2.A35 | Fall 2013 | Undergraduate

Biomimetic Principles and Design

Instructor Insights

Course Overview

This page focuses on the course 2.A35 Biomimetic Principles and Design as it was taught by Prof. Michael Triantafyllou in Fall 2013.

This course is a Freshman Advising Seminar on the topic of biomimesis/biomimetics, or the scientific method of learning new principles and processes based on systematic study, observation, and experimentation with live animals and organisms.

Course Outcomes

Course Goals for Students

  • Gain exposure to methods of biomimetics 
  • Understand biomimetic principles
  • Explore genetic algorithms
  • Confidently approach biomimetic problem solving 

Possibilities for Further Study/Careers

  • Pursuit of an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering
  • Application of the processes and methods of biomimetics to another field of study

Curriculum Information

Prerequisites

None. This is a freshman-level course.

Requirements Satisfied

MIT’s Freshman Advising Seminar requirement

Offered

Occasionally, during the fall semester.

Student Information

Enrollment

Fewer than 10 students

Breakdown by Year

All freshman

Breakdown by Major

When choosing a Freshman Advising Seminar, students are encouraged not to focus too intently on what they think their majors might be.

How Student Time Was Spent

During an average week, students were expected to spend 6 hours on the course, roughly divided as follows:

Seminar

  • Met one time per week for 2 hours per session; 11 sessions total.
  • Discussed and critiqued topics covered in the textbook

Out of Class

Read the assigned chapters from the textbook

Course Info

As Taught In
Fall 2013