Biology
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CAS BI 105: Introductory Biology for Health Sciences
Principles of biology; emphasis on cellular structure, genetics, microbiology, development, biochemistry, metabolism, and immunology. This course is appropriate for non-majors and students in the health and paramedical sciences (Sargent College). Students may not receive credit for CAS BI 105 if CAS BI 108 has already been passed. Three hours lecture, two hours lab. Carries natural science divisional credit (with lab) in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Research and Information Literacy. -
CAS BI 107: Biology 1
For students who plan to major in the natural sciences or environmental science, and for premedical students. Required for biology majors. No prerequisite. High school biology is assumed. The evolution and diversity of life; principles of ecology; behavioral biology. Three hours lecture, three hours lab including several field studies. Carries natural science divisional credit (with lab) in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I, Critical Thinking, Research and Information Literacy. -
CAS BI 108: Biology 2
For students planning to major in the natural sciences and for premedical students. Required for biology majors. It is strongly recommended students complete CAS CH 101 (or equivalent) before this course. High school biology is assumed. Biochemistry, cell & molecular biology, Mendelian & molecular genetics, physiology, and neurobiology. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. Carries natural science divisional credit (with lab) in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking, Teamwork/Collaboration. -
CAS BI 109: Biology 2 (Discussion)
Undergraduate Prerequisites: restricted to BU Academy students.
Discussion section for BU Academy students enrolled in CAS BI 108. -
CAS BI 114: Human Infectious Diseases
Not for Biology major or minor credit. A study of the world's major human diseases, their causes, effects on history, pathology, and cures. Principles of immunology. Emphasis on present maladies such as AIDS, herpes, cancer, mononucleosis, tuberculosis, influenza, and hepatitis. This course is appropriate for non- majors and students in the health and paramedical sciences (Sargent College). Three hours lecture, three hours lab. Carries natural science divisional credit (with lab) in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking. -
CAS BI 116: Biology 2 with Integrated Science Experience 1 Lab
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS CH 101; First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120)
Undergraduate Corequisites: CAS CH 116.
Integration of general chemistry with biology and neuroscience, with an emphasis on how each discipline interacts experimentally. Laboratory focuses on projects relating to enzymes and their function. 3 lecture hours (meets with CAS Bl 108 lecture), 3 hours lab. 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, Critical Thinking. -
CAS BI 119: Sociobiology
Designed for non-science majors to fulfill natural science divisional requirements. The evolution of animal and human societies; the adaptive significance of social organization; altruism; cooperation; courtship and reproductive behavior; the genetics, development, and epigenetics of social behavior; human social evolution; evolutionary psychology; religion; impact of evolutionary theory on social thought. Three hours lecture plus discussion. Carries natural science divisional credit (without lab) in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Scientific Inquiry I, Critical Thinking. -
CAS BI 126: Human Genetics
Classical and molecular genetics, advances in genetic technologies, and social/ethical issues related to genetic testing. Designed for science and non- science majors, but cannot fulfill Biology/BMB major/minor or pre-medical requirements. Students cannot receive credit for both CAS BI 126 and BI 206/216. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Scientific Inquiry I, Research and Information Literacy. -
CAS BI 140: First Year Research in Biology 1
First semester first year 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 141: First Year Research in Biology 2
Second semester first year 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 171: Reading in Biology I
Undergraduate Prerequisites: freshman 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 172: Reading in Biology I
Undergraduate Prerequisites: freshman 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 203: Cell Biology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 108 or CAS NE 102; and CAS CH 102 or equivalent.
Undergraduate Corequisites: CAS CH 203; or equivalent.
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. Students may receive credit for CAS BI 203 or 213, 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, Critical Thinking. -
CAS BI 206: Genetics
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 108 and CAS CH 203; or equivalent.
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. Students may receive credit for CAS BI 206 or 216, 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, Critical Thinking. -
CAS BI 210: Human Anatomy
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 105; or equivalent.
Intensive preprofessional course for students whose programs require anatomy. Not for biology major or minor credit. Gross structure of the human body; skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. Three hours lecture, two hours lab (lab requires dissection). Carries natural science divisional credit (with lab) in CAS. Cannot be taken for credit in addition to the course with the same title formerly numbered CAS BI 106. Effective Spring 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Digital/Multimedia Expression, Creativity/Innovation. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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. -
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.
