Molecular Biology and Biochemistry Courses

• This course provides familiarization with protein and enzyme techniques in the laboratory, and properties of amino acids and sugars. There is some material dealing with DNA and very basic molecular biology. The lab complements the material in the course, 694:301, but is not taught in parallel with 301.
• Semester Offered: Fall, Spring
• Credits: 1

Course Description:  This course provides familiarization with protein and enzyme techniques in the laboratory, and properties of amino acids and sugars. There is some material dealing with DNA and very basic molecular biology. 

Course satisfies Learning Goals

1. Students should demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge that is needed to begin biomedical research and that is required for post-graduate exams and studies.

3. Students should demonstrate the ability to design experiments and critically analyze data.

Assignments and Grading Policy:  Grade is based on lab reports (50%), quizzes (50%). A laboratory course can't be taken in absentia, you must show up and participate in running the experiments.

Course Materials

Required text: Online notes posted on Canvas

Course URL:

Canvas course site

Course Closed?

 There is only limited space in the laboratory. No special permission numbers will be administered for this course. If the course is closed you should continue to check WebReg to see if a spot opens.

Faculty

Dr. Gabriel Villegas 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.

• Learning Goals: The purpose of this course is to train students in many of the techniques used in modern molecular biology and biochemistry by giving them as much "hands on" experience as possible. In designing this course, we wanted to avoid the problems of lab courses in which the experimental outcome is already known and the aim of the laboratory exercises is to simply reproduce the expected results as closely as possible. We have therefore developed a course in which students will carry out a research project for which the results are unknown.
• Semester Offered: Spring
• Credits: 3

Prerequisites
General Biology AP credits and General Chemistry 01:160:162  or 01:160:-164 or AP credits

Restrictions
For First year students only.

Course Syllabus 

Spring 2025 (Subject to change)

Course Description

Learning Goals: The purpose of this course is to train students in many of the techniques used in modern molecular biology and biochemistry by giving them as much "hands on" experience as possible. In designing this course, we wanted to avoid the problems of lab courses in which the experimental outcome is already known and the aim of the laboratory exercises is to simply reproduce the expected results as closely as possible. We have therefore developed a course in which students will carry out a research project for which the results are unknown.

The project: After some initial training in techniques commonly used in molecular biology, students will start to work on their main research project. The project involves sequencing random clones from a cDNA library. The sequences derived from these experiments will be used to query a database for sequence similarity using the appropriate computer software. When matches are found, students will then search the scientific literature for information on the genes that they have identified. Students have the potential of identifying novel genes. 

Course satisfies the following MBB Dept. Learning Goals:
1. Students should demonstrate an understanding of the knowledge that is needed to begin biomedical research and that is required for post-graduate exams and studies.
2. Students should demonstrate the ability to find and evaluate information about specific biological systems or problems.
3. Students should demonstrate the ability to design experiments and critically analyze data.
4. Students should demonstrate the ability to communicate their research and findings orally through seminar and poster presentations and through written research papers.

Core Curriculum Learning Goals met by this course:
NS e. Understand and apply basic principles and concepts in the physical or biological sciences.
NS f. Explain and be able to assess the relationship among assumptions, method, evidence, arguments, and theory in scientific analysis.

Grading

The course grades will be based on the following distribution:

Exams: 40%
Quizzes 40% (10% Chapter Quizzes, 10% Lab Quizzes; 20% Analysis Quizzes)
Assignments (Questions & Homework) 5%
Lab Reports & Sequence Analysis 15%

Course Materials 

There is no textbook to buy.  We’ll be using Canvas as our Learning Management System, and all lecture and laboratory notes, figures, videos, assignments, and grades will be posted there.  You will be required to print out the laboratory protocols for each laboratory session and bring them to the lab. 

Students are required to purchase an iClicker brand of personal clickers.  You can buy the original iClicker or the i>Clicker+ instead of the iCLicker2.
(Note: We will not be using Web-iClicker) 

Course Closed? 

 All students who want to register for the course must obtain a special permission from Dr. Andrew Vershon ( This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). In your e-mail please include your name, and RUID and which lab section you prefer.  

Faculty

Dr. Bryce Nickels
Waksman Institute, Room 335
phone: 445-6852
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dr. Gabriel Villegas
Nelson Biological Laboratories A311
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Dr. Andrew Vershon (coordinator)
Waksman Institute, Rm 233
Phone: 445-2905
Email:  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Office Hours : 2:00-5:00 PM Tuesdays

Office Hours

This course is designed to provide students with a unique, specialized laboratory experience. Thus, course participants are likely to require individualized attention at irregular and unpredictable intervals. In order to accommodate this unusual situation, the instructors have arranged to be as accessible as possible. Faculty are present during the entire laboratory period to answer questions.  

Student Support Services

• Student Success Essentials: https://success.rutgers.edu
• Student Support Services: https://www.rutgers.edu/academics/student-support   
• The Learning Centers: https://rlc.rutgers.edu/  
• Rutgers Libraries: https://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/
• Bias Incident Reporting: https://studentaffairs.rutgers.edu/bias-incident-reporting
• Dean of Students – Student Support Office: https://success.rutgers.edu/resource/dean-students-student-support-office
• Office of Veteran and Military Programs and Services: https://veterans.rutgers.edu  
• Student Health Services: http://health.rutgers.edu/
• Counseling, Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program & Psychiatric Services (CAPS):  http://health.rutgers.edu/medical-counseling-services/counseling/
• UWill: free immediate access to teletherapy; you can choose a therapist based on your preferences including issue, gender, language, ethnicity. http://health.rutgers.edu/uwill/
• Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance: vpva.rutgers.edu/
• Office of Disability Services: https://ods.rutgers.edu/
• Basic Needs Assistance (food, housing, and other   essentials):  https://ruoffcampus.rutgers.edu/basic-needs
• Rutgers Student Food Pantry: https://ruoffcampus.rutgers.edu/food-pantry

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

• Semester Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
• Credits: 2-6

MBB Independent Research Courses (01:694:281/282/283; 381/382; 385; 481/482; 489/490)

These courses are for MBB majors or prospective majors who are conducting independent research projects in a laboratory at Rutgers - most typically Piscataway/New Brunswick but can be other Rutgers campuses (e.g. Newark) with permission of the MBB Undergraduate Director.  Students should expect to conduct at least 4-5 hrs of research in the laboratory each week for each credit of research (e.g. Students who take 3 credits should be in lab 12-15 hrs/week).  A written report (2 double-spaced pages per credit) on their research efforts and results is due at the end of the semester that is uploaded to a Canvas site created for the research course.

Note: Registration in MBB research courses is by Special Permission only. 

To enroll, students must first find a Rutgers faculty member to be their research advisor to work with and who will supervise and mentor the student’s research and be responsible for the grade.  The student will complete the Special Permission Form for Undergraduate Research with the help of their research advisor.

Research Advisor

The research advisor is the head of the research lab (also called the Principle Investigator) who must be at the rank of a tenure-track Professor (Assistant Professor) or tenured Professor (Associate Professor or higher rank). A non-tenure track “Research Professor” can supervise/mentor the student’s research but in this case a tenure-track or tenured Professor must also be involved and this person will be responsible for the student’s grade (for questions contact the MBB Undergraduate Director).

A minimum GPA of 2.8 or better is required for registration in all research courses.

Sophomore Laboratory Research 01:694:281 (F), 282 (S), 283 (Su)

Research project in the laboratory of a Rutgers faculty member. Written report of research carried out during each term required.  This course is intended for first or second year students conducting independent research.  Note: Students doing research in the 694:281/282 courses should also perform research in their third and/or fourth year to count towards the MBB research requirement for graduation. Students typically register for 3 credits per semester. Exceptions can be made with the approval of the Undergraduate Director.

Undergraduate Laboratory Research 01:694:381 (F), 382 (S), 384 (Su)

Research project in the laboratory of a Rutgers faculty member. Written report of research carried out during each term required. This course is intended for third year students conducting independent research. Students typically register for 3 credits per semester. Exceptions can be made with the approval of the Undergraduate Director.

Advanced Undergraduate Laboratory Research 01:694:481 (F), 482 (S)

Research project in the laboratory of a Rutgers faculty member. Written report of research carried out during the each term required . This research course is intended for fourth year students conducting independent research. Students typically register for 3 credits per semester. Exceptions can be made with the approval of the Undergraduate Director. The student must also give an oral presentation of their research in 01:694:484 (Seminar in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry).

Honors Laboratory Research 01:694:495, 496

Pre- or Corequisites: 01:694:315, 407 and 383
Honors research project in the laboratory of a faculty member. In the fall semester students are required to attend a seminar each week on writing a thesis. Students write an Honors thesis and present their research results in 01:694:484 (Seminar in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry). To qualify, a student must have attained, at the end of the junior year, an overall cumulative grade-point average of 3.4 or better and a cumulative grade-point average of 3.4 or better in courses required for the major. Exceptional students not meeting these criteria but wishing to apply for honors research may petition the department undergraduate director in the Spring of their Junior year chairperson  at the beginning of their senior year. Students accepted to the program are expected to complete two terms (4-6 credits per term) of honors course work. For more information please go: https://mbb.rutgers.edu/academics/undergraduate/departmental-honors-program. Honors students will also give an oral presentation of their research in 01:694:484 (Seminar in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry).

The 694:495 Fall Semester MBB Honors class typically meets on Tuesday 3:50-5:10 PM in Waksman Rm 1001 Busch campus. The 694:496 Spring semester MBB Honors has no scheduled class time.

These courses fulfill the MBB Departmental Learning Goal(s) as follows:

01:694:281,282,283 Goals 3,4
01:694:381,382 Goals 3,4
01:694:481, 482 Goals 3,4
01:694:495, 496 Goals 3,4

3. Students should demonstrate the ability to design experiments and critically analyze data.

4. Students should demonstrate the ability to communicate their research and findings orally through seminar and poster presentations and through written research papers.

For further information about the research courses and on how to find a lab please go to http://mbb.rutgers.edu/undergraduate/undergraduate-research

Student Support Services

Student Success Essentials: https://success.rutgers.eduStudent Support Services: https://www.rutgers.edu/academics/student-support   
The Learning Centers: https://rlc.rutgers.edu/  
Rutgers Libraries: https://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/Bias Incident Reporting: https://studentaffairs.rutgers.edu/bias-incident-reportingDean of Students – Student Support Office: https://success.rutgers.edu/resource/dean-students-student-support-officeOffice of Veteran and Military Programs and Services: https://veterans.rutgers.edu  
Student Health Services: http://health.rutgers.edu/Counseling, Alcohol and Other Drug Assistance Program & Psychiatric Services (CAPS):  http://health.rutgers.edu/medical-counseling-services/counseling/UWill: free immediate access to teletherapy; you can choose a therapist based on your preferences including issue, gender, language, ethnicity. http://health.rutgers.edu/uwill/Office for Violence Prevention and Victim Assistance: vpva.rutgers.edu/Office of Disability Services: https://ods.rutgers.edu/Basic Needs Assistance (food, housing, and other   essentials):  https://ruoffcampus.rutgers.edu/basic-needsRutgers Student Food Pantry: https://ruoffcampus.rutgers.edu/food-pantry

• This course is for registered MBB (694) majors only and should be taken in the fall semester of their third year in college. The course has two major components. For the writing component, each student submits a report about the longer term goals of the lab where they conduct their independent research. Students not yet in a lab will write several short reports about labs they would like to join to do their independent research with the goal to join a lab prior to the end of the semester. Such students will also be instructed on how to find a laboratory on campus to conduct independent research.    The careers in science component comprises  a series of guest lecturers to introduce students to possible career options in the biological sciences, representing both traditional and alternative career tracks. Below is a list of some of the topics and career options that may be discussed, along with the names of previous guest lecturers.   
• Semester Offered: Fall
• Credits: 1

Prerequisites: 

This course is for registered MBB (694) majors only and should be taken in the fall semester of their third year.

Course Format: 

In person, no Textbook required

Learning Goals

1. Help those students who are not yet in a lab doing independent research to find such a lab.
2. Complete a writing assignment depending on the student's research-lab status as follows. Students not yet in a lab will write several short reports about Rutgers/RBHS professor's research that they find interesting. Students already in a lab, will write a report on the longer-term goals of the lab they are in (this is different than end-of-semester reports).  
3. Listen to a series of guest lecturers to introduce students to possible career options in the biological sciences, representing both traditional and alternative career tracks with emphasis on research rather than medical school. Each student will write a short report on one of the speakers. Below is a list of some of the topics and career options that may be discussed.

Topics

• Applications to Graduate School - Interviews and campus visits
• Physicians in research and the MD-PhD track
• Academic track: "Life as a Research Professor"
• Physicians Assistant Program (PAP)

The role of scientists in the following career tracks:

• Big Pharma - research
• Big Pharma - research combined with business
• Small Biotech - research 
• Non-profit Charitable Organizations that fund research focused on specific disease
• Non-Governmental - Research
• Patent Law (combines life science PhD with law degree)
• Public Health Policy
• Alternative Careers
• Scientific Writing

Assignments and Grading Policy: Class attendance will be a component of the grade. The course will also have a required writing component. For students who have not found a lab to do research, they will search for several different professors whose research interests them and write a short report of the research of each professor. For students already doing research in a lab, they will be required to write a single longer report on the longer-term goals of the research that is being conducted in their lab.

Course Materials

All course materials are posted on the course Canvas site. 

Course Closed?  

If this course is closed please contact the course instructor concerning special permission numbers.

Course Coordinator and Instructor 

Samuel Gunderson
A322 Nelson lab
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
office hours by appointment only

Participating Faculty

Jia Fei
A128, Nelson Biological Labs
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.