Courses
The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular term. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the MyBU Student Portal for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.
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CAS BI 302: Vertebrate Zoology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI107) - 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. -
CAS BI 303: Evolutionary Ecology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI107) ; CAS BI 206 and CAS MA121/123 recommended. - 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. -
CAS BI 305: Plant Biology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI107 & CASBI108) - 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
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI107) Recommended: CASCH101 or CASCH171. - 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. -
CAS BI 309: Evolution
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI107 & CASBI108) or equivalent. - 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. -
CAS BI 310: Human Structure & Function: Anatomy, Histology and Pathology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: BI 108 and 203, or equivalent. - Examines the cells and tissues that make up our organs (histology), the structure and interactions of the organ systems (anatomy), and how disease reshapes our bodies (pathology). As a secondary focus, this course also studies and critiques educational media related to human anatomy, and builds introductory competency in health communication. 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 I, Digital/Multimedia Expression, Creativity/Innovation. -
CAS BI 311: General Microbiology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI203 & CASBI206) or consent of instructor. First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120) - The biology of bacteria, viruses, fungi, algae, and protistans, including introduction to morphology, physiology, genetics, metabolism, ecology, and pathogenesis. Covers the basics of antibiotic resistance, motility, quorum sensing, symbiosis, epidemiology, and microbiome science. 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. -
CAS BI 315: Systems Physiology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI108 OR ENGBE209) , and CASCH101 and CASCH102, or equivalent. First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120) - 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. -
CAS BI 325: Principles of Neuroscience
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI203) or consent of instructor. - 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. -
CAS BI 328: Cell Biology and Translational Medicine
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CASBI 203. This course offers an in-depth exploration of the cell biology mechanisms and treatment strategies associated with several significant diseases including heart disease, cancer, respiratory, Alzheimer¿s and viral diseases. Students will primarily engage with recent research papers that employ cutting-edge molecular techniques. Effective Spring 2025, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Teamwork/Collaboration. -
CAS BI 333: Human Population Genetics
Human population biology and ecological adaptations: human demography, life history patterns, population genetics, and physiological adaptability. Topics: population dynamics of human societies, mortality and fertility schedules, evolution and genetics of human life history traits, physiological adaptability, and ecological correlates. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Scientific Inquiry II, Research and Information Literacy. -
CAS BI 340: Junior Research in Biology 1 (2 Credits)
Undergraduate Prerequisites: junior standing. - First semester junior research including training in use of research literature. Conduct research under supervision of faculty mentor. Group meeting attendance required. Application through Biology Department. Minimum 6 hrs/wk. Not a Biology major/minor elective and cannot be combined with another 2-credit course for elective credit. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Research and Information Literacy. -
CAS BI 341: Junior Research in Biology 2 (2 Credits)
Undergraduate Prerequisites: junior standing and one of the following: BI 340, BI 350, or full-time summer UROP. - Second semester junior research required participation in group meetings. Conduct research under supervision of faculty mentor. Group meeting participation required. Application through Biology Department. Minimum 6 hrs/wk. Not a Biology major/minor elective and cannot be combined with another 2-credit course for elective credit. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Oral and/or Signed Communication. -
CAS BI 349: Neurotoxins in Biology, Medicine, Agriculture and War
Undergraduate Prerequisites: BI108 or NE102 or equivalent - 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. -
CAS BI 350: Junior Research in Biology 1 (4 Credits)
Undergraduate Prerequisites: junior standing. - First semester junior research including training in 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. Minimum 12 hrs/wk in lab or fieldwork, data analysis, and writing. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Research and Information Literacy. -
CAS BI 351: Junior Research in Biology 2 (4 Credits)
Undergraduate Prerequisites: junior standing and either BI 340, BI 350, or full-time summer UROP. - Second semester research with junior standing including training in the use of research literature. Application through the Biology Department. Students conduct research under supervision of a faculty mentor. Students expected to attend group meetings and take a lead and make creative contributions to projects. Minimum 12 hrs/wk in lab or fieldwork, data analysis, and writing. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Creativity/Innovation, Research and Information Literacy. -
CAS BI 352: Junior Research in Biology 3
Undergraduate Prerequisites: junior standing, First-Year Writing (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120), and eith er BI 351 or 341. - Third semester research with junior standing including required participation in group meetings. Application through the Biology Department. Students conduct research under supervision of a faculty mentor. Attendance at group meetings and final report required. Students expected to take a lead and make creative contributions to projects. Attendance at group meetings and final report required. Minimum 12 hours/week in lab or fieldwork, data analysis, and writing. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Creativity/Innovation. -
CAS BI 371: Reading in Biology 3
Undergraduate Prerequisites: junior standing, consent of instructor, and completed application. - Library research on well-defined topic in the biological sciences, chosen with a faculty member. Check-in discussions with faculty member and additional work as assigned. Not a Biology/BMB major/minor elective and cannot be combined with another 2-credit course for elective credit. -
CAS BI 372: Reading in Biology 3
Undergraduate Prerequisites: junior standing, consent of instructor, and completed application. - Library research on well-defined topic in the biological sciences, chosen with a faculty member. Check-in discussions with faculty member and additional work as assigned. Not a Biology/BMB major/minor elective and cannot be combined with another 2-credit course for elective credit. -
CAS BI 385: Immunology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI203 & CASBI206) and junior standing. - The constituents and regulation of mammalian immune systems are described at the levels of the gene, protein, and cell. Topics include nonspecific, T cell and B cell recognition and responses, genetics of immune receptors, inflammation, tolerance, memory, and evolution and manipulation of defense systems. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion.