51-615 Design Fusion: Bugs and Bioinspiration

6 units, Carnegie Mellon University

How do insects build complex and efficient mechanical structures that rival human technology? What is the basic insect toolkit, and how have beetles adapted it to create glowing light, fire detectors, explosive weaponry, and color-changing armor? Explore these questions and examine the worlds most remarkable bugs up close, with specimens from the Carnegie Museum of Natural History. This course is offered through the Joseph Ballay Center for Design Fusion. This course is open to those with basic drawing proficiency and Photoshop skills.

Prerequisites: none listed

Offered: Spring 2027, Spring 2026

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