Postgraduate Course: Bio-Inspired Engineering (MSc) (PGEE10035)
Course Outline
| School | School of Engineering |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Postgraduate) |
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. Biomaterials & biomimicry
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 |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | None |
Course Delivery Information
| Not being delivered |
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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