Cell Biology and Neuroscience Courses

• Semester Offered: Fall
• Credits: 3
• Course URL: Canvas

Prerequisites

Fundamentals of Neurobiology 01:146:245; Fundamentals of Cell Biology 01:146:270

Course Description

This course is focused on the cellular and systems features of neurons, the fundamental unit of signaling in the nervous system.  Rather than providing a broad survey of neuronal function, a small number of advanced topics will be examined in detail. There will be a focus on how to test hypotheses related to the topics addressed.

Topics include:

* Intra- and inter- cellular communication

* Construction of neuronal networks

* Protein interactions at the synapse

* Signal transduction pathways

* Dendritic integration and plasticity of neural circuits

Course Syllabus

Fall 2024 (formerly Advanced Neurobiology I)

Course Satisfies Learning Goals

Consistent with those set by the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience, as well as the Division of Life Sciences at Rutgers University

See http://cbn.rutgers.edu/academics/undergraduate/learning-goals for more information.

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy

Exams consist of "problem-solving" questions, either in essay or multiple choice format. This is to encourage understanding of the material presented rather than rote memorization. Questions focus on using experimental approaches, information, and techniques presented in class to investigate novel issues and to provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of neurological disorders.

A total of three exams are given, each on one module of the course.

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 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Course Director:

Dr. Bonnie Firestein

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Additional Instructors:

Dr. David Margolis

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dr. Rafiq Huda

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** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.

• Semester Offered: Fall, Spring
• Credits: 1
• Course URL: Canvas

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: 119:117 or 119:102   Pre- or Corequisite: Systems Physiology 146:356

At the end of the registration period, the 146:357 roster will be checked to make sure that all students meet the pre/corequisite of 146:356. Any student not meeting this requirement will be immediately dropped from the roster.

Course Description

Physiology is an experimental, analytical, quantitative science. "The study of physiology is only half accomplished if you never enter the laboratory. It is one thing to hear a concept explained in lecture, but quite another to see the concept unfold before your eyes in a laboratory experiment." (Gerald D. Tharp, University of Nebraska). Systems Physiology Laboratory was designed by Gary F. Merrill to teach students basic, experimental organ systems physiology. Laboratory experiments are performed in isolated organ preparations (e.g. skeletal muscle), in whole animals that are anesthetized/euthanized (in situ experimentation), and in student subjects. Our laboratory classes meet once a week and the focus of each week's activity is on an experiment that has its roots in classic experimental physiology.

Learning goals of this course include:

• Educating students in the basics of research in organ systems physiology
• Increasing the student's basic laboratory skills
• Exposing students to the use of "state-of-the-art" data acquisition equipment
• Conducting experiments that demonstrate fundamental physiological principles (including the use of physiological transducers)
• Teaching students the proper techniques of scientific writing/reporting

Other Experiments Include:

• Introduction to Data Acquisition and Lab
• Chart Software Lab Experimental Design
• Striated Skeletal Muscle and Nerve-muscle Experiments
• Function of Human Muscle
• Regulation of Blood Pressure
• ECG in Humans and Other Vertebrates
• Respiration and Spirometry
• Osmolarity and Water Balance (Kidneys)
• Blood Glucose and Insulin
• Gastrointestinal Function

Course Syllabus

Spring/Fall Syllabus

Fall 2024 Syllabus will be uploaded soon, please refer to Spring 2024 Syllabus for now.

Course Satisfies Learning Goals

The above and related learning 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

Grades for this one credit laboratory course are determined by written partial and complete laboratory reports, in-class quizzes and TA evaluations.

Course Materials

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. We ask that if you are provided an spn for a course and choose not to use it, to please notify our offices at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  so we may provide it to the next student

Faculty

Course Director:

Dr. Gary F. Merrill
Nelson Biological Labs B-222
phone: 848-445-2320
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.

• Physiology according to the American Physiological Society (APS) is the study of life. Physiological studies of normal function provide the basis to understanding abnormal function- at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and whole animal levels.  In this context, Advanced Physiology was designed by Dr. Gary F. Merrill circa 2015 to help students understand body functions and their regulation at the organ systems level (mammals including humans). Conceptual content of the course is an advanced replicate of his design of Systems Physiology in the 1970s. In addition, students will be exposed to and will learn from the published literature (Merrill’s primarily), as well as to experimental design that will include specific concepts of the cardiovascular system, the respiratory system, the renal system, the gastrointestinal function. A few examples of mammalian special senses will also be discussed.
• Semester Offered: Fall, Spring
• Credits: 3
• Course URL: Canvas

Prerequisites

General Biology 119:115-116 or 119:101-102 AND 01:160:161-162 or 163-164 and 160:171, and Systems Physiology 01:146:356 

Open to Juniors and Seniors only (others with approval of Dr. Merrill) 

Course URL

Canvas

Course Satisfies Learning Goals

The goal of this course is to develop the student's knowledge and understanding of the organ systems, human and experimental physiology. Students should be able to identify the operational physiological mechanisms of several of the body's major systems in maintaining homeostasis. They should also be able to distinguish between important physiologic concepts such as the steady state, feedback/feed forward, and set points. It is expected that students understand the synchrony of many systems interacting simultaneously (e.g. neural control of cardio-respiratory response to maintain circulation and blood pressure). 

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy

To be reviewed the first day of class (and available on Canvas) 

Course Materials

A selection of good books to study physiology for this course: 

TEXTBOOK RECOMMENDATIONS: 

Guyton, A.C. & Hall, J.E. Textbook of Medical Physiology, 14the Edition, Elsevier, 2021, ISBN 978-0-323-59712-8 

Boron, W.F. & Boulpaep, E.L. Medical Physiology, 3rd Edition, Elsevier, 2017, ISBN 9781-4557-43773, eBook ISBN: 9781455733286 

Students are encouraged to have a copy of either or both books and to refer to it/them regularly. Much of Merrill’s formal lecture material will come from these ‘top-of-the-class’ textbooks of physiology (e.g. figures and tables). 

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. We ask that if you are provided an spn for a course and choose not to use it, to please notify our offices at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  so we may provide it to the next student.

Faculty

Dr. Gary F. Merrill 
B-222 Nelson Labs 
Busch Campus 
phone: 848-445-2320 
email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

• Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
• Credits: 3
• Course URL: Canvas

Prerequisites

General Biology 119:115-116 AND General Chemistry with lab 160:161-162 or 163-164, and 160:171. Open to Juniors and Seniors only. College of Pharmacy students may take this course in their Sophomore year. ALL other students must be Juniors or Seniors (no exceptions).

Course Description

Physiology according to American Physiological Society is the study of life. Physiological studies of normal function provide the basis to understanding abnormal function- at the molecular, cellular, tissue, organ and whole animal levels.  In this context, Systems Physiology will help students understand body functions and their regulation at the organ systems level (mammals including humans).

Course content will include a survey of most of the major organ systems.

Course Syllabus 

Spring 2025 Syllabus

Learning Goals

The specific goal of this course is to develop the student's knowledge and understanding of the organ systems and human body physiology. Students should be able to identify the operational physiological mechanisms of most body systems and their function. It is also expected that the students understand the unique role of each organ and organ systems in maintaining homeostasis and that they distinguish between important physiologic concepts such as the steady state and dynamic equilibrium. The students should be able to integrate knowledge of the major organ function with the complexity of the systems.

In addition, this course will satisfy the learning goals set by the Department of Cell Biology and Neuroscience:

• Master factual and conceptual knowledge in cell biology and neuroscience 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. 

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy

Your grade in this class will be based off the following assessments. 

Exams (3):  51% (17% each)
Cumulative Final Exam (1): 20%
Weekly Quizzes (10): 8%   
Concept Checks (21): 6%
Connect Pre-Lecture Assignments (21):  5%
Discussion Posts (2):  5%
Attendance (~12): 5%

Course Materials

Textbook- Vander’s Human Physiology, 16^th ed.
By Eric Widmaier, Hershel Raff, Kevin Strang
Publisher: McGraw Hill

Our course is enrolled in McGraw Hill’s FIRST DAY program, which means that you have access to the textbook and Connect within Canvas as you click on a Connect assignment. The $82.43 discounted price is charged to your student fee account.  Since Connect assignments are part of the course, the textbook + Connect access is required.  If you would like an optional looseleaf copy of the textbook, a discounted price is available through Connect.

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. We ask that if you are provided an spn for a course and choose not to use it, to please notify our offices at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  so we may provide it to the next student.

Faculty

Grace Amole, MD
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

** All information is subject to change at the discretion of the course coordinator.