, a '27 from Lynn, MA (just outside Boston). I'm an intended Engineering Sciences Major and Studio Art Minor—I like to understand, design, and create things. I also love reading about history, writing, and photography (hence this blog). On-campus, I'm involved in the Triathlon Team, French Living Learning Community (LLC), and Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship. Explore my posts for an inside perspective of everything Dartmouth has to offer!
I took this class to explore the Biology Department and it ended up defining my freshman Fall. I grew close with other biology-minded students and together we delved deep into cellular mechanisms and processes in a fast-paced environment. The labs were long but rewarding and everything about this class made me a better scientist—Professor Bezanilla is an amazing teacher! I would recommend this class to anyone with a passion for biology and research.
“Who do I want to be?” is a question that I frequently ask myself as an undergraduate (and I’m sure you will as well). A good place to begin answering this question, however, is “Who am I ?” Taking Investigative Memoir as my first-year seminar allowed me to explore this question via personal reflection and expressive writing—something that has helped me frame my identity at Dartmouth with the rest of my life. College can be a surreal experience, but Professor Sharlet’s introduction to the world of creative nonfiction has given me the ability to transform my own perceptions into tangible, recorded stories.
As a kid I drew a lot; I was inspired by architectural books like “Pyramid” and “Castle” and fascinated by illustrations in “The Way Things Work.” All of these books are by the author David Macaulay—and I had the opportunity to take this very class with him! I completed weekly sketchbook exercises, worked on visually communicating inventions, and was able to receive personal feedback. The theme of visual illustration as a tool in engineering resonated strongly with me, inspiring my interest in an engineering major modified with studio art. Given my long relationship with his work, this class was truly a dream come true.
SummerAmherst, Massachusetts
I interned at a running biomechanics research lab in Amherst, MA, to explore my interests in kinesiology and running shoe design! I was able to self-fund the internship through a grant from the Dartmouth Center for Professional Development (CPD). I spent the rest of my summer reading, spending time with family, and took a trip to Quebec before returning to campus.
The first of a two-part series on classical mechanics, this class made physics refreshing and enjoyable. The content came primarily through lectures given by Professor Caldwell, who was extremely clear and made each class memorable with demonstrations, jokes, or historical tangents. The lab section, which involved hands-on physics experiments, reinforced my understanding of the material in a practical sense. I took this course as an engineering requirement, and I found it to be my favorite quantitative course thus far.
Dartmouth offers many avenues to explore design, including a variety of engineering, architecture, and computer science classes. My personal focus is on product and industrial design, so I've combined engineering and studio art courses. This post will focus on this particular area of design, but Dartmouth has other courses that cover digital design, including UI/UX and human-centered design. For more on digital design, check out Dartmouth's DALI Lab (Digital Applied Learning and Innovation).
One of Dartmouth's most popular classes,ENGS 012, teaches strategies and methodologies that form the basis of a creative design practice. While especially useful for engineers and software developers, this class is applicable to all majors. Government and public policy students, for example, use design thinking to craft more effective legislation.
For students ready to create projects, ENGS 021 is a natural next step. This course guides students through the entire design process, from problem identification to building and testing solutions. I wasn't sure if engineering was right for me until I took this class, where I discovered my interest in combining creative and technical skills.
To complement my engineering major, I'm pursuing a studio art minor (there's also an Architectural Design Minor). Studio art classes enrich my design practice. I've taken drawing coursework and am currently in"3D Design and Digital Fabrication," where I'm learning digital tools like Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and CAD programs. These skills allow me to translate 2D designs into 3D media using laser cutters, CNC machines, and 3D printers in a variety of media (wood, acrylic, textiles, and plastic).
My first assignment, a series of tiles utilizing patterns derived from nature
For our first assignment, I vector-traced microscopic imagery of wood in Illustrator, exported the design for laser cutting, and created cardboard prototypes. My midterm project will likely involve cutting the design in wood and acrylic to build a lamp. This class is housed in the architecture wing of the Visual Arts Center, which provides a workspace and access to state-of-the-art equipment like laser cutters and 3D printers.
Our provided workspace in the architecture department.
However, Dartmouth also offers many spaces for student design projects not directly affiliated with courses, including the official campus "makerspace," the Thayer School's Machine Shop, and theHopkins Center Workshop. These spaces provide the tools and resources needed to create most projects to your heart's desire.
Ultimately,Dartmouth fosters a rich design education through both coursework and opportunities for independent learning!
During my time at Dartmouth, within the realm of medicine specifically, I was able to gain a broader outlook on what careers / optionalities are "really" out there, and I'm here to tell you the resources that were leveraged!
My first week back on campus– full of lots of hugs and an extensive amount of time spent making my Google calendar! Cold days and walking to classes after six weeks at home can be an adjustment, but my friends at Dartmouth make it all the more fun!
Let's Get Lost in the Library! A deep dive into the known, unusual, and hidden study spots all around Dartmouth's campus! Up first, the Berry Library—the iconic modern half of the central Baker-Berry Library!
As I reflect on my first semester at Dartmouth, I can't help but think about how one year ago, I wrote my "Why Dartmouth" supplemental essay. Let's see what has changed since then!
