IB 438: How Organisms Move

Course Description

Examines the interaction between biological processes and the fundamental laws of mechanics. Covers general topics, such as structural analyses of anatomy, kinematics of movement, the behavior of organisms in fluids, and the importance of scaling, as well as specific topics, such as bird flight, fluid flow in cardio-vascular systems, and high speed predation. Lab culminates in student-designed, group projects to collect novel biomechanical data to answer questions about an organism of the students’ choice. 4 undergraduate hours. 4 graduate hours. Credit is not given for both IB 434 and IB 438. Prerequisite: IB 202. Junior, Senior, or Graduate standing required.