585.726.81 - Biomimetics in Biomedical Engineering

Expanded Course Description

Prerequisites 

There are no strict prerequisites, but it is assumed you have an undergraduate education in materials science and engineering, biomedical engineering, chemistry, biology, or a related discipline. 

Course Structure

The course materials are divided into modules which can be accessed by clicking Modules on the menu. A module will generally consist of 2-4 lectures, required and optional readings, required and optional videos, discussion questions/topics, and weekly assessments. You are encouraged to preview all sections of the module before starting. Most modules run for a period of seven (7) days, exceptions due to academic holidays are noted below and in the Course Outline. You should regularly check the Calendar and Announcements for assignment due dates. Initial participation in the discussions are required by Fridays (Day 4) at 11:59 pm to allow for discussion replies. All Module requirements are due by Monday (Day 7) at 11:59 pm. 

Course Topics

*Note that the due date for this module is on Wednesday due to the July 4th holiday.

Course Goals

The course is designed to introduce students to a wide range of biomimetic concepts and examples related (at least loosely) to biomedical engineering. The course will discuss biomaterials and the fabrication of synthetic materials mimicking the unique structures found in nature, including additive manufacturing and bioprinting. We will discuss structural color and camouflage found in nature, and related biomimetic technologies for sensor and displays. We’ll also cover robots, robotic control, and bioelectronic devices. The primary goals of this course are to provide students with a broad background and understanding of varied biomimetic design in engineering, to provide tools to analyze and appreciate biomimetic design and inspiration, and to challenge the student to think about new possibilities of biomimetic design. 

Course Learning Outcomes (CLOs)

• Assess different biological materials and identify their basic building blocks; explain how these building blocks have inspired the creation of biomimetic materials. *Weekly assessments.
• Discuss natural mechanisms such as construction, camouflage, and movement, explain how these natural mechanisms have inspired biomimetic processes and strategies. *Weekly assessments.
• Appreciate and critically assess an example of biomimetic technology in the literature. Discuss the biomimetic design process, the challenges to mimicking nature, and the benefits of the biomimetic technology. *Midterm Journal Club Project.
• Recognize biomimetic inspiration in new state-of-the-art devices and tools in biomedical engineering. *Weekly assessments.
• Research related background technology and propose a new state-of-the-art biomimetic technology, leading towards a final presentation that discusses biomimetic inspiration, the biomimetic design process, and where the potential impact of the technology lies. *Final Project.

Textbooks

None required; course material is based on academic papers, which will be posted as appropriate. 

Student Coursework Requirements

It is expected that each module will take approximately 5-12 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: lecture viewing (1-3 hours per week), required reading (2-4 hours), weekly assessments (1-3 hours), and weekly discussions (1-2 hours).  

If you have planned travel and are concerned about missing a deadline, please contact the instructors as soon as possible, and we may be able to accommodate. Decisions on accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Discussion Participation (15% of total grade) 

Students are expected to read or view all assigned material to prepare for the weekly discussion. Post your initial response to the discussion questions by Friday evening (Day 4) for that module week. Posting a response to the discussion question is part one of your grade for module discussions (i.e., Timeliness). 

Part two of your grade for module discussion is your interaction (i.e., responding to classmate postings with thoughtful responses) with at least one classmate (i.e., Critical Thinking) by the end of each Module on Monday at 11:59 pm (Day 7). Just posting your response to a discussion question is not sufficient; we want you to interact with your classmates. Be detailed in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates. Please ensure that your postings are civil and constructive. 

Instructors will monitor module discussions and will respond to some of the discussions as discussions are posted.  

In summary, Discussion Participation grading consists of the following grading elements:

1. Timeliness (50%) 
2. Critical Thinking (50%) 

Weekly Assessments (30% of total grade) 

Weekly Assessments will be designed to test your knowledge of the subject discussed in each Module through multiple choice, short answer, and longform questions. Each weekly assessment should be uploaded as a single document. Please include your name, the Module title, and the course title in all submissions. Assessments are due according to the dates in the Calendar. 

Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade for each week late (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructors). Any Weekly Assignment that was submitted by the original deadline can be resubmitted up until two weeks before the end of the semester (August 8th at midnight). The grades of the two assignments will be averaged to replace the original grade.  

The following will be considered when grading your Weekly Assessments:

1. Completeness and originality of answer (Did you answer all parts of the question? Did you put the answer in your own words?) 
2. Writing quality and technical accuracy (Writing is expected to meet or exceed accepted graduate-level English and scholarship standards. That is, all assignments will be graded on grammar and style as well as content). 
3. Rationale for answer or supporting examples are provided when necessary (One word answers are usually not complete answers). 
4. When requested or necessary, outside references are included. 

Midterm Journal Club Project (20% of total grade) 

The Midterm Journal Club Project will consist of a presentation on a peer-reviewed journal article of your choice, approved by the instructors. Paper choice is due in Week 6, and the project is due in Week 7. A template and grading rubric for the project will be provided in advance. 

Final Proposal Project (30% of total grade) 

The Final Project will consist of a presentation on your own biomimetic technology proposal, informed by the contents of the class. You will come up with an original idea and pitch it to the class in a presentation, covering the biomimetic inspiration, the proposed application, and the technical approach. The project will be due at the beginning of Week 12. A grading rubric will be provided in advance. 

Peer Assessment of Final Projects (5% of total grade) 

Students will be required to view submitted Final Projects and critically assess. Participation in this peer assessment is required. The assessment will consist of three components: providing public comments to your peers, filing out a provided rubric for each presentation, justifying your grading choices, and ranking projects through a mechanism discussed later in the course. 

Grading Policy

Final grades will be determined by the following weighting: 

Assignments are due according to the dates posted on your Canvas course site. You may check these dues dates in the Course Calendar or the Assignments in the corresponding modules. Grades will be posted for each assignment within two weeks after the assignment is due. 

We generally do not directly grade spelling and grammar. However, egregious violations of the rules of the English language will be noted without comment. Consistently poor performance in either spelling or grammar is taken as an indication of poor written communication ability that may detract from your grade. 

A grade of A indicates achievement of consistent excellence and distinction throughout the course—that is, conspicuous excellence in all aspects of assignments and discussion in every week. 

A grade of B indicates work that meets all course requirements on a level appropriate for graduate academic work. These criteria apply to both undergraduates and graduate students taking the course. 

EP uses a +/- grading system (see “Grading System”, Graduate Programs catalog, p. 10). 

Course Policies

Unless explicitly stated, ChatGPT or other AI tools may not be used to generate content for discussions, assignments, exams, or or other course material.

Academic Policies

Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.

Academic Misconduct Policy

All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.

This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.

Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility

Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.

For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.

Student Conduct Code

The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically. 

For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/

Classroom Climate

JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity. 
 
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).

Course Auditing

When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.