Undergraduate Biology Program

Undergraduate Researchers

Beth Cimini works in Prof. William Eldred's laboratory on signaling pathways involving the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the retina. She is a Beckman Scholar supported by the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation. Boston University was one of only 14 institutions nationwide to receive Beckman Scholar funding in 2005.

Jessica Rogge works in Prof. Karen Warkentin's laboratory on red-eyed tree frogs. Here, she is examining an egg and embryo. Her research is supported by UROP.

Each year, approximately 100 Biology undergraduates work in faculty research laboratories. For profiles of other undergraduate researchers, click here.

The Department of Biology provides its students with both a breadth of understanding in biology and an opportunity to explore many specialized areas in greater depth. The required courses in the concentration establish a core of fundamental knowledge in biological and related sciences. Students then build on this foundation through a variety of lecture, laboratory, field, and seminar courses that explore areas within biology from the basic level to current research topics. The development of laboratory and field skills is encouraged through coursework and participation in the department's extensive research activities (see courses, CAS BI 191, 192, 291, 292, 391, 392, 401, 402, 491, 492). The BA in biology prepares students for employment as well as for professional training in research, medicine, education, government, and industry.

The department's research laboratories are located at 2, 5, and 24 Cummington Street on the Charles River Campus. Teaching laboratories are located in the adjacent Metcalf Science Center. The biology teaching laboratories and associated support facilities (animal quarters; prep rooms; warm, cold, and environmental rooms) are among the finest undergraduate facilities at Boston University. Also part of the immediate environment are the Academic Computing Center, the Science and Engineering Library, and proximity to the chemistry and physics departments.

In addition to teaching facilities and the Science and Engineering Library at 38 Cummington Street, the department has extensive research facilities. Special features include an aquarium room for experimental work on fresh- and saltwater organisms, modern animal care facilities, and environmental chambers. Specialized modern equipment is available for electron and confocal microscopy, tissue culture, automated DNA sequencing, and a variety of behavioral, biochemical, physiological, and genetic applications. Field study is facilitated by easy access to the 900-acre Sargent Camp facilities in Peterborough, New Hampshire.

The specialization in marine science, detailed below, offers training and research with the Boston University Marine Program (BUMP). The fall semester of the junior or senior year is devoted to the Marine Semester which takes full advantage of the facilities. Further information on this and other biology programs is given below.

Concentration in Biology

The concentration requirements for biology include nine courses in the department and a number of related science courses. Following two prerequisite semesters of Introductory Biology (CAS BI 107 and 108), students select one course from each of the following areas: CAS BI 315 or 325 to fulfill the breadth requirement in physiology, endocrinology, and neurobiology (PER/Neuro); CAS BI 203 or 206 to fulfill the requirement in cell and molecular biology (CM); CAS BI 260 or 303 or 306 or 407 or 504 to fulfill the requirement in ecology, behavior, and evolution (EBE). Of the seven courses taken beyond CAS BI 107 and 108, five must be taken in the department, at least three courses must be at the 300-500 level, and three must have a laboratory or field component. A grade of C or higher is required for concentration credit in all of the following: biology courses numbered 191 or higher, required related courses, and recommended related courses. Course recommendations for specific programs are available from the student's advisor.

Required Related Science Courses

Two courses in mathematics or in mathematics and computer science: CAS MA 121 and 122; or MA 123 and 124; or MA 213 and 214; or CAS CS 111 and any one of CAS MA 121, 122, 123, 124, 127, 129, 213, 214; or a combination from among the MA courses listed here of one course in calculus and one in statistics. Two courses in physics: CAS PY 105, 106 (or 211, 212 or PY 241, 242).

Prerequisite and Co-requisite Chemistry Courses

Three courses in chemistry are prerequisite or co-requisite for the biology concentration: CAS CH 101, 102 (or 111, 112) and CH 203 (or 211); or CAS CH 171, 172, and 273. CAS CH 101, 102 (or 171, 172) should be taken concurrently with CAS BI 107, 108. CAS CH 203 (or 211 or 273) is co-requisite for BI 203 and a prerequisite for BI 206.

Recommended Related Courses

The following related courses may be credited toward the concentration: CAS BB 522; CAS CH 421, 422; CAS ES 452; SAR HS 251, 369, 370; and CAS PS 337.

Advanced Placement (AP)

A student with an AP examination score of 5 may receive 8 credits and place out of either BI 107 and BI 108 or BI 105 and BI 107. A score of 4 on the Advanced Placement examination allows 4 credits (for BI 105, BI 107, or BI 108), at the student's discretion. Advanced placement decisions should be made in consultation with a biology advisor.

Premedical Students

Premedical students concentrating in biology should discuss premedical requirements with their advisors or with the Premedical Advising Office (CAS Room B2) as early as possible.

Modular Medical Program

Juniors and seniors in good standing, with the prerequisites and approval from the CAS Premedical Advising Office, may register for certain courses that have been developed for the Modular Medical Integrated Curriculum (MMEDIC). This program has been designed by the College of Arts and Sciences and the School of Medicine faculties to satisfy certain preclinical School of Medicine requirements. Those interested in early admission to the Boston University School of Medicine through the MMEDIC Program should apply in CAS Room B2 in the second semester of their sophomore year.

The following courses may count toward credit for the biology concentration: GRS BI 751, MED ME 500 (unless CAS BI 406 has been taken previously), MED ME 511, 518, and 542 (only for students enrolled in the MMEDIC program), and MED ME 555 and 556. Other courses in the MMEDIC program can count toward distribution credit for the College of Arts and Sciences.

Note: Students enrolled in the MMEDIC program may petition for up to three MMEDIC courses to be accepted for biology concentration credit. MMEDIC students must take a minimum of four courses beyond the introductory level in the Department of Biology in order to fulfill their department residency requirement. Biology concentrators not enrolled in the MMEDIC program may count no more than two MMEDIC courses toward biology concentration credit.

Transfer Students Entering with Advanced Standing

Transfer Students Entering with Advanced Standing must take at least five principal courses beyond the introductory level in the Department of Biology to satisfy residency and concentration requirements listed above.

Concentration in Biology with Specialization in Ecology and Conservation Biology

The requirements for this specialization include 12 courses in biology, with an emphasis on coursework in the Evolution, Behavior, and Ecology division of the Department of Biology. A grade not lower than C in principal and required related courses is required for the concentration and the SECB program. CAS BI 107 and 108 are prerequisites for the concentration.

Principal Courses The concentration requires 10 principal courses. Those must include BI 206, BI 303, and BI 448. Of the seven additional principal courses, six may be selected from the following: CAS BI 260, BI 301, BI 302, BI 305, BI 306, BI 407, BI 413, BI 414, BI 415, BI 417, BI 423, BI 465, BI 468, BI 473, BI 474, BI 477, BI 479, BI 501, BI 504, BI 506, BI 508, BI 512, BI 518, BI 526, BI 529, BI 531, and BI 532; one course, BI 315 or BI 325, must be taken from the PER/Neuro group in biology. Three of these seven additional principal courses must have a lab or field component, and at least three must be at the 300 - 500 level.

Up to four courses from the Program in Tropical Ecology are acceptable for the SECB degree: CAS BI/EE 438, BI/EE 439, BI/EE 440, and BI/EE 441.

Prerequisite and Co-requisite Chemistry Courses CAS CH 101, 102 (or 111, 112) and CH 203 (or 211); or CAS CH 171, 172, and 273 are prerequisite and co-requisite courses as detailed in the Concentration in Biology section.

Required Related Science Courses Two courses in mathematics or in mathematics and computer science: CAS MA 121 and 122, or MA 123 and 124, or MA 213 and 214; or CAS CS 111 and any one of CAS MA 121, 122, 123, 124, 127, 129, 213, 214; or a combination from among the MA courses listed here of one course in calculus and one in statistics. Two courses in physics: CAS PY 105, 106; or 211, 212.

Undergraduate Research Options CAS BI 191 and 192, BI 291 and 292, BI 391 and 392, BI 401 and 402 or BI 491 and 492 may count for eight concentration credits, and as one laboratory or field course.

Recommended Courses in Applied Environmental Science and Policy The following courses may be taken in addition to the prescribed 12 principal courses: CAS EE 275, EE 320, EE 425, EE 430, EE 504, EE 510, EE 511; CAS GG 302, GG 365, GG 448.

For more information on this specialization and specific degree requirements, visit the CECB website at http://www.bu.edu/cecb.

Concentration in Biology with Specialization in Marine Science

The concentration requirements for the Marine Science specialization include 12 biology courses and a number of related science courses. A grade not lower than C is required in all principal, required related, and recommended related courses to receive concentration credit. For more information contact the marine science advisor, Professor Kaufman (lesk@bu.edu).

Prerequisite Courses CAS BI 107, 108, and 260.

Principal Courses Nine additional biology courses including (1) at least one course from each of the following areas: CAS BI 315 or 325 to fulfill the requirement in physiology, endocrinology, and neurobiology (PER/Neuro), CAS BI 203 or 206 to fulfill the requirement in cell and molecular biology (CM), and CAS B1 303, 305, 306, 407, or 504 to fulfill the requirement in ecology, behavior, and evolution (EBE), (2) two elective biology courses, and (3) four biology courses taken as part of the Marine Semester. The courses taken as part of the Marine Semester satisfy the laboratory and 300-to-500-level course requirements of the biology concentration.

Required Related Science Courses Two courses in mathematics: CAS MA 213 and one additional course from among CAS MA 121, 122, 123, 124, 127, 129, and 214. Two courses in physics: CAS PY 105, 106; or PY 211, 212; or PY 241, 242.

Recommended Related Courses CAS BI 421 and CAS CH 204 are strongly recommended in addition to courses in earth sciences, oceanography, or marine resources. For other related courses, contact the marine science advisor.

Marine Semester Core Requirements Students seeking admission to the Marine Semester must have an overall GPA of 2.7 and must have completed the following courses: CAS BI 107, BI 108, BI 260, CH 101, CH 102, and MA 213, or equivalents. It is recommended, but not required, that students also complete the following CAS courses before attending the Marine Semester: BI 203, BI 315, CH 203, CH 204, MA 212 or 123, PY 105, and PY 106.

For further information and specific degree requirements, contact Professor Kaufman (lesk@bu.edu), marine science advisor, at (617)353-2429.

Concentration in Biology with a Specialization in Neuroscience

The requirements for this specialization include 12 biology courses with an emphasis in the neurosciences, and seven related science courses . A grade no lower than C- is required for concentration credit in required core biology, principal, and related science courses; students must maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 in their required core biology and principal courses. Consult the Boston University Undergraduate Bulletin for more information and specific degree requirements.

Tropical Ecology Program in Ecuador

The Division of International Programs and the Center for Ecology and Conservation Biology at Boston University operate a Program in Tropical Ecology in collaboration with the Universidad San Francisco de Quito in Ecuador. Designed specifically for biology and environmental science concentrators, the program provides a unique semester-long, eighteen-credit program for students to study the ecology of tropical Ecuador through intensive field-based experiences. Students live at different field stations during the semester, including one month at the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon rainforest, two weeks on the Pacific coast, and one week on the Galapagos Islands. Students take a three-week Spanish and Culture course at the beginning of the semester and live with Ecuadorian families in Quito when not in the field. The four ecology courses are taught in English. Students should contact the Division of International Programs or the Center for Ecology and Conservation Biology for more information.

Minor Concentration in Biology

A minor concentration in biology consists of five courses, including CAS BI 107, 108 and three additional courses approved for concentration credit. Students must receive a grade of C or higher in all five courses taken toward a minor concentration, and at least three of these courses must be taken in the Department of Biology at Boston University.

BA/MA Program in Biotechnology

Consult the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology web site for more information on the BA/MA Program in Biotechnology.