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The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular semester. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

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  • CAS BI 520: Sensory Neurobiology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 325 or CAS NE 203; or consent of instructor.
    Animals receive a constant stream of sensory input that they use to adjust their behavior. In this course we explore how sensory systems translate the physical features of the outside world into meaningful patterns of neural activity.
  • CAS BI 521: Quantitative Marine Fisheries
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS MA 123; or equivalent and admission to the Marine Semester.
    Centered on the mathematics and computational methods that underly and support fisheries science and management. Course content provides abundant hands-on experience in R; revisits key mathematics and statistics for ecology and marine science; and hones critical thinking & problem solving. The core philosophy for coding exercises is "basic tools to do not-so-basic science". Course provides context on the past, present, and future of managing exploited marine populations and the natural world around them.
  • CAS BI 523: Marine Urban Ecology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: enrollment in the Marine Semester.
    Marine Urban Ecology is an emerging, interdisciplinary field that aims to understand how human and ecological processes can coexist in human-dominated systems. Topics, ecosystems, and organisms associated with urbanization in the Greater Boston area. Also offered as CAS GE 523.
  • CAS BI 525: Biology of Neurodegenerative Diseases
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS NE 102 and CAS NE 203; and NE major; and junior or senior standing.
    An in-depth look at molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and their impact and relevance in clinical diagnosis and treatment. Topics include the molecular pathways of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Creuztfeldt-Jacob Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Ethical Reasoning, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 527: Biochemistry Laboratory 1
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS CH 204 ; CAS CH 212 ; CAS CH 214; or CASCH282.
    Emphasizes the purification and characterization of proteins and DNA. Development and use of modern instrumentation and techniques. Same as CH527 and laboratory portion of CAS BI/CH421. Required for BMB students enrolled concurrently in GMS BI 555. Four hours lab, one hour discussion. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • CAS BI 528: Biochemistry Laboratory 2
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI/CH 421 or CAS BI/CH 527.
    Emphasizes protein, carbohydrate, nucleic acid, and lipid chemistry. Development and use of modern instrumentation and techniques. Four hours lab, one hour discussion. Same as CAS CH528 and laboratory portion of CAS BI/CH422. Required for BMB students enrolled concurrently in GMS BI 556. Four hours lab, one hour discussion.
  • CAS BI 530: Forest Ecology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 107; and CASBI303 or CASBI306, or consent of instructor.
    Prerequisites: CASBI107 and CASBI303 or CASBI306, or consent of instructor. The major biotic and abiotic factors influencing forest ecosystem composition, structure, and function. Role of solar radiation, hydrology, soils, succession, and management of forest ecosystems. Includes New England case study. Three hours lecture plus discussion. Meets with CAS GE 530. Effective Spring 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Scientific Inquiry II, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 531: Ichthyology: Behavior, Ecology, and Evolution of Fish
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 260; and consent of instructor.
    A comprehensive introduction to fish biology and systematics. Emphasis on phylogenetic relationships, ecology, and behavior. Labs include morphological studies of specimens and behavioral studies of live fishes. This course is a prerequisite for the field course. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Creativity/Innovation. Effective Fall 2021, this course no longer carries any Hub units.
  • CAS BI 535: Translational Research in Alzheimer?s Disease
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI203 OR CASNE102) AND (CASBI325 OR CASNE203).
    An introduction to translational research focused on the search for new therapeutic targets in Alzheimer's disease. Emphasis on the development of cellular and animal models for preclinical research, and on past and current clinical trials in Alzheimer's patients. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Ethical Reasoning, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 539: Coral Reef Dynamics: Shallow Waters, Deep Time
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: enrollment in the Marine Semester.
    Tropical reefs-- diverse, complex, and ancient-- exhibit lawful cycles of growth, degradation, and regeneration. Explore these through observations on the Belize Barrier Reef in fossil reef environments and through laboratory experiments. Insights are applied to reef conservation in today's changing world. Also offered as CAS EE 539.
  • CAS BI 541: Coral Reef Resilience and Restoration
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: enrollment in the BU Marine Semester and junior or senior standing.
    Caribbean coral reefs have fallen into ruin. Students develop methods to restore reef health by applying genomics, life history theory, landscape ecology and climatology. This course is an advanced follow-on to CAS BI/ES 539 (Coral Reef Dynamics), and includes field work in Belize.
  • CAS BI 542: Neuroethology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 325 or CAS NE 203; or consent of instructor.
    An in-depth study of the neural mechanisms underlying natural behaviors in animals, integrating perspectives from behavioral ecology and neurobiology. Behaviors that are central to fitness will be studied in detail, including the sensory and motor bases of prey detection, predator avoidance, communication, courtship, navigation, and migration. A wide variety of non- model organisms such as honey bees, owls, bats, and crickets will be discussed. Lectures are integrated with student-led discussions of relevant research papers. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Scientific Inquiry II, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 546: Marine Megafaunal Ecology: Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and Surrounding Waters
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 260 and CAS MA 213; or consent of instructor; enrollment in the Marine Semester.
    Marine macrofauna, from macrobenthos to whales, seals, seabirds, sharks, bony fishes, turtles, jellies, and us in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Sail on board the "Auk" and become a participant in the SBNMS research effort to understand life and living in the Gulf of Maine. Then, apply what we learn to marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management. Student research helps to invent the science of coupled human and natural systems, mines ecosystem insights for Sanctuary operations, and guides deployment of the new kid on the block: offshore renewable energy.
  • CAS BI 547: Marine Invertebrates of the New England Coast
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 107 and CAS BI 260; and admission to the Marine Semester.
    Explores the diversity of marine invertebrates, including body plans, feeding biology, reproductive strategies, and developmental programs. Field biodiversity surveys and laboratory studies on invertebrates from coastal New England habitats, especially salt marshes and coastal embayments. Part of the Marine Semester. Cannot be taken for credit in addition to CAS BI 569.
  • CAS BI 548: Marine Microbial Ecology: Exploring Marine Microbes through Microscopy
    Microorganisms are the most abundant form of life in the ocean. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a critical tool that uses sequencing to develop a deeper sense of specific microbe roles in an ecosystem. This project-based course weaves together scientific background, analytical tools, and data processing and analysis. Students gain insight into the complexity and importance of marine microbial communities. With lab-based FISH projects, students design and conduct an adaptive set of experiments. Through computational data analysis, students turn raw data into usable results.
  • CAS BI 550: Marine Genomics
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 108; or equivalent and enrollment in the Marine Semester.
    Covers the evolution of genomes, the architecture of gene networks, and the connection between genotype and phenotype in marine organisms, as well as the technical development of modern genomics. Student research projects utilize modern genomics experimental approaches. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • CAS BI 551: Biology of Stem Cells
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 203 or CAS BI 206; , or consent of instructor.
    Views on stem cell research range from assumptions of a potential cure for most diseases to fears that it will depreciate the value of human life. This course equips students with the science that underlies this discussion, including the biological properties of stem cells and the experimental hurdles to utilization in regenerative medicine.
  • CAS BI 552: Molecular Biology 1
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI203 or CASBI213) and (CASBI206 or CASBI216).
    Synthesis, structure, function, regulation of macromolecules (DNA, RNA, protein). Prokaryotic and eukaryotic molecular biology. Topics include: replication, repair, recombination, transcription, translation, 5-methylcytosine, transcription factors, DNA looping (enhancer- promoter, insulator, etc.), histone modification/chromatin remodeling, non-coding RNA. Discussion of genetic and recombinant DNA techniques, including CRISPR/Cas9.
  • CAS BI 553: Molecular Biology 2
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 552; (CAS BI/CH 421/422 recommended.)
    This course focuses on eukaryotic gene regulation. Course topics include genome organization and DNA rearrangement, RNA interference and noncoding RNAs, gene editing, mouse transgenic approaches, signal transduction pathways, chromatin structure, and cell cycle. Research articles will be discussed.
  • CAS BI 556: Drug Discovery in Neuroscience
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS NE 102 (or BI 108), CH 102, and strongly recommended NE/PS 333, or consent of instructor.
    The process of drug discovery is complex especially when a drug is intended to treat a neurological disease. This discussion-heavy course examines the specific challenges of modern neuroscience drug discovery, including: target selection, pharmacodynamics, animal models, and clinical trials. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Scientific Inquiry II, Creativity/Innovation.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Digital/Multimedia Expression
    • Creativity/Innovation

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