Curriculum

  /  

Descriptions

MECH_ENG 495: Artificial Life (ChBE 395/CS 396)

Description

This course introduces students to the growing field of Artificial Life: the study of “life as it could be” rather than as it happened to unfold on Earth. We will address fundamental questions about what distinguishes life from matter; the conditions in which complex adaptive systems may arise and how they may be shaped to suit our needs; as well as whether or not there can even be a science of the artificial. Answers to these questions are of interest as a basic intellectual pursuit, but they may also lead to useful computational, mechanical, chemical and biological technologies.

Learning Objectives:

In this course, students will explore software, hardware, and wetware approaches to Artificial Life. Through weekly readings and the use of bio/physical computer simulations, students will learn how to model, predict, design, manufacture, and control artificial living systems such as virtual creatures, physical robots, and biological machines.

Prerequisites: {COMP_SCI 150 or 211 or 214 or 230} and {COMP_SCI 301 or MATH 240 or 290-1 or PHYSICS 135-1 or GEN_ENG 205-2 or 206-2}. Or Graduate standing or instructor permission.

• This course fulfills the CS Technical Elective requirement.
• Cross-listed with Chem_Eng 395 & Comp_Sci 396

REQUIRED TEXTBOOK: None
REFERENCE TEXTBOOKS: None

COURSE COORDINATORS: Sam Kriegman

COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Sam Kriegman