Graduate certificate in biomimicry
The graduate certificate in biomimicry is an educational program designed for professionals who want to add the practice of biomimicry to an existing or planned career.
Through biomimicry, designers, engineers and business professionals come together with biologists and others to tackle sustainability challenges with inspiration drawn from biological strategies and mechanisms.
Professionals with at least three-five years experience in another discipline will benefit most from the biomimicry certificate training. They will develop a hybrid specialty that includes:
- An in-demand skill set for innovation, creativity and collaboration.
- An avenue for contributing to meaningful work.
- A way to bring the natural world into professional and personal lives.
- The ability to understand and generate sustainable solutions.
Graduates will be able to integrate biomimicry principles and tools into their primary disciplines, and become leaders in the emerging network of biomimicry researchers and practitioners.
If you have determined this is the right program for you, we highly recommend you contact an enrollment coach through the “Request Information” button at ASU Online to assist with the application process.
Program details
The biomimicry certificate is offered through ASU’s School of Life Sciences. All coursework is delivered completely online in conjunction with Biomimicry 3.8—the internationally recognized leader in the field.
* Acceptance notification dates are valid only for applications submitted with all materials (i.e. application, letters of reference, transcripts, TOEFL (if applicable), and supplemental questions) by the application deadline.
Certificate deadlines
| Semester of enrollment | Early application deadline | Early acceptance notification | Regular application deadline | Regular acceptance notification |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | June 1 | June 21 | July 7 | August 1 |
| Spring | November 1 | November 21 | December 7 | December 21 |
| Summer | March 1 | March 21 | April 7 | May 1 |
*For applicants who miss the deadline, new applications released from Graduate Admissions will be reviewed every two weeks. While applications may be processed after the deadline, there are no guarantees that notice will be provided in time to enroll in that semester.
The certificate consists of 15 credit hours in the following courses.
Prerequisite: Essentials of Biomimicry (BMY 501)
Discover the core values that define biomimicry and its true practice: Ethos, Emulate, (Re)Connect. 1 credit
Life’s Principles (BMY 502)
Investigate life’s operating conditions on Earth and the universal rules for surviving and thriving. Students learn the value of these principles as design guidelines. 4 credits
Biology Taught Functionally (BMY 503)
For non-biologists and biologists alike, this course introduces function as the starting point for discovering biomimetic value. Learn to work with biologists and biological research to translate concepts into strategies for human application. 4 credits
Biomimicry Thinking (BMY 504)
This course teaches the methodology for incorporating biomimicry into any design process. Students learn the steps to defining a taxonomy of design principles and creating innovative functional solutions. 4 credits
Virtual Design Lab Practicum (BMY 530)
Dive deep into the biomimicry tools and resources presented during the program. Through dedicated time and mentorship with instructors, students apply the practice of biomimicry individually to projects of their choice. 2 credits
Biomimicry graduate program handbooks
For more detailed information about the programs, you can review the current and past program handbooks.
Current students are responsible for abiding to the policies noted in the handbook of the academic year in which they are admitted into the program.
BMY graduate program handbook 2018-2019
BMY graduate program handbook 2019-2020
BMY graduate program handbook 2020-2021
BMY graduate program handbook 2021-2022
Learning objectives
- Integrate biomimicry thinking into any sphere-specific opportunity resulting in biomimetic outcomes.
- Apply Life’s Principles to specific needs within one’s sphere.
- Facilitate the integration of biology into design within one’s sphere using biomimicry thinking.
- Guide processes in one’s sphere towards sustainability.
- Interpret observations in nature with a functional lens for design applications.
- Abstract design principles from biological observations for application to one’s sphere.
- Communicate effectively through verbal and visual means how the process of biomimicry works in one’s sphere.
- Initiate or transform one’s practice to specialize in biomimicry.
- Engage and lead others within one’s current company/organization to begin practicing biomimicry.