Description
Objectives
Biomimicry (bio=life + mimesis=to imitate) is a discipline that aims to solve human problems like energy saving, resource storage/production, communication and transportation by studying and emulating Nature. The rationale is that over its 3.8 billion long existence on Earth, living organisms have produced imaginative solutions that are effective and sustainable. The goal of the course is to provide a deep understanding of Biomimicry and teach how to apply its basic concepts and tools to develop sustainable design solutions (of products, processes, services) to human problems. At the same time, students will be trained into developing skills like observation through pattern recognition, communication, problem solving, and creative and reflective thinking. The course is strongly interdisciplinary and designed to foster the interaction of students with different academic backgrounds.
Syllabus
The syllabus covers the following areas: 1. Biology from a functional perspective: a core understanding of biology with a special focus on function will be provided. The process by which biological concepts may be translated into products is introduced. 2. Biomimicry methodology and life’s principles: this module will provide students with an understanding of a set of life’s principles and with the tools available to use those principles into design practice. Practical applications of biomimicry across different disciplines (energy, materials, industrial design, built environment, etc) are analyzed and discussed. 3. Biomimicry and engineering design: brainstorming techniques, how to integrate biomimicry into design, how to communicate biomimicry with engineers, the basic engineering design process, how engineers problem solve.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of Biology.
Cross Competence Component
The UC allows the development of transversal competences on Critical Thinking (strategic thinking and problem solving approaches), Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Skills (oral, organizational and teamwork, self-discipline, perseverance, self-motivation skills), Global Citizenship (ethics and professional deontology, tolerance and intercultural understanding) and Information and Media Literacy (ability to locate and access information, as well as to analyze and evaluate media content) within the presentations and reports of experts seminars, case studies, field work and the specific project. The assessment percentage associated with these competences should be around 10%
Laboratorial Component
not applied
Programming And Computing Component
not applied
Ethical Principles
All members of a group are responsible for the group’s work In any assessment every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used. In an oral assessment, every student shall be alble to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.