Course Description:
How can we utilize biological systems to create more innovative designs? This is an advanced course founded on that question. We dive into the process of using biological research to inform design with a major focus on a bioinspired project. Disclaimer: this is NOT Bioinspired Design (IB 32). This will be based more heavily on projects than on lectures. Projects will be interdisciplinary in nature, spanning fields from medicine to robotics to architecture. This course will connect the knowledge learned in the classroom to the professional world through the development of project deliverables, meeting with professionals in the field, equipping students as biodesign consultants, and field trips to expose students to the design and engineering world.
Design, engineering, and/or biology experience preferred.
Optional, but highly recommended: Jacobs Hall Maker Pass ($100). Fee waiver available for students with financial need.
All majors welcome.
Course Learning Objectives:
Learn about the process, practice, and applications of bioinspired design. Facilitating connection building through diverse teams for a future in the bioinspired design world.
Course Structure:
2 hours of class per week. Includes discussions, lectures, workshops, field trips, and a team project.
Grade Policies:
Grading Criteria- This course is graded on a pass/no pass basis. Regular attendance, participation and completion of assignments is required for a pass grade. A minimum of a 70% is required to pass.
Grade Breakdown:
25%: Final Project Presentation
15%: Reflection Assignment
15%: Consultant Assignment
45%: Attendance & Participation
Project:
Students will be assigned teams and work on a bio-inspired project of their choice during the last 6 weeks of the course. Each student team will make a 15 minute presentation and a deliverable on their project.
Guest Speaker and Workshops:
Please come on time and be engaged and prepared to receive full credit for participation.
Field trips:
There will be two field trips to SF this semester! Please be available for designated dates, attendance will be factored into your “Attendance and Participation” portion of the grade. If you are unable to attend the field trip, please just let us know and we will accommodate you as best we can. Each field trip will correspond with a reflection writing assignment.
End of Class Surveys/Attendance:
At the end of each class we will be sending out weekly surveys to get students’ feedback on the lecture. This will take less than 1 minute and count towards your attendance and participation grade. Please fill it out so that we can improve the course and our teaching! If the class quorum is met for that class then everyone will receive attendance points, however the number of people who need to be present for quorum will change based on the content of the class. The number of students required for quorum is listed on the right column of the table below. Students with extenuating circumstances will be excused from the quorum. You are allowed one excused absence defined by the university (i.e. documented illness, family emergency, etc.) and two unexcused absence (with exceptions for special circumstances, e.g. midterms or athletic events). Students who miss more will not pass. An excused absence WILL NOT excuse you from homework.
Please do not be late, especially when we have a guest speaker or workshop! We will be taking off attendance points for coming in after Berkeleytime (after 7:10pm).
Note:
This syllabus is subject to change based off of feedback we receive from students.
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