Biology

• 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 560: Systems Biology
  Examines critical components of systems biology, including design principles of biological systems (e.g., feedback, synergy, cooperativity), and the generation and analysis of large-scale datasets (e.g., protein- protein interaction, mRNA expression).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 579: Progress in Ecology, Behavior, Evolution, and Marine Biology 1
  Facilitates presentation and discussion of research ideas, preliminary data, and research progress by all graduate students in Ecology, Behavior, Evolution, and Marine Biology (EBE-MB). All EBE-MB graduate students are encouraged to participate every semester, but receive two credits toward the degree only once, for CAS BI 579 or for CAS BI 580.
• CAS BI 580: Progress in Ecology, Behavior, Evolution, and Marine Biology 2
  Facilitates presentation and discussion of research ideas, preliminary data, and research progress by all graduate students in Ecology, Behavior, Evolution, and Marine Biology (EBE-MB). All EBE-MB graduate students are encouraged to participate every semester, but receive two credits toward the degree only once, for CAS BI 579 or for CAS BI 580.
• 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.
• CAS BI 582: Seminar in Biology
  Informal discussion and student reports on subjects of current interest based on an intensive study of the literature. Topics vary.
• CAS BI 583: Seminar: Progress in Cell and Molecular Biology
  Facilitates presentation and discussion of research ideas, preliminary data, and research progress by all graduate students in Cell & Molecular Biology (CM). All CM graduate students are encouraged to participate every semester, but receive two credits toward the degree only once, for CAS BI 583 or for CAS BI 584.
• CAS BI 584: Seminar: Progress in Cell and Molecular Biology
  Facilitates presentation and discussion of research ideas, preliminary data, and research progress by all graduate students in Cell & Molecular Biology (CM). All CM graduate students are encouraged to participate every semester, but receive two credits toward the degree only once, for CAS BI 583 or for CAS BI 584.
• CAS BI 594: Topics in Neurobiology
  Examines contemporary topics in neurobiological research, drawing from recent literature. Students critically evaluate papers, assess the soundness of methods, distinguish correct from incorrect interpretations of data, and discuss the soundness of conclusions. Topic for Spring 2015: Channelopathies: When Ion Channels Go Bad. Also offered as CAS NE 594.
• CAS BI 599: Physiology of the Synapse (PER/Neuro)
  Structure, function, and composition of synapses in the nervous system. Topics include transmitter release and uptake, synaptogenesis and plasticity as a cellular basis for higher brain functions such as learning and memory. Emphasis on critical readings from primary literature. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion.
• GRS BI 607: Animal Behavior
  Ethological approach to animal behavior. Physiological, ontogenic, and phylogenic causes and adaptive significance of behavior are examined within an evolutionary framework, minimally including humans. Three hours lecture, three hours laboratory.
• GRS BI 610: Developmental Biology
  Comtemporary 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.
• GRS BI 611: Microbiome: Our Intimate Relationship with Microorganisms
  The microbial community - referred to as "microbiome" - that colonizes our body plays an important role in our health. Topics include (1) the human microbiome; and (2) fundamental aspects of the interactions between animals and the microorganisms that reside on them. Three hours lecture; one hour discussion.

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