Textbook:      Talaro, K.  2008. Foundations in Microbiology (6^th ed.).  McGraw-Hill.

Lab Manual:  Brown, A. E.  2009.  Benson's Microbiological Applications – Laboratory  Manual in General Microbiology (11^th ed.).  McGraw-Hill.

This course involves the identification, anatomy, physiology, and genetics of microorganisms.  Special emphasis is given to infectious diseases and the organisms that cause these diseases.

Prerequisite:  BIO 161 or the following combinations: BIO 110 or BIO 114 and CEM 111.

The main objectives of this course are to introduce to the student the fundamental principles of medical microbiology and the laboratory techniques used within this field of study.  The identification, anatomy, physiology, and genetics of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, viruses, and parasitic worms will be discussed in both lab and lecture.  Special emphasis will be given to those microorganisms which are responsible for human diseases.

How to communicate effectively:  Both in lab and lecture written and oral communication are practiced.  For instance, the scientific terminology used in various assignments allows students to practice the effective communication of major biological concepts and scientific information.

How to interact with the world:  A major emphasis of this course requires the understanding and appreciation of scientific inquiry and technology.  Many aspects of microbiology, such as the spread and control of infectious diseases, requires knowledge of societal and individual responsibilities.  Personal health and behavior is linked to many historical, ethical, legal, and business issues or factors that shape societal views throughout the world.

Lecture Grade:  In lecture there will be three regular exams and one comprehensive final exam.  Each exam counts for 25% of the lecture grade.

Makeup Policy for Lecture Exams:  Students cannot makeup scheduled regular exams.  All missed regular exams will receive a zero score.  As compensation for this policy, students who complete this course will be allowed to drop their lowest regular exam score from the calculation of the final grade.

    Note: The final lecture exam is mandatory and cannot be dropped.

Lab Grade:  65% of the lab grade will be based on various lab reports, tasks, and exams throughout the semester.  10% will be based on laboratory safety and performance.  The remaining 25% of the lab grade will be derived from a final comprehensive lab exam.

Makeup Policy for Labs:  Because of the nature of preparing microbiology labs, it may be difficult to makeup many of the labs.  It is the student’s responsibility to makeup the missed information by consulting with the lab instructor, and referring to the lab manual, handouts, and website.  Students will not be allowed to attend another lab section to makeup missed material.  Late assignments 1) may not be accepted by the instructor (thus receiving a zero score) or 2) be penalized by point deductions.  Students will be allowed to drop one of their lowest scores from each of the following categories: lab reports, lab tasks, and lab exams. 

    Note: The final lab exam is mandatory and cannot be dropped.

Final Course Grade: Fifty percent of the final course grade will be derived from lecture, whereas the other fifty percent will come from lab.  Below is the percentage breakdown for each grading category.

       * One lowest score is dropped in this category

Letter grades will be assigned from the following scale:

Tutors:  If you need additional assistance in microbiology beyond the classroom, the Learning Center located in Van Lare Hall can arrange for you to meet with tutors.

To successfully complete this course, students are expected to attend all the scheduled lecture and lab times.  Poor attendance almost always correlates to poorer or failing grades.

Students may withdraw from this course through the 10^th week of the semester.  The last date to withdraw is Friday, October 31^st.  

Student behavior that is detrimental to an environment conducive to learning or to the maintenance of a reasonable level of order on the campus or in the classroom shall be considered disruptive behavior. Students involved in disruptive conduct will be subject to disciplinary action as outlined in the student handbook and which includes suspension or dismissal.

Dishonest scholarly practices include, but are not necessarily limited to taking, using, or copying another’s work and submitting it as one’s own, intentionally falsifying information or taking another’s ideas with the intention of passing ideas in class as one’s own.  These types of practices will not be condoned in this course.  Individuals caught cheating will be assigned a failing grade for that assignment.  Subsequent offenses could result in the student being assigned a failing grade for the course.  The instructor will report all incidents of dishonest academic conduct to the dean and department chairperson.

A copy of this syllabus is distributed to each student enrolled in this course, the department chairperson, and the Vice President of Academic Instruction.

2008 FALL LECTURE AND LAB SCHEDULE

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This page was last modified Thursday August 21, 2008
milostam@alpenacc.edu