Microbiology

• Compare and contrast the cellular structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
• Describe how specific cellular structures carry out processes such as motility, nutrient transport, energy production and reproduction
• Describe how microbial cell structures and processes can be the targets of antimicrobial agents, and explain how these relate to therapeutic decisions
• Explain the importance of aseptic technique in patient care
• Explain the impact of human activity on microbial evolution, and describe the mechanisms by which genetic information is modified and transferred between microorganisms
• Contrast the lifecycles of bacteria, eukaryotic microbes and viruses
• Describe the environmental factors that affect microbial growth, and relate these factors to the environment of the human host and growth in laboratory culture
• Explain the various relationships that exist between microbes and the human host, and how both microbial and host factors influence development of disease
• Explain the factors important in microscopy and how each is optimized or controlled
• Relate microbial biology to means of identification, classification and host defense mechanisms
• Describe how microbial genetic information flows and is shared
• Contrast the prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathways of carbohydrate catabolism

Required Materials:

Microbiology: with Diseases by Body System by RW Bauman. 3rd Edition. Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 2012.

Access to: Mastering Microbiology (www.masteringmicrobiology.com)

Microbiology Laboratory Theory & Application: Brief Edition by M J Leboffe & B E Pierce. 2^nd Edition. Morton Publishing Company, 2008.

Each student is required to complete all exams, reading assignments and laboratory assignments.

There will be three midterm exams worth 100 points each and a cumulative final exam worth 200 points.

Online assignments over the reading for the section being covered will be worth 100 points total.

The laboratory portion comprises 40% of the total course grade.

Grading:

All exams and assignments count toward your final grade in the course and so it is important to do the best that you can on everything you turn in. If you find yourself having difficulties, please come to me for help early in the semester so that you give yourself time to improve.

Attendance is not a direct component of your course score. However, continual tardiness – and the subsequent class disruption due to coming in late – will be taken into account and may have an effect on your final points awarded.

            This course is not graded on a traditional curve, but it is scaled to where the students are. This allows for any adjustments that the instructor deems necessary. The course is worth approximately 1000 points. Grade categories and equivalent percentages are as indicated: A (90-100%); B (80-89%); C (70-79%); D (60-69%); F (59% and below). Passing requires 60% of the points (unadjusted) for the course, or 600. Fractional percentages will be rounded at the end of the semester.

Lecture constitutes approximately 60% of the BIOL 2144 grade. There will be three midterm exams, each worth 100 points. The final exam will be worth 200 points. Each exam, including the final, will focus on what was covered since the previous exam. However, each exam will also be cumulative in that each section of the course builds on what came before. The final will also be more typically cumulative in that it will cover the entire semester, focusing on material that needs to be reviewed (i.e. the majority of the class got it wrong the first time around).

The remaining component of the lecture score comprises assignments associated with the reading for the upcoming lecture. Assignments will be available on the Mastering Microbiology website (www.masteringmicrobiology.com). Questions will be taken from the reading assigned for the next period’s lecture. Assignments must be completed by the beginning of the next class period (e.g. for Wednesday’s lecture, the assignment must be completed prior to 8:00 am Wednesday).

            Lab constitutes approximately 40% of the BIOL 2144 grade. Specifics for lab exercises, assignments and grading will be provided during the first laboratory session.

Note:

1) No regrades will be provided for exams done in pencil.

2) Misspelled words (esp. organism names) and incorrect taxonomic nomenclature will result in ¼ point deductions for each instance.
 

Students are expected to attend all meetings of the classes in which they are enrolled. Although in general students are graded on intellectual effort and performance rather than attendance, absences may lower the student’s grade where class attendance and class participation are deemed essential by the faculty member. In those classes where attendance is considered as part of the grade, the instructor should so inform students of the specifics in writing at the beginning of the semester in a syllabus or separate attendance policy statement. An instructor who has an attendance policy must keep records on a daily basis. The instructor must give the student a verbal or written warning prior to being dropped from the class. Instructor’s records will stand as evidence of absences. A student with excessive absences may be dropped from a course by the instructor. Any  individual faculty member or college has the authority to establish an attendance policy, providing the policy  is in accordance with the General University Policies. [MSU Student Handbook, p. 37]

Absences will be excused for:

1. Death of an immediate family member.  An immediate family member is considered to be a grandparent, parent, sibling, spouse, in-law, aunt, uncle, or child.
2. Summons to appear in court or jury duty. A copy of the summons is required.
3. Call to military service.  A copy of your orders to report is required.
4. University sponsored event. Members of athletic teams, college bowl participants, etc. will be excused with proper notification.
5. Debilitating illness or disability.Illnesses will be addressed on an individual basis. If a student is affected by an illness that is not debilitating, (i.e. flu, virus infection) which may result in the student missing one or more consecutive class sessions, that student will be marked as unexcused for the amount of days missed unless a doctor’s note is provided.

It is the responsibility of the student to obtain notes or other information covered in class during an absence.

Classroom expectations and policies:

• Students are expected to be prepared for lecture and lab by: 1) reading the text, lab manual and handouts prior to coming to class; 2) having paper and pen at hand
• Students are expected to arrive a few minutes early in order to mentally prepare. If late arrival is unavoidable, the student should enter the class in a manner that creates as little disruption as possible.
• Points will be deducted from assignments turned in late.
• Food and beverages are prohibited in the lab (see the Laboratory Safety section in the Laboratory Manual for additional safety issues).
• Student Conduct: Please refer to the MSU Student Handbook for university policies related to student responsibilities, rights and activities. For example, see page 41 for valid grounds for an instructor drop (excessive absence, indifferent attitude, disruptive conduct, failure to meet class assignments), page 70 for the university's policy on classroom conduct, and page 71 for definitions of academic dishonesty that may be subject to disciplinary action (cheating, plagiarism, and collusion).
• Students with disabilities: It is the responsibility of the student to first contact Disability Support Services and then the instructor to determine what accommodations might be made for a disability. It will be the responsibility of the student to make arrangements to acquire notes. Any requests for accommodations must be made 2 weeks prior to the first exam.
• CELL PHONES (and other electronic devices): (READ THIS TWICE, PLEASE) There are NO cell phones permitted to be out in this class. This class, as well as your other classes, requires your engagement, and cell phones serve to detract from that engagement. Additionally, your phone should be not only put away, but on “silent” (NOTE: vibrate is NOT silent). If your phone is out and/or in sight, you will be asked to put it away.
• The instructor reserves the right to amend these rules as needed throughout the term.

E-mail Policy:

I will respond to e-mail during regular school hours (8:30 am – 5:00 pm M-F). I will make every effort to respond to e-mail sent during the week within 24 hours. Those sent over the weekend will be attended to on Monday. Always include a subject line in your e-mail messages. It would be particularly helpful to include in the subject line the course number & section (i.e. BIOL 2144).

Exam Policies:

• No make-up exams will be given in this course. If you must miss class during a midterm exam period, and it is an excusable absence (see above), then the cumulative portion of the final exam will be used to determine the missed midterm score. You must notify the instructor of problems prior to the start of the exam, and provide the appropriate documentation as soon as possible. Only one midterm exam will be substituted for in this manner.
• Exams are not moved for congested midterm schedules.
• All electronic devices, including cell phones, must be completely turned off during exam periods. I will keep track of time and relay the information to the class. If you must keep track of time yourself, invest in a wristwatch.