The present review deals with nuclear models which consider collective proton and neutron motion separately in terms of bosons. Extensions of the 'geometric' Bohr-Mottelson model are sketched, followed by a more extensive discussion of the 'algebraic' interacting-boson approximation (IBA-2). In the latter the concept of F spin plays a central role, and detailed attention is paid to its tensorial properties. A general projection method is presented whereby any IBA-2 calculation for states of maximal F spin can be transformed into a simpler one in IBA-1, where the proton-neutron distinction is ignored. Data are presented on F-spin multiplets, and global fits with the IBA are discussed. A major portion of the review is concerned with M1 transitions. Strong MIS in deformed and spherical nuciei, with emphasis on the latter, are discussed as resulting from a change in proton-neutron symmetry. Weak M l s are considered as reflecting such symmetry changes in small ampIitudes of the wavefunction. Attention is given to one-fluid boson models (IBA-I. geometric) simulating these t w f l u i d effects.