What is Biomimicry?
The premise is simple: The natural world has already solved many of the challenges humans are currently grappling with, such as energy generation, food production, climate control, material manufacturing, benign chemistry, transportation, and collaboration. An increasing number of the world’s problem-solvers have realized that nature can serve as a source of insight not only for innovative design but also life-sustaining design. For a more detailed description of biomimicry, please read this description or watch this 7min Vox video.
I’m not a biologist or scientist. Can I still participate?
Yes! Though rooted in biology and the sciences, biomimicry is a highly interdisciplinary field; indeed, its success depends on the integration of knowledge from areas as diverse as engineering, chemistry, architecture, urban planning, public policy, ethics, art, and philosophy, to name a few disciplines. Thus, students of all interests and backgrounds are encouraged to participate.
Who is the instructor?
Dimitri Smirnoff graduated from Carleton in 2015 with a degree in biology. In the past four years, Dimitri earned a masters degree in biomimicry and has continued to develop himself as an educator and research biologist. He is returning to the campus this fall to co-instruct a new Argument & Inquiry seminar titled: What Would Nature Do? Learning from the natural world. Since only a first year students can enroll in an A&I seminar, Dimitri is offering this independent reading for any non-first years interested in this topic.
What are the logistical details of this independent reading?
You can expect to receive between 1-2 credits, commit between 2-4 hours of light work per week, and get an automatic S/Cr/NC grade. Registration will take place the first week of fall term. Selected students will complete a special form and deliver it to the Registrar’s Office. Final details and instructions will be communicated a few weeks prior to the beginning of fall term. At this point, you do not need to commit, only express interest.
I’m interested! How do I express my interest?
Great! Please fill out this survey. This survey’s purpose is to collected contact information of those interested in this independent reading. A few weeks prior to the beginning of fall term, you will be provided with finalized details and asked to confirm your interest in participating. Please know that by filling out this form, you are neither committing to participating in nor a guaranteed admittance to this independent study. If you have any questions, please reach out to Dimitri at ds.smirnoff@icloud.com.