Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular semester. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the Student Link for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

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  • CAS BI 191: Undergraduate Research in Biology I
    Research in biological science for students at the freshman level. Students design and implement a research project with a faculty member. Two-credit research does not carry major or minor credit in biology.
  • CAS BI 192: Undergraduate Research in Biology I
    Research in biological science for students at the freshman level. Students design and implement a research project with a faculty member. Two-credit research does not carry major or minor credit in biology.
  • CAS BI 194: Topics in Biology 1
    Not for Biology major or minor credit. Examines contemporary topics in the biological sciences. This course may be repeated for credit if the topic is different. Topic for Fall 2018: Human Genetics. Explores fundamental concepts of genetics and how current advances in the field are affecting our society. Emphasis on classical and molecular genetics, advances in genetic technologies, and social and ethical issues related to genetic testing. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Scientific Inquiry I.
    • Scientific Inquiry I
  • CAS BI 203: Cell Biology
    Principles of cellular organization and function: biological molecules, flow of genetic information, membranes and subcellular organelles, and cell regulation. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Students may receive credit for CAS BI 203 or 213, but not both courses. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Critical Thinking.
    • Scientific Inquiry I
    • Quantitative Reasoning I
    • Critical Thinking
  • CAS BI 206: Genetics
    Principles of classical, molecular, and evolutionary genetics derived from analytical, molecular, and whole genome cytological evidence in animals, plants, and microorganisms. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Students may receive credit for CAS BI 206 or 216, but not both courses. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking.
    • Historical Consciousness
    • Quantitative Reasoning II
    • Critical Thinking
  • CAS BI 210: Human Anatomy
    Intensive preprofessional course for students whose programs require anatomy. Not for biology major or minor credit. Gross structure of the human body; skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Three hours lecture, two hours lab (lab requires dissection). Carries natural science divisional credit (with lab) in CAS. Cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title formerly numbered CAS BI 106. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Digital/Multimedia Expression, Creativity/Innovation.
    • Scientific Inquiry I
    • Digital/Multimedia Expression
    • Creativity/Innovation
  • CAS BI 211: Human Physiology
    Some knowledge of chemistry and anatomy assumed. Not for biology major or minor credit; Biology majors/minors should take CAS BI 315. Introduction to principles of systemic mammalian physiology with special reference to humans. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Writing-Intensive Course, Critical Thinking, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Critical Thinking
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • CAS BI 213: Intensive Cell Biology
    Recommended for students in BMB and the Specialization in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology & Genetics. Alternative to CAS BI 203 emphasizing experimental approaches and in-depth discussion. Molecular basis of cell biology, including genomics, subcellular organelles, cell signaling, stem cells, and cancer. Students may receive credit for CAS BI 213 or 203, but not both courses. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Scientific Inquiry I
    • Quantitative Reasoning I
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 216: Intensive Genetics
    Advanced alternative to CAS BI 206, emphasizing depth of coverage, class discussion, and reading research papers. Principles of classical, molecular, and evolutionary genetics derived from analytical, molecular, and whole genome cytological evidence in animals, plants, and microorgansims. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Students may receive credit for CAS BI 216 or 206, but not both courses. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Quantitative Reasoning II, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Historical Consciousness
    • Quantitative Reasoning II
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 218: Cell Biology with Integrated Science Experience II Lab
    Integration of cell biology with organic chemistry and neuroscience, with emphasis on how each discipline interacts experimentally. Laboratory focuses on synthesizing compounds and testing in biological systems. 3 lecture hours, 1 discussion hour, 4 hours lab, 2 hour lab discussion. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Quantitative Reasoning II, Writing-Intensive Course, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Quantitative Reasoning II
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • CAS BI 225: Behavioral Biology
    (Seats reserved for Behavioral Biology majors; other students must receive consent of instructor. CAS BI 225 and CAS BI 407 cannot be taken concurrently and CAS BI 225 cannot be taken following completion of CAS BI 407.) Introduction to the genetics, physiology, neurobiology, ecology, and evolution of behavior. Topics include gene/environment interaction, hormones and behavior, neuroethology, communication, reproductive behavior, evolution of cooperation and altruism, cognition and brain evolution. Emphasis on integrative analysis.
  • CAS BI 230: Behavioral Endocrinology
    Hormonal control of reproductive behaviors and social affiliation, aggression, fluid homeostasis and feeding, biological rhythms including seasonal reproduction, stress, learning and memory, psychiatric illness, and steroid abuse. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Also offered as CAS NE 230. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Oral and/or Signed Communication, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Scientific Inquiry I
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • CAS BI 260: Marine Biology
    Life in the seas: its ecology, evolution, and human impacts. Includes behavioral, physiological, structural, ecological, and evolutionary perspectives. A prerequisite for the Marine Semester. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Effective Spring 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Critical Thinking, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Scientific Inquiry I
    • Critical Thinking
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 271: Reading in Biology II
    Library research on a well-defined topic in biological sciences, chosen in conjunction with a faculty member. Individual conferences and discussion with the faculty member are required as well as a paper presentation. Does not carry major or minor credit in biology.
  • CAS BI 272: Reading in Biology II
    Library research on a well-defined topic in biological sciences, chosen in conjunction with a faculty member. Individual conferences and discussion with the faculty member are required as well as a paper presentation. Does not carry major or minor credit in biology.
  • CAS BI 291: Undergraduate Research in Biology II
    Research in biological science for students at the sophomore level. Students design and implement a research project with a faculty member. Two-credit research does not carry major or minor credit in biology.
  • CAS BI 292: Undergraduate Research in Biology II
    Research in biological science for students at the sophomore level. Students design and implement a research project with a faculty member. Two-credit research does not carry major or minor credit in biology.
  • CAS BI 302: Vertebrate Zoology
    Methods and principles of comparative vertebrate zoology. Phylogeny, natural history, adaptation, and taxonomy. Laboratory emphasis on correlation among structural, physiological, and evolutionary features of selected vertebrates by both dissection and experimentation. Field trips. Two hours lecture, six hours lab. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Scientific Inquiry II, Critical Thinking.
    • Historical Consciousness
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Critical Thinking
  • CAS BI 303: Evolutionary Ecology
    Investigation of ecological processes and patterns at the individual, population, and community level. An evolutionary approach is emphasized. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. One research paper and one daylong field trip required. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Quantitative Reasoning II, Digital/Multimedia Expression.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Quantitative Reasoning II
    • Digital/Multimedia Expression
  • CAS BI 305: Plant Biology
    A basic introduction to the plant sciences, including plant structure and diversity; reproduction, growth, and development; and economic and medicinal uses. Emphasis on new developments in the plant sciences. Three hours lecture, three hours lab.

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