Curriculum

First-Year Students
Semester I
CAS BI107: Biology 1
For students who plan to major in the natural sciences or environmental science, and for premedical students. Required for biology majors. No prerequisite. The evolution and diversity of life; principles of ecology; behavioral biology. Three hours lecture, three hours lab including several field studies. 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. (Credits: 4)
CAS CH101: General Chemistry 1
Undergraduate Prerequisites: two years of high school algebra. - For science majors and minors who require a two-semester general chemistry course, but have little prior experience with chemistry. Topics include: atoms and molecules; quantum theory and atomic structure, chemical periodicity; bonding in diatomic and polyatomic molecules; stoichiometry and introduction to reactions in aqueous solutions; properties of gases; and thermochemistry and the first law of thermodynamics. Laboratory exercises include basic training in lab safety and handling of chemical and experiments complementing the lectures, such as investigations of the size of an atom, gas laws, thermochemistry, and quantum aspects. Students must register for the following three (3) course components: lecture, discussion, 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. (Credits: 4)
CAS PS101: General Psychology
Basic introduction to field of psychology; topics include theories and findings governing learning, memory, perception, development, personality, social and abnormal psychology. Three hours large lecture and one hour discussion section or three hours of small lecture class with no discussion sections. Students are required to participate as subjects in psychology studies. 4 cr. either sem. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking. Effective Fall 2019, this course will fulfill a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Social Inquiry I, Critical Thinking, Ethical Reasoning. (Credits: 4)
CAS WR120: First-Year Writing Seminar
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS WR 112, placement results, or transfer credit for WR 02* (for English language learners only). - Topic-based seminar in critical reading and writing. Engagement with a variety of sources and practice in writing in a range of genres with particular attention to argumentation, prose style, and revision, informed by reflection and feedback, including individual conferences. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: First-Year Writing Seminar. (Credits: 4)
SAR HP150: First-Year Sargent Seminar
This course is designed to facilitate successful integration into Sargent College for first-year students. Resources and guidelines will be made available to aid first-year students in making informed academic decisions while clarifying and enhancing the students' experiences with the Boston University community. Interaction with faculty and student leaders is provided. (Credits: 0)
Semester II
CAS BI108: Biology 2
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. Biochemistry, cell & molecular biology, Mendelian & molecular genetics, physiology, and neurobiology. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. 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. (Credits: 4)
CAS CH102: General Chemistry 2
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CASCH 101. - Second semester general chemistry for students who have completed CAS CH101. Topics include: properties of solids and liquids; colligative properties; chemical kinetics; equilibrium; acids, bases, and buffers; solubility and precipitation; electrochemistry; and spontaneity, free energy, and the second law of thermodynamics. Laboratory exercises include experiments complementing the lectures, such as investigations of the freezing point of solutions, kinetics, acid-base titrations, and electrochemistry. Students must have completed CASCH 101 prior to enrolling in CAS CH 102. Students must register for the following three (3) course components: lecture, discussion, and laboratory. Carries natural science laboratory credit 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. (Credits: 4)
SAR HP151: Introduction to Health Professions
Through readings, discussion and written work, we explore the functions of the health and rehabilitation disciplines. An introduction to the health care system and social impact of health and disability is also considered especially with respect to allocation of resources to improve outcomes. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Oral and/or Signed Communication. (Credits: 2)
CAS WR151 or WR152 or WR153: Writing Research & Inquiry
Sophomore Year
Semester I
CAS BI203: Cell Biology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI108 OR CASNE102) and CAS CH 102 or equivalent. ; Undergraduate Corequisites: (CASCH203)or equivalent. - Principles of cellular organization and function: biological molecules, flow of genetic information, membranes and subcellular organelles, and cell regulation. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Students may receive credit for CAS BI 203 or 213, but not both courses. 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. (Credits: 4)
CAS CH203: Organic Chemistry 1
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASCH102 OR CASCH110 OR CASCH112) - Fundamentals of contemporary organic chemistry, including skeletal and electronic structure, stereochemistry, and reactions of important functional groups. Applications of organic reactions to important synthetic targets in materials and drug discovery will be highlighted, as will reactions pertinent to biochemistry. Laboratory includes training in basic organic chemistry skills, such as extraction, reaction performance, spectroscopy interpretation and chromatography. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry I, Quantitative Reasoning I. (Credits: 4)
CAS MA121: Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences I
Students may receive credit for not more than one of the following courses: CAS MA 121 or CAS MA 123. Differentiation and integration of functions of one variable. Same topics as CAS MA 123, but with less emphasis on mathematical generality and more on applications. Especially suitable for students concentrating in the biological and social sciences. Carries MCS Divisional credit in CAS. Effective Fall 2018, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub area: Quantitative Reasoning II. Effective Fall 2020, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Quantitative Reasoning II, Social Inquiry II, Critical Thinking. (Credits: 4)
Hub Electives
Semester II
CAS BI315: Systems Physiology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI108 OR ENGBE209) , and CASCH101 and CASCH102, or equivalent. First Year Writing Seminar (e.g., WR 100 or 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. Three hours lecture, three hours lab. 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. (Credits: 4)
Hub Electives
Choose one of the following:
SAR HP252: Health and Disability across the Lifespan
OR
SAR HP353: Organization and Delivery of Health Care in the US
Choose one of the following:
CAS CH204 or CAS214: Organic Chemistry 2 with discussion and lab
OR
Organic Chemistry with Qualitative Analysis with discussion and lab
Notes: For students planning to apply to medical school, the Department recommends taking biochemistry CAS CH 421, but CAS CH 373 is acceptable. CAS CH 214 is the recommended second semester organic chemistry course for those planning to take CAS CH 421 Biochemistry with lab. CAS CH 422 Biochemistry II may be taken as a general elective. Students planning to take CAS CH 421 Biochemistry should take CAS CH 214 Organic Chemistry instead of CAS CH 204. For students planning to apply to BS/MS in Human Physiology, the Department recommends taking biochemistry CAS CH 421 and not CAS CH 373.
For students planning to apply to physician assistant or nursing graduate programs, the Department recommends taking microbiology with a lab: CAS BI 311 (CAS BI 206, genetics, is a prerequisite). Depending upon the specific programs to which students apply, CAS BI114 or GMS BT426 may also fulfill the requirement.
Choose one of the following:
CAS MA115: Statistics I with discussion
OR
CAS MA122: Calculus for the Life and Social Sciences II with discussion
Note: For students planning to apply to medical school, the Department recommends taking CAS SO 100 or CAS SO 215 for MCAT preparation.
Junior Year
Semester I
Choose one of the following:
CAS CH373: Principles of Biochemistry with discussion and lab
OR
CAS CH421: Biochemistry I with discussion and lab
Notes: For students planning to apply to medical school, the Department recommends taking biochemistry CAS CH 421, but CAS CH 373 is acceptable. CAS CH 214 is the recommended second semester organic chemistry course for those planning to take CAS CH 421 Biochemistry with lab. CAS CH 422 Biochemistry II may be taken as a general elective. Students planning to take CAS CH 421 Biochemistry should take CAS CH 214 Organic Chemistry instead of CAS CH 204. For students planning to apply to BS/MS in HP, the Department recommends taking biochemistry CAS CH 421 and not CAS CH 373.
For students planning to apply to physician assistant or nursing graduate programs, the Department recommends taking microbiology with a lab: CAS BI 311 (CAS BI 206, genetics, is a prerequisite). Depending upon the specific programs to which students apply, CAS BI114 or GMS BT426 may also fulfill the requirement.
CAS PY105: Physics 1
The CAS PY 105/106 sequence satisfies premedical requirements. PY105 covers some of the basic principles underlying the physics of everyday life, including forces and motion, momentum and energy, harmonic motion, rotation, and heat and thermodynamics. 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. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS251: Human Nutrition Science
This course draws on principles of anatomy, physiology, and biochemistry to deepen students’ understanding of macro- and micronutrients, digestion, and metabolism in preparation for applied discussions on individual- and policy-level tools to support healthy eating, dietary patterns for chronic disease prevention, and global nutrition challenges. This course is intended for pre-health and nutrition majors. For non-majors, see SAR HS 201 – Intro to Nutrition. Effective Fall 2025, this course fulfills a single unit in each of the following BU Hub areas: Critical Thinking, lobal Citizenship and Intercultural Literacy, Scientific Inquiry II. (Credits: 4)
Hub Electives: BU Hub electives or SAR HP252 Health and Disability across the Lifespan or SAR HP353 Organization and Delivery of Health Care in the US
Note: Juniors (Class 2023) and Seniors (Class 2022) please refer to Sargent College Human Physiology Bulletin.
Semester II
CAS PY106: Physics 2
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASPY105) or equivalent. - The CAS PY 105/106 sequence satisfies premedical requirements. PY106 covers some of the basic principles underlying the physics of everyday life, including electricity and magnetism, direct-current circuits, waves, optics, and modern physics. 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. (Credits: 4)
SAR HS342: Exercise Physiology
Undergraduate Prerequisites: (CASBI211 OR CASBI315) or consent of instructor. - What are the limits of human performance' Why can't we run 25 miles at the same speed we can sprint 40 yards' How do common diseases impact tolerance to physical activity' In exercise physiology we will discuss these questions and more, eventually uncovering principles that determine how our bodies respond to various forms of stress (like exercise). Through hands-on group experiments and collaborative projects in laboratory and lecture, we will also explore how scientists have come to these conclusions through the implementation of the scientific method in a research setting. Effective Fall 2019, this course fulfills a single unit in the following BU Hub areas: Scientific Inquiry II, Teamwork/Collaboration. (Credits: 4)
CAS MA116: Statistics II or CAS MA214 Applied Statistics
Hub Electives: BU Hub electives or SAR HP252 Health and Disability across the Lifespan or SAR HP353 Organization and Delivery of Health Care in the US
Note: Juniors (Class 2023) and Seniors (Class 2022) please refer to Sargent College Human Physiology Bulletin.
Senior Year
Semester I
SAR HS369: Gross Human Anatomy
Undergraduate Prerequisites: CAS BI105 & CAS BI106 or CAS BI107 & CAS BI108 and CAS BI211 or CAS BI 315. - Integrative approach to the musculoskeletal, peripheral nervous, and circulatory systems of the human body. Regional approach is used to present lectures with the use of projected drawings, films, slides, and demonstrations. Weekly labs reinforce the lectures by a study of osteology, dissected cadavers, and live anatomy palpations. Either semester. (Credits: 4)
Choose one of the following:
SAR HS375 Cardiovascular Pathophysiology (Fall)
OR
SAR HS371 Pulmonary Pathophysiology (Spring)
Notes: Register for SAR HS 375 Cardiovascular Pathophysiology or SAR HS 371 Pulmonary Pathophysiology (spring semester). If both SAR HS 371 and SAR HS 375 are taken, one course counts as a pathophysiology requirement and the other course counts as a human physiology elective.
Choose one of the following:
SAR HS410: Field Experience: Human Physiology (Fall or Spring Semester)
OR
SAR HP495: Thesis for Distinction which can be taken in place of SAR HS 410 in Fall or Spring Semester
Hub Electives: BU Hub electives or SAR HP252 Health and Disability across the Lifespan or SAR HP353 Organization and Delivery of Health Care in the US
General Electives
Notes:
- HS410 can be taken fall or spring.
- In the fall semester, if registering for HS410, then four credits of general electives are required. If not registering for HS410, then eight credits of general electives are required.
- In the spring semester, if registering for SAR HS410, students register for four elective credits; otherwise students register for 8 elective credits.
Semester II
SAR HS410: Field Experience: Human Physiology (Fall or Spring Semester)
OR
SAR HP495: Thesis for Distinction which can be taken in place of SAR HS 410 in Fall or Spring Semester
Electives: Select Two Human Physiology Electives from the Following:
- SAR HS 331 Physiology of Sex and Human Reproduction (Spring)
- SAR HS 341 Physiology Across the Lifespan (Fall)
- SAR HS 362 Muscle Physiology (Spring)
- SAR HS 370 Neuroanatomy and Neurophysiology (Spring)
- SAR HS 371 Pulmonary Pathophysiology (Spring)
- SAR HS 375 Cardiovascular Pathophysiology (Fall)
- SAR HS 438 Pathophysiology in Marginalized Populations (4 units) (Fall)
- SAR HS 452 Advanced Exercise Physiology (4 units) (Fall)
- SAR HS 469 Advanced Regional Anatomy (2 units) (Fall/Spring)
- SAR HS 549 Mechanisms of Disruption in Brain Disorders (4 units) (Spring)
- SAR HS 576 Clinical Measurements in Cardiology (4 units) (Spring)
Total Credits for Human Physiology = 128