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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 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.
  • CAS BI 394: Topics in Biology 3
    Topics and prerequisites vary. Topic for Fall 2023: Tabletop Game Design for Biology Education. Theory/methods of designing tabletop games as biology teaching tools in classroom settings or to public. Develop a prototype game and improve it with playtests and iterative feedback from your peers. Techniques learned are applicable to other forms of science communication and interactive experience design. Prereq: CAS BI 107 and 108, or consent of instructor.
  • CAS BI 401: Honors Research In Biology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: senior standing, overall GPA of at least 3.5, and approval of the Biol ogy Research and Honors Committee. - Mentored laboratory or field research with a faculty member of the Biology Department leading to, but not required for, graduation with Honors in Biology. Minimum 12 hours/week in lab or fieldwork, data analysis, and writing. A minimum of B is required to continue to BI 402. 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.
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 402: Honors Research in Biology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: senior standing, overall GPA of at least 3.5, First Year Writing Semin ar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120), and approval of the Biology Research & Ho nors Committee. - At least one semester of prior undergraduate research for credit required. Mentored laboratory or field research with a faculty member of the Biology Department leading to graduation with Honors in Biology. Minimum 12 hours/week in lab or fieldwork, data analysis, and writing. Successful completion of this course, with a minimum grade of B , is required to graduate with honors. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing- Intensive Course, Creativity/Innovation, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Creativity/Innovation
    • Research and Information Literacy
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • CAS BI 407: Animal Behavior
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI107) or equivalent. - Ethological approach to animal behavior; physiological, ontogenic, and phylogenic causes; and adaptive significance of behavior examined within an evolutionary framework, minimally including humans. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. 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.
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 408: Insect Biology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI107 & CASBI108) CAS BI 303 is recommended. - The biology of insects, focusing on insect diversity and complexity. Topics include ecology, evolution, behavior, development and physiology of insects. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. Students build insect collections in lab.
  • CAS BI 410: Developmental Biology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CAS BI 203 or equivalent) or consent of instructor. - Contemporary aspects of embryonic 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.
  • CAS BI 411: Microbiome: Our Intimate Relationship with Microorganisms
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CASBI203 (or equivalent) & CASBI206 (or equivalent), or consent of ins tructor. - 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.
  • CAS BI 413: Microbial Ecology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI107 & CASBI108 & CASCH101 & CASCH102) - Microbes (bacteria, archaea, and fungi) are the most diverse, abundant living organisms and microbial communities are key contributors to ecosystems. Topics include microbial cell structure and physiology, microbe-microbe interactions including biofilm formation and quorum sensing, and microbe-environment interactions.
  • CAS BI 414: Ornithology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI107) - Examines the behavior, ecology, 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. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Historical Consciousness, Scientific Inquiry II, Critical Thinking.
    • Critical Thinking
    • Historical Consciousness
    • Social Inquiry II
  • CAS BI 423: Marine Biogeochemistry
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CASCH 101 and CASCH 102 or BUMP semester and CASEE 144, or consent of instructor. - 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. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Scientific Inquiry II, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings
    • Research and Information Literacy
    • Scientific Inquiry II
  • CAS BI 443: Terrestrial Biogeochemistry
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI107 OR CASES105) and CH 101/102, or consent of instructor. - The patterns and processes controlling carbon and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. Links between local and global scales are emphasized. Topics include net primary production, nutrient use efficiency, and biogeochemical transformation. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion.
  • CAS BI 445: Cellular and Molecular Neurophysiology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI203 OR CASBI315 OR CASBI325 OR CASNE203) or consent of instructor. - Cellular and molecular basis of neural excitability and synaptic transmission. The molecular understanding of ion channels is extrapolated to higher brain functions such as learning, memory, and sleep. Three hours lecture, three hours lab, one hour pre-lab. Also offered as CAS NE 445.
  • CAS BI 448: Biodiversity and Conservation Biology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI303 OR CASBI306) or consent of instructor. - The study of biological diversity and modern methods to protect endangered plant and animal species. The environment, population, and genetic and human factors that affect the survival of species are examined for temperate and tropical communities, as well as terrestrial and aquatic habitats. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Ethical Reasoning.
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
  • CAS BI 449: Neuroscience Design Lab
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI315 OR CASBI325 OR CASNE203) ; or consent of instructor. - Design and build devices for neuroscience experiments. Interface sensors with computers using Arduino microprocessors. Guided exercises followed by independent design projects to quantify human sensory and motor performance, or emulate animal sensory-motor circuits. All levels of programming experience accepted. Also offered as CAS NE 449.
  • CAS BI 450: Senior Research in Biology 1
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: senior standing. - First semester senior 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.
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 451: Senior Research in Biology 2
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: senior standing and either BI 340, BI 350, BI 450, or full-time summer UROP. - Second semester research with senior standing, including the use of the 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.
    • Creativity/Innovation
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 452: Senior Research in Biology 3
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI315) First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120); senior standing a nd either BI 340, BI 350, BI 450, or full-time summer UROP. - Third semester research with senior standing, including the use of research literature. 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. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Creativity/Innovation.
    • Creativity/Innovation
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • CAS BI 453: Senior Research in Biology 4
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: senior standing and CAS BI 352 or 452. ; Undergraduate Corequisites: (CASBI497 OR CASBI498) - Fourth semester research with senior standing. Application through the Biology Department. Students conduct research under supervision of a faculty mentor. Attendance at group meetings and final report required. Minimum 12 hrs/wk in lab or fieldwork, data analysis, and writing. Students develop research presentation skills in co-requisite seminar course, BI 497 or BI 498.
  • CAS BI 455: Developmental Neurobiology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CASBI 203 or CASBI 325 or CASNE 203 or consent of instructor. - Fundamental principles of developmental neurobiology, stressing molecular mechanisms that underlie early neural development, differentiation, process outgrowth, and behavior. Two hours lecture, two hours paper presentation and discussion..

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