Boston University Department of Biology

400-Level Biology Courses

CAS BI 401 Senior Independent Work in Biology Prereq: senior standing, cumulative GPA in biology of at least 3.5, consent of instructor, and approval of application by department and College honors committees. Successful completion of the full 8-credit course may lead to a degree with distinction; all 8 credits count toward concentration credit. Laboratory or field research projects chosen under supervision of regular member of Department of Biology. Minimum of 12 hours per week in lab or fieldwork, not including preparation or evaluation time. Research topic must be defined at time of registration. Course grade determined by laboratory performance, written report, and oral presentation to the faculty. Staff 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 402 Senior Independent Work in Biology Prereq: senior standing, cumulative GPA in biology of at least 3.5, consent of instructor, and approval of application by department and College honors committees. Successful completion of the full 8-credit course may lead to a degree with distinction; all 8 credits count toward concentration credit. Laboratory or field research projects chosen under supervision of regular member of Department of Biology. Minimum of 12 hours per week in lab or fieldwork, not including preparation or evaluation time. Research topic must be defined at time of registration. Course grade determined by laboratory performance, written report, and oral presentation to the faculty. Staff 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 407 Animal Behavior (EBE) Prereq: CAS BI 107. Ethological approach to animal behavior; physiological, ontogenic, and phylogenic causes; and adaptive significance of behavior examined within an evolutionary framework, minimally including humans. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. Wasserman. 4 cr. 1st sem.

CAS BI 410 Cellular Aspects of Development and Differentiation (CM) Prereq: CAS BI 203 & CAS BI 206, or consent of instructor. Contemporary aspects of development, drawing from current literature. Emphasis on the use of experimental approaches to address topics such as polarity in the egg, body axis specification, embryonic patterning, and organogenesis. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Deshler, McCall. 4 cr. 1st sem.

CAS BI 414 Ornithology (EBE) Prereq: CAS BI 107. Examines the behavior, ecology and morphology, physiology, classification, and evolution of birds. Flight, navigation, migration, territorial courtship, nesting, and parental behavior. Field trips. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion and demonstrations. (Offered alternate years.) Wasserman. 4 cr. 2nd sem.

CAS BI 415 Biology of Mammals (EBE) Prereq: CAS BI 302 & CAS BI 310. Examines the behavior, ecology, morphology, distribution, physiology, systematics, conservation, and evolution of mammals. Research paper and one weekend field trip required. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. Kunz. 4 cr. 1st sem.

CAS BI 417 Lakes and Rivers Prereq: CAS BI 107 & CAS BI 108 & CAS PY 105 & CAS PY 106 & CAS CH 101 & CAS CH 102. Examines the interrelational and biological parameters that determine the function of lakes and rivers as ecosystems from an interdisciplinary perspective combining elements of geography, geology, hydrology, physics, chemistry, and biology. Theoretical and practical aspects are considered. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. Golubic. 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 421 Biochemistry I Prereq: CAS CH 204 or CAS CH 212 or CAS CH 214 or equivalent. Introductory biochemistry. Protein structure and folding enzyme mechanisms, kinetics, and allostery; nucleic acid structure; lipids and membrane structure; bioenergetics; vitamins and coenzymes; introduction to intermediary metabolism. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, four hours lab. Tolan. 4 cr. 1st sem.

CAS BI 422 Biochemistry II Prereq: CAS BI 421 or CAS CH 421, or equivalent. Cell metabolism, with special emphasis on the uptake of food materials, the integration and regulation of catabolic, anabolic, and anaplerotic routes, and the generation and utilization of energy. Lectures include consideration of events in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Three hours lecture, four hours lab, one hour discussion. Kornberg. 4 cr. 2nd sem.

CAS BI 423 Marine Biogeochemistry (EBE) Prereq: CAS CH 101 & CAS CH 102, or BUMP semester and CAS ES 144, or consent of instructor. Oceanic nutrient and biogeochemical cycling in the context of the marine response to global change. Links between local and global scales are emphasized. Topics include oceanic productivity, iron limitation, oceanic glacial carbon dioxide budget, biogenic particle fluxes, oceanic glacial-interglacial biogeochemistry. Murray. 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 425 General Endocrinology (PER/Neuro) Prereq: CAS BI 315 Chemical and physiological principles of hormonal integration in animals, emphasizing chemistry, biosynthesis, mechanisms of action, and homeostatic function of vertebrate hormones. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. I. Callard. 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 438 Tropical Montane Ecology Ecology of the montane zone of Ecuador including grassland, subalpine, and alpine scrub ecosystems. Examines the interrelationship of the flora and fauna of montane ecosystems, the exploitation of these environments for natural resources and agriculture, and the impending ecological consequences of such exploitation. Includes 15 hours of lecture presented during a two-week period, interspersed with several one- and two-day field trips to surrounding mountains. A total of two weeks is spent in the field. The field trips are dedicated to field activities and individual and group projects. Graduate credit may be awarded to full-time graduate students for conducting additional research projects to be assigned by the instructor. 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 439 Tropical Rainforest Ecology Ecology of the Ecuadorian rainforest including principles applied to the function of the tropical rainforest, using the Amazon basin as an example. Examines the interrelationship of the flora and fauna of the rainforest ecosystems, the exploitation of these environments for natural resources, and the impending ecological consequences of such exploitation. Includes 35 hours of lecture presented during a two-week period in Quito, followed by three weeks of intensive study in the Ecuadorian rainforest. Time in the field is dedicated to field activities, with exposure to different habitats and their respective flora and fauna. A series of directed individual research projects is completed in the field. Graduate credit may be awarded to full-time graduate students for conducting additional research projects to be assigned by the instructor. 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 440 Tropical Coastal Ecology Ecology of the coastal zone of Ecuador, including a survey of terrestrial and shallow marine ecosystems. Examines the interrelationship of the flora and fauna of coastal Ecuador, the exploitation of this environment for natural resources, and the impending ecological consequences of such exploitation. Includes 25 hours of lecture presented during a two-week period in Quito, followed by two weeks of intensive study along the coast of Ecuador. The field trips are dedicated to sampling and observation and both individual and group projects. Graduate credit may be awarded to full-time graduate students who conduct additional research projects to be assigned by the instructor. 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 441 Studies in Tropical Ecology Ecology of tropical Ecuador. A capstone course in tropical ecology that immediately follows the series of the three field-based courses: Tropical Rainforest Ecology, Tropical Montane Ecology, and Tropical Coastal Ecology. Focuses on the evaluation and statistical analysis of previous data collected in the field, extensive library research, and preparation of individual and group reports. Graduate credit may be awarded to full-time graduate students who conduct additional research projects to be assigned by the instructor. 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 442 Physiology and Biochemistry of Reproduction (PER/Neuro) Prereq: CAS BI 315 & CAS CH 204, or consent of instructor. Physiology and biochemistry of oogenesis, the ovarian cycle, and ovulation; spermatogenesis; and fertilization. Hormonal control of gametogenesis and gestation. Biochemistry of accessory sex glands; fertility and sterility; parturition and lactation; population and birth control. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. (Offered alternate years.) I. Callard. 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 443 Terrestrial Biogeochemistry Prereq: CAS BI 107 or CAS ES 101 or CAS ES 105 and CH 101/102, or consent of instructor. The patterns and processes controlling carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Links between local and global scales are emphasized. Topics include net primary production, nutrient use efficiency, and biogeochemical transformation. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Finzi. 4 cr. 1st sem.

CAS BI 444 Neuroethology (NEU) Prereq: CAS BI 325 or either CAS BI 201 or CAS NE 201, consent of instructor. Cellular and molecular basis of behavior, with emphasis on functional physiology of neurons, interactions among neurons, and the organization of sensory-motor systems. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Yamaguchi 4 cr. 1st sem.

CAS BI 445 Cellular and Molecular Neurophysiology (PER/Neuro) Prereq: CAS BI 203 & CAS BI 315, or either CAS BI 201 or CAS NE 201, consent of instructor. Cellular and molecular basis of neural excitability and synaptic transmission. The molecular understanding at the cellular level is extrapolated to higher brain functions such as learning, memory, and sleep. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. 4 cr. 1st sem.

CAS BI 446 Biology of the Cell Cycle (CM) Prereq: CAS BI 203 & CAS BI 206. Temporal organization and regulation of cellular function. Includes theory and analysis of methodologies applicable to cell proliferation, cell synchrony, molecular genetics, biochemistry, and physiology of cell cycle phases. Emphasis on the molecular regulation of growth and differentiation in eukaryotic organisms, from yeast to humans. Readings in original research literature. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Monette. 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 448 Biodiversity and Conservation Biology (EBE) Prereq: CAS BI 303 or CAS BI 306, or consent of instructor. The study of biological diversity and modern methods to protect endangered plant and animal species. The environment, population, and genetic and human factors that affect the survival of species are examined for temperate and tropical communities, as well as terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Primack. 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 455 Developmental Neurobiology (PER/Neuro or CM) Prereq: CAS BI 203 & CAS BI 325, or consent of instructor. Fundamental principles of developmental neurobiology, stressing molecular mechanisms that underlie early neural development, differentiation, process outgrowth, and behavior. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. 4 cr. 2nd sem.

CAS BI 461 Marine Mammals (EBE) Prereq: WHMS Core and consent of instructor and director. Familiarizes students with marine mammal biology, including anatomy, physiology, population biology and communication, and fisheries conservation and policy. Guest lecturers expose students to current research and different techniques of quantitative observation. Involves labs, dissections, and field trips. Taught at Woods Hole. Ward. 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 468 Marine Microbial Ecology (EBE) Prereq: WHMS Core and consent of instructor and director; CAS BI 306, BI 311, or BI 466 recommended. Survey of the diversity of marine bacteria, algae, protozoa, fungi, and metazoa. Focus on fundamental role of their communities in the flow of materials and energy through aquatic ecosystems from Arctic to deep sea vents. Laboratory exercises examine the theory and application of methodological advances in the area of field microbial ecology. 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 471 Readings in Biology Prereq: junior or senior standing, cumulative GPA in biology of at least 3.0, and consent of instructor. Intensive library research on a well-defined subject, followed by individual conferences and discussion with a faculty member. May be taken as preparation for CAS BI 401, 402, 491, and 492. Does not carry concentration credit in biology. 2 cr. 1st sem.

CAS BI 472 Readings in Biology Prereq: junior or senior standing, cumulative GPA in biology of at least 3.0, and consent of instructor. Intensive library research on a well-defined subject, followed by individual conferences and discussion with a faculty member. May be taken as preparation for CAS BI 401, 402, 491, and 492. Does not carry concentration credit in biology. 2 cr. 2nd sem.

CAS BI 473 Variety in Life: Aquatic Diversity (EBE) Prereq: WHMS Core or consent of instructor and director. Introduction to the patterns of structural and functional variation among aquatic organisms and communities. Preparation for more specialized courses in organism biology through appreciating patterns of biological diversity, analysis of responsible forces, and study of human activities that influence these forces. Kaufman. 4 cr. 1st sem.

CAS BI 478 Experimental Marine Biology Prereq: WHMS Core, successful completion of one WHMS course, and consent of instructor and director. Offers an opportunity for students to conduct individual research projects in marine biology. Students present their scientific results in a symposium. Lectures concentrate on experimental design, presentation of results, and ethics of science. 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 479 Physical Oceanography (EBE) Prereq: WHMS Core or consent of instructor and director. World ocean flows and their physics are presented. Familiarity with ocean data and understanding of the physical balances, simplified dynamical models, and the influence of oceanic flows on biota are emphasized. Designed for marine biologists, the course aims to prepare them for individual pursuit of advanced treatments. 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 481 Molecular Biology of the Neuron Prereq: CAS BI 203. The study of interactions between neurotransmitters and receptors in the nervous system. Topics include electrical properties of neurons, a survey of neurotransmitters, molecular structure and function of receptors, synaptic transmission, intracellular signaling, and the molecular biology of sensory transduction. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Tsunoda. 4 cr. either sem.

CAS BI 485 Protists as Cells and Organisms Prereq: CAS BI 203 & CAS BI 206. Free-living, symbiotic, and pathogenic unicellular eukaryotes: their taxonomy, distribution, structure, reproduction, life-cycles, metabolism, feeding, development, physiology, behavior, and use as experimental models in cell biology. Three hours lecture, with discussions. Tamm. 4 cr. 2nd sem.

CAS BI 486 Biological Design for Sustainable Development (EBE) Prereq: CAS BI 107, one EBE (ecology, behavior, and evolution) course numbered CAS BI 260 or higher. Study of biological constraints on the problem of human society’s relationship with the ecosystems, terrestrial and marine, that sustain it. Case studies combining natural history, ecological theory, dynamical modeling, and experimental design in the search for workable solutions. Kaufman. 4 cr. 2nd sem.

CAS BI 491 Undergraduate Research in Biology IV Prereq: consent of instructor. Research in biological science for students at the senior level. Students design and implement a research project with a faculty member. A minimum of 12 hours per week in lab or field work, not including preparation or evaluation time. Research topic must be defined at the time of registration. Course grade is determined by laboratory performance and written report. Staff. Var cr. 1st sem.

CAS BI 492 Undergraduate Research in Biology IV Prereq: consent of instructor. Research in biological science for students at the senior level. Students design and implement a research project with a faculty member. A minimum of 12 hours per week in lab or field work, not including preparation or evaluation time. Research topic must be defined at the time of registration. Course grade is to be determined by laboratory performance and written report. 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.