Biology
College of Arts & Sciences
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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 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
Prereq: (CAS BI 108 or CAS NE 102) and ((CAS CH 102) or equivalent). Coreq: (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 attend both 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
Prereq: (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 attend both 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
Prereq: (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. 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
Prereq: ((CAS BI 105 or CAS BI 108) and (CAS BI 106 or CAS BI 210) and First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 100 or CAS WR 120)) or equivalent. Some knowledge of chemistry and anatomy assumed. Intended mainly for students in health sciences. 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. 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
Prereq: (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 attend both 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
Prereq: ((CAS BI 203 & CAS BI 206) or consent of instructor) and First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 100 or CAS 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 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
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
Prereq: (CAS BI 203) 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
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
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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Developmental Biology
CAS BI 410
Prereq: (CAS BI 203) or equivalent or consent of instructor. Contemporary aspects of embryonic development, drawing from current literature. Emphasis on the use of experimental approaches to address topics such as polarity in the egg, body axis specification, embryonic patterning, and organogenesis. Students must attend both lecture and discussion. 4 cr.
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Biochemistry 1
CAS BI 421
Prereq: (CAS CH 204 or CAS CH 212) or (CAS CH 214 or equivalent) and First-Year Writing Seminar (e.g., CAS WR 100 or CAS 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. 4 cr.
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Biology of Stem Cells
CAS BI 551
Prereq: (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 attend both lecture and discussion. 4 cr.
Graduate School of Arts & Sciences
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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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Developmental Biology
GRS BI 610
Prereq: (CAS BI 203) or equivalent or consent of instructor. Contemporary aspects of embryonic development, drawing from current literature. Emphasis on the use of experimental approaches to address topics such as polarity in the egg, body axis specification, embryonic patterning, and organogenesis. Students must attend both lecture and discussion. 4 cr.
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Biochemistry I
GRS BI 621
Prereq: (CAS CH 204 or CAS CH 212) or (CAS CH 214 or equivalent). 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. 4 cr.