BIOL 323– Microbiology

Fall 2007

Instructor: Dr. Holly Pinkart / E-mail:
Text: Brock Biology of Microorganisms,11th Ed / Phone: (509) 963-2710
Office Location:SCI 236D
Lab manual: On Blackboard / Office Hours: M 2:00-4:00, W10:00-12:00, or by appointment

Course objectives: This is a general course in microbiology. The emphasis is on prokaryotic organisms, with other microbes covered more generally. Students will learn about microbial cell structure, physiology and genetics. These topics will provide a basis for understanding how to control microbial growth, various aspects of metabolism, infectious disease, and microbial ecology. The laboratory component of the course is designed enhance understanding of microbiology through study of microbial cell structure and metabolism.

Prerequisites:Cell BiologyBIOL 220, and Chemistry through CHEM 113 or CHEM 182/182.1.

My Expectations of You: I expect that you will have had the proper prerequisites for this course. This means that you are familiar with basic chemistry (Chapter 3) and the structure of eukaryotic cells (Chapter 4.5-4.7, 14.1-14.5). You will also be familiar with the concept of aerobic cellular respiration; glycolysis, citric acid (aka TCA, Krebs) cycle and the electron transport system in mitochondria. This is a course designed for biology and biochemistry majors;pre-nursing and nutrition majors are generally more comfortable inBIOL 322. I expect academic honesty in all matters (see Appendix B in CWU catalog). Cheating and/or plagiarism will not be tolerated. The following is an outline for the quarter; schedule is subject to change.

Topic / Text Chapter
Introduction / 1,2
Microbial Cell Structure / 4
Microbial Nutrition and Metabolism / 5, 17
Microbial Growth / 6
Control of Microbial Growth / 20
Viruses / 9
Exam I / Oct 18, 4:00 pm SCI 328
Microbial Genetics and Biotechnology / 10, 31
Immunology and disease / 21-22
Epidemiology/Infection /Disease / 25-29
Microbial Evolution / 11
Microbial Diversity / 12- 14
Applied and Industrial Microbiology / 30
Final Exam Tuesday, Dec 4, 10:00-12:00

Grade Breakdown:

Lecture / Lab
Exam 1 - 20% / Practicum 1 – 15%
Final Exam - 20% / Practicum 2 – 15%
Quizzes – 10% / Unknown report – 10 %
Group presentation (poster) – 10%

Grading Scale:

93-100% = A92-90 = A-86-89 = B+82-85 = B79 – 81 = B-

76-78 = C+72-75 = C69-71 = C-66-68 = D+63-65 = D

60-62 = D-<60 = F

If you know that you will be absent on an exam date you may take the exam in advance of the test date. Otherwise, if you miss an exam, you must take a comprehensive exam at the end of the quarter to make it up. This applies to one exam only. No Exceptions. Quizzes will be posted on BlackBoard on Thursday, and remain available until 11:50 pm Sunday night.

Laboratory Schedule:

Date /

Description

9/20 / No lab
9/25 / Check in – safety/ Use of Microscope/ Presentations
9/27 / Simple Stains and Gram stain
10/2 / Streaking and inoculation
10/4 / Environmental samples and plate counts, Anaerobic techniques
10/9 / Acid-fast and spore stains
10/11 / Capsule stain and motility
10/16 / Generation time
10/18 / Plaque assay [Lecture Exam 4:00 pm computer lab, SCI 328]
10/23 / Virology, Genome Sequencing & Bioinformatics [meet in computer lab, SCI 328]
10/25 / Practicum I
10/30 / Comparison of antiseptic efficacy, antibiotic action
11/1 / Differential and Selective media
11/6 / Exoenzyme media, Carbohydrate metabolism
11/8 / Nitrogen metabolism and oxygen utilization
11/13 / Differential test patterns, Multiple test media
11/15 / Yogurt production, Unknowns
11/20 / Unknowns; group presentations
11/27 / Unknowns; group presentations
11/29 /

Practicum 2, turn in keys

Unknown Report due by Monday, Dec 3 @ 5:00PM

Some pertinent information and helpful hints:

1)I will use BlackBoardfor this course. I will post my Powerpoint presentations there so you will have access to those as well as other course materials. Read the corresponding text chapters prior to class so you can follow course discussions.

2)Please read the lab manual handouts prior to the corresponding lab period. Rewrite your notes soon after class – this will allow you to identify confusing points so you can ask questions.

3)Don’t use your cell phone in lab or during lectures. If you must have them on, set them to vibrate (I understand you may have kids, family issues, etc). Step outside the classroom if it is an emergency.

4)Feel free to ask questions at any time. And please use my office hours! If you cannot make it during my office hours, please make an appointment.

5)Students with disabilities who wish to set up academic adjustments in this class should give me a copy of their “Confirmation of Eligibility for Academic Adjustments” from the Disability Support Services Office as soon as possible so we can meet to discuss how the approved adjustments will be implemented in this class. Students with disabilities without this form should contact the Disability Support Services Office, Bouillon 205 or or 963-2171 ASAP.

6)No, there is no extra credit (except for what is offered on exams). Concentrate on doing well the work that is required, and you won’t need to do extra work to make up for poor performance.

Course Outcomes

Microbiological Knowledge

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to discuss and explain concepts relating to 3 major themes in microbiology.

Theme 1: Microbial cell biology

Microbial cellular structure and function
Microbial growth and reproduction
Cellular energy production and metabolism
Structure and reproduction of infectious particles (viruses and prions)

Theme 2: Microbial genetics, evolution and diversity

Inheritance of genetic information
Information flow within a cell
Exchange and acquisition of genetic information
Causes, consequences and uses of mutations
Evolutionof microbial genetic and physiological diversity
Microbial ecology

Theme 3: Interactions and impact of microorganisms and humans

Microbial-human relationships
Microbial pathogenicity mechanisms
Disease transmission
Antibiotics and chemotherapy
Genetic engineering
Biotechnology

Laboratory Skills

A student successfully completing this course will demonstrate ability to

  1. Use a bright field light microscope to view and interpret slides, including
  2. Correctly setting up and focusing the microscope
  3. Proper handling, cleaning, and storage of the microscope
  4. Correct use of all lenses
  5. Recording microscopic observations
  6. Properly prepare slides for microbiological examination, including
  7. Cleaning and disposing of slides
  8. Preparing smears from solid and liquid cultures
  9. Performing wet mount and/or hanging drop preparations
  10. Performing Gram stains
  11. Properly use aseptic techniques for the transfer and handling of microorganisms and instruments, including
  12. Sterilizing and maintaining sterility of transfer instruments
  13. Performing aseptic transfer
  14. Obtaining microbial samples
  15. Use appropriate microbiological media and test systems, including
  16. Isolating colonies and/or plaques
  17. Maintaining pure cultures
  18. Using biochemical test media
  19. Accurately recording macroscopic observations
  20. Estimate the number of microbes in a sample using serial dilution techniques, including
  21. Correctly choosing and using pipettes and pipetting devices
  22. Correctly spreading diluted samples for counting
  23. Estimating appropriate dilutions
  24. Extrapolating plate counts to obtain the correct CFU or PFU in the starting sample
  25. Use standard microbiology laboratory equipment correctly, including
  26. Using the standard metric system for weights, lengths, diameters, and volumes
  27. Lighting and adjusting a laboratory burner
  28. Using an incubator
  29. Interpersonal and citizenry skills, including
  30. Working effectively in teams or groups so that the task, results, and analysis are shared
  31. Effectively managing time and tasks allowing concurrent and/or overlapping tasks to be done simultaneously, by individuals and within a group
  32. Integrating knowledge and making informed judgments about microbiology in everyday life
Laboratory Safety

A student successfully completing basic microbiology will demonstrate ability to explain and practice safe

  1. Microbiological procedures, including
  2. Reporting all spills and broken glassware to the instructor and receiving instructions for clean up
  3. Methods for aseptic transfer
  4. Minimizing or containing the production of aerosols and describing the hazards associated with aerosols
  5. Washing hands prior to and following laboratories and at any time contamination is suspected
  6. Disinfecting lab benches and equipment prior to and at the conclusion of each lab session, using an appropriate disinfectant and allowing a suitable contact time
  7. Identification and proper disposal of different types of waste
  8. Reading and signing a laboratory safety agreement indicating that the student has read and understands the safety rules of the laboratory
  9. Good lab practice, including returning materials to proper locations, proper care and handling of equipment, and keeping the bench top clear of extraneous materials
  10. Protective procedures, including
  11. Tying long hair back, wearing personal protective equipment (eye protection, coats, gloves, closed shoes; glasses may be preferred to contact lenses), and using such equipment in appropriate situations
  12. Always using appropriate pipetting devices and understanding that mouth pipetting is forbidden
  13. Never eating or drinking in the laboratory
  14. Never applying cosmetics, handling contact lenses, or placing objects (fingers, pencils, etc.) in the mouth or touching the face
  15. Emergency procedures, including
  16. Locating and properly using emergency equipment (eye wash stations, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, chemical safety showers, telephones, and emergency numbers)
  17. Reporting all injuries immediately to the instructor
  18. Following proper steps in the event of an emergency

Always bring a sense of humor to class (the darker the better)!