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BioData Processing

Danilo Oliveira Vaz

Can we communicate with other living beings besides animals?

For example, it is well known that plants and fungi are sentient creatures, but modern societies/humans seem to regard this fact as unworthy of much attention. Perhaps we do so because we lack a common language to establish such inter-realms communication.

Can we communicate with other living beings besides animals?

In this hands-on project you will challenge this frontier by translating electric signals (BioData) from plants and fungi into audio-visual media that we humans are capable of relating to. In order to accomplish this, you will engage with Processing, "a flexible software sketchbook and a language for learning how to code within the context of the visual arts."

Optional: In case you have an Anduino kit this project can be double fun, as learners will have instructions on how to collect the BioData themselves.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Project Overview

In this guided project you will do some creative coding with the Processing framework in order to translated electrical signals collected from plants and mushrooms into visualizations and sound. Please open this page (https://github.com/dnllvrvz/BioData-Inquiry) on your computer before starting the project. It will help you!

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops artistic coding skills with Processing for data visualization and sonification

Suitable for beginners interested in exploring interdisciplinary connections between science, art, and technology

Offers hands-on experience in collecting and translating bio-data from plants and fungi

Arduino users may benefit from additional instructions on data collection

Assumes learners have access to necessary hardware and software, which may pose financial barriers

Prior experience with Processing or similar coding frameworks is recommended

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in BioData Processing with these activities:

Read 'Entangled Life' by Merlin Sheldrake

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Deepen your understanding of the role played by fungi in our planet's ecosystem and human civilization, providing context for the course's exploration of inter-species communication.

View Entangled Life: The Illustrated Edition: How... on Amazon

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Procure a copy of 'Entangled Life'
Read the book
Take notes as you read
Reflect on the implications of Sheldrake's work

Join a study group focused on BioData

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Foster collaboration and enhance your understanding by joining a study group dedicated to exploring BioData and inter-realms communication.

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Identify potential study partners
Form a study group
Meet regularly
Discuss BioData and related concepts

Experiment with Processing sketches

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Enhance your visual coding skills by experimenting with Processing sketches, solidifying your understanding of data visualization techniques.

Browse courses on Processing

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Familiarize yourself with Processing
Create simple sketches
Explore the Processing community
Experiment with different data sets

Five other activities

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Explore Arduino tutorials

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Expand your understanding of hardware interfacing by studying Arduino tutorials, preparing you to collect BioData from plants and fungi.

Browse courses on Arduino

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Identify relevant Arduino tutorials
Follow the tutorials
Build simple Arduino projects
Connect your Arduino to a computer

Develop a visual representation of your BioData

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Demonstrate your grasp of inter-realms communication by creating a visual representation of BioData, fostering your creativity and analytical thinking.

Browse courses on Data Visualization

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Choose a data visualization tool
Import your BioData
Explore different visual representations
Refine your visualization
Present your visualization

Attend a Processing workshop

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Accelerate your progress by attending a Processing workshop, deepening your understanding of the software and connecting with other enthusiasts.

Browse courses on Processing

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Identify relevant Processing workshops
Register for a workshop
Attend the workshop
Apply what you learn

Contribute to an open-source BioData project

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Solidify your understanding of BioData and contribute to the scientific community by participating in an open-source project.

Browse courses on Open Source

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Identify an open-source BioData project
Review the project's documentation
Contribute to the project
Submit a pull request

Participate in a BioData hackathon

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Challenge yourself and showcase your skills by participating in a BioData hackathon, pushing the boundaries of inter-realms communication.

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Identify relevant BioData hackathons
Form a team or participate individually
Develop a BioData-related project
Submit your project

Career center

Learners who complete BioData Processing will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use scientific methods, processes, algorithms, and systems to extract knowledge and insights from data to make data-driven decisions. This course can help someone in a Data Science role by providing a foundation in working with and processing biological data. More specifically, this course can be helpful for those interested in the field of bioinformatics, which combines biology, computer science, and information technology to manage and analyze large amounts of biological data. The course's focus on translating electrical signals collected from plants and mushrooms into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Geneticist

Geneticists study genes and heredity. They research and analyze genetic data, create genetic models, and develop genetic therapies. This course may be useful for someone in a Genetics role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Geneticist

Neuroscientist

Neuroscientists study the nervous system and its function. They research and analyze neurological data, create neurological models, and develop neurological therapies. This course may be useful for someone in a Neuroscience role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Neuroscientist

Immunologist

Immunologists study the immune system and its response to infection and disease. They research and analyze immunological data, create immunological models, and develop immunological therapies. This course may be useful for someone in an Immunology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Immunologist

Microbiologist

Microbiologists study microorganisms and their interactions with the environment and human health. They research and analyze microbiological data, create microbiological models, and develop microbiological therapies. This course may be useful for someone in a Microbiology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Microbiologist

Pharmacologist

Pharmacologists study the effects of drugs on the body. They research and analyze pharmacological data, create pharmacological models, and develop pharmacological therapies. This course may be useful for someone in a Pharmacology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Pharmacologist

Wildlife Biologist

Wildlife Biologists study wildlife populations and their habitats. They research and analyze wildlife data, create wildlife models, and develop wildlife conservation plans. This course may be useful for someone in a Wildlife Biology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Wildlife Biologist

Environmental Scientist

Environmental Scientists study the environment and find solutions to environmental problems. They research and analyze environmental data, create environmental models, and develop environmental policies. This course may be useful for someone in an Environmental Science role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Environmental Scientist

Ecologist

Ecologists study the interactions between living organisms and their environment. They research and analyze ecological data, create ecological models, and develop ecological policies. This course may be useful for someone in an Ecology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Ecologist

Toxicologist

Toxicologists study the effects of toxic substances on the body. They research and analyze toxicological data, create toxicological models, and develop toxicological therapies. This course may be useful for someone in a Toxicology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Toxicologist

Zoologist

Zoologists study animals and their behavior. They research and analyze zoological data, create zoological models, and develop zoological conservation plans. This course may be useful for someone in a Zoology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Zoologist

Marine Biologist

Marine Biologists study marine life and ecosystems. They conduct research on marine organisms, habitats, and ecosystems, and develop plans for conservation and management. This course may be useful for someone in a Marine Biology role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Marine Biologist

Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers combine engineering principles with medical knowledge to design, build, and maintain cutting-edge medical devices, implants, and other systems. This course may be useful for someone in a Biomedical Engineering role, as it provides a foundation in working with biological data and designing systems to interact with living organisms. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from plants and fungi into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biomedical Engineer

Veterinarian

Veterinarians diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases in animals. They perform surgeries, prescribe medications, and provide general care to animals. This course may be useful for someone in a Veterinary role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in this field, particularly in research or animal-related medical fields.

See salaries and explore the career path for Veterinarian

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians apply statistical methods to biological data and medical research. Their work assists in assessing and improving the efficacy of medical treatments, developing new drugs, and understanding the causes of diseases. This course may be useful for someone in a Biostatistics role, as it provides a foundation in working with and processing biological data. The course's emphasis on translating electrical signals collected from living beings into visualizations and sound provides a unique perspective on biological data processing that may be attractive to those working in biostatistics specifically.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biostatistician

Reading list

We've selected 18 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in BioData Processing.

The Secret Life of Plants

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Explores the scientific evidence for plant sentience and communication, providing a foundation for understanding the inter-realms communication that this course aims to facilitate.

The Secret Life of Plants: a Fascinating Account of...

Paperback

(Deutsch) Das geheime Leben der Pflanzen: Der Klassiker...

Kindle Edition

Entangled Life

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This fascinating book delves into the hidden world of fungi, revealing their ecological importance and potential role in inter-species communication, complementing the course's focus on plant-based interactions.

Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change...

Paperback

Entangled Life: The Illustrated Edition: How Fungi...

Hardcover

Entangled Life How Fungi Make Our Worlds The...

Hardcover

(Deutsch) Verwobenes Leben: Wie Pilze unsere Welt formen und...

Kindle Edition

Generative Art

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This practical guide explores generative art techniques using Processing, providing hands-on examples and insights into the creative potential of code, which is central to this course.

BioData Processing

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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