NSC Biology 260: General Microbiology

NSC Biology 260: General Microbiology

Fall, 2014 Syllabus

Lecture/Labs: Tuesday/Thursday, 6-9.20pm

Instructor: Christopher Thor

Email:

Phone: 206.934.7050 (For emergencies: 360.770.2019)

Office Hours: By appointment

Office Location: HS-2641-B

Course Website: http://facweb.northseattle.edu/cthor/

Required Matierials:

• Microbiology, A Human Perspective (7th Edition). E. Nester, D. Anderson, C. Evans Roberts and M. Nester. McGraw-Hill Publishers, 2012. ISBN: 9780077573645
• Microbiology Experiments: A Health Science Perspective, 7th Edition. J. Kleyn, M. Bicknell and A. Oller. C. Brown Publishers, 2012. ISBN: 9780077315542
• 4 Scantrons and #2 Pencils
• Extrafine Sharpie (for marking Petri Plates)
• Hairband for long hair (we use Bunsen Burners and burning hair smells)
• Canvas Access
• Optional: A Photographic Atlas for the Microbiology Laboratory, 4th ed., Michael Leboffe and Burton Pierce. Morton Publishers 2011.

Course Objectives:

1. Perform routine bacteriological practices and microbial laboratory techniques
2. Develop an understanding of current microbiology ideas and practices
3. Develop an understanding of the role and function of bacteria in the environment
4. Relate the characteristics of bacteria to diseases and their various treatments

My hopes for you in this class:

1. That you will build a solid foundation of molecular biological principles that you can apply in your future career and in the real world
2. That you begin to think critically and question the world around you. Does what you’re hearing make sense with what you know?
3. That you learn to identify quality sources for scientific information – there is a great deal of bad information out there.

“Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.” -Carl Sagan.

Class Schedule:

EXAMS: The exams will consist of multiple choice and short answer questions and will cover topics discussed in lecture and the textbooks. The homework assignments are, in part, designed to help you get a feel for the types of questions I’ll be asking. Please write neatly – if I can’t read your response, it’s wrong. Make up exams are possible only for medical/family emergencies and only if arrangements with me are made prior to the exam..

• Scantrons and #2 pencils are required for all exams and will not be provided
• The Final Exam: 2/3 is cumulative, 1/3 is on new material

Homework: The homework assignments are “take home.” You may spend as much time on them as you need and use any resources at your disposal. Homework assignments are due at the beginning of lecture – no credit for late work since you can turn them in any time before their due date.

Lab Reports: Lab reports are due the lecture following the completion of the lab exercises as labeled on the syllabus. These reports will include all of the exercises in the workbook as well as all data, drawings and questions.

Lab quizzes: There will be 2 unannounced quizzes prior to the lab that will ask questions about any laboratory experiment performed to date. It is in your best interest to pay special attention to the pre-lab questions.

Laboratory Practical Exam: The laboratory practical exam is a comprehensive exam based on experiments done in class. Anything done in the lab may show up on the exam. You may not use your notes or lab manual for the exam. It is a “practical” style exam which may include such things as identification of specimens under the microscope, identification of specific biochemical tests, recognition of bacteria on different types of agar medium.

Attendance: Your attendance is expected and you are responsible for material covered, even if you are not present. There are no make-ups for laboratory sessions. Heavy work schedules, missing the bus or similar excuses do not count as emergencies. Please be on time for class and silence cell phones.

Cheating: Don’t cheat. This includes plagiarism. Plagiarism is using anyone else’s words or work as your own. You must site the resources you use. Cheating will result in, at a minimum, no credit for the entire project; but far worse consequences are possible. Plagiarism carries major consequences in the scientific community.

• Examples of plagiarism include (but are not limited to): copying/pasting from resources you did not write, copying each other (especially in group activities), using online resources as your own words, making up resources to site or having someone else do your work for you.
• NSC guidelines on plagiarism can be found at http://libguides.northseattle.edu/c.php?g=97385

Grading:

Homework (8 assignments)100 points

Exams (3)300 points

Final Exam150 points

Labs (Reports)170 points

Unkowns Lab30 points

Lab pop quiz (2)40 points

Lab Practical Exam100 points

Optional Assignment (Bonus)20 points

Electronic Devices: Out of respect for your instructor and fellow students, please turn off cell phones and pagers before class. No electronic devices may be used during exams.

Student Services: Students with disabilities who believe that they may need accommodations in this class are encouraged to contact me as soon as possible to ensure that such accommodations are implemented in a timely fashion.

Chemical Sensitivities: Due to the increasing numbers of individuals developing chemical sensitivities and the increasing awareness of such conditions, everyone who attends this class is asked to refrain from wearing any fragrance or perfume. The greatest feasible efforts will also be taken to ensure a fresh air environment free of not only the above mentioned fragrances but also potentially harmful substances such as carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, carpet odor, organic solvents, etc. Individuals who are unsure of the importance of this policy should see the Associate Dean for additional information.

Canvas: I may be using Canvas to post lecture material, study guides, and other worksheets/activities for the course. Once you are registered for the course you will be able to access the course materials at this website:

https://canvas.northseattle.edu.

To log in to the course site for the first time:

User ID = your full 9 digit Student ID #

Password = the first six letters of your last name or your entire last name if it is fewer than six letters and repeat until you reach six letters

General Course Layout and Logistics: This is a hybrid course, meaning that you will be expected to participate in both our online and in-person activities throughout the quarter. The website listed above will take you to the online course content. Note that parts of this website will ask you for a user name and password. Please notify me immediately if you have problems accessing any of the course content!

How to succeed in Biology:

• Put in the work. “There are no shortcuts to anywhere worth going.” – Beverly Sills.
• Keep up in the class – a lot of information comes at you and it’s harder to catch up than to keep up!
• Ask questions. Other students likely have the same questions you do, ask away.
• Study smart. Don’t START studying for an exam the night before. Make flash cards, re-state principles in your own words, study as a group, take careful notes and write down any “tricks” I may give you to help remember what’s what. Break up the studying into smaller sections and try to form the “big picture.”
• Use the resources you have available. The text book is great place to start, but also use Wikipedia (it’s usually accurate) or other online resources. If you need to print out materials, use the public library. There is a small fee, but you can print out up to 75 black and white or 25 color sheets per week. There are also tutoring services available (https://northseattle.edu/tutoring)
• Take personal responsibility for your own success. There are many opportunities to excel in this class. The homework assignments are open resource and therefore “Free Points!” You just have to do the work.