Courses
Biology
Check back on December 15th for Summer 2010 courses.
College of Arts and Sciences
Human Anatomy
CAS BI 106
Prereq: CAS BI 105 or equivalent introductory course. Primarily for students
in allied health sciences; not for biology concentration credit. Structure
of the body: skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, digestive,
urinary, and reproductive systems. Laboratory dissection required. Students
must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory. 4 cr.
Biology I
CAS BI 107
Prereq: a year of high school biology and chemistry is assumed. For premedical students and those who plan to concentrate in the natural sciences. Evolution, ecology, and behavior. The evolution and diversity of life; principles of ecology; behavioral biology. Required of biology concentrators. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory. 4 cr.
Biology II
CAS BI 108
For students who plan to concentrate in the natural sciences and for premedical students. Required for biology concentrators. It is recommended that students take CAS CH 101 before this course. High school biology is assumed. Cell and molecular biology, genetics, development, immunology, physiology, and neurobiology. The molecular, biochemical, and cellular basis of life. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory. 4 cr.
Human Infectious Diseases: AIDS to Tuberculosis
CAS BI 114
Not for biology concentration 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. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory. 4 cr.
Summer 2 (June 30-August 6):
B1 (LEC) Tues./Wed./Thurs. 9-11:30 a.m.
B2 (LAB) Tues./Thurs. 12:30-2:30 p.m.
Elizabeth Godrick
Cell Biology
CAS BI 203
Prereq: CAS BI 108 or equivalent and CAS CH 102. Coreq: CAS CH 203.
Principles of cellular organization and function: biological molecules, flow
of genetic
information, membranes and subcellular organelles, and cell regulation. Students
must attend both lecture and discussion. 4 cr.
Genetics
CAS BI 206
Prereq: CAS BI 108 or equivalent. Coreq: CAS CH 203. Principles of heredity as
derived from genetic, biochemical, and cytological evidence in animals, plants,
and microorganisms. Students must attend both lecture and discussion. 4 cr.
Human Physiology
CAS BI 211
Prereq: ((CAS BI 105 or BI 108) and BI 106) or equivalent. Some knowledge of chemistry and anatomy assumed. Intended mainly for students in health sciences. Not for biology concentration credit. Introduction to principles of systemic mammalian physiology with special reference to humans. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory. 4 cr.
Systems Physiology
CAS BI 315
Prereq: (CAS BI 108 or BI 109 or BI 118) and CH 101 and CH 102 or equivalent. An introduction to physiological principles applied across all 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. 4 cr.
Summer 1 (May 19-June 26):
A1 (LEC) Tues./Wed./Fri. 9:30 a.m.-12 noon
A2 (LAB) Mon./Thurs. 1-4 p.m.
A3 (LAB) Mon./Thurs. 1-4 p.m.
Leslie Blair
Principles of Neuroscience
CAS BI 325
Prereq: CAS BI 203 or consent of instructor. Fundamentals of the nervous system, emphasizing synaptic transmission; hierarchical organization; autonomic nervous system; mechanisms of sensory perception; reflexes and motor function; biorhythms; and neural mechanisms of feeding, mating, learning, and memory. Students must register for two sections: lecture and discussion. 4 cr.
Summer 2 (June 29-August 5):
B1 (LEC) Mon./Tues./Wed. 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
B2 (DIS) Mon./Wed. 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Jen-Wei Lin
The Biology of Cancer
CAS BI 327
Prereq: (CAS BI 203 or CAS BI 213) and CAS BI 206. Examines how deregulation of the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control cell growth, survival, and differentiation in normal cells can lead to tumor formation, progression, and metastases. Historic and current literature are critically reviewed to understand basic cancer research, clinical approaches to diagnosis, implementation of therapies, and prevention. 4 cr.
Fundamentals of Biology III
CAS BI 383
Prereq: CAS BI 281 and BI 282. For students in the 7-year medical program only. 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. 4 cr.
Animal Behavior
CAS BI 407/GRS BI 607
Prereq: CAS BI 107 or equivalent. Taught within the philosophical framework
that evolutionary theory provides the key for understanding animal behavior.
Lectures on behavioral genetics, development and physiology of behavior, behavioral ecology, phylogenetic component of behavioral evolution, hormonal control of behavior, evolution of reproductive behavior, and the role of cooperation in animal societies. Day field trips taken around New England. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory. 4 cr. Undergraduate
Biochemistry I
CAS BI 421
Prereq: CAS CH 204, CH 212, or CH 214. Introductory biochemistry.
Protein structure and folding, enzyme mechanisms, kinetics, and allostery;
nucleic acid structure; lipids and membrane structure; bioenergetics; vitamins and coenzymes; introduction to intermediary metabolism. Students must register for two sections: lecture and laboratory. Meets with CAS CH 421. 4 cr.
Biochemistry II
CAS BI 422
Prereq: CAS BI 421 or CH 421. Polysaccharides, energy storage and recognition; intermediary metabolism; lipid and isoprene metabolism; nitrogen metabolism; nucleotide metabolism, macromolecular biosynthesis with emphasis on specificity and fidelity in the mechanisms of RNA, DNA, and protein synthesis. Students must register for three sections: lecture, discussion, and laboratory. Meets with CAS CH 422. 4 cr.
Biochemistry Lecture II
CAS BI 424
Prereq: CAS BI 421 or CH 421. For description see CAS BI 422. For students
who do
not require laboratory credit. 2
cr.
Undergraduate Research IV
CAS BI 491/BI 492
Prereq: senior standing and consent of instructor. Laboratory or field research projects may be chosen under the supervision of a regular member of the Biology Department. A minimum of 24 hours per week in laboratory work or fieldwork, not including preparation or evaluation time, is required. Research topic must be defined at the time of registration. Course grade to be determined by laboratory performance and a written report. 4 cr.
Research in Biology
GRS BI 901 - 940
See the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences Bulletin for listing of course titles and numbers. Boston University Department of Biology graduate students only. Under direction of biology faculty. Variable cr.
