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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 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 211: Human Physiology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI105 OR CASBI108) & (CASBI106 OR CASBI210); or equivalent.First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120)
    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
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 108 and CAS CH 102; or equivalents.
    Undergraduate Corequisites: CAS CH 203; or equivalent.
    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
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 108 and CAS BI 203; (or equivalents to both), and CASCH203, or consent of instructor.
    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
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 116 and CAS CH 116 (or equivalent); or consent of instructor. First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120)
    Undergraduate Corequisites: CAS CH 218.
    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
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 107 and CAS BI 108; and First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120), and sophomore standing.
    (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. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Writing-Intensive Course, Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings.
    • Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • CAS BI 230: Behavioral Endocrinology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 108 or CAS NE 102; and sophomore standing.
    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 240: Sophomore Research in Biology 1
    First semester sophomore research in Biology. Application through the Biology Department. Minimum 6 hours/week. Students conduct research under supervision of faculty mentor.. Two- credit research does not carry major credit in Biology.
  • CAS BI 241: Sophomore Research in Biology 2
    Second semester sophomore research in Biology. Application through the Biology Department. Minimum 6 hours/week. Students conduct research under supervision of faculty mentor.. Two- credit research does not carry major credit in Biology.
  • CAS BI 260: Marine Biology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 107; or consent of instructor.
    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
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: sophomore 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 272: Reading in Biology II
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: sophomore 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 281: Fundamentals of Biology 1
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS CH 182; or equivalent, and consent of instructor.
    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
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS CH 182; or equivalent, and consent of instructor.
    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 294: Topics in Biology 2
    Topics and prerequisites vary.
  • CAS BI 302: Vertebrate Zoology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 107.
    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
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 107; ; 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.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Quantitative Reasoning II
    • Digital/Multimedia Expression
  • CAS BI 305: Plant Biology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 107 and CAS BI 108.
    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: CAS BI 107; 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.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 307: Biogeography
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 107 and CAS GE 101.
    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
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 107 and CAS BI 108; 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.
    • Ethical Reasoning

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