The field of Natural Computing has advanced rapidly over the past decade. One offshoot of this progress has been the development of a large family of algorithms inspired by Nature, including Biological, Social and Physical systems. Broadly speaking, these algorithms draw metaphorical inspiration from diverse sources, including the operation of biological neurons, processes of evolution, models of social interaction amongst organisms, and natural immune systems, in order to develop tools for solving real-world problems. This module provides an introduction to a broad range of Natural Computing algorithms and illustrates how they can be applied to real-world problems using a series of case studies. In addition to teaching the essentials of Natural Computing, the module provides experience in the planning, executing, writing up, and critical evaluation of research.
