Microbiology
Course Syllabus
BI 234
Prerequisites: BI 211 is required; CHEM 104 is highly recommended
Course Description: This majors-level course presents a general approach to the study of microorganisms and how they interact with the world and particularly with humans. The goal of this course is to familiarize you with the structure, function, and control of microbes.
Required Materials:
*Bauman, Robert W., Microbiology with Diseases by Body System, 4th Edition.
*Leboffe & Pierce, Microbiology Laboratory Theory and Application, 3rd Edition.
*Disposable nitrile gloves (at least one pair per lab period)
*Safety Goggles. Available for purchase in the RCC bookstore. If you want to purchase goggles outside the RCC bookstore, they must meet the ANSI Standard Z78.1-1989/2003 (Chemical Goggles, Polycarbonate Lens with indirect venting.)—Note: safety goggles will no longer be available for students to borrow from the lab. Students not bringing their own safety goggles will NOT be able to participate in lab that day.
Not Recommended Materials (i.e. leave these at home):
Cell phones, electronic gadgets that beep, kids, etc. If you have an emergency situation and need to have a phone on, let me know and put the phone on vibrate. Cell phones MAY NOT be used in lecture or lab (this includes texting while in class).
Course Objectives:
Expected Course Outcomes: / ILO / Assessment Methods: /Having successfully completed the course, the student will be able to:
a. Correctly use procedures and equipment found in a microbiology lab
b. Diagram and explain bacterial cellular morphology
c. Identify and understand various ways of staining and classifying bacteria
d. Diagram and explain bacterial metabolism, genetics, and recombination
e. Explain the requirements for microbial nutrition and growth
f. Explains methods and substances used to control the growth of microbes in the environment and the body
g. Diagram and explain viruses, including reproduction and transmission / COM3— (Collaborates effectively to achieve course/learning goals) / Assessment rubric for COM3 will be used to measure student progress toward mastery of COM3.
Objectives will be evaluated through the following methods:
1. Lecture Exams: There will be three lecture exams, each worth 100 pts. These exams are not cumulative, but previously learned material may be needed to answer questions on the current exam.*
2. Lecture Writing Assignment: You will be given a number of clinical case studies in microbiology to research and resolve. You may research the cases using your text or other sources, then you will write a paper incorporating your findings. The goal of these case studies is to allow you to explore infectious diseases of the major body systems.**
3. Laboratory Quizzes: There will be a total of 9 lab quizzes, each worth 5 points. Quizzes will cover information from the previous lab, but they will also test your familiarity/preparation with the current day’s lab exercises. Quizzes may be completed cooperatively in groups of not larger than two students.***
4. Laboratory Practicum: There will be one lab practicum, worth 50 points. This practicum will be cumulative to all the techniques and procedures learned throughout the term in lab. ****
5. Unknown culture identification: You will be assigned an unknown culture of bacteria that you will identify using techniques and skills learned in lab. Once identified, you will prepare a poster presenting your findings and the processes involved. This will be worth 35 points.
6. Take-home test: You will have one take-home test worth 50 points.**
Exam Policy: As a rule, exams, scantrons, and quizzes will not be handed back for students to keep. I will keep them on file in my office during the current term and through the 2nd week of the following term, where you are welcome to come in and see them.
Make-up Policy:
*Lecture exams can only be made up with prior consent of the instructor. Make-up exams will be allowed only if they are arranged prior to the in-class exam. Make-up exams may be composed of essay questions only (at the instructor’s discretion).
** If you know you are going to miss a class and a homework assignment is due that day, you must get me the assignment in advance, drop it off in my box in F-Bldg by the due date or give it to another student to give me on the due date. If you have to miss class unexpectedly and an assignment is due that day, you must get it to me the first class period following the due date. Any assignments turned in up to one week after the due date will receive a 25% deduction. After one week, late assignments will not be accepted.
***Lab quizzes may only be made up by instructor permission and only for legitimate extenuating circumstances.
****The lab exam CANNOT be made up under any circumstances.
Electronic Devices: The use of electronic devices is not allowed in the classroom or lab at any time, unless specifically approved by your instructor.
During exams and quizzes, any electronic device that is out and accessible to a student (regardless of whether it is turned on) will result in a zero for the exam or quiz. This policy also applies to the class time when we are reviewing previously taken exams or quizzes.
Course Points:
Lecture Exams (3 @ 100 pts each) / 300Lecture Writing Assignment (1 @ 30 pts each) / 30
Lab Quizzes (9 @ 5 pts each) / 45
Lab Practicum (1 @ 50 pts each) / 50
Take-home assignment (1 @ 50 pts each) / 50
Unknown Identification (1 @ 35 pts each) / 35
Anti-cheating contract (1 @ 5 pts each) / 5
Total / 515
Grading Scale:
100-89.5% / A / 69.4-59.5% / D89.4-79.5% / B / 59.4-0.0% / F
79.4-69.5% / C
Attendance Policy:
Students who attend class only when they feel like it will have a difficult time succeeding in this course. Students must sign the attendance sheet each day of class to document their presence. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure the attendance sheet is signed. Student must attend at least 70% of labs to pass the course. Students who have perfect attendance in lecture AND lab will earn 10 extra credit points. Excused absences for extra credit are verified jury duty, citizenship, funeral or medical emergency (not normal illness such as a cold or the flu). Students who leave lecture and/or lab early may lose credit for attendance (at the discretion of the instructor).
Student Responsibilities:
ö It is each student’s responsibility to pay attention to due dates and exam dates, and to pick up and turn assignments in ON TIME!!
ö It is each student’s responsibility to be aware of all college procedures, such as how to add, drop, or withdraw from a class, and the available student’s services. For more information, refer to the Student Handbook, Schedule of Classes, and the Student Rights, Freedoms, and Responsibilities Statement.
ö It is each student’s responsibility to maintain a bright and joyful outlook regarding their learning. I realize this class is hard at times and requires a great deal of time and effort. That will only make the reward of learning and succeeding that much sweeter. Since your attitude and outlook influence not only how you feel but also how you think and how your brain functions, it is imperative that you maintain a positive, enthusiastic attitude in this course. This will not only help you think better, but you will enjoy the ride infinitely more.
ö Since this is college, you should also remember that it is not your instructor’s job to make sure that you learn everything or that you pass the course. That is your job. But as you work hard and are sincere in your desire to learn, I will do everything possible to guide and support you in this. Please remember that I am here to help you, and I welcome the opportunity to do so.
ö Due to the amount of information we cover in this course, certain chapters or sections within a chapter may be assigned exclusively as take-home work. It is your responsibility to learn this material even if we do not cover it during lecture. It is also your responsibility to come see me if you need help with it.
ö You are responsible for learning ALL information contained in the assigned textbook readings and lab activities (unless your instructor tells you otherwise). As a rule, please do not ask me “what do I need to know?”—you need to know all of it. Also keep in mind that certain concepts or processes may be emphasized in lecture at the expense of other material in the chapter. Even if we don’t talk about it in lecture, you are still responsible for learning that material if it is part of your assigned readings or activities.
ö Cultivating a spirit of collaboration, teamwork, and effective communication between students is a major goal of both the Science Department and RCC. As such, you will be expected to develop and utilize positive and effective group dynamics and interpersonal skills through participation in group activities and assessments. No students will be exempted from the necessity of working in a group.
ö Cheating and plagiarism are violations of the college policy and considered serious offenseS. CHEATING IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN EITHER THE LECTURE OR LABORATORY PORTIONS OF THIS COURSE. THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT TAKES ALL INCIDENTS OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY SERIOUSLY AND ACTS ACCORDINGLY, INCLUDING A FAILING GRADE FOR THE COURSE OR EXPULSION FROM THE COLLEGE.
Students with Disabilities:
Any student who feels that she or he may need an academic accommodation for any disability such as vision, hearing, physical restrictions, learning disabilities, psychological or other medical conditions should make an appointment with the Disability Services office (located in the Wiseman Tutoring Center on the Redwood Campus or B-9 at the Riverside Campus). Students who have a documented disability and have already received a letter of accommodation from Disability Services must make prior arrangements with me regarding the implementation of their accommodations.
Classroom and Lab Deportment:
1. Come to class on time and be prepared to work when the class is scheduled to start.
2. We will use every minute of scheduled lecture time. Do not start shuffling papers/books or whispering to your neighbor in the minutes before the lecture is scheduled to end. Be courteous and respectful to the classroom learning environment.
2. Do not talk, surf the web or text while the instructor is talking. It is disrespectful and makes it difficult for other students to hear the instructor and learn the material.
3. Once class has started, do not approach the front of the room to hand in papers, collect papers, sign the attendance sheet, etc. This should wait until the end of class.
4. If you must leave class before it ends, do so quietly and notify the instructor before class begins.
5. If you must leave to use the restroom, do so quietly. If you will need to leave on a regular basis, please find a seat close to the door.
6. Use appropriate language. The use of profanity in the classroom or lab is insulting to yourself and others and is not conducive to a college learning environment.
7. The use of any tobacco, nicotine, or alcoholic product is not permitted in lecture or lab. Your instructor may make exceptions for smoking-cessation products such as nicotine gum or transdermal patches.
**Any behavior deemed by your instructor to be offensive or disruptive to your peers, your instructor, or the learning environment will not be tolerated and will result in your removal from the course if not corrected. For additional information, please refer to the “Student Code of Conduct” on the college’s website, in the student handbook, in the college catalog, or in your course schedule.
Campus Closure:
In the event of the possibility of campus closure due to bad weather, please refer to the college’s website www.roguecc.edu or call 245-7500 or 956-7500 for more information.
Syllabus Disclaimer:
A syllabus is designed to provide the student with a guide to course procedures, requirements, and grading policy. Sometimes it is necessary to alter the assignments or point totals. I reserve the right to alter the course point total or to change the assignments or topic schedules to deal with emergencies, materials issues or to create a more productive learning program for student success.
Studying:
Microbiology is a challenging and involved subject which requires a considerable effort on the part of the student. Students should review their notes and do their reading daily. Nothing can take the place of good study habits. The following is a list of helpful hints that may assist you:
1. Make time to study for Microbiology (3 hours of outside study time for every hour in class is a good place to start).
2. Read the text before the material is covered in class.
3. While reading, if you do not understand something in the text, put a question mark next to it. If lecture does not clear it up, ASK QUESTIONS!
4. Write down new or difficult words on 3X5 cards with the definitions or concepts on the back. Carry the cards with you – use flash cards.
5. Carefully study diagrams and illustrations.
6. Use markers to highlight or underline key ideas while reading.
7. Summarize what you have read. After finishing a paragraph try and restate the main ideas in your own words.