Information Package / Course Catalogue
Biomimicry: Designs Inspired By Nature
Course Code: BYL309
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: First Cycle (Bachelor's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 2
Prt.: 0
Credit: 2
Lab: 0
ECTS: 3
Objectives of the Course

Biomimicry, which consists of the Greek words 'bios' meaning life and 'mimesis' meaning imitation, means imitating life. The main purpose of the course is to demonstrate innovative ideas developed by taking advantage of the characteristics that living things have acquired over millions of years to survive. Based on this, we aim to gain a different perspective by reading biological indicators.

Course Content

Biomimicry, as an approach that imitates nature's designs and processes in order to create a healthier and more sustainable environment, has been frequently mentioned recently. Biomimicry, which helps develop new products and services by examining nature creatively, is today applied in many different fields such as architecture, engineering, electronics and urban planning. In our course, starting from the designs developed by the first humans by imitating their environment, many innovative ideas realized today in the above-mentioned areas will be discussed and the importance of observing nature from a different perspective will be discussed.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Prof. Mesut KIRMACI
Learning Outcomes
1.Knows the meanings of Mimicry, Biomimicry and Biosupported design.
2.Knows the contribution of characteristics acquired as a result of natural selection to the life of organisms
3.It shows that human existence on earth depends on observing and imitating nature
4.Gives examples of biological indicators
5.Knows that nature is the best example for a sustainable life
6.It shows that each of the organisms currently living in the world can inspire a design
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Benyus J. M. 2022. Biyomimikri: İlhamı Doğadan Alan tasım. Usturlap pp. 400
2.Burini R. 2015. Biyo-İnnovasyon, İnnovasyonu Bitkilerden Öğrenmek, The Kitap. pp 221
3.Mancuso S. 2021. Bitki Devrimi. Yeniinsan pp 221
4.Hoffmeyer J. 2009. Biosemiotics: An Examination into the Signs of Life and the Life of Signs (Approaches to Postmodernity). University of Chicago Press
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Mimicry, Biomimicry, Bio-inspired engineering,
Week 2 - Theoretical
Natural selection and acquired adaptations for life
Week 3 - Theoretical
Stone age people, observation of nature and first tools
Week 4 - Theoretical
Agricultural revolution and the discovery of the wheel approach
Week 5 - Theoretical
Biological indicators: Basic structures of Animals and Plants and the advantages of differences
Week 6 - Theoretical
Extraordinary lives and the survival strategies of the creatures of these environments
Week 7 - Theoretical
Nature inspired designs 1: Lotus flower, Spider webs, bladderwracks, robot fish, whale skins, natilus, corals etc.
Week 8 - Theoretical
Designs inspired by nature 2. Smart textile products, dirt-repellent fabrics, warm and cold clothing, climbing shoes,
Week 9 - Theoretical
Designs inspired by nature 3: Birds and innovative ideas; airplanes, bullet train, owl wing feathers, Aladogan, Woodpecker etc.
Week 10 - Theoretical
From plants to robots (plantonoids)
Week 11 - Theoretical
Cosmoplants and renewable energy systems (energy-saving structures, sun-facing solar panels, etc.)
Week 12 - Theoretical
Imitating nature for industrial agriculture
Week 13 - Theoretical
Energy efficiency; imitate nature's economy
Week 14 - Theoretical
A biomimetic future
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Final Examination1%60
Land Work1%40
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory142256
Midterm Examination1718
Final Examination110111
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)75
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
PÇ-8
PÇ-9
PÇ-10
PÇ-11
PÇ-12
PÇ-13
PÇ-14
PÇ-15
OÇ-1
3
1
1
4
4
2
3
3
1
1
1
OÇ-2
3
1
3
3
1
2
1
3
1
1
1
OÇ-3
2
3
1
1
1
OÇ-4
4
2
2
1
5
1
1
2
2
1
3
OÇ-5
2
2
2
1
3
4
2
OÇ-6
1
1
4
3
4
1
2
2
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026