Master of Science (MS) in Biomimicry – Online
The Master of Science (MS) in Biomimicry is designed for working professionals primarily in the fields of biology, design, business, and engineering, who want to make the practice of biomimicry central to their careers.
Applicants to the MS program typically are not interested in additional graduate work in their primary disciplines. Rather, students will have the opportunity to apply their existing disciplinary knowledge to the practice and advancement of biomimicry.
There is rapidly growing demand for biomimicry practitioners in industry. Graduates of the MS program will be able to:
- Lead in-house implementation of biomimicry across a variety of applications;
- Initiate or transform a consulting practice in the field of biomimicry;
- Incorporate biomimicry into education for the next generation of biomimics;
- Develop innovative and sustainable solutions to the most pressing global challenges.
We expect graduates from the program to transform the ways in which we conduct business, design buildings and products, run governments, provide healthcare, manufacture goods, grow food and educate future generations.
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.
To apply to the MS program in Biomimicry, go to ASU Online.
Program Details
The MS in Biomimicry is offered through ASU’s College of Global Futures. All coursework is delivered completely online in conjunction with Biomimicry 3.8—the internationally recognized leaders 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.
*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.
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 v1_ 2016-2017
BMY Graduate Program Handbook 2017-2018
BMY Graduate Program Handbook 2018-2019
BMY Graduate Program Handbook 2019-2020
BMY Graduate Program Handbook 2020-2021
BMY Graduate Program Handbook 2021-2022
BMY Graduate Program Handbook 2022-2023
BMY Graduate Program Handbook 2023-2024
Learning Objectives
- Represent the field of biomimicry in the world through demonstrated thought leadership
- Build a network of collaborators in biomimicry from various disciplines
- Integrate biomimicry thinking into any opportunity resulting in biomimetic outcomes
- Summarize the fundamentals of the fields of biology, design, engineering and business and their relevance to biomimicry
- Integrate Life’s Principles into a wide array of applications
- Facilitate the integration of biology into design using biomimicry thinking
- Guide design and engineering processes towards sustainability
- Apply systems thinking to challenges and opportunities
- Communicate and work across disciplines to facilitate the practice of biomimicry
- Interpret observations in nature with a functional lens
- Create and perform outstanding biomimicry presentations
- Create and execute meaningful learning experiences on biomimicry
The MS program expands on the coursework for the Graduate Certificate in Biomimicry. Of the 15 credits associated with the Certificate program, 13 are eligible for credit towards the MS.
Curriculum
Core Courses (13 credits required)
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
Elective Courses (11 Credits Required)
Biomimicry and Design (BMY 511) | Understand the role of designers in the practice of biomimicry. Students learn to approach challenges with a design mind, distill a design challenge, understand user needs, and build bridges between biology and design. 3 credits
Biomimicry and Engineering (BMY 512) | Understand the role of engineers in the practice of biomimicry. Students learn about engineering specialties—what constrains engineers work under, what materials they work with, and how to integrate biomimicry principles into sustainable engineering designs. 3 credits
Biomimicry and Business (BMY 516) | Understand the role of business in the practice of biomimicry. This course challenges participants to question conventional ways of conducting business by addressing business topics from the biomimicry point of view. 3 credits
Human-Nature Connection (BMY 517) | Understand biomimicry as a continuation of an ancestral connection with nature. Topics include establishing the evolutionary, personal, and socio-cultural influences on the different expressions of this connection. 2 credits
Biomimicry and Chemistry (BMY 598) | Insights into what makes nature’s living chemistry so effective at achieving the same functionalities required of commercial chemicals and materials. The course is designed for the non-chemist. A final team project will allow students to experience the practical application of nature’s chemistry principles. 3 credits
Topic: iSites Biomimetic Nature Journaling (BMY 598) | Kickstart a lifelong practice of nature journaling with a biomimetic intention. This course provides tutorials for drawing techniques, materials selection, and development of observation skills. 1 credit
Topic: Communicating Biomimicry (BMY 598) | Know how to communicate the value of biomimicry in the field, in the boardroom, with media, and in labs. Students learn to develop visual, written, and auditory presentations and to customize those for different kinds of audiences and situations. 1 credit
Topic: Teaching Biomimicry (BMY 598) | Know how to teach the practice of biomimicry to a variety of audiences across disciplines, venues, and situations. Students learn how to create and execute meaningful learning experiences in biomimicry through a variety of exercises, trainings and feedback. 1 credit
Topic: Facilitating Biomimicry (BMY 598) | Know how to facilitate the practice of biomimicry across disciplines and within organizations. Students will assemble course deliverables into a portfolio demonstrating their facilitating skills in a variety of real-world situations. 1 credit
Topic: Biomimicry Ethos (BMY 598) | Explore the natural pathway that leads from experiencing and understanding life, to connecting with life, to committing to care for life. Students will be able to articulate how the practice of biomimicry embodies and advances the core tenets of sustainability. 1 credit
Practicum Courses (6 Credits Required)
Biomimicry Case Study Practicum (BMY 580) | Dive deep into the business case for biomimicry by preparing an in-depth analysis of a specific biomimicry example. Each student identifies, researches, and writes a case study from the business perspective. 2 credits
BioBrainstorm Practicum (BMY 580) | Practice the tools and techniques of biomimicry. Student teams identify challenges and discover relevant strategies from the biological literature. They summarize the scientific findings, build a taxonomy, and learn how to present the biological intelligence in a context that is relevant to design. 2 credits
Biomimicry Genius of Biome Practicum (BMY580) | Practice the tools and techniques of location-specific biomimicry. Student teams identify biomes of interest and research strategies from the biological literature for those unique ecosystems. They summarize the scientific findings, build a taxonomy, and learn how to present the biological intelligence in a context that is relevant to place-based design. 2 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
Academic Calendar
Add the In-Person Component to Your Training
Students in the MS in Biomimicry program also are invited to apply for Biomimicry 3.8’s Biomimicry Professional program—a hand-picked cohort of biologists, designers, engineers, sustainability professionals and business people who meet in various locations around the world for intensive, hands-on training sessions complementing the online coursework.
Successful completion of the MS degree and six in-person sessions qualify students for Biomimicry Professional Certification from Biomimicry 3.8.
Application for the Biomimicry Professional program is open only to successful applicants for the MS program. Both the MS program and Biomimicry 3.8’s program must be completed together to earn the Biomimicry Professional Certification from Biomimicry 3.8.
Instructors
- Dayna Baumeister, Professor of Practice (biology & biomimicry), SOLS
- Caroline Lindsay James, Faculty Associate
- Erin Rovalo, Adjunct Professor (design)
- Karen Allen, Adjunct Professor (biology)
- Mark Dorfman, Faculty Associate (chemistry)
- Marie Zanowick, Adjunct Professor (engineering)
- Seth GaleWyrick, Faculty Associate
- Thomas Baumeister, Professor of Practice (conservation psychology & biology)
- Zeynep Arhon, Adjunct Professor (business)
- Michelle Fehler, Clinical Professor (design)
Possible Outcomes for Graduates
- Obtain meaningful and gainful employment in the rapidly emerging global market for biomimics
- Initiate or transform your own consulting practice into the field of biomimicry
- Engage and lead others within your current company/organization to begin practicing and demonstrating world-class examples of biomimicry
- Incorporate biomimicry into existing or new education endeavors to help bring forth the next generation of biomimics.
Alumni
Graduates of the two-year Biomimicry Professional Certification include
Chris Allen, MBA
Former CEO of Biomimicry Group, working full-time on applying biomimicry to the built environment with projects globally.
Karen Allen, MS
Faculty with Biomimicry 3.8. Freelance consultant biologist and full-time biomimic.
Melina Angel
Founder of Biomimicry Quebec and Biomimicry Columbia. Representing Canada in ISO process for biomimetic standards.
Zeynep Arhon, MBA
Faculty with Biomimicry 3.8. Founder of biomimicry-oriented, international marketing firm.
Alessandro Bianciardi, MS
Founder of Biomimicry Italy, bringing biomimicry to UNEP. Pursuing PhD in biomimetics in Italy.
Jamie Dwyer, MA, MS
Full-time biomimic with Biomimicry 3.8.
Marsha Forthofer, MEng.
Director of Biomimicry Research for Kimberly-Clark Worldwide
Clarie Janisch, MEng.
Founder of Biomimicry South Africa, working full-time with government agencies to implement biomimicry.
Lindsay James, MBA
Co-founder of Biomimicry Chicago and VP of Restorative Enterprise (based on biomimicry) for Interface, Inc.
Erin Leitch
Faculty and full-time biomimic with Biomimicry 3.8.
Theresa Millard, MA
Founder of Biomimicry Iberia. Brings biomimicry projects to her former company Kohler, and works in Spain and Morocco on place-based bio-inspiration.
Saskia van den Muijensberg, MBA
Co-founder of Biomimicry Netherlands, landed major Green Deal project with Dutch government to establish biomimicry in Netherlands.
Doug Paige, MA
Launched a new biomimicry PhD program in 2012 with the University of Akron & Cleveland Institute of Art. Awarded a grant to run a student project on the Cuyahoga river bulkheads using biomimicry.
Amy Coffman Phillips, MA
Co-founder of Biomimicry Chicago, initiating the “Prairie Project” based on biomimicry. Started her own biomimicry company called ‘B-Collaborative’, co-designing a resilience workshop for organizations.
Sara el Sayed, MS
Started her own company Dayma, which leads youth biomimicry expeditions in Egypt.
Marie Zanowick
Faculty with Biomimicry 3.8. Works full-time for EPA to bring biomimicry to EPA, Forest Service, and Park Service.
To apply to the MS program in Biomimicry, go to ASU Online.
This program is open to students from around the world. International students, please note: When asked to provide your visa on the application form, please enter ‘JN’ for the Biomimicry graduate programs.
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