Biology

The Department of Biology offers both the Master of Science (MS) and the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in four program areas: Ecology, Behavior & Evolution; Neurobiology; Cell & Molecular Biology; and Marine Biology. Each program area has unique strengths and suggested curricula. The department offers both MS and PhD degrees in Biology that emphasize independent research, as well as a nonresearch master’s degree. Biology faculty participate in several interdepartmental programs offering graduate degrees including Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry (MCBB); Graduate Program in Neuroscience; and Bioinformatics.

The Biology Department programs include faculty who perform research in the four program areas mentioned above. Specific faculty interests in Cell & Molecular Biology include cell signaling and gene regulation, systems biology, biochemistry, cancer biology, microbiology, developmental biology, genetics and genomics, immunology, metabolism, and physiology. Neurobiology faculty have research interests in cell and molecular neurobiology, neurophysiology, systems neurobiology, neurological diseases, and sensory neurobiology. Ecology, Behavior & Evolution and Marine Biology faculty specialize in animal behavior, tropical ecology, ecology and conservation biology, behavioral ecology and sociobiology, evolutionary genomics, molecular ecology and evolution, ecosystem ecology, and global change.

Further information on Department of Biology research can be found at bu.edu/biology/research.

The department’s research laboratories are located in three buildings along Cummington Mall. Teaching laboratories are located in the adjacent Metcalf Science Center. In addition, the department has extensive research facilities: an aquarium room for experimental work on fresh and saltwater fish; a Laboratory Animal Care Facility; and environmental chambers. Specialized equipment is available for confocal microscopy and a variety of biochemical, physiological, and genetic applications. Biology faculty and students also conduct field research at a variety of US and international sites.