Cell Biology and Neuroscience Courses
01:146:350 Introduction to Light Microscopy for the Life Sciences
- This course offers a comprehensive exploration of advanced imaging techniques essential for studying tissues, cells, and organelles in the life sciences. Through a blend of lectures and hands-on laboratory sessions, students will be introduced to a diverse array of methodologies, enabling them to investigate biological structures across various scales, ranging from molecules to organisms. The course will cover a spectrum of imaging modalities, including conventional light microscopy, fluorescent microscopy, cutting-edge high-resolution light microscopy, and electron microscopy. Additionally, students will explore optical approaches for probing cellular dynamics, encompassing calcium and voltage imaging, as well as molecular interactions. Each class session will commence with a detailed lecture segment providing theoretical foundations and conceptual frameworks. This will be followed by immersive laboratory sessions where students, often working collaboratively in teams, will tackle real-world cellular physiological problems. Throughout these sessions, students will not only gain practical experience in utilizing microscopy techniques but will also acquire essential skills in basic cell biology techniques such as cell handling and probe introduction.
- Semester Offered: Spring
- Credits: 1
- Course URL: Canvas
Prerequisites:
Fundamentals of Cell Biology (01:146:270) or Essentials of Cell Biology and Neuroscience (01:146:295)
Course Materials:
The course material will consist of lecture slides, assigned reading materials and supplemental videos illustrating key concepts.
Course Description:
This course is offered each Spring semester and is intended primarily for life science majors. It counts as Lab credit. Other students with background knowledge in cell biology may also take this course.
This course offers a comprehensive exploration of advanced imaging techniques essential for studying tissues, cells, and organelles in the life sciences. Through a blend of lectures and hands-on laboratory sessions, students will be introduced to a diverse array of methodologies, enabling them to investigate biological structures across various scales, ranging from molecules to organisms. The course will cover a spectrum of imaging modalities, including conventional light microscopy, fluorescent microscopy, cutting-edge high-resolution light microscopy, and image analysis modalities.
Course Syllabus:
Course Satisfies Learning Goals:
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Understanding Optical Principles: Students should grasp the basic optical principles underlying light microscopy, including concepts such as refraction, reflection, magnification, and resolution.
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Mastering Microscopy Techniques: Students should acquire proficiency in using light microscopes, including handling and adjusting various components of the microscope to optimize image quality.
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Sample Preparation Skills: Students should learn techniques for preparing samples for microscopy, including fixation, staining, and mounting, ensuring samples are adequately prepared for observation.
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Interpretation of Microscopic Images: Students should develop the ability to interpret images obtained through light microscopy, including identifying cellular structures, analyzing spatial relationships, and understanding the implications of observed phenomena.
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Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving: Students should cultivate critical thinking skills and the ability to troubleshoot common issues encountered during microscopy experiments, such as suboptimal sample preparation or image artifacts.
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Experimental Design and Optimization: Students should learn to design experiments involving light microscopy effectively, considering factors such as sample type, staining methods, and microscope settings to achieve reliable and meaningful results.
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Data Analysis and Presentation: Students should be able to analyze data obtained from microscopy experiments, employ appropriate image analysis tools and software, and effectively present their findings through visual representations and written reports.
By achieving these learning goals, students can develop a strong foundation in light microscopy that prepares them for further studies or careers in fields such as biology, biomedical sciences, materials science, and beyond.
Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy:
ASSESSMENT / GRADING COMPONENTS
Throughout the duration of this course, students will be tasked with completing weekly lab reports, totaling five reports in all. These reports will serve as a comprehensive record of the microsocpic techniques discussed in class. Additionally, as a culmination of the course, students will prepare and submit a virtual poster and present it during the final week. This poster will focus on a specific microscopic technique, providing an in-depth exploration of its principles, applications, and advantages. Through these assignments, students will not only engage with hands-on laboratory work but also develop the ability to effectively communicate scientific concepts and findings.
WEIGHTING OF ASSESSMENTS
Each lab report will carry significant weight in the overall evaluation, accounting for 15% of the final grade. The poster, due during the last week of class will constitute 20% of the final grade. The last 5% to the final grade will be in class participation. Through consistent engagement and thoughtful contributions, students can demonstrate their comprehension of course materials and enhance their overall performance.
Lab reports (5x 15%) = 75%
Poster = 20%
Class participation = 5%
TOTAL = 100%
Grading scale: A >90, B+ >87, B >80, C+ >77, C >70, D >60, F <59
Rubrics for lab reports, poster presentations and attendance grading can be found here:
Imaging Course Documents
Course Closed?
If this course is closed, please add your name to request an spn for the course under the Cell Biology & Neuroscience section of the SPN Request Page. Please note the system does not notify students unless they can be accommodated in the course. SPNs are distributed throughout the remainder of the semester and through the drop/add period. If you have any questions, please contact the CBN advising via
Course Director:
Prof. Zainab Tanvir (
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.
01:146:482 Genes, Diseases, and Therapies
- Semester Offered: Fall, Spring
- Credits: 3
Prerequisites
The course prerequisite is any one of: Fundamentals of Cell Biology (146:270); Genetic Analysis II (447:385); or Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (694:408)
Course Description
This honors course is offered in the fall semester and is intended primarily for students majoring in Cell Biology & Neuroscience. It counts as an Advanced course towards the CBN major (R10) or a Life Science Elective (R11).
This honors course, taught by two professors, explores advanced concepts in cell biology using modern genetic approaches. Students will learn how genetic tools are applied to uncover disease-causing alleles, develop models of disease pathology, and translate discoveries from the bench to the bedside. Organized into three modules, the course integrates genomics, gene expression regulation, RNA biology, and diverse model systems, with critical thinking on experimental design, scientific logic, and therapeutic innovation.
Course Syllabus
Coming soon!
Course Site
There will be a Canvas course site.
Course Satisfies Learning Goals
Learning Goals: The learning goals for this course are consistent with the general goals set by the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience and the Division of Life Sciences.
1. Obtain factual and conceptual knowledge in the fundamentals of cell biology and development (with a hint of neuroscience) that will provide a strong foundation for success in advanced training and professional careers.
2. Develop an ability to summarize, integrate, and organize information.
3. Use scientific reasoning to evaluate the potential for current research and discoveries to improve our understanding of cell biology and its relevance to human health and our society.
The mission of the Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences (CBN) is to provide students with a first-rate educational experience in modern biology. Our graduates will have a solid foundation for any career opportunities in biology. Furthermore, they will be inspired to become lifelong learners in the ever-evolving world of biological sciences. The overarching goal of CBN is to prepare our students for successful entry into the workforce, whether in a health professions field or a biomedical research area.
Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy
Course Closed?
If this course is closed, please add your name to request an SPN for the course under the Cell Biology & Neuroscience section of the SPN Request Page. Please note that the system does not notify students unless they can be accommodated in the course. SPNs are distributed throughout the remainder of the semester and through the drop/add period. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the CBN advising via
Faculty
Professor Ron Hart, Ph.D., Email:
Professor Natasha O'Brown, Ph.D., Email:
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.
01:146:465 Neurobiology of Pain and Addiction
- Semester Offered: Fall, Spring
- Credits: 3
Prerequisites
Prerequisites are Fundamentals of Neurobiology (01:146:245) or Essentials in Cell Biology & Neuroscience (01:146: 295).
Course Description
This course is offered in the Spring semester and is intended primarily for students majoring in Cell Biology & Neuroscience. It counts as an Advanced course towards the CBN major (R10) or a Life Science Elective (R11). Other students with background knowledge in neuroscience can also register for this course.
The opioid epidemic highlights how chronic pain may result in addiction to painkillers. Understanding the fundamental underpinnings of the debilitating sensations of pain and addictive behaviors provides potential therapeutic avenues for treatment and intervention. The course will focus on the molecular, cellular, and neuroanatomical correlates of pain and addiction. The course consists of three modules. The first module will delve into how different ion channels sense temperature, mechanical stimulus, or pain. The second module will cover the neural circuitries that convey, integrate, and combine these percepts. Finally, students will learn the neuroanatomy and circuits that participate in addictive behavior. Students must have a strong background in cell biology or neurobiology.
Topics: This course will address the fundamental neurobiology of pain and addiction. After completing this course, students should have a solid grasp of the following:
- The ion channels and receptors involved in detecting different sensory modalities and pain.
- The neural circuits underlying pain and somatosensation
- Addiction mechanisms, including circuits, neuroanatomy, and behavior
Course Syllabus
Spring 2025 (Formerly 01:146:464 Topics in Cell Biology and Neuroscience: Neurobiology of Pain and Addiction)
Course Site
There will be a Canvas course site.
Course Satisfies Learning Goals
Learning Goals: The learning goals for this course are consistent with the general goals set by the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience and the Division of Life Sciences.
1. Obtain factual and conceptual knowledge in the fundamentals of cell biology and development (with a hint of neuroscience) that will provide a strong foundation for success in advanced training and professional careers.
2. Develop an ability to summarize, integrate, and organize information.
3. Use scientific reasoning to evaluate the potential for current research and discoveries to improve our understanding of cell biology and its relevance to human health and our society.
The mission of the Department of Cell Biology and Neurosciences (CBN) is to provide students with a first-rate educational experience in modern biology. Our graduates will have a solid foundation for any career opportunities that build on biology. Furthermore, they will be inspired to become lifelong learners in the ever-evolving world of biological sciences. The overarching goal of CBN is to prepare our students for successful entry into the workforce, whether in a health professions field or a biomedical research area.
Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy
The three exams will count for 80% of the remaining points. Three quizzes will account for the remaining 20% of the total grade. The exam will be given at the end of each module, and quizzes will be given in the middle of each module. There will not be a cumulative final exam. Attendance will be taken in class, and up to 10% extra credit will be provided.
Course Closed?
If this course is closed, please add your name to request an SPN for the course under the Cell Biology & Neuroscience section of the SPN Request Page. Please note that the system does not notify students unless they can be accommodated in the course. SPNs are distributed throughout the remainder of the semester and through the drop/add period. If you have any questions, please get in touch with the CBN advising via
Faculty
Professor Kelvin Kwan, Ph.D., Email:
Professor Victoria Abraira, Ph.D., Email:
Prof. Santiago Cuesta, Ph.D., Email:
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.
01:146:473 Genetic Regulation in Cell Biology
- This in person course is intended for junior or senior students majoring in CBN and fulfills one of the advanced course requirements for this major (R10). The course may also be used to fulfill the elective requirements of the CBN (R11) or Biological Sciences major and is also suitable for other Life Science students who have a strong background in cell biology.
- Semester Offered: Fall
- Credits: 3
- Course URL: Canvas
Prerequisites
Fundamentals of Cell Biology 01:146:270
Restrictions
Preference is given to declared Cell Biology & Neuroscience majors graduating within the following academic year. If space is available, other qualified students will be admitted. See Course Closed, below.
Course Description
This course, taught by 3 professors, addresses advanced concepts of cell biology, focusing on genetic animal models, genomics, chromatin function, gene expression, and RNA biology. The course is organized into 3 modules. Classes meet in person twice per week (2x80 min). Attendance and participation are encouraged.
Course Syllabus
Fall 2024
Course Satisfies Learning Goals
Master factual and conceptual knowledge in cell biology that will provide a solid foundation for success in advanced training and professional careers. Develop an ability to summarize, integrate and organize information. Use scientific reasoning to evaluate the potential for current research and new discoveries to improve our understanding of cell biology and neuroscience and its relevance to human health and to our society. These goals are consistent with those set by the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, as well as the Division of Life Sciences at Rutgers University
Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy
Three 80-minute module exams will count for 58.5% of the final grade (19.5% each exam). Online quizzes (2-3 per module) will count for 41.5% of the final grade.
Course Materials
Recommended Text:
MOLECULAR CELL BIOLOGY, by Lodish, Berk, Kaiser, Krieger, Bretscher, Ploegh, Martin, Yaffe and Amon. 9th Edition (2021), Macmillan Learning. ISBN: 9781319365028 (eBook), 9781319426736 (access card), 9781319208523 (paperback).
Additional slide notes, videos and reading material will be posted on Canvas.
Course Closed?
If this course is closed, please add your name to request an spn for the course under the Cell Biology & Neuroscience section of the SPN Request Page. Please note the system does not notify students unless they can be accommodated in the course. SPNs are distributed throughout the remainder of the semester and through the drop/add period. If you have any questions, please contact the CBN advising via
Faculty
Course Coordinator/Instructor:
Prof. Ron Hart (
Other Participating Faculty Instructors:
Prof. Megerditch Kiledjian (
Prof. Natasha O’Brown (
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.
01:146:476 Honors Immunology
- Semester Offered: Spring
- Credits: 3
- Course URL: Canvas
Prerequisites
Genetics 01:447:380 or 01:447:384
Recommended: General Microbiology 01:447:390
Must be participating in the CBN Honors, SAS Honors, or Honors College Program.
Course Description
This course will serve as an introduction to the immune system, with a focus on mammalian organisms (particularly humans). In general terms, we will uncover how the cells and organs of the immune system orchestrate protective responses to pathogen infection across distance and time in the body. While immunology encompasses a vast body of facts and terminologies, we will deemphasize rote memorization and classification. Instead, a primary goal of this honors 400-level course is to engage your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, as well as to introduce you to primary research addressing contemporary immunological questions. This course will differ from the non-honors version of the course by focusing on interactive lectures and creative assignments using active learning strategies and a much smaller group of advanced students. During this course, we will undertake our studies guided by two principal understandings about the immune system in particular. These “enduring understandings” are the big picture ideas that tie together all the information in the course. They will inform the essential questions we explore in our studies and the learning objectives we will attempt to achieve by the end of the semester.
Course Syllabus
Course Satisfies Learning Goals
1) Master factual and conceptual knowledge in cell biology and neuroscience that will provide a solid foundation for success in advanced training and professional careers.
- We will cover a broad range of material in this course, including the foundational cell types, tissues, and molecular pathways that are central to immunological function.
- Lecture modules and practice quizzes will be organized in ways that illuminate the common themes and concepts that underlie the complexities of the immune system. These organizing concepts include innate vs. adaptive immunity, cellular vs. humoral immunity, tolerance vs. autoimmunity, etc.
2) Develop an ability to summarize, integrate and organize information.
- Practice quizzes, review sessions, and other exercises will focus on the application of learning towards problem solving, identifying patterns in complex information, and designing experiments capable of creating new knowledge.
3) Use scientific reasoning to evaluate the potential for current research and new discoveries to improve our understanding of cell biology and neuroscience and its relevance to human health and to our society.
- After building foundational knowledge in the first two sections of the course, modules 11-14 will focus on heavily on the relevance of our learning to human diseases, including topics such as vaccination, HIV/AIDS, and cancer immunotherapy.
- We will make frequent reference to the experiments and techniques used by scientists working at the forefront of immunological research, including flow cytometry, antibody-based molecular biology, etc.
- When possible, we will explore the foundational experiments and primary data that support our modern understanding of immunological processes.
Assessments and Course Activities
Lecture Modules: Lectures in this course will be organized into weekly modules on Canvas. Lectures are IN-PERSON. Slides and other supplemental content will be posted to Canvas. The instructor may post lecture recordings or other video content at their discretion, but in no case should you expect to rely exclusively on online/remote content. Each weekly module will cover about 1 chapter in the textbook. You are expected to attend all lectures and read the associated chapter before the end of each week.
Exams: There will be 3 in-class exams. Exams will consist of multiple-choice questions that require critical thinking and problem solving in order to select the most appropriate answer. Questions will be based entirely on course lectures and activities. Students may bring 1 page of handwritten or computer-printed notes (1 side of one page – the other side must be blank) to consult during the exam. Use of electronic devices of any kind during exams is strictly prohibited, with the exception of devices used for disability accommodations (such devices must be approved in advance through an appropriate university office).
In-Class Activities: This course will emphasize active learning. Because of this, we will use a variety of in-class activities to guide and enrich our learning. These will take a variety of forms, including practice quizzes, group discussion, problem solving challenges, games, etc. As these activities will represent a significant portion of our time together, your active participation will be required. Points will be awarded for activities based primarily on attendance and active completion, with some variation based on the nature of the activity. The lowest 3 in-class activity scores will be dropped from the final grade, including days for which you are absent.
Assignments: We will have several activities in the course that will extend beyond a single class session, involving work at home or across multiple class days. These will include virtual laboratory exercises that demonstrate major concepts we cover in lecture and case studies that require you to apply your knowledge to solve scientific or medical challenges related to immunology. These assignments may be completed in groups, but each will require a unique submission on Canvas that will be graded individually. Specific instructions and grading criteria for individual assignments will be provided.
Grading: Final course grades will be assigned according to the total points accumulated from scores in each category indicated below. Neither individual assignments nor final course grades will be “curved” in any way. Your final grade in the course will be determined by the weighted average of your scores using the following distribution:
|
Final Grade |
Final Average |
|||
|
Assignment |
Value |
A |
90.0-100.0 |
|
|
Exam 1 |
15% |
B+ |
87.0-89.9 |
|
|
Exam 2 |
15% |
B |
80.0-86.9 |
|
|
Exam 3 |
15% |
C+ |
77.0-79.9 |
|
|
In-class activities |
25% |
C |
70.0-76.9 |
|
|
Assignments |
30% |
D |
60.0-69.9 |
|
|
F |
0.0-59.9 |
Course Materials
Janeway’s Immunobiology, 10th Edition. (ISBN: 978-0393884890)
Course Closed?
If this course is closed, please add your name to request an spn for the course under the Cell Biology & Neuroscience section of the SPN Request Page. Please note the system does not notify students unless they can be accommodated in the course. SPNs are distributed throughout the remainder of the semester and through the drop/add period. If you have any questions, please contact the CBN advising via
Faculty
Course Coordinator/Instructor:
Dr. Brian Daniels
** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.