Biology

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  • 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 281: Fundamentals of Biology 1
    Limited to seven-year medical students. 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, three hours lab. 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 282: Fundamentals of Biology 2
    Limited to seven-year medical students. 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. 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 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 294: Topics in Bio 2
  • 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.
  • CAS BI 306: Biology of Global Change
    The ecological impacts of human activity on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Climate change, forest decline, eutrophication, acidification, loss of species diversity, and restoration of ecosystems. 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, Ethical Reasoning, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 307: Biogeography
    Examines the spatial distribution of plants and animals from historical, ecological, and analytical perspectives. Environmental and human influences on species distribution, abundance, and diversity are considered, as are changes resulting from past and projected climate change. Also offered as CAS GE 307.
  • CAS BI 309: Evolution
    Introduction to modern concepts, controversies, and analytical approaches in evolutionary biology. Topics include adaptation, natural and sexual selection, species and speciation, phylogenetics, comparative analysis, basic population and quantitative genetics, origin of novelty, adaptive radiation, development and evolution. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Ethical Reasoning.
    • Ethical Reasoning
  • CAS BI 310: Human Structure & Function: Anatomy, Histology and Pathology
    Examines the structure of the body (anatomy) using a systems approach. Looks at the structure of cells and tissues (histology) and explores how they make up the body's organs/organ systems. Examines how disease reshapes the human body and tissues (pathology). Effective Fall 2019, 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 311: General Microbiology
    Biology of bacteria and related microorganisms; morphology, physiology, genetics, ecology, and control. Brief introduction to pathogenicity and host reactions. Three hours lecture, four hours lab. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Scientific Inquiry II, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • CAS BI 315: Systems Physiology
    An introduction to physiological principles applied across all levels of organization (cell, tissue, organ system). Preparation for more advanced courses in physiology. Topics include homeostasis and neural, muscle, respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and metabolic physiology. 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 325: Principles of Neuroscience
    Introduces fundamentals of the nervous system at descriptive scales ranging from individual cells to the entire brain. Topics include biophysics of excitable membranes, synaptic transmission, sensory and motor systems, learning and memory, plasticity, neuromodulation, and the biological basis of complex behaviors. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Critical Thinking.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Critical Thinking
  • CAS BI 340: Junior Research in Biology 1 (2 Credits)
    First semester junior research including the use of research literature. Application through the Biology Department. Students conduct research under supervision of a faculty mentor. Attendance at group meetings required. Two-credit research does not carry major or minor credit in biology. Pre- requisites: no prior undergraduate research experience and Junior standing. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Research and Information Literacy.
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 341: Junior Research in Biology 2 (2 Credits)
    Second semester junior research including the use of research literature and active participation at group meetings. Application through the Biology Department. Students conduct research under supervision of a faculty mentor. Attendance at group meetings required. Two-credit research does not carry major or minor credit in biology. Pre-requisites: Junior standing and BI 381 or BI 391 or UROP or 4 credits of Freshman (BI 191/192) or Sophomore (BI 291/292) Research in Biology. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Oral and/or Signed Communication.
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
  • CAS BI 349: Neurotoxins in Biology, Medicine, Agriculture and War
    Neurotoxins used as a lens to study the consequences of venom on mammalian physiological systems; potential clinical applications of neurotoxins; neurotoxins at cellular and molecular levels; mechanisms and possible impacts of neurotoxic pesticides; and physiological effects of neurotoxic chemical weapons. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning I, Critical Thinking.
    • Quantitative Reasoning I
    • Critical Thinking

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