Cell Biology and Neuroscience Courses

• Semester Offered: Spring
• Credits: 1

Prerequisites 

Prerequisite: 01:119:117/Pre- or Corequisite: Human Parasitology 01:146:328

Course Description 

Human Parasitology Lab covers the biology, morphology, pathogenesis, and treatment of major human parasite diseases.

Topics include:

• Host-Parasite Interactions
• The Pathogenic Amoebae
• Ciliates
• Flagellates
• African Trypanosomes
• American Trypanosomes
• Leishmania
• Toxoplasma
• Malaria
• Arthropod-borne Diseases
• Visceral Trematodes
• Schistosomes
• Cestodes
• Nematodes

Course satisfies Departmental 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.

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy

Two laboratory exams, based on slide identification.

Homework and quizzes.

Course Materials 

Required Laboratory Manual

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. Dunne Fong
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.

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

Prerequisites

General Biology 01:119:115-116 or 01:119:101-102

Course Description

As a consequence of our shrinking world, due to the increased frequency and ease of travel, the study of Parasitology has experienced a resurgence.  This in-person course introduces the morphology, developmental life cycle, pathology, immunology, epidemiology, and treatment and control of each of the major parasites of humans.  In addition, modes of action of chemotherapeutic agents are presented.

Topics include:

• Host-Parasite Relations
• Visceral Trematodes
• Schistosomes
• Cestodes
• Nematodes
• The Pathogenic Amoebae
• Ciliates
• Flagellates
• African Trypanosomes
• American Trypanosomes
• Leishmania
• Toxoplasma
• Malaria
• Arthropod-borne Diseases

Course Syllabus 

Fall 2025 Syllabus

Course Satisfies Learning Goals

Parasites, in particular the Neglected Tropical Diseases, are emerging as some of the most important health issues in underdeveloped countries.  This course presents some of the current issues in parasitology, including epidemiology and drug/vaccine development.  Upon completion of the course, students will understand the life cycle, physiology, and treatment for the most common human parasite infections and use this as a solid foundation for future research in the field.  Course 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

Study Quizes

Two hourly exams

Final exam

Course Materials

Parasitic Diseases, 7^th edition

Despommier, DD, Griffin, DO, Gwadz, RW, Hotez, PJ, and Knirsch, CA.

Parasites Without Borders, 2017.

https://parasiteswithoutborders.com/wp-       

            content/uploads/2020/02/PD7thEditionHighResVersion5-11-2019.pdf

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. Anne Keating
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.

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

Prerequisites 

General Biology 01:119:115-116 

Course Description

As a consequence of our shrinking world, due to the increased frequency and ease of travel, the study of Parasitology has experienced a resurgence.  This course introduces the morphology, developmental life cycle, pathology, immunology, epidemiology, and treatment and control of each of the major parasites of humans.  In addition, modes of action of chemotherapeutic agents are presented.

Topics include:

• Host-Parasite Relations
• African Trypanosomes
• American Trypanosomes
• Leishmania 
• Visceral Flagellates
• The Pathogenic Amoebae
• Ciliates
• Toxoplasma  
• Malaria
• Visceral Trematodes
• Schistosomes and Schistosomiasis
• Cestodes
• Nematodes
• Arthropod-borne Diseases

Course Syllabus

Spring 2025 Syllabus

Course Satisfies Learning Goals 

Understand the life cycles of parasites and means of control, with 2 areas of concentration: (1) Molecular cell biology of human parasites: protozoa and helminthes; (2) Relations between human parasites and COVID-19.

CBN Departmental 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.

Exams, Assignments, and Grading Policy 

Course grades will be based on 3 non-cumulative 80 min exams. The third exam will be taken during the final exam period (date and time to be announced). These exams will consist of multiple choice questions that require an understanding of the basic biology of parasitic organisms in addition to the ability to apply critical thinking to problems in parasitology.

Course Materials 

D. Fong & M. M. Chan (2022) Human Parasites: from Organisms to Molecular Biology
ISBN 978-981-123-626-6 (hardcopy), 978-981-123-627-3 (ebook) World Scientific

Textbook: D. Fong & M. M. Chan (2022) Human Parasites: from Organisms to Molecular Biology, ISBN 978-981-123-626-6 (hardcopy), 978-981-123-627-3 (ebook) World Scientific. [If feasible, please read the chapter before attending class.]

Additional Course Materials: Original articles, papers and reviews, will be posted on the Canvas course site for interested students. [These are for references only.]

Technical/ Technology Requirements: A laptop with internet access for accessing course materials and taking online exams.

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. Dunne Fong

B424 Nelson Bio Labs

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.

• Semester Offered: Fall, Spring
• Credits: 1-3

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 Junior research credits, students must:

1. Engage in “wet lab” or molecular modeling research approved by the CBN department. Hospital volunteering 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 on a designated date listed on the research course Canvas website before the end of the semester.

Course Syllabus 

Fall 2025 Syllabus

Spring 2025 Syllabus

Course Satisfies 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 307/308 is required to submit a 10-page research progress report to the research mentor and the Coordinator of Research on a designated date listed on the research course Canvas website before the end of the semester. The final grade in each course is determined by the sponsoring faculty member.

Course Materials

None. Resources to help students write 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.