Beauty can not only be intuitively recognized, it can also be mathematically calculated. You understand and see forms the way you do because of how you brain perceives their  shapes and patterns. If you are simply curious or professionally interested in the mechanism of this process, here’s the course for you.

 The course is called Beauty, Form & Function: An Exploration of Symmetry and is offered by the Nanyang Technological University of Singapore through Coursera platform.

The course examines beauty in nature, art, medicine and product design through their symmetry. Even the skyline of Singapore is used in the course as an example of symmetry.

The course teaches you to better appreciate and understand symmetry, to recognize its operations and to learn how it is represented mathematically.

The course is considered to be challenging but very stimulating mentally. There are two variants of how you can take the course, called Tracks.

Track I is much easier than Track II that replicates the Nanyang Technological University undergraduate course. The recommendations for Track I are Mathematics at GCE Advanced Level or International Baccalaureate Diploma or equivalent to junior high school.

For Track II, in addition to the requirements for Track I, the recommendation is high school or undergraduate (freshman) chemistry.

For those who are taking the course simply out of curiosity, there will be a set of easy questions to check the understanding throughout the course. Those who are interested in serious credits will have to complete more difficult tasks.

To earn a Statement of Accomplishment you must complete Track I and obtain a score of at least 60%. To earn a Statement of Accomplishment with Distinction you must have a score of at least 60% at Track II.

Students of Nanyang Technological University or those who wish to enter it, can earn 3 Academic Units at this course, if they enroll in the Signature Track and get a Verified Certificate. The students already matriculated in NTU will pay no fee for enrolling in Signature Track. Those who are not currently matriculated in NTU will pay a fee to Coursera for the Signature Track.

There’s also reading, recommended for the course. For Track I the reading is Visual Symmetry by Magdolna Hargittai and István Hargittai. For Track II it is Crystals and Crystal Structures by Richard J. D. Tilley.

You can find the information on the course length, syllabus, format  and other details on the course page.