Biology

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  • 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 586: Ecological Genomics
    Course covers topics related to community ecology, population biology and organismal physiology. Lectures and readings are integrated with genomic analyses and statistics. Focus is on marine invertebrates; however, these tools are universal across microbes, fungi, plants and animals. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Creativity/Innovation, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Digital/Multimedia Expression
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
    • Creativity/Innovation
  • CAS BI 588: Project Design and Statistics in Biological Anthropology
    This seminar teaches students project design and statistics using R and Rstudio. Students will become competent in coding, version control, data reports and commenting code, and implement both basic and advanced statistics to be used in student research projects. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Scientific Inquiry II, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Quantitative Reasoning II
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • CAS BI 589: Neural Impacts on Tumorigenesis
    Explores neuronal invasion and mechanisms of neurogenesis into solid tumors, cross-talk in tumor microenvironments, and nervous system influence on cancer modulators that enhance tumorigenesis. Enhancement of cancer from environmental stress at this interface is also examined. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Scientific Inquiry II, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 591: Bio-Optical Oceanography
    This field- and lab-based course explores how the optically active constituents in seawater affect the in-water light field, and in turn, how field optics and remote sensing can facilitate the study of marine biogeochemistry, biological oceanography and water quality. Also offered as CAS ES 591. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • CAS BI 593: Marine Physiology and Climate Change
    Explores the range of physiological responses marine organisms exhibit in response to climate change. Investigates phenotypic plasticity exhibited across different organisms and how this plasticity can influence an organism's resilience to its changing environment. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Research and Information Literacy. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Creativity/Innovation.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Creativity/Innovation
  • CAS BI 594: Topics in Biology 5
    Examines contemporary topics in the biological sciences. This course may be repeated for credit if the topic is different. Pre-requisites vary with topic. Topic for Fall 2021: Section H1: DNA and Chromosome Dynamics. (Pre- reqs: CAS BI 206 or CAS BI 216) Exploration of DNA and chromosome dynamics in mitosis and meiosis. Topics include DNA repair mechanisms, recombination, and chromosome pairing and organization, and what happens when these mechanisms go wrong.
  • CAS BI 595: Master's Research in Biology
    Biology laboratory research conducted under supervision of a faculty member. Externships are acceptable with prior approval. Minimum of 7.5 or 15 hours per week in the lab, culminating in submission of a written progress report.
  • CAS BI 598: Neural Circuits
    Reviews modern techniques and toolsets that are capable of dissecting neural circuits, which are critical for understanding how coordinated patterns of neural activity lead to complex behavior. Recent literature on information processing, guided behavior and cognition is discussed. Also offered as CAS NE 598.
  • CAS BI 599: Physiology of the Synapse
    Neuron development and maturation, synapse formation, structure and molecular components of synapses, synaptic transmission, synaptic plasticity, neurotransmitter receptors, cellular basis for learning and memory, synaptic pathology in neurological diseases. Two hours lecture, two hours paper presentation and 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. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • GRS BI 610: Developmental Biology
    Contemporary 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 the human 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 with them. Three hours lecture; one hour discussion.
  • GRS BI 613: Microbial Ecology
  • GRS BI 614: Ornithology
    Examines the behavior, ecology, and morphology, physiology, classification, and evolution of birds. Flight, navigation, migration, territorial courtship, nesting, and parental behavior. Field trips. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion and demonstrations.
  • GRS BI 621: Biochemistry 1
    Introductory biochemistry. Protein structure and folding, enzyme mechanisms, kinetics, and allostery; nucleic acid structure; macromolecular biosynthesis with emphasis on specificity and fidelity; lipids and membrane structure; vitamins and coenzymes; introduction to intermediary metabolism. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, four hours lab. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Quantitative Reasoning II
    • Critical Thinking
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • GRS BI 622: Biochemistry 2
    Cell metabolism, with special emphasis on the uptake of food materials, the integration and regulation of catabolic, anabolic, and anaplerotic routes, and the generation and utilization of energy. Lectures include consideration of events in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, four hours lab. Effective Spring 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Research and Information Literacy, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Research and Information Literacy
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • GRS BI 623: Marine Biogeochemistry
    Oceanic nutrient and biogeochemical cycling in the context of the marine response to global change. Links between local and global scales are emphasized. Topics include oceanic productivity, iron limitation, oceanic glacial carbon dioxide budget, biogenic particle fluxes, oceanic glacial-interglacial biogeochemistry.
  • GRS BI 638: Trop Montane Ec

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