Courses

• CAS BI 546: Marine Megafaunal Ecology: Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and Surrounding Waters
  Marine macrofauna: whales, seals, seabirds, fishes, turtles, jellies, and people in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Evolution, food webs, and distributional ecology; physical and human influences on foraging and movement behavior. Student research builds ecosystem-based science for Sanctuary management.
• CAS BI 547: Marine Invertebrates: Natural History and Molecular Phylogeny
  Lecture and laboratory course which examines the origin and evolution of marine invertebrates using traditional methods based largely on anatomical and ecological criteria, as well as the latest molecular methods. Taught at Woods Hole.
• CAS BI 549: Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution (EBE)
  Methods and applications of phylogenetic analysis with emphasis on molecular data. Tree-building algorithms and associated methods of hypothesis testing. Application of phylogenetic analysis in systematics, molecular evolution, comparative biology, and other fields. Three hours lecture, two hours discussion/computer lab.
• CAS BI 551: Biology of Stem Cells
  Views on stem cell research range from assumptions of a potential cure for most diseases to fears that it will depreciate the value of human life. This course equips students with the science that underlies this discussion, including the biological properties of stem cells and the experimental hurdles to utilization in regenerative medicine.
• CAS BI 552: Molecular Biology I (CM)
  Synthesis, structure, and function of biologically important macromolecules (DNA, RNA, and proteins). Regulation and control of the synthesis of RNA and proteins. Introduction to molecular biology of eukaryotes. Discussion of molecular biological techniques, including genetics and recombinant DNA techniques. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion.
• CAS BI 553: Molecular Biology II (CM)
  Continuation of CAS BI 552 with emphasis on eukaryotes. General areas of focus include genome organization, mechanisms of gene regulation, and cell signaling. Topics including genomics, chromatin structure, cell cycle, mouse transgenics systems, signal transduction, and apoptosis.
• CAS BI 554: Neuroendocrinology (PER/Neuro)
  Studies how the two major integrative organ systems of animals, the endocrine and the nervous systems, interact to control physiological and behavioral aspects of reproduction, development, growth, biological rhythms, and homeostasis. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion.
• CAS BI 556: Membrane Biochemistry and Cell Signaling (CM)
  Structure and biosynthesis of membrane proteins and lipids, regulation of cholesterol homeostasis, protein prenylation and fatty acylation, receptor-mediated endocytosis, protein trafficking, and cell signaling. Critical readings of research publications employing modern techniques of biochemistry, cell biology, and molecular biology to study the structure and function of biological membranes. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion.
• CAS BI 557: Biological Transport Mechanisms
  A survey of transmembrane and intracellular transport mechanisms and their regulation. Relationships of transport physiology, metabolism, and energetics. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion.
• CAS BI 563: Sensory Biology of Aquatic Animals
  Underwater signals, physics of signal transmission, receptors, sense organs, animal behavior. Focus on student-generated research projects: design, animal care, data collection, analysis and presentation. A one-month block course in the BU Marine Semester.
• CAS BI 572: Advanced Genetics
  An in-depth study of eukaryotic genetics, ranging from the history and basic principles to current topics and modern experimental approaches. Genetics of Drosophila, C. elegans, mice, and humans are explored in detail, including readings from primary literature. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion.
• CAS BI 578: Marine Geographic Information Science
  Introduction to marine geographic information systems and spatial analysis for conservation, management, and marine landscape ecology. Comparative examples from Gulf of Maine and tropics. Solve problems in coastal zoning and marine park design, whale and coral reef conservation. Also offered as CAS GE 578.
• CAS BI 581: Seminar in Biology
  Informal discussion and student reports on subjects of current interest based on an intensive study of the literature. Topics vary. List of approved seminars available at preregistration each semester.
• CAS BI 582: Seminar in Biology
  concentrating in biology. Informal discussion and student reports on subjects of current interest based on an intensive study of the literature. Topics vary. List of approved seminars available at preregistration each semester.
• CAS BI 583: Seminar: Progress in Cell and Molecular Biology
  
• CAS BI 584: Seminar: Progress in Cell and Molecular Biology
  
• CAS BI 585: Seminar: Progress in Physiology, Endocrinology, and Neurobiology
  
• CAS BI 586: Seminar: Progress in Physiology, Endocrinology, and Neurobiology
  
• CAS BI 589: Seminar: Progress in Marine Science
  
• CAS BI 590: Seminar: Progress in Marine Science
  

Note that this information may change at any time.

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