Biology
Note: the courses on this page reflect Summer Term 2008 offerings.
Please check back on December 15 for a list of courses available during Summer Term 2009.
College of Arts and Sciences
CAS BI 106 Human Anatomy
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.
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CAS BI 107 Biology I
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.
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CAS BI 108 Biology II
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.
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CAS BI 114 Human Infectious Diseases: AIDS to Tuberculosis
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.
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CAS BI 203 Cell Biology
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.
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CAS BI 206 Genetics
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.
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CAS BI 211 Human Physiology
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.
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CAS BI 315 Systems Physiology
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. Meets with CAS BI 383. 4 cr.
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CAS BI 325 Principles of Neuroscience
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.
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CAS BI 383 Fundamentals of Biology III
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.
Meets with CAS BI 315. 4 cr.
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CAS BI 407/GRS BI 607 Animal Behavior
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.
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CAS BI 421 Biochemistry I
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.
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CAS BI 422 Biochemistry II
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.
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CAS BI 424 Biochemistry Lecture II
Prereq: CAS BI 421 or CH 421. For description see CAS BI 422. For students
who do
not require laboratory credit. 2
cr.
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CAS BI 491/BI 492 Undergraduate Research IV
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.
Summer 1 and 2:
Arranged
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GRS BI 901 - 940 Research in Biology
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.
Summer 1 and 2:
Arranged.
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Courses of Related Interest
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