The courses below were offered in summer 2024. They are listed here to indicate what is typically available during Summer Term. Please check back on December 15, when the full summer 2025 course schedule will be available.

 

Biology

College of Arts & Sciences

  • Biology of Stem Cells

    CAS BI 551

    Undergraduate Prerequistes: (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. Students must register for two sections: lecture and discussion. 4 cr.

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  • Biology 1

    CAS BI 107

    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. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory. 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. 4 cr.

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  • Biology 2

    CAS BI 108

    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. Cell and molecular biology, Mendelian & molecular genetics, physiology, and neurobiology. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory. 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. 4 cr.

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  • Human Infectious Diseases

    CAS BI 114

    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). Not for Biology or BMB major or minor credit. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory. 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. 4 cr.

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  • Cell Biology

    CAS BI 203

    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CAS BI 108 or CAS NE 102) and ((CAS CH 102) or equivalent). 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. Students may receive credit for CAS BI 203 or CAS BI 213, but not both courses. Students must register for two sections: lecture and discussion. 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. 4 cr.

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  • Genetics

    CAS BI 206

    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CAS BI 108 & 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. Students may receive credit for CAS BI 206 or CAS BI 216, but not both courses. Students must register for two sections: lecture and 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. 4 cr.

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  • Human Anatomy

    CAS BI 210

    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI105) or equivalent. - Intensive preprofessional course for students whose programs require anatomy. Not for Biology or BMB major or minor credit. Gross structure of the human body; skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems. 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. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory. 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. 4 cr.

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  • Human Physiology

    CAS BI 211

    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI105 OR CASBI108) & (CASBI106 OR CASBI210); or equivalent. First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120) or equivalent - Some knowledge of chemistry and anatomy assumed. Intended mainly for students in health sciences. Not for Biology or BMB major or minor credit; Biology majors/minors should take CAS BI 315. Introduction to principles of systemic mammalian physiology with special reference to humans. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory. 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. 4 cr.

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  • Marine Biology

    CAS BI 260

    Undergraduate Prerequistes: (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. Students must register for two sections: lecture and 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. 4 cr.

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  • General Microbiology

    CAS BI 311

    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI203 & CASBI206) or consent of instructor. First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120) - Biology of bacteria and related microorganisms; morphology, physiology, genetics, ecology, and control. Brief introduction to pathogenicity and host reactions. Students must register for two sections: lecture and a laboratory. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Scientific Inquiry II, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr.

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  • Systems Physiology

    CAS BI 315

    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI108 OR ENGBE209) , and CASCH101 and CASCH102, or equivalent. First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120) - Prereq: ((CAS BI 108 or ENG BE 209) and (CAS CH 101) and (CAS CH 102) or equivalent) and First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 100 or CAS WR 120). An introduction to physiological principles applied across all levels of organization (cell, tissue, organ system). Preparation for more advanced courses in physiology. Topics include homeostasis and neural, muscle, respiratory, cardiovascular, renal, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and metabolic physiology. Students must register for two sections: lecture and a laboratory. 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. 4 cr.

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  • Principles of Neuroscience

    CAS BI 325

    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI203) or consent of instructor. - Introduces fundamentals of the nervous system at descriptive scales ranging from individual cells to the entire brain. Topics include biophysics of excitable membranes, synaptic transmission, sensory and motor systems, learning and memory, plasticity, neuromodulation, and the biological basis of complex behaviors. Students must register for two sections: lecture and discussion. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Critical Thinking. 4 cr.

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  • Fundamentals of Biology 3

    CAS BI 383

    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI281 & CASBI282) and enrollment in Seven-Year Liberal Arts/Medical Education Program. F irst Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120) - Prereq: (CAS BI 281 & CAS BI 282) and enrollment in Seven-Year Liberal Arts/Medical Education Program and First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 100 or CAS WR 120). An introduction to physiological principles applied across the levels of organization (cell, tissue, organ systems). Intended to prepare the student for more advanced courses in physiology. Topics include homeostasis and neural, muscle, cardiopulmonary, renal, endocrine, metabolic, and reproductive physiology. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory. Effective Summer 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Writing-Intensive Course, Critical Thinking, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr.

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  • Animal Behavior

    CAS BI 407

    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI107) or equivalent. - Ethological approach to animal behavior; physiological, ontogenic, and phylogenic causes; and adaptive significance of behavior examined within an evolutionary framework, minimally including humans. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Research and Information Literacy. 4 cr.

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  • Biochemistry 1

    CAS BI 421

    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASCH204 OR CASCH212) or CASCH214 or equivalent. First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120). - Introductory biochemistry. Protein structure and folding, enzyme mechanisms, kinetics, and allostery; nucleic acid structure; macromolecular biosynthesis with emphasis on specificity and fidelity; lipids and membrane structure; vitamins and coenzymes; introduction to intermediary metabolism. Students must register for three sections: lecture, discussion, and a laboratory. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking, Teamwork/Collaboration. Effective Spring 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr.

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  • Biology of Neurodegenerative Diseases

    CAS BI 525

    Undergraduate Prerequsites: (CAS NE 102 or CAS BI 203) and (CAS NE 203 or CAS BI 325). An in-depth look at molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases and their impact and relevance in clinical diagnosis and treatment. Topics include the molecular pathways of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and Creutzfeldt- Jakob Disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Students must register for two sections: lecture and discussion. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Oral and/or Signed Communication, Ethical Reasoning, Research and Information Literacy. 4 cr.

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Graduate School of Arts & Sciences

  • Animal Behavior

    GRS BI 607

    Prereq: (CAS BI 107) or equivalent. Ethological approach to animal behavior; physiological, ontogenic, and phylogenic causes; and adaptive significance of behavior examined within an evolutionary framework, minimally including humans. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Ethical Reasoning, Philosophical Inquiry and Life's Meanings, Research and Information Literacy. 4 cr.

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  • Biochemistry 1

    GRS BI 621

    Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASCH204 OR CASCH212) or CASCH214 or equivalent. First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or WR 120). - Introductory biochemistry. Protein structure and folding, enzyme mechanisms, kinetics, and allostery; nucleic acid structure; macromolecular biosynthesis with emphasis on specificity and fidelity; lipids and membrane structure; vitamins and coenzymes; introduction to intermediary metabolism. Students must register for three sections: lecture, discussion, and laboratory. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Writing-Intensive Course, Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking, Teamwork/Collaboration. Effective Spring 2024, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Critical Thinking, Teamwork/Collaboration. 4 cr.

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