Biology 401SyllabusFall 2009
BIOL 401 – General Microbiology
Tue & Thur, 9:35 – 10:50 a.m., TH327
Instructor:Dr. Joseph Chen
Office: Hensill Hall 623, Phone: 415-405-2762
E-mail:
Office Hours: Tuesdays 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Purpose:This is a three-unit course that introduces the biology of microorganisms, with an emphasis on molecular biology and bacteriology. Students will gain an understanding of how bacteria and archaea reproduce and thrive in different environmental conditions, particularly at the molecular and cellular levels. Information will be conveyed through lectures, reading materials, homework assignments, and in-class exercises.
Prerequisites:One semester of Organic Chemistry (CHEM 333) and two semesters of Introductory Biology (BIOL 230 and BIOL 240) are required with a grade of C- or better. An understanding of the chemistry and basic biology learned in these courses is necessary to succeed in studying microbiology. You should enroll in BIOL 401 only AFTER you have taken these courses. If you have not taken these courses at SFSU, you must provide documentation of successful completion of similar courses.
Reading:The reading assignments are from Microbiology: An Evolving Science, by Slonczewski and Foster, 2009. The lecture topics, including chapter sections to read, are listed in the syllabus. Occasionally, additional materials will beprovided to accompany the lectures. The textbook is available in electronic format at < (As a Norton ebook, each chapter costs $2.) The publisher also has a free companion website that includes review questions, chapter summaries, and some graphics at <wwnorton.com/studyspace>.
Grading:Four major exams will be given during the semester. The final exam is cumulative and will cover selected material from the entire course. Test questions will be derived from lectures, handouts, or the required reading. You are responsible for understanding all topics covered in lecture. Four problem sets will also be given during the semester. They will provide an indication of the types of questions to be asked on the exam and help assess how much is being learned and understood. In general, exams and homework assignments will consist mainly of multiple choice questions (to be answered on Scantron form 882-E) and a few short-answer problems. In addition, students will have to participate in group presentations throughout the semester on select microorganisms. Other factors that contribute to your final grade include class participation (assessed via clickers), quizzes, and miscellaneous assignments. Quizzes may be announced the week beforehand or unannounced.
Exams (4 total) 60%
Problem sets (4 total) 20%
Class presentation 10%
Quizzes 5%
Class participation, Misc. 5%
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Total 100%
Missed problem sets and exams may NOT be made up. Students will receive a zero for missed assignment or exam. Exams may only be made up if missed for a serious or compelling reason. You must provide documentation of your absence and the makeup test will be in essay format.
Clickers:Class participation will be assessed via “clickers” (interwrite PRSRF transmitters), an electronic response system. Students are responsible for ensuring that their clickers are working properly. There will be random checks to ensure that students are using their own clickers. Responses using clickers will count towards class participation. Typically, a correct response will be worth 2 points, an incorrect one 1 point, and no response 0 point.
Attendance:Students enrolled in BIOL 401 should attend all class sessions. If you miss a class, you are responsible for obtaining the information covered in lecture from a classmate.
Summary of required materials:
•textbook - Microbiology: An Evolving Science, by Slonczewski and Foster, 2009 (Norton)
•clicker - interwrite PRSRF
•Scantron form 882-E - at least 8
•computer access to iLearn <iLearn.sfsu.edu> - all materials will be posted electronically
•miscellaneous items: No. 2 pencils, calculator, paper
Course policies:Cell phone and pager sounds are disruptive to the class and must be silenced (turned off or set on vibrate mode). Please be considerate of your classmates; if you must answer the phone, leave the room before doing so.
Statement on cheating and plagiarism:Students are expected to maintain academic integrity in all work pursued at SFSU. Penalties for cheating and plagiarism range from 0 or F on a particular assignment, through an F for the course, to expulsion from the university. Any incidence of cheating or plagiarism will be reported to the Office of Student Affairs.
Americans with Disabilities Act accommodation:Students with disabilities who need reasonable accommodations are encouraged to contact the instructor. The Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC) is available to facilitate the reasonable accommodations process. The DPRC is located in the StudentServiceBuilding and can be reached by telephone (voice/TTY 415-338-2472) or by email ().
Withdrawal procedures:
Last day to withdraw from the course by request to the instructor is Friday, Sept. 11, 2009.
Last day to request CR/NC grading option is Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2009.
After the first two weeks but before the thirteenth week of instruction (9/12 - 11/19), withdrawal from a course is permissible, only for serious and compelling reasons. Requests for withdrawal are to be reviewed by the Instructor and Department Chair. Students must submit their unofficial transcripts along with their petitions. If the withdrawal is approved, the student will receive a “W” grade.
Withdrawals are not permitted after the twelfth week of instruction (11/20 - 12/14)except in cases, such as accident or serious illness, where the cause of withdrawal is due to circumstances clearly beyond the student's control and the assignment of an Incomplete grade is not practicable. Ordinarily, withdrawals in this category involve a total withdrawal from the University.
University course repeat policy:
Student privacy rights:
Syllabus is subject to change: The course syllabus and schedule may change due to various circumstances. You are responsible for any announcement made during class, even if you were absent.
Course Schedule
Date / Class / Lecture content / Text Reading090825 Tu / 1 / Introduction to microbiology / Chapter 1
090827 Th / 2 / Diagnostic Test / Appendix 1 (optional)
090901 Tu / 3 / Observing the microbial cell / Chapter 2
090903 Th / 4 / Problem Set 1 due
Cell structure and function / Chapter 3
090908 Tu / Campus closure - no class
090910 Th / 5 / Cell structure and function / Chapter 3
090915 Tu / 6 / Cell structure and function / Chapter 3
090917 Th / 7 / Exam 1 / Chapters 1-3
090922 Tu / 8 / Bacterial cultures / Chapter 4
090924 Th / 9 / Bacterial cultures / Chapter 4
090929 Tu / 10 / Environmental effects on microbes / Chapter 5
091001 Th / 11 / Environmental effects on microbes / Chapter 5
091006 Tu / 12 / Genomes and chromosomes / Chapter 7
091008 Th / 13 / Problem Set 2 due
Genomes and chromosomes / Chapter 7
091013 Tu / 14 / Genomes and chromosomes / Chapter 7
091015 Th / 15 / Genomes and chromosomes / Chapter 7
091020 Tu / 16 / Exam 2 / Chapters 4, 5, 7
091022 Th / 17 / Transcription and translation / Chapter 8
091027 Tu / 18 / Transcription and translation / Chapter 8
091029 Th / 19 / Transcription and translation / Chapter 8
091103 Tu / 20 / Problem Set 3 due
Bacterial genetics / Chapter 9
091105 Th / ABRCMS - no class
091110 Tu / 21 / Bacterial genetics / Chapter 9
091112 Th / 22 / Bacterial genetics / Chapter 9
091117 Tu / 23 / Problem Set 4 due
Molecular Regulation / Chapter 10
091119 Th / 24 / Molecular Regulation / Chapter 10
Thanksgiving Recess – no classes
091201 Tu / 25 / Molecular Regulation / Chapter 10
091203 Th / 26 / Exam 3 / Chapters 8-10
091208 Tu / 27 / Microbial pathogenesis / To be determined
091210 Th / 28 / Microbial pathogenesis / To be determined
091215 Tu / Final Exam 8:00 - 10:30
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