100-Level Biology Courses
*†CAS BI 105 Introductory Biology for Health Sciences Students may not receive credit for BI 105 if BI 108 has already been taken. Provides students with an introduction to theoretical and factual bases required for careers in the health and paramedical sciences. Principles of biology; emphasis on cellular structure, heredity, microbiology, development, biochemistry, metabolism, and immunology. Three hours lecture, two hours lab. Godrick. 4 cr. either sem.
*†CAS BI 106 Human Anatomy Prereq: CAS BI 105 or equivalent. Intensive preprofessional course for students whose programs require anatomy. Not for biology concentration credit. Gross structure of the human body; skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Three hours lecture, two hours lab (lab requires dissection). Patt. 4 cr. 2nd sem.
†CAS BI 107 Biology I For students who plan to concentrate in the natural sciences or environmental science, and for premedical students. Required for biology concentrators. No prerequisite. High school biology is assumed. Evolution, ecology, and behavior. The evolution and diversity of life; principles of ecology; behavioral biology. Three hours lecture, three hours lab including several weekend field studies. Schneider, Sorenson, Traniello, Wasserman. 4 cr. 1st sem.
†CAS BI 108 Biology II For students who plan to concentrate in the natural sciences (including BMB) and for premedical students. Required for biology concentrators. It is highly recommended that students take CAS CH 101 before this course. High school biology is assumed. Cell and molecular biology, molecular genetics, physiology, and neurobiology. The molecular, biochemical, and cellular basis of life. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. 4 cr. either sem.
*†CAS BI 111 Brain, Hormones, and Behavior Not for concentration credit. Brain-hormone interactions in the expression of behavior and control of the endocrine system, including sex hormones and reproduction; brain sex; stress and aging; growth and development; nutrition and metabolism; biorhythms, differentiation, and immunity and disease resistance. Relevance to the human condition through observations and experiments in animals; scientific methods of study. G. Callard. 4 cr. either sem.
*†CAS BI 114 Human Infectious Diseases: AIDS to Tuberculosis A study of the world’s major human diseases, their causes, effects on history, pathology, and cures. Principles of immunology. Emphasis on present maladies such as AIDS, herpes, cancer, mononucleosis, tuberculosis, influenza, and hepatitis. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. Godrick. 4 cr. either sem.
*†CAS BI 117 Global Ecology Not intended for biology concentration credit. Principles of ecology and natural resource conservation as related to modern environmental problems and global environmental change. Topics include conservation biology and the maintenance of diversity; the structure of biotic communities; nutrient cycling; global warming; and eutrophication. Zook. 4 cr. either sem.
†CAS BI 118 Biology II (Honors) Prereq: CAS CH 101 (or equivalent), AP Biology score of 4 or 5 (or equivalent), and consent of instructor. Alternative to BI 108 for well-prepared students. Selected topics in introductory molecular and cell biology, physiology, and neurobiology are covered in greater depth, with emphasis on experimental strategies and critical evaluation. Early laboratory sessions focus on methods; later project laboratory emphasizes inquiry-based learning. Jacobson, Tamm, Dionne. 4 cr. 2nd sem.
*†CAS BI 119 Sociobiology Designed for non-science concentrators to fulfill natural science divisional requirements. The evolution of animal societies; the development of social behavior; the adaptive significance of social organization; altruism; cooperation; courtship and reproductive behavior; human sociobiology; evolutionary psychology; religion and the impact of evolutionary theory on social thought and philosophy. Three hours lecture plus discussion. Traniello. 4 cr. either sem.
CAS BI 171 Reading in Biology I Prereq: freshman standing, consent of instructor, and completed application. Library research on a well-defined topic in biological sciences, chosen in conjunction with a faculty member. Individual conferences and discussion with the faculty member are required as well as a paper presentation. Does not carry concentration credit in biology. Staff. 2 cr. 1st sem.
CAS BI 172 Reading in Biology I Prereq: freshman standing, consent of instructor, and completed application. Library research on a well-defined topic in biological sciences, chosen in conjunction with a faculty member. Individual conferences and discussion with the faculty member are required as well as a paper presentation. Does not carry concentration credit in biology. Staff. 2 cr. 2nd sem.
CAS BI 191 Undergraduate Research in Biology I Prereq: consent of instructor. Research in biological science for students at the freshman level. Students design and implement a research project with a faculty member. Staff. 2 cr. 1st sem.
CAS BI 192 Undergraduate Research in Biology I Prereq: consent of instructor. Research in biological science for students at the freshman level. Students design and implement a research project with a faculty member. Staff. 2 cr. 2nd sem.
Courses marked with a cross (†) satisfy natural sciences divisional studies requirements. An asterisk (*) indicates that the course does not count toward concentration credit in biology.
Our Undergrads
Erin McDougal works in Professor Jelle Atema's laboratory studying female American lobster mating preferences for healthy versus shell-diseased males.
Florencia Rago, a Biochemistry & Molecular Biology major, works with Dean Tolan on enzyme protein structure and function. She is a Beckman Scholar supported by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation.
Verity Salmon is a senior who currently works in Professor Adrien Finzi's lab. Her project examines the role of tannins in soil nutrient cycling,
Peter Stetson works with Professors Phil Lobel and Les Kaufman on coral reef mapping technologies in Belize.
Beth Cimini works in Professor William Eldred’s laboratory on signaling pathways involving the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the retina.