Courses

• 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, mouse transgenics systems, signal transduction, chromatin structure, and cell cycle.
• 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 558: Coastal Biogeochemistry
  Examines coastal energy flow and nutrient cycling in the context of human impacts. Links between local and global scales are emphasized. Course is part of the Marine Semester and involves field and laboratory work. Also offered as CAS ES 558.
• 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 569: Tropical Marine Invertebrates
  Explores the diversity of marine invertebrates, including body plans, feeding biology, reproductive strategies, and developmental programs. Field biodiversity surveys and behavioral studies in shallow water tropical marine environments, especially seagrass beds and mangrove. Part of the Marine Semester. Cannot be taken for credit in addition to CAS BI 547.
• 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 576: Carcinogenesis
  Covers multiple aspects of cancer biology with a focus on molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression, and the implications for therapy. Topics include oncogenes, tumor suppressors, apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis, mouse models, and chemotherapy. Emphasis on current research.
• 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. Topic for Fall 2011: The Evolution of Animal Signals. Recent advances in understanding the evolution of animal signals through theoretical and empirical studies. See Biology website for additional information.
• 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 CC 101: Core Humanities I: The Ancient World
  Begins in the ancient Near East with the origins of Mesopotamian civilization and the Hebrew Bible. Continues with an overview of Greek civilization and careful study of Homer, Greek tragedy, Thucydides, and Plato.
• CAS CC 102: Core Humanities II: Antiquity and the Medieval World
  Focusing on ethical themes and questions from the Western and Eastern traditions, the course includes Aristotle, Confucius, Lao Tzu, the Bhagavad Gita, Epictetus, Vergil, the Gospels, and Dante. Chronologically, the course covers the late-classical period in Greece, the rise and fall of the Roman Empire, and the medieval world.
• CAS CC 105: Core Natural Science I: The Evolution of the Physical Universe and of the Earth
  Traces the evolution of the physical universe and our scientific understanding of it. Special classes devoted to dialogue among professors in the sciences, philosophy, and theology. Topics include Big Bang theory, evolution of the stars, laws of the physical universe, evolution of the earth, and planetary ecology. Laboratory work includes night labs in the observatory.
• CAS CC 106: Core Natural Science II: Biodiversity – Causes and Consequences
  Historical, conceptual, and factual study of the evolution of life, biodiversity, and the ethical and social questions raised by technology. Specific topics include the nature of the scientific enterprise, the fossil record, evolutionary biology, genetics, and the environment. Assignments include computer-based and experimental laboratory work.
• CAS CC 201: Core Humanities III: The Renaissance
  From the late Middle Ages through the burgeoning of Renaissance humanism to the baroque period. The origins of modern political and scientific thought and of the comic novel. The flowering of English poetry, Petrarch, Montaigne, Rabelais, Cervantes, Shakespeare, Descartes, and Milton, as well as the music of Bach and the art of Michelangelo.

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