Two-Year Certificate Program in Biomimicry
Program
Overview
The Biomimicry Institute in
cooperation with the Biomimicry Guild has recognized a growing demand for
post-graduate professionals who would like to continue their education in the
field of biomimicry. To the best of our knowledge, no formal program in
biomimicry exists worldwide. As such, we are proud to offer a Certificate in
Biomimicry to address this need. The program is designed to give attendees the
skills necessary to become practicing biomimics. The course will be taught by a
suite of experts, led by Dr. Dayna Baumeister, co-founder of the Biomimicry
Guild, in the fields of biomimicry and sustainability with several guest
lectures by prominent, world-renowned visionaries in the fields of
sustainability, green business, green chemistry, ecological design, and more.
The course is open to those with an
undergraduate/graduate degree and/or significant professional experience in any
of the following broadly defined fields: biology, engineering, design, and business.
A graduate of the program will have a specialty in his/her particular
background, and will have gained additional skills in the other fields listed
above, as well as skills in communication, systems thinking, biomimicry
methodology, life's principles, and sustainability.
We anticipate that following
completion of the program, participants will be able to market and utilize
their skills to:
1.
Obtain meaningful employment in the
emerging market for "Biologists at the Design Table"; or
2.
Initiate their own consulting
practice in the field of biomimicry; or
3.
Engage and lead others within
their current company/organization to begin practicing biomimicry; or
4.
Incorporate biomimicry into existing
or new education endeavors.
Tentative
Program Schedule and Expectations
The Certificate in Biomimicry is
designed to be as rigorous as a Master's degree program. The program will
be a combination of independent (distance/home) study, face-to-face intensive
learning sessions, and group work via virtual interactions. Over the course of
the 2-year program, participants will be expected to attend five one week-long
sessions at dates and locations arranged by the Biomimicry Institute. Tentative
session sites include Montana, Seattle, Costa Rica, Atlanta, and Vermont. In
addition, participants will be expected to take the equivalent of three or four
college-level courses in biology, engineering, design, and/or business.
Participants will work with the Biomimicry Institute to determine the
appropriate number and types of such courses. Students will also be expected to
participate in the creation of a new biomimetic product/process/system during
the second year. Participant should plan on spending a minimum of 2-3 hours
each week for the course in addition to the five on-site sessions.
Program Costs
Tuition for the program is $5,000
USD. Additional fees of $5,000 USD include materials, room, board, and local
travel for the 5 required one-week sessions. Fees are payable in 4
installments. Additional costs that will be incurred by participants that are
not included in the total of $10,000 include your travel to each week-long
session and tuition/fees for college courses. With the support of sponsoring
organizations, we plan to offer some merit and need based scholarships.
Application
and Selection Procedure
The 2008-2010
Certificate in Biomimicry is now filled. We will be accepting applications for
the next certificate offering in 2009.
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