Microbiology and Infectious Disease - Course Information
Course Introduction:
This course is designed to cover the basic concepts in microbiology. We will focus our studies on the pathogenic microorganisms, specifically in human infectious diseases. There is a strong laboratory component to the course as well as an emphasis on independent research.
Instructor:
Heather Duncan
Course Text:
Inkling’s Principles in Microbiology
Methodology and Technology:
This course will incorporate group discussions, hands-on activities, and lecture into class time. Extensive laboratory investigation will be used to enhance important topics, stress observational skills, and allow for personal connections with biological concepts. You as the student will use basic laboratory experiences as a springboard into deeper analysis of ideas. We will also focus on the use of primary research and critically reading these sources. Computer technology will be used for data presentations and major assignments.
Assignment Descriptions:
1. Laboratory Write-ups: Some labs will be written with the following sections: title, abstract, introduction, methods, data, and discussion/analysis of data. Other labs will only require a discussion/analysis to be written. (See attached guidelines for more details on expectations of a formal lab write-up. These assignments should be word-processed and use spreadsheet software ex. Microsoft Excel when needed.
2. Daily Homework: Responses to questions and other daily work assigned in class.
3. Textbook Reading: You should read all assigned readings and make flashcards from the bold faced words and any highlighted words that I have pushed out to you. You may make these cards by hand or use a program such as quizlet. Be sure to read any notes I may have added to the text as well. Note you need to “follow me” on your Inkling book.
3. Group Projects: Cooperative assignments completed in and out of class.
4. Independent Research: Each of you will be researching a pathogen of choice and sharing your research with the other members of our class. Use of computers and the internet will be emphasized. Your research should include the disease, the organism or pathogen, the reservoir, symptoms, mode of transmission, and treatments/prevention. There also must be one section that must be addressed at a primary research level. Your research will be summarized in a powerpoint presentation which you will orally present to your classmates. You will also be post two questions on your presentation and will take an open note quiz on these questions. I will post your powerpoints on our class website.
Grading:
Tests, quizzes, and other assessments such as presentations; laboratory analysis and write-ups; and homework and participation will form the basis of your grade. Each of these will receive a numerical point value, and each point has an equal weight towards your final grade.
Branson Grading Scale:
96-100 A+ 84-87 B+ 74-76 C+ 60-66 D
92-95 A 80-83 B 71-73 C below 60 Fail
88-91 A- 77-79 B- 67-70 C-
Important Class Procedures:
Absences/Late Work: If you are absent, it is your responsibility to arrange with me to make up the work. If you know you will be absent ahead of time or need to make up a missed (excused) Lab, Quiz or Test, come see me and we can schedule a time to do this. Work that is not made up in a timely fashion will be considered late and penalized 10% per day.
Class Participation: Come to class having done your homework. Be ready to turn in your homework at the beginning of class. If it is not ready to be turned in then it will be marked late. You will be asked to make at least one verbal contribution everyday. You are to bring to class everyday a notebook, your ipad, and a writing implement. Arrive to class on time - be ready to start class as soon as I enter the door. If you find that you benefit from being able to type rather than hand-write notes during class, you may use your ipad to take notes. However, inappropriate use of the internet, including checking email, web surfing and playing games, is not allowed during class time. Any student permitted to use a ipad/other electronic device during class must agree with this policy and abide by it. Any inappropriate use of an electronic device during class (whether it is personal or school property) will result in permanent revocation of your device privileges in my class.
Syllabus: You will be provided with a syllabus that will list daily expectations such as homework, labs, project dates and material needed for a particular class day. The syllabus will consist of approximately 1-Unit time periods. This should allow you enough time to plan ahead. Additionally the current syllabus will be available on our class website.
Tardiness: If you show up after class has started, you are tardy. The third (3!) time you are tardy during one trimester, you will loose 5 points off your grade, and one point every time you are tardy thereafter. Please don’t be tardy, it not only affects your learning, but also the learning environment for your classmates.
Labs: Expect to come to lab every week. Lab reports’ due dates will be announced on the day of the lab. You will be given different amounts of time to complete lab reports depending on the time you will need to thoroughly complete the lab.
Book Readings: Readings will be assigned on a regular basis that you will be expected to keep up with. Normally you will be asked to read about a section before talking about it in class, while you will occasionally be asked to wait to read the information in the book until after we have talked about. Doing the reading when asked is your responsibility to yourself and will drastically improve your understanding of the material. Please note you should be “following me” on your book and paying close attention to any notes or highlights I might make.
Website: Our course web page is an important tool for you to use in this class. Please check it frequently for both email messages from me and updated syllabus information. Class notes and other useful study materials will also be posted.
Academic Dishonesty: I have ZERO tolerance for any academic dishonesty—this includes copying work from other classmates, using outside sources without citation and “working together” when you are told to work alone. We will be as explicit as possible about when you are allowed or not allowed to “work together”. Also, be forewarned, we both have a very good eye for spotting suspicious behavior or work, and will act on it if we are concerned.
As a general rule, adhere to the following guidelines:
· Always turn in your OWN work, even if you collaborated with someone else at some point during the process (i.e. work together during a lab experiment, write up your OWN reports). You will never be asked to collaborate on a report or exam…so don’t,
· If ANY outside sources are used to gather information for an assignment (outside= not your own brain or ideas—your textbook is even an outside source), a bibliography must be turned in or you will receive NO CREDIT
· If you have any questions about what I allow in terms of collaboration, ASK. Do not get yourself into trouble by assuming or cutting corners. School is intense and your assignments may be overwhelming and difficult, but we expect that you will be honest at all times.
Microbiology and Infectious Disease Course Overview
Fall
1. Introduction to Microbiology: Overview of microbes and their role, epidemiology, bioremediation, probiotics, historical implications, use of microscope and oil immersion, isolating, classifying microbes, basic cell differences.
2. Prokaryotic Structure: Prokaryotic shape, arrangement, movement, internal and external structures, in depth look at Tuberculosis.
3. Bacterial Genetics: Review of Central Dogma, operons, conjugation, transformation, antibiotics and resistance, in depth look at MRSA.
Winter
4. Viruses: classification, structure, phages, transduction, DNA vs. RNA viruses, prions, in depth look at HIV and Influenza.
5. Epidemiology and Nosocomial Infections: Transmission, reservoirs, and prevention.
6. Immune Response: Innate, Acquired immune responses.
Spring
7. Eukaryotic infectious agents: helminthes, protozoans, fungi.
8. Public Health: Antibiotic resistance, response to epidemics, disparities in our health system. In depth look at Malaria
9. Independent Research: Pathogen of your choice to be researched and presented to classmates
10. Independent Lab Work: Create and analyze a dual antibiotic resistant plasmid in E.coli
Please note: This is by no means an exhaustive list of topics that may be covered this year, but rather a general outline that may be changed and adjusted as the year progresses. Topics may be switched around in sequence to accommodate the needs of the class.
Microbiology Course Syllabus
Student/Family Agreement Form
Students, please share this syllabus with your parents/guardians and make sure that you are all clear on the Biology class policies. If you have any questions, or need clarification please feel free to ask. Your signature indicates that you agree to abide by these policies for the remainder of the school year. Please separate this page and return it to your teacher by the end of the first week of school. We can’t wait to get started on a great year!
I, the student /parent or guardian have read the information about this Biology class and understand what is expected of me/my offspring and I can’t wait to get started!
Student Name (printed) ____________________________
Student Signature ____________________________________ Date ___________
Parent/Guardian Signature _____________________________ Date ___________