Course Descriptions

Prerequisites

CBN GPA of 2.8 or better

Permission of the Department and a Rutgers/RWJMS faculty willing to sponsor the student.

Course Description

These two courses are intended for students wishing to pursue some aspect of research within the disciplines of cell biology and neuroscience.

To receive CBN research credits, students must

1. Engage in “wet lab” or molecular modeling research approved by the CBN department. Hospital volunteering studies and clinical internships are not accepted. Students cannot receive both ARESTY and CBN research credits for the same research.
2. Carry out 4-5 hours of research/week for each research credit. For example:

1 credit = 4-5 hours research/week
2 credits = 8-10 hours research/week
3 credits = 12-15 hours research/week

3. Submit a 10-page written progress report to both the faculty research mentor and the Coordinator of Research on the last class day of each semester.

Course Syllabus 

Fall 2025 Syllabus

Spring 2025 Syllabus

Course 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.
   -Familiar with scientific methodology to acquire research data.
   -Understand how to implement experiments correctly from laboratory protocols.
   -Understand how to troubleshoot and modify experimental procedures.
2. Develop an ability to summarize, integrate and organize information.
   -Know how to keep organized and update records of all experimental activities and observations.
   -Know how to summarize, integrate and compare literature information relevant to the research project.
   -Know how to organize data and literature information to write comprehensible and accurate
   science reports.
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.
   -Know how to formulate a workable hypothesis based on proposed research project.
   -Know how to analyze research and literature data in unbiased and quantitative manner.
   -Know how to draw supported conclusions from available research and literature data to prove or disprove research hypothesis and plan future directions.

Departmental Learning Goals:
https://cbn.rutgers.edu/academics/undergraduate/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.
2. Develop an ability to summarize, integrate and organize information.
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.

Course URL

http://cbn.rutgers.edu/academics/undergraduate/research-for-credit

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy

Each student registered in 406/407 is required to submit a 10-page report of his or her work to the research mentor and the Coordinator of Research on the last class day of each semester.  The final grade in each course is determined by the sponsoring faculty member.

Course Materials

None. Resources to help students writing research progress report are available at the course Canvas site.

Course Closed?

The deadline for registering for these two courses is the end of first month of each semester.  Registration procedures for these two courses can be found at http://cbn.rutgers.edu/academics/undergraduate/research-for-credit

Faculty

Professor Shu C. Hsu
Coordinator of Research, D410 Nelson
Busch Campus
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.