300-Level Biology Courses
CAS BI 301 Invertebrate Zoology (EBE) Prereq: CAS BI 107. Morphology, physiology, ecology, and evolution of invertebrate animals, from the closest relatives of the vertebrates to the origins of the animal kingdom. Field trips, three hours lecture, three hours lab. Finnerty. 4 cr. 1st sem.
CAS BI 302 Vertebrate Zoology (EBE) Prereq: CAS BI 107. Methods and principles of comparative vertebrate zoology. Phylogeny, natural history, adaptation, and taxonomy. Laboratory emphasis on correlation among structural, physiological, and evolutionary features of selected vertebrates by both dissection and experimentation. Field trips. Two hours lecture, six hours lab. Wasserman. 4 cr. 2nd sem.
CAS BI 303 Evolutionary Ecology (EBE) Prereq: CAS BI 107, CAS BI 206 recommended. Investigation of ecological processes and patterns at the individual, population, and community level. An evolutionary approach is emphasized. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. One research paper and one daylong field trip required. Kunz, Finzi. 4 cr. either sem.
CAS BI 304 Principles of Morphogenesis (PER/Neuro) Prereq: CAS BI 107 & CAS BI 108, or equivalent. CAS BI 203 or BI 206 recommended. Principles of differentiation and development of the body systems of animals, with emphasis on vertebrates. The relationships of morphology to gene function and physiology are stressed. Three hours lecture, two hours lab. Patt. 4 cr. 2nd sem.
CAS BI 305 Plant Biology (EBE) Prereq: CAS BI 107 & CAS BI 108. A basic introduction to the plant sciences, including plant structure and diversity; reproduction, growth, and development; and economic and medicinal uses. Emphasis on new developments in the plant sciences. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. Primack. 4 cr. either sem.
CAS BI 306 Biology of Global Change (EBE) Prereq: CAS BI 107 and CAS CH 101 or CH 171. Coreq: CAS CH 101. The ecological impacts of human activity on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Climate change, forest decline, eutrophication, acidification, loss of species diversity, and restoration of ecosystems. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. Templer. 4 cr. either sem.
CAS BI 307 Biogeography Prereq: CAS BI 107 & CAS GE 101. Examines the spatial distribution of plants and animals from historical, ecological, and analytical perspectives. Environmental and human influences on species distribution, abundance, and diversity are considered, as are changes resulting from past and projected climate change. Also offered as CAS GE 307. 4 cr. On Demand
CAS BI 308 Genetics Laboratory (CM) Prereq: CAS BI 203 & CAS BI 206, senior standing, and consent of instructor. Classical and molecular genetic techniques such as mutant selection and screening, complementation, mapping, and cloning are taught using the genetic model systems Escherichia coli, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Arabidopsis thaliana. Short-term and long-term projects in which students formulate and test hypotheses. Six hours lab. Celenza. 4 cr. On Demand
CAS BI 309 Evolution Prereq:(CASBI107 & CASBI108) or equivalent. Introduction to modern concepts, controversies, and analytical approaches in evolutionary biology. Topics include adaptation, natural and sexual selection, species and speciation, phylogenetics, comparative analysis, basic population and quantitative genetics, origin of novelty, adaptive radiation, development and evolution. 4 cr. On Demand
CAS BI 310 Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy (PER/Neuro) Prereq: CAS BI 107 & CAS BI 108, or equivalent. Comparative analysis of structural and functional anatomy of vertebrates. Three hours lecture, four hours lab. Patt. 4 cr. 1st sem.
CAS BI 311 General Microbiology (CM) Prereq: CAS BI 203 & CAS BI 206, or consent of instructor. Biology of bacteria and related microorganisms; morphology, physiology, genetics, ecology, and control. Brief introduction to pathogenicity and host reactions. Three hours lecture, four hours lab. Golubic. 4 cr. 2nd sem.
CAS BI 315 Systems Physiology (PER/Neuro) Prereq: CAS BI 108, or CAS BI 109, or CAS BI 118 & CAS CH 101 & CAS CH 102, or equivalent. An introduction to physiological principles applied across all levels of organization (cell, tissue, organ system). Intended to prepare the student for more advanced courses in physiology. Topics include homeostasis and neural, muscle, cardiopulmonary, renal, endocrine, and metabolic physiology. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. Cook, Naya, Widmaier. 4 cr. either sem.
CAS BI 316 Quantitative Biology Seminar Prereq: junior standing in Quantitative Biology specialization, or consent ofinstructor. A forum for students interested in the application of quantitative methods in the biological sciences. Topics vary widely depending on the research interests and activities of speakers. 2 cr. On Demand.
CAS BI 325 Principles of Neuroscience (PER/Neuro) Prereq: CAS BI 203, or consent of instructor. Fundamentals of the nervous system, emphasizing synaptic transmission; hierarchical organization; autonomic nervous system; mechanisms of sensory perception; reflexes and motor function; biorhythms; and neural mechanisms of feeding, mating, learning, and memory. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Dionne. 4 cr. either sem.
CAS BI 371 Reading in Biology III Prereq: junior 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 paper presentation. Does not carry concentration credit in biology. Staff. 2 cr. 1st sem.
CAS BI 372 Reading in Biology III Prereq: junior 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 paper presentation. Does not carry concentration credit in biology. Staff. 2 cr. 2nd sem.
CAS BI 385 Immunology Prereq: CAS BI 203 and BI 206 and junior standing. The constituents and regulation of mammalian immune systems are described at the levels of the gene, protein, and cell. Topics include nonspecific, T cell and B cell recognition and responses, genetics of immune receptors, inflammation, tolerance, memory, and evolution and manipulation of defense systems. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Godrick. 4 cr. 2nd sem.
CAS BI 391 Undergraduate Research in Biology III Prereq: consent of instructor. Research in biological science for students at the junior level. Students design and implement a research project with a faculty member. Staff. Var cr. 1st sem.
CAS BI 392 Undergraduate Research in Biology III Prereq: consent of instructor. Research in biological science for students at the junior level. Students design and implement a research project with a faculty member. Staff. Var 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.