Home

Courses

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.

View courses in

  • CAS BI 561: Proteostasis in the Biology of Neurodegenerative Diseases
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CASNE 102 or CASBI 108. CASBI 203 or CASBI 213 are recommended. - A hands-on class focusing on the mechanisms that control protein homeostasis, 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.
    • Creativity/Innovation
    • Research and Information Literacy
    • Scientific Inquiry II
  • CAS BI 565: Functional Genomics
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI552) 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.
    • Critical Thinking
    • Oral and/or Signed Communication
    • Writing-Intensive Course
  • CAS BI 566: DNA Dynamics in Disease
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI 206 OR CASBI 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.
    • Critical Thinking
    • Research and Information Literacy
    • Scientific Inquiry II
  • CAS BI 569: Tropical Marine Invertebrates
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI 107 & CASBI 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: (CASBI206 & CASBI203) 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 575: Techniques in Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience (PER/Neuro, CM)
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI325) or either CASBI201 or CASNE201, and junior or senior standing, or cons ent of instructor. - Laboratory course in which techniques used in cellular neuroscience are taught. Subjects covered include sensory coding, synaptic transmission, neural excitability, and cellular neuroanatomy. Eight hours lab.
  • CAS BI 576: Carcinogenesis
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI203 & CASBI206 & CASBI552) - 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: CASBI 522 (or permission from instructor). - Introduces biology undergraduate and graduate students to (1) basic programming, and (2) concepts in bioinformatics and quantitative biology. Students will learn the programming language Python, become familiar new artificial intelligence (AI) programs used in biology (e.g., AlphaFold), and analyze genome-scale datasets (e.g., gene expression, ChIP-seq) . Students are not expected to have any programming experience.
  • CAS BI 578: Marine Geographic Information Science
    Undergraduate Prerequisites: CASBI 260 and CASEE 144; CASMA 213 is recommended - 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.
  • 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.
  • CAS BI 580: Progress in Ecology, Behavior, Evolution, and Marine Biology 2
    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.
  • 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.

Related Bulletin Pages

Beyond the Bulletin