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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 581: Seminar in Biology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor. - Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor. - Informal discussion and student reports on subjects of current interest based on an intensive study of the literature. Topics and prerequisites vary. Not for Biology major or minor credit unless two sections of BI 581/582 are taken. One topic is offered Fall 2021. Section B1: Grant Writing. Seminar course in preparing a research grant proposal.
  • CAS BI 582: Seminar in Biology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor. - Graduate Prerequisites: consent of instructor. Open to seniors and graduate students concentrating in biology. - Informal discussion and student reports on subjects of current interest based on an intensive study of the literature. Topics and prerequisites vary. Not for Biology major or minor credit unless two sections of BI 581/582 are taken.
  • CAS BI 583: Seminar: Progress in Cell and Molecular Biology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: Open to graduate students only. - 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 credits toward the degree only once. BI 583 (fall course) and BI 584 (spring course) can both be taken (4 credits total) for the degree.
  • CAS BI 584: Seminar: Progress in Cell and Molecular Biology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: Open to graduate students only. - 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 credits toward the degree only once. BI 583 (fall course) and BI 584 (spring course) can both be taken (4 credits total) for the degree.
  • CAS BI 586: Ecological Genomics
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CAS BI 206 or BI 216) and (MA 115 or MA 213); or consent of instructo r. Also recommended are BI 303 and BI 309. - 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.
    • Creativity/Innovation
    • Digital/Multimedia Expression
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • CAS BI 587: AI in Biology
    Prerequisites: molecular biology or biochemistry (e.g., CASBI/CH 421, CASBI 203 and CASBI 206 or equivalent), as well as a mathematics or statistics course (or consent of instructor). A basic understanding of computer programming is recommended, and coding experience (in e.g., R, Python) will help speed learning in the course. - AI in Biology introduces machine learning and deep learning for multi-omics exploration, biological image analysis, and AI-assisted scientific writing. Students will create their own AI frameworks, applying Python-based workflows on BU computing resources, to develop strong conceptual understanding and practical skills in model evaluation, interpretability, and ethical use of AI tools.
  • 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.
    • Quantitative Reasoning II
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • CAS BI 589: Neural Impacts on Tumorigenesis
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASNE203 OR CASBI325) - 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.
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
    • Research and Information Literacy
    • Scientific Inquiry II
  • CAS BI 591: Bio-Optical Oceanography
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: admission to the Marine Semester. - 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.
  • CAS BI 593: Marine Physiology and Climate Change
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI108) or consent of the instructor, and admission to the Marine Semester. - 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.
  • CAS BI 594: Topics in Biology 5
    This course may be repeated for credit if the topic is different. Prerequisites vary with topic.
  • CAS BI 595: Master's Research in Biology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: Admission into the MS or BA/MS combined program - 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 597: Graduate Directed Study in Biology
    Mentored directed study with a faculty member of the Biology Department. The directed study should involve graduate level investigation on a well-defined subject determined in consultation with faculty member.
  • CAS BI 598: Neural Circuits
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CASBI 325 or CASNE 203, and CASPY 106. - 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.
  • CAS BI 599: Physiology of the Synapse
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: junior standing. Recommended: CAS BI 325 or BI 445 or BI 481. - 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.
  • CAS CC 101: Core Humanities I: Ancient Worlds
    An interdisciplinary study of the origins of narrative, epic, tragedy, and philosophical thought including works from ancient Mesopotamia, the Hebrew Bible, and classical Greece. Focusing on close reading and effective writing, we consider the contrasting values of different cultures and explore the long-standing narrative and visual traditions motivated by creative readings and interpretations of these texts. A visit to the MFA Boston enables students to explore the rich interpretive visual traditions that follow these texts. Authors include: Homer, Thucydides, Sophocles, Euripides, and Plato; books include Gilgamesh, Genesis and Exodus. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Creativity/Innovation. Effective Fall 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Creativity/Innovation, a First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CASWR 120).
    • Aesthetic Exploration
    • Creativity/Innovation
    • First-Year Writing Seminar
  • CAS CC 102: Core Humanities 2: The Way: Antiquity and the Medieval World
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CASCC 101 or WR 120). Reading late antiquity and medieval texts in conversation, students compare and contrast pre-modern values of "The Way" one should live and asks: What is the best human life? This second semester of Core humanities focuses on oral and written communication to help students articulate and interpret the influence these texts have had globally, and a visit to the MFA Boston enables students to explore the rich interpretive visual traditions that follow these texts. Authors include: Aristotle, Confucius, Laozi, Virgil, Hrotsvitha, and Dante. We also read select New Testament Gospels and the Bhagavad Gita. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: First-Year Writing Seminar, Oral and/or Signed Communication. Effective Spring 2023, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Writing-Intensive Course, Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy.
    • Global Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • CAS CC 111: Core Natural Sciences I: Origins - The Cosmos, Earth, Life, and Human Beginnings
    Explores the origin of the cosmos, earth, life, and humanity from a scientific perspective. This course provides an introduction to the fields of astronomy, earth science, biology, and anthropology, as each seeks to understand the origins of our world, and ourselves, through the lens of science. Topics include the Big Bang, the evolution of stars and earth, the origin and evolution of life, and the origins of early humans and civilizations. Assignments include computer-based and experimental laboratory work, as well as team-based investigation and original research. This course meets the CAS Natural Sciences Laboratory Requirement. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning 1, Scientific Inquiry 1, Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Quantitative Reasoning I
    • Scientific Inquiry I
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • CAS CC 201: Core Humanities 3: Renaissance, Rediscovery, and Reformation
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CASCC 101 or WR 120). Encountering works by Petrarch, Machiavelli, Montaigne, Cervantes, Shakespeare, Descartes, Cavendish, and Milton, this third semester of Core humanities considers the revival and imitation of the classics and explore the formation of genre and the emergence of the self. A study of works by Michelangelo and Rembrandt add a visual component to the course. A focus on writing and research complements our emphasis on authorship and source material. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing, Research, and Inquiry; Research and Information Literacy. Effective Fall 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Aesthetic Exploration, Research and Information Literacy, Writing, Research & Inquiry (e.g., WR 150).
    • Aesthetic Exploration
    • Research and Information Literacy
    • Writing, Research, and Inquiry
  • CAS CC 202: Core Humanities 4: Enlightenment, Romanticism, and Modernity
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CASCC 101 or WR 120). - In this fourth semester of Core humanities, we explore works of philosophy and literature that interrogate Enlightenment and Romantic ideals of social hierarchy, what it means to know, the relationship between subjectivity and reason, and how freedom can be found. Works by Voltaire, Kant, Austen, Shelley, the English Romantic Poets, Beethoven, Goethe, Whitman, Dickinson, and Douglass are included. We cross into the twentieth century with drama by Chekhov, the perspectivism of Nietzsche, and a critique of inequality by W.E.B. Du Bois. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Ethical Reasoning, Writing- Intensive Course.
    • Ethical Reasoning
    • Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings
    • Writing-Intensive Course

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