Undergraduate Course: Bio-Inspired Engineering 4 (MECE10015)
Course Outline
| School | School of Engineering |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | This course will explore how inspiration can be drawn from biological molecules and systems for the development of new technologies. Students will learn about the fundamental building blocks of life, encounter examples of bio-inspired structures and devices, and analyse the technologies critically using mathematical or computational tools as appropriate. In the second coursework assignment students will use their new-found knowledge to design a novel solution to a problem. |
| Course description |
The following topics will be covered:
1. How and why biology can inspire engineers
2. The fundamental building blocks of life
3. Synthetic biomolecular nanostructures and their applications
4. Energy, forces and electricity in biology
5. Bio-inspired computers and robots
6. Apparatus for biological experiments
7. Biomanufacturing
8. Safety and ethics
9. Current research in this area in the School of Engineering (non-examinable) to be delivered by active researchers
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
|
Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
|
| Academic year 2024/25, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
|
Quota: 75 |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Formative Assessment Hours 1,
Revision Session Hours 1,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
76 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
0 %,
Coursework
100 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
|
| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Coursework: 100% |
| Feedback |
Quizzes (not part of the formal assessment) will be provided to allow students to test their knowledge on selected topics.
We will go through extended problems in class. Classes will be highly interactive, enabling students to assess their progress. Students will be given the opportunity to discuss the course material and the coursework assignments in class and/or office hours, which will allow them to seek oral feedback on their progress. They can also seek feedback and advice by email or via the discussion boards on Learn. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Understand and use important biological terminology and principles;
- Describe, analyse and critically assess examples of bio-inspired engineering, with reference to the advantages and limitations of the approaches used;
- Create solutions to engineering problems using ideas derived from biological systems;
- Appreciate cutting-edge research in the area of bio-inspired engineering.
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Reading List
No specific textbook is required but students may find it helpful to consult a biology/biochemistry textbook such as:
- Biochemistry, Berg et al., W.H. Freeman
- Molecular Biology of the Cell, Alberts et al., Garland Science
These are available in the University library.
- Reference will also be made to scientific papers that can be accessed through university subscriptions to journals or on an open access basis. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Keywords | Bio-inspired Engineering,Synthetic Biology,Bioengineering,Bionanotechnology,biomolecules |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Katherine Dunn
Tel: (0131 6)50 4845
Email: K.Dunn@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Catherine Davidson
Tel:
Email: c.davidson@ed.ac.uk |
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