BIOL 150 - Microbiology

COURSE DESCRIPTION: BIOL 150 Microbiology (4): A study of the structure, function, organization, classification, distribution, activities, and medical significance of viruses, monera, protista, fungi, and animal parasites.
Three lectures and one laboratory per week, with additional lab time required for some labs.
* Prerequisites: CHEM 105. CHEM 110 strongly recommended.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES:
Upon completion of the course, students will understand:
1. The nature and significance of microbiology as a field of study.
2. The use of microscopes, and culture and staining techniques to study and describe microorganisms.
3. The various processes—metabolism, food production, respiration, reproduction, and enzyme function—that play a role in microbial growth.
4. The identification, location, importance and taxonomic classification of selected bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and helminths.
5. The development and transmission of infectious diseases and the control measures used to inhibit or destroy pathogenic microorganisms.
6. The role microorganisms play in many important natural and industrial processes.
7. How to work collaboratively in groups to solve course-related problems.

COURSE FORMAT:
Science is built on questions; the desire to find an answer and solve a problem. Therefore, this course will include both lectures and problem-based, group-learning activities. To facilitate the group-learning activities, you will form small groups during the early part of the course. You will work in these groups to address specific problems, using the collective resources and efforts of the group. A portion of your grade will depend on these group activities; both your performance in the group, and the overall group’s performance. You will evaluate yourself and the other members of your group at various points throughout the course; how your group members evaluate you can affect your grade. In order to ensure that the group functions smoothly, it is recommended that each group formulate a set of ground rules. Some suggested guidelines are included here, but feel free to create your own ground rules.
1. Attendance: Be on time for every class or group session. Promptly notify the other group members, and the professor, if a class or group session must be missed. Advance notice is preferred, as this will allow your group members to make alternate plans.
2. Preparation: Be prepared to discuss the assignment. Be sure to bring any assigned materials to class or group meetings.
3. Participation: Share the workload among the group members. Also, be willing to share information gathered outside class with other group members.
4. Respect: Respect all group members. Be sure to listen to, and value, contributions made by all group members.
It is also recommended that each person within the group assume a role (discussion leader, recorder, reporter, accuracy check or questioner [devil’s advocate], time keeper, etc.), and that the roles are switched between group exercises. For additional information, please see “Problem-based learning” on Desire2Learn.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILTIES:
Statement of student responsibility: Education is more than simply taking courses to satisfy graduation requirements. It is a life-long process whereby you gain knowledge regarding the world around you. This will most easily be accomplished if you take an active role in your learning by
1. Cultivating curiosity.
2. Recognizing that struggle is a requisite for learning, that learning often requires students to spend time in areas where they may not be sure of themselves, and that learning may require students to spend time following leads that may turn out to go nowhere.
3. Realizing that accepting responsibility for your own learning entails spending the necessary hours preparing for classes and examinations, doing homework and writing papers, asking questions, finding help from faculty, seeking opportunities for learning, and using available resources.
4. Tolerating the discomfort that sometimes accompanies contact with new ideas, including being open-minded, considering other points-of-view, and not rushing to judgment.
5. Recognizing that thinking critically about ideas and problems and making mature judgments can take place only if you cultivate certain habits of mind, such as readiness to gather information, develop reasoning skills, and learn methods of specific disciplines.
Adapted from “Position Statement on Increasing Student Responsibility for, Involvement in, and Commitment to Learning” in Teaching and Learning Through Inquiry: A Guidebook for Institutions and Instructors. Edited by Virginia S. Lee. 2004. Stylus Publishing, LLC, Sterling, VA, pp. 191-193.

Therefore, students are expected to:
1. Attend, participate, and contribute to all classes and laboratory periods. This is particularly important since there will be a number of group activities in which individual grades will be dependent on the group grade.
2. Be prepared for each class and lab by reading, reviewing, and/or completing all scheduled assignments prior to each class period. This includes any group work that must be completed prior to class.
a. Read the textbook and laboratory material BEFORE you come to class or lab. Not only will you understand the lecture/lab better, but it will also increase your productivity in class/lab.
b. Review your class notes soon after each class; this will keep material fresh, and will help reinforce difficult concepts. If you spend 2 hours in study for each hour in class, you should have no problems keeping up with the course and getting the grade you want.
c. Develop study groups that meet once or twice a week, and before exams. This will help you to review complex topics, reinforce difficult concepts, and evaluate lab procedures.
3. Abide by all group rules.
4. Know the course requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to know the requirements for the course. Along with the syllabus, assignments can be made in any class or laboratory period. If you are absent or late, it is your responsibility to obtain assignments and handouts that you may have missed. It is also your responsibility to monitor due dates and be sure that assignments are submitted on time and in the correct format.

PROFESSOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
Statement of professor responsibility: It is the professor’s responsibility to create an environment where students can actively learn. Therefore, the professor is expected to:
1. Provide a classroom environment that is respectful and conducive to learning. This includes the following:
a. Encourage reciprocity and cooperation among students.
b. Be respectful of diverse talents and ways of learning.
c. Be supportive of student’s honest efforts to learn.
d. Create an environment where students can gain practice, and obtain feedback, in critical thinking.
2. Emphasize persistent focus on material to be learned, and efficient use of time.
3. Communicate high expectations.
4. Promptly return graded assignments, quizzes, and tests.
5. Be available during office hours to answer questions and guide group activities.
Adapted from “Position Statement on Increasing Student Responsibility for, Involvement in, and Commitment to Learning” in Teaching and Learning Through Inquiry: A Guidebook for Institutions and Instructors. Edited by Virginia S. Lee. 2004. Stylus Publishing, LLC, Sterling, VA, pp. 191-193.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
1. Please do not hesitate to ask for clarification on any matters relating to this course. My contact information is readily available on Desire2Learn, and I have regularly scheduled office hours. Feel free to drop by or to email/call to set up an appointment.
2. Lecture session and laboratory sessions are integrated and materials from both are applicable to any quiz or exam.
3. All written assignments must meet the basic requirements: be word-processed, and include citations where appropriate.
4. Use the Access Code in the front of your textbook to register on the “microbiologyplace.com” website for online animations, practice quizzes, and additional activities. There is a wealth of information on this website: take advantage of it. Your textbook also comes with a CD which contains practice quizzes and website information; this CD can also be very helpful.
5. Biology is a highly integrated discipline. This course will cover an area of biology that will require learning many new terms and concepts that are closely linked with laboratory exercises. Achieving an A or B will require a lot of effort on your part to comprehend the material and then demonstrate your knowledge on examinations. It is highly recommended that you spend two hours in study for each hour in class.
6. On-going conversations, answering cell phones, and wearing ear-plugs (unless it is a hearing-aid) will not be tolerated. The instructor reserves the right to ask you to leave the classroom if your deportment is disruptive to the learning environment.
7. The Learning Center is equipped to work with students with documented disabilities to increase their ability to learn course material or take exams successfully. Students having difficulty in class should identify themselves to the Learning Center so that arrangements can be made to accommodate special needs; you must contact the Learning Center so that a letter can be sent to me. All correspondence is handled in the strictest confidence.
8. Don't suffer in silence. If you are having difficulties in the class, please let me know early so that we can develop a strategy that will work for you to help you succeed in the class.

GRADING:
The final grade for the class will be based on lab and lecture as follows:
Lab write-ups 35%
Exams 35%
Quizzes 15%
Class assignments 15%

The specific date for exams will be announced in class at least one week before each exam.
There will be an average of one quiz per week during lecture; the lowest quiz score will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
A = 93-100% A- = 90-92%
B+ = 87-89% B = 83-86% B- = 80-82%
C+ = 77-79% C = 73-76% C- = 70-72%
D+ = 67-69% D = 63-66% D- = 60-62%
F = 0- 59%

Please note: Students whose career goals include professional or graduate school must view a “C” in this course as a partial-passing grade. A partial-pass will only assist students in progress toward their career goals if it is matched by an “A” in another science course. In short, a science GPA of 3.0 should be viewed as an absolute minimum for satisfactory progression.


REGRADE POLICY:
Quizzes, exams, or lab reports may be returned for regrading only if the total points were incorrectly totaled, or if your answer can be documented by text materials. Answers which were misinterpreted due to sloppy handwriting, poor organization, or incorrect terminology will not be considered; be clear and concise the first time. A paper must be returned for a regrade within one week (7 days) of its return to you. It must be accompanied by a TYPED concise, brief summary or rebuttal with reference to your textual sources. Quizzes or exams written in pencil will not be considered for regrading.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY:
It is assumed that your work is your own. Class discussions and lab projects are joint efforts, but each write-up must be your own interpretation and analysis; this will aid you in establishing collaborative efforts, while learning to interpret and defend your own work. Be sure to give credit where credit is due: science builds on the work of others, so be clear with references and citations. Academic dishonesty is taken seriously, and may result in the loss of points and other disciplinary actions. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to: plagiarism, cheating, information falsification or fabrication, theft or destruction of intellectual property, or facilitation of academic dishonesty.

For further details, please see the CUC policy on academic integrity, as stated in the 2006-2007 College Bulletin.

ATTENDANCE:
Attendance at all class and lab sessions is required. Please be prompt, as important announcements are generally given at the beginning of lecture/lab. Late-comers will not be allowed to take exams or quizzes.

Due to limited resources and space, make up labs will not be allowed.

Make-up exams and quizzes will only be allowed if the absence is unavoidable and documented. There will be NO MAKE UP EXAMS FOR UNEXCUSED ABSENCES. Excused absences include a serious illness or a death in the immediate family; a doctor’s note or an obituary will be required. If an exam is missed, it must be rescheduled immediately upon return to class, and is generally expected to be taken within 24 hours of your return. Notification before the missed exam is requested.

If you miss more than 20% of the lectures/laboratory sessions, a recommendation will be made for you to withdraw from the class, and repeat the course.

PLEASE TURN OFF CELL PHONE RINGERS DURING CLASS TIME.

During exams and quizzes, ALL cell phones and beepers must be COMPLETELY OFF, and stored in backpacks, bags, purses, etc. In case of emergency, cell phones may be left with the instructor.


LATE WORK POLICY:
Assignments are due on time, regardless of whether or not you are present in class or lab. Excused absences do not excuse you from any work or material missed. Overdue assignments will lose 15% per week; assignments more than six (6) weeks overdue will not be graded. These deductions apply if an assignment is turned in late on the due date. Additionally, no assignments will be accepted after the final exam.

LAB WRITE-UPS:
Lab reports will be written on an individual basis. Reports must be turned in by the beginning of the following lab to avoid a late penalty.

Please note: Failure to pass the lab segment will result in failure to pass the class.

ARTICLE SUMMARIES:
Four article summaries will be submitted throughout the semester. For each assignment, write a one-page summary of a current, primary research Microbiology paper. Please note – you MUST submit this assignment via Turnitin.com, and Desire2Learn before the assignment will be graded.

SCHEDULE:
Article 1 - February 8, 2008
Article 2 - February 29, 2008
Article 3 - March 28, 2008
Article 4 - April 18, 2008



LECTURE SCHEDULE (TENTATIVE):
Week   Topic                                                                          Text Assignment
1    Introduction, Syllabus, Philosophical Foundation:
      A Brief History of Microbiology                                      Chapter 1
      The Chemistry of Microbiology                                      Chapter 2
2   Cell Structure and Function                                            Chapter 3
3   Microscopy, Staining, and Classification                      Chapter 4
     Microbial Metabolism                                                       Chapter 5
4   Microbial Nutrition and Growth                                      Chapter 6
      EXAM I
5   Microbial Genetics                                                            Chapters 7-8
     Controlling Microbial Growth in the Environment       Chapter 9
6   Controlling Microbial Growth in the Body: Antimicrobial Drugs   Chapter 10
     EXAM II
7   Infection, Infectious Diseases, and Epidemiology     Chapter 14
     Nonspecific Lines of Defenses                                        Chapter 15
8   Specific Defense: The Immune Response                    Chapter 16
9   Immunization and Immune Testing                              Chapter 17
      EXAM III
10 Pathogenic Gram-Positive Cocci and Bacilli                 Chapter 19
11 Pathogenic Gram-Negative Cocci and Bacilli               Chapter 20
12 Miscellaneous Bacterial Pathogens: Mycoplasmas, Rickettsias, Chlamydia, Spirochetes, and Slightly Curved Bacilli                                                             Chapter 21
13 Pathogenic Fungi                                                               Chapter 22
      EXAM IV
14 Parasitic Protozoa, Helminths, and Arthropod Vectors                  Chapter 23
     Characterizing and Classifying Viruses, Viroids, and Prions           Chapter 13
15 Pathogenic DNA Viruses                                                  Chapter 24
      Pathogenic RNA Viruses                                                  Chapter 25
 Final Exam - 9-10:45am, April 30, 2008