Biology

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  • CAS BI 545: Neurobiology of Motivated Behavior
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 315 or CAS BI 325 or CAS NE 201; or consent of instructor.
    Neural circuits and neuroendocrine mechanisms controlling reproductive, parental, and affiliative behaviors, decision making, ingestive behaviors and metabolism, circadian rhythms, pain perception, and reward in animals, with an emphasis on vertebrates. Lectures are integrated with student-led discussions of relevant research papers. Also offered as CAS NE 545.
  • CAS BI 546: Marine Megafaunal Ecology: Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary and Surrounding Waters
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 260 and CAS MA 213; or consent of instructor; enrollment in the Marine Semester.
    Marine macrofauna, from macrobenthos to whales, seals, seabirds, sharks, bony fishes, turtles, jellies, and us in Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary. Sail on board the "Auk" and become a participant in the SBNMS research effort to understand life and living in the Gulf of Maine. Then, apply what we learn to marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management. Student research helps to invent the science of coupled human and natural systems, mines ecosystem insights for Sanctuary operations, and guides deployment of the new kid on the block: offshore renewable energy.
  • CAS BI 548: Marine Microbial Ecology: Exploring Marine Microbes through Microscopy
    Microorganisms are the most abundant form of life in the ocean. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) is a critical tool that uses sequencing to develop a deeper sense of specific microbe roles in an ecosystem. This project-based course weaves together scientific background, analytical tools, and data processing and analysis. Students gain insight into the complexity and importance of marine microbial communities. With lab-based FISH projects, students design and conduct an adaptive set of experiments. Through computational data analysis, students turn raw data into usable results.
  • CAS BI 550: Marine Genomics
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 108; or equivalent and enrollment in the Marine Semester.
    Covers the evolution of genomes, the architecture of gene networks, and the connection between genotype and phenotype in marine organisms, as well as the technical development of modern genomics. Student research projects utilize modern genomics experimental approaches. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Teamwork/Collaboration.
    • Teamwork/Collaboration
  • CAS BI 551: Biology of Stem Cells
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 203 or CAS BI 206; , or consent of instructor.
    Views on stem cell research range from assumptions of a potential cure for most diseases to fears that it will depreciate the value of human life. This course equips students with the science that underlies this discussion, including the biological properties of stem cells and the experimental hurdles to utilization in regenerative medicine.
  • CAS BI 552: Molecular Biology 1
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI203 or CASBI213) and (CASBI206 or CASBI216).
    Synthesis, structure, function, regulation of macromolecules (DNA, RNA, protein). Prokaryotic and eukaryotic molecular biology. Topics include: replication, repair, recombination, transcription, translation, 5-methylcytosine, transcription factors, DNA looping (enhancer- promoter, insulator, etc.), histone modification/chromatin remodeling, non-coding RNA. Discussion of genetic and recombinant DNA techniques, including CRISPR/Cas9.
  • CAS BI 553: Molecular Biology 2
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 552; (CAS BI/CH 421/422 recommended.)
    This course focuses on eukaryotic gene regulation. Course topics include genome organization and DNA rearrangement, RNA interference and noncoding RNAs, gene editing, mouse transgenic approaches, signal transduction pathways, chromatin structure, and cell cycle. Research articles will be discussed.
  • CAS BI 556: Drug Discovery in Neuroscience
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS NE 102 (or BI 108), CH 102, and strongly recommended NE/PS 333, or consent of instructor.
    The process of drug discovery is complex especially when a drug is intended to treat a neurological disease. This discussion-heavy course examines the specific challenges of modern neuroscience drug discovery, including: target selection, pharmacodynamics, animal models, and clinical trials. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Digital/Multimedia Expression, Scientific Inquiry II, Creativity/Innovation.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Digital/Multimedia Expression
    • Creativity/Innovation
  • CAS BI 558: Coastal Biogeochemistry
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS CH 101 ; CAS CH 102 ; CAS ES 144; or equivalents, and admission to the Marine Semester.
    Examines coastal energy flow and nutrient cycling in the context of human impacts. Links between local and global scales are emphasized. Course is part of the Marine Semester and involves field and laboratory work. Also offered as CAS ES 558. Effective Fall 2019, this course is part of a Hub sequence.
    • Part of a Hub sequence
  • CAS BI 559: Quantitative Microbiology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 108 ; CAS MA 121 ; CAS PY 105; or equivalents; or consent of instructor.
    Covers mathematical models used to describe bacterial behaviors and phenomena including growth, multispecies interactions, motility, and cell differentiation. Includes an introduction to python (no programming experience needed). Techniques/approaches learned are applicable to any area of the life sciences.
  • CAS BI 560: Systems Biology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 552; or consent of the instructor.
    Examines critical components of systems biology, including design principles of biological systems (e.g., feedback, synergy, cooperativity), and the generation and analysis of large-scale datasets (e.g., protein- protein interaction, mRNA expression).
  • CAS BI 561: Proteostasis in the Biology of Neurodegenerative Diseases
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS NE 102 or CAS BI 108; . CAS BI 203 or CAS BI 213 are recommended.
    A hands-on class focusing on the mechanisms that control protein homoestasis, and on the approaches that we can use to study how it may change in conditions associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The class mimics, as much as possible, a real research environment, as students carry out experiments throughout the semester, learn how to develop and test new hypotheses, and also share knowledge through weekly readings and presentation of research articles inherent to the topics of the class. Effective Fall 2021, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Creativity/Innovation, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Research and Information Literacy
    • Creativity/Innovation
  • CAS BI 565: Functional Genomics
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 552; or consent of instructor. First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120)
    Graduate Prerequisites: background in molecular biology.
    This paper- and problem-based course focuses on functional genomics topics such as genetic variation, genome organization, and mechanisms of transcriptional and post-transcriptional gene regulation. Up-to-date methods include NGS, genome editing, ChIP-seq, chromatin accessibility assays, transcriptomics, and proteomics. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Writing-Intensive Course, Critical Thinking.
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
    • Critical Thinking
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • CAS BI 566: DNA Dynamics in Disease
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 206 or CAS BI 216; or consent of instructor.
    What goes wrong to cause disease? In this course we examine diseases caused by problems in basic cellular processes including mitosis, meiosis, and DNA repair. We focus on past and current research that has led to the understanding of the mechanisms contributing to disease. Content is delivered through active, engaging lectures where you analyze data from past and current research papers, and think critically to answer questions. Paper discussion days include an in- depth analysis of one primary literature article that is central to the field. Effective Fall 2022, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Critical Thinking, Research and Information Literacy.
    • Scientific Inquiry II
    • Critical Thinking
    • Research and Information Literacy
  • CAS BI 569: Tropical Marine Invertebrates
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 107 and CAS BI 260; and enrollment in the Marine Semester.
    Explores the diversity of marine invertebrates, including body plans, feeding biology, reproductive strategies, and developmental programs. Field biodiversity surveys and behavioral studies in shallow water tropical marine environments, especially seagrass beds and mangrove.
  • CAS BI 572: Advanced Genetics
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 206 and CAS BI 203; CAS BI 552 is recommended.
    An in-depth study of eukaryotic genetics, ranging from the history and basic principles to current topics and modern experimental approaches. Genetics of Drosophila, C. elegans, mice, and humans are explored in detail, including readings from primary literature. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Effective Fall 2023, 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 576: Carcinogenesis
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 203 ; CAS BI 206 ; CAS BI 552.
    Covers multiple aspects of cancer biology with a focus on molecular mechanisms underlying cancer development and progression, and the implications for therapy. Topics include oncogenes, tumor suppressors, apoptosis, angiogenesis, metastasis, mouse models, and chemotherapy. Emphasis on current research. Students may not receive credit for more than one of the following courses: CAS BI 327, CAS BI 576, and GMS BT 520.
  • CAS BI 577: Quantitative Approaches in Molecular Biology
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: GRS BI 753; and PhD standing.
    Introduces biology graduate students to concepts and bioinformatics tools necessary for quantitative analysis of biological problems. Students learn the programming language R, analyze next generation sequencing and transcriptomic data.
  • CAS BI 578: Marine Geographic Information Science
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI 260 and CAS ES 144; CASMA213 strongly recommended. Enrollment in the Marine semester required.
    Introduction to marine geographic information systems and spatial analysis for conservation, management, and marine landscape ecology. Comparative examples from Gulf of Maine and tropics. Solve problems in coastal zoning and marine park design, whale and coral reef conservation. Also offered as CAS EE 578.
  • CAS BI 579: Progress in Ecology, Behavior, Evolution, and Marine Biology 1
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: graduate standing in EBE or MB.
    Facilitates presentation and discussion of research ideas, preliminary data, and research progress by all graduate students in Ecology/Behavior/Evolution and Marine Biology (EBE-MB). All EBE-MB graduate students are encouraged to participate every semester, but only receive two credits toward the degree once, for BI 579 or BI 580. Not a Biology/BMB major/minor elective toward the BA and cannot be combined with another 2-credit course for elective credit toward the BA.