HSCI-308: What Would Nature Do?

What if the most sophisticated design solutions on Earth have already been engineered, not by humans, but by nature over the course of the evolutionary refinement? From the superhydrophobic surface of a lotus leaf to the tensile architecture of a spider web, the natural world is a vast repository of optimized systems, adaptive structures, and resource-efficient materials. This course explores two interconnected frameworks, natural materials and nature-inspired design, as foundations for sustainable and innovative design practice. Students will examine how biological systems solve complex design problems across multiple scales. We'll look at examples spanning from the macro-level structural logic of termite mounds, bird nests, and whale fins to the nano-scale material properties of silk fibers, bone composites, and mycelium networks. We will ask not only how these systems work, but what designers, architects, and engineers can learn from their underlying principles. Students will develop fluency in both the science and craft of nature-informed design. No scientific background is required - only curiosity, close observation, and a willingness to look to the natural world for answers.