The Top Biomimicry Courses and Certificates of 2025 📚
Are you considering expanding your biomimicry knowledge or looking to take a biomimicry course or a Biomimicry Master's programme? Unsure about where to start or which course to take? Look no further as we dive deeper into the leading biomimicry courses of 2025.
Biomimicry, the practice of learning from nature to solve human problems, is quickly gaining momentum as a leading approach to innovation and sustainability. With the growing demand for experts in the field, it's no surprise that the number of biomimicry courses, Biomimicry Master's programmes and certificates has grown dramatically.
To help you navigate the options, we've built this guide to assist in giving you a better understanding of which biomimicry courses exist, how they compare to each other, and how to go about choosing the right learning path for you.
Firstly, do you seek qualifications or experience, grasshopper?
There are two broad categories of online biomimicry courses: “qualification-based” and “experience-based”.
To get to those two broad categories, I'm using the lens of that all-important question: “What am I going to get out of this?” In our experience, learners usually seek either:
- an academically-recognised qualification for a specific job position, or
- a practical understanding and experience that supports the learner's career or interests, and does not necessarily require an academically-recognised qualification.
Naturally, you will get experience and some form of certification in both types of course categories but it is important to first think about what you’re really seeking to achieve from this education. By answering this question, you could make a better decision regarding the type of course that best suits your objectives (fitting form to function).
To borrow from biomimicry thinking: What is the function of you taking a biomimicry course? What is your context? What resources are available to you? All of these questions should be brought to the table when you make a decision on which course you want to take.
The Top Online Biomimicry Courses for 2025
These are the top online biomimicry courses today. The infographic below is a snapshot of the existing biomimicry courses available as of April 2024, the related prices and duration. The remainder of this article provides more detail and context relating to each course listed below.
The best biomimicry courses of 2025, visualised. If you're interested in studying for 1+ year or more, we've mapped out all the Biomimicry Masters Programmes and PhDs here.
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The top 6 leading Biomimicry Courses & Degree Programmes (6+ months)
1. Biomimicry Practitioner Programme - Learn Biomimicry
The Biomimicry Practitioners Programme is purpose-built for working professionals to complete their learning journey online, focused on project-based learning and guided support. Consisting of six months of part-time learning, our programme is built around you and your career, focusing on the practice of applying biomimicry professionally. Our professional mentors will guide you through your learning journey from start to finish, and you’ll gain the ability to practice biomimicry and apply biomimicry thinking to your own personal context. The total cost of the Practitioner Programme is $2,799 and is proudly endorsed by the Biomimicry Institute. Prerequisite: Completion of the Learn Biomimicry Foundational Short Courses.
Apply to this programme if you’re keen to get straight into the application of biomimicry, create nature-inspired innovation/s and organisations, or initiate or transform a consulting practice with biomimicry.
2. Masters in Bioinspired Innovation - University Utrecht
€2,530 ($2,700) for Dutch and other EU/EEA students (statutory fee, full-time)
€23,765 ($25,600) for Non-EU/EEA students (institutional fee).
Bio-inspired design and science are used for innovations that support a transition to a sustainable, circular economy. The Master’s programme Bio-Inspired Innovation is a full-time two-year course (120 credits), aimed at students with a Bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences, who are interested in research and want to innovate services, products, production systems and design based on principles that have evolved in nature. The University of Utrecht in the Netherlands offers you a route to becoming the biologist at the design table, and the professional that contributes to the transition to a circular economy with Bio-Inspired Innovations. Prerequisite: Bachelors Degree, and starts in September 2024.
3. Biomimicry Certificate - MCAD | Minneapolis College of Art and Design [MA in Sustainable Design]
$1,355 non-credit or $5,130 for credit, depending on coursework. | 120 hours over 6 months online
100% online, this course offers a Biomimicry Certificate which focuses on nature-based design strategies through courses on sustainable design, systems thinking and biomimicry. Courses included are 1. Introduction to Biomimicry: A Sustainable Design Methodology, 2. Fundamentals of Sustainable Design, 3. Systems Thinking and 4. Biomimicry.
4. Master of Science (MS) in Biomimicry Online - Arizona State University (ASU)
Base tuition for a Graduate: $37,044 credit dependent | 2.5 - 5 years online
For international students, here is a cost overview of related expenses for Biomimicry Graduate programmes at ASU
The online Master of Science in Biomimicry at ASU was the original and first-of-its-kind program focusing on an emerging discipline that seeks to apply life’s strategies to human design. Offered in collaboration with Biomimicry 3.8 through The Biomimicry Center at ASU, the MS also complements the Certified Biomimicry Professional program offered by Biomimicry 3.8. The total cost is $32,062 (credit dependent) and can take anywhere from 2.5 to 5 years. This is for the working professional who wishes to pursue a biomimicry career or lead the in-house implementation of biomimicry, initiate or transform a consulting practice in the field of biomimicry; incorporate biomimicry into education for the next generation of biomimics or develop innovative and sustainable solutions to the most pressing global challenges.
Prerequisite: Must have an undergraduate degree to enrol
Side note: Base tuition for Biomimicry Certificate - available to undergraduates for an18-hour credit course: $34,398 (an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU).
We did a full write up on all the Master of Science in Biomimicry here.
5. Undergraduate Certificate, Biomimicry Fellowship Program and Integrated Bioscience PhD Program - The University of Akron
Based in Ohio (USA), the University of Akron offers three defining courses, an Undergraduate Certificate in Biomimicry, the Biomimicry Fellowship Program and a PhD program. The Undergraduate is designed to give students training and experience in the theory, methods, and practice of seeking inspiration from living systems to solve technical challenges. The Biomimicry Fellowship Program and the Integrated Bioscience PhD Program are both tailor-made, but perhaps a too lengthy explanation for this article. See the links above for a detailed explanation.
6. Biomimicry Educator Programme - Learn Biomimicry
$2,799 | 6 months (part-time) online
The Biomimicry Educator Programme is built for educators to learn how to integrate biomimicry into their careers, courses and life. This 6-month programme aims to upskill you to facilitate individuals to create nature-inspired innovation and solve real-world problems. The programme is project-based, mentored and unique to you. The total cost of the Biomimicry Educator Programme is $2,799 and includes three Learn Biomimicry foundational short courses. You can learn more about the Biomimicry Educator Programme here.
If you still haven't found the programme for you, and you're looking for a longer, postgraduate degree, we've mapped out all the Biomimicry Masters Programmes and PhDs here.
Popular Online Short Courses in Biomimicry (6 months or less)
1. Biomimicry Foundational Course Set - Learn Biomimicry
Total cost: $297.00 or $99 paid monthly for three months
From Learn Biomimicry’s standpoint, we aim to give you the most diverse starting point into the world of biomimicry. Grasp the fundamental concepts of biomimicry to start practising biomimicry, gain the winning strategies found amongst the species surviving and thriving on Earth and understand what biomimicry thinking is and how to apply it.
This Foundational Course set consists of three courses: 1. Introduction to Biomimicry, 2. Biomimicry Life's Principles and 3. Biomimicry Masterclass. You’ll walk away with a strong understanding of biomimicry thinking and knowledge, suited for the real world. You can read more about the Foundational Course set here.
2. Guide to Building a Biomimetic Future eBook & Self-Paced Course - Biomimicry Frontiers / Biomimicry Commons
Total cost of this biomimicry course: $637
This is an online self-paced short course which includes an incredible ebook. Consisting of 4 modules: 1.) Introduction, 2.) Biomimicry Mindset, 3.). Harnessing Nature's Genius and 4.). Building your biomimetic future 5.) Extras and case studies. This self-paced, DIY course will provide you with the methods, mindset and tools. The course instructor is Jamie Miller, who also offers the Biomimicry Mastermind in Canada on an annual basis.
3. Biomimicry Basics - Biomimicry for Creative Innovation
Total cost: $160
This is an introductory online self-paced course, with the instructor Denise DeLuca, a Professional Engineer, and the co-founder of Biomimicry for Creative Innovation, who will show you a step-by-step method for turning nature’s strategies into innovative solutions for human problems. You’ll not only learn the ‘what’ and ‘why’ of biomimicry, but you’ll also learn how to apply biomimicry to solve technical and non-technical problems.
Free Courses to Start Learning Biomimicry Straight Away
1. Biomimicry Toolbox - The Biomimicry Institute
Free
Starting from zero to one, you’ll see the Biomimicry Toolbox—the free biomimicry basics resource from the Biomimicry Institute. This course provides a quick-start guide to biomimicry, introducing the core concepts and methods that are essential to a foundational understanding.
2. eBook - A Field Guide to Biomimicry - Learn Biomimicry
Free
This is followed by this free eBook: A Field Guide to Biomimicry - a simple biomimicry resource that guides you into and through the world of biomimicry. Consider this your starting point to enter into the world of biomimicry (or as a low-cost refresher for those with prior experience).
10 years to build, 10 minutes to read. This eBook is the distilled essence of biomimicry.
Based on the learnings from a decade+ of practice and teaching, PLUS the wisdom of Biomimicry 3.8 and the Biomimicry Institute,
this easy-to-use field guide makes the complex, simple.
In Closing, what should your journey into biomimicry entail?
Diversity. Networking. Life-long learning. Biomimicry is really a life-long and life-wide practice. Regardless of your experience and/or qualification, the more you practise it, the better you’ll get. The world of biomimicry is growing rapidly and new information is surfacing all the time. Oh boy, it can be overwhelming! Today, the world asks us to create both technical and ethical innovations that move us from a linear to a circular economy. Biomimicry offers a new approach to sustainability, and there are numerous biomimicry courses that effectively assist you in learning biomimicry.
Before you go, one final thought we hope to leave you with is that theory alone will not change the world. It is only through practice and applying biomimicry that we will be able to move into a thriving world that creates conditions conducive to life. Learning biomimicry can sometimes be overwhelming, or scary. That’s why the Biomimicry Practitioners Programme assists you in the practise and application of biomimicry - unique to your career, business or next project.
We encourage you to use this resource to connect the dots and create your own journey that answers your own needs. Whether you choose to start with us and move all the way up to the Master of Science, or whether you decide that a specialisation course is your best move—it’s up to you.
Start where you are, and #thinkoutside.
Stay curious,
Jess
Jessica Berliner | Learn Biomimicry Co-founder and Course Director
Jess has an unwavering passion for nature, education and design, which slowly steered her career into specialising in biomimicry education. She led the course design of the Learn Biomimicry courses, worked closely with Claire Janisch and BiomimicrySA for around 10 years, and assisted in building up the biomimicry community in South Africa. Today she’s more globally focused, and frequently connects with the top biomimicry practitioners around the world. Jess is passionate about improving the way that we design our products and systems and believes that biomimicry provides both the vision and the means to do so.