MICROBIOLOGY - 2421
BLINN COLLEGE - BRYAN CAMPUS
COURSE INFORMATION SHEET
Fall 2009

INSTRUCTOR: Victoria Sharpe
OFFICE: S239 PHONE #: 209-7426  Home: 690-6493
EMAIL ADDRESS: Work: vsharpe@blinn.edu

COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introduction to the study of bacteria and other microorganisms. Topics include fundamentals of microbiology, microbial control, microbiology in everyday life, infection and host resistance and pathogenic organisms. Laboratory is devoted to various culturing and staining techniques. Prerequisites: BIOL 1406. Chemistry 1407 is recommended. Three class hours and three laboratory hours per week. Credit: Four semester hours. 

COURSE PURPOSE:
The purpose of the natural sciences component in the core curriculum is to enable the student to describe the basic concepts in the natural sciences and to apply that understanding to the analysis of current issues in society. Microbiology is a preparatory course for students pursuing degrees in nursing, medical technology, radiology, physical therapy, and kinesiology as well as those students pursuing pre-professional degrees in medicine or veterinary medicine.  Microbiology 2421 is designed to help students develop an understanding of

Student Learning Outcomes: At the completion of the course, the student will:

·         Summarize a history of microbiology and describe major experiments that led to the development of the germ theory of disease.

·         Describe the different types of cell and colony morphology and explain why the determination of these characteristics are important to species identification.

·         Explain the importance of metabolic pathways, enzyme function, and the use of competitive substitution to block bacterial and viral function.

·         Explain how bacteria replicate DNA, how mutations occur, ways in which genetic recombination can occur in bacteria, and the importance of gene technology in medicine.

·         Describe the morphology of a virus and explain the difference between a virus and a living organism.

·         Identify the bacterium, eukaryotic parasite or virus that causes different diseases. Describe the symptoms of these diseases.

·         Describe the various physical and chemical means of controlling microorganisms including antibiotics and antifungal medications.

·         Explain the importance of the microbes found in food, water and soil and give examples of diseases caused by these organisms and the harmful effects of improper handling of foodstuffs.

·         Explain how the various components of the human immune system protect us from infectious agents.

·         Explain the basis for the safety protocols used in a microbiology laboratory. Locate the safety equipment in class and be able to operate it.

·         Locate and focus on microscopy specimens using oil immersion technique. Use other equipment appropriate to the microbiology laboratory.

·         Isolate and identify pure and mixed microbial specimens using appropriate chemical and physical tests.

·         Prepare and perform the various stain techniques including the Gram stain method used in the microbiology laboratory.

·         Inoculate bacteria into various types of growth media and interpret the results of these biochemical reactions.

·         Explain the chemical basis for the physiological tests used in the microbiology laboratory.

TEXTBOOKS AND OTHER MATERIALS:
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Alcamo’s Fundamentals of Microbiology, 8th Ed., Pommerville, J., Alcamo, I. Edward, Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., 2007
A Photographic Atlas for the Microbiology laboratory,  3rd Ed., Leboffe, M.J. and Pierce, B.E., 2005

Sharpe Notes – download from website or purchase at Copy Center

OPTIONAL MATERIALS:
Study Guide to Accompany Fundamentals of Microbiology, Alcamo, I. E.. Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., 1997

BASIC OUTLINE OF COURSE CONTENT: Microorganisms causing diseases in man will be stressed. Mastery of laboratory techniques, and understanding concepts, processes and vocabulary will comprise a major part of lecture and lab tests. Medical applications are used where applicable to enable students to understand the relevance of the material which they are studying as well as to provide a foundation for future course work. Listed in the lab and lecture schedules, you will find a basic outline of topics covered during the semester - the times are approximate and should not be regarded as being set in concrete! Lab assignments will follow lecture assignments where possible. 

LECTURE EXAMS: There will be three 100-point exams given which may be a combination of short answer, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, identification, and essay. Makeup exams will be given at the discretion of the instructor and may differ from the tests given at the scheduled times. A cumulative lecture final will include some questions from the laboratory material, and will be given at the end of the semester. There will be no separate laboratory final.  The lecture final is worth 150 points.

LAB EXAMS: Three 100 point lab exams are scheduled throughout the semester. The exams will cover material previously covered in lab and will consist of fill in the blank, short answer, true or false, and labeling. There will not be a word bank nor will there be multiple choice options. You may drop your lowest lab exam grade. If you miss lab on the day of a lab quiz for any reason, then that will be the quiz you will drop for the semester. I will not give any makeup lab exams.  Bottom line:  if you manage your lab exams carefully, this system can help you improve your semester grade.  However, if you intentionally skip one exam, and find that you can not come to the other two lab exams, you will lose 100 points.

UNKNOWNS: There will be three unknowns assigned during the semester. With the first two unknowns, you will be working in groups. They will be worth 50 points each. The third unknown will be a mixed unknown which you will work on independently. This unknown will be worth 200 point - 100 points for each of the two organisms. The unknowns, then, will be worth a total of 300 points.

EXTRA CREDIT: Each semester there is an opportunity to earn extra credit points.  As these projects vary from semester to semester, they will be discussed in class.

MATRIX ASSIGNMENTS: Approximately three projects will be assigned to satisfy state requirements. We will talk about these on the first day, and again when they are assigned. They are a great opportunity to raise your grade as you will be in complete control of what you turn in. These are not extra credit, and they will be worth approximately 10 points.

ADA STATEMENT:  Students with physical or learning disabilities must present documentation from the Office of Disability Services (room 165, Science Bldg) to receive accommodation on exams and assignments.  Accommodation is not retroactive.

CLASS POLICIES:
ATTENDANCE:"Blinn College believes that class attendance is essential for student success. To this end, students are expected to report promptly and regularly to all classes. When a student has accumulated one week of unexcused absences, the faculty member will report the student's unexcused absences in BORIS. The student will receive a letter and/or emailed warning from Blinn's registrar that upon one more week of unexcused absence, the student will be dropped from all classes in which the unexcused absences are reported. There are four kinds of absences officially excused by BlinnCollege:1) Observance of religious holy days. The student should notify his/her instructor(s) not later than the 15th day of the semester concerning the specific date(s) that the student will be absent; 2) representing Blinn College at an official Blinn function, 3) active military duty, and 4) official activities of a school at which a dual credit student is enrolled. Other excuses will be considered at the instructor's discretion, with documentation. It is departmental policy that missing a lecture or lab or both will count as one absence". Please note it is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor regarding past or anticipated absences.  It is also the student's responsibility to drop the course. Do not assume that the instructor will drop you from the course for excess absences.   Failure to do so could result in a grade of "F" in the course.

PREPARATION: Please see the course schedule containing a list of the topics and chapters to be covered on each exam. We may not get to some of the chapters on an exam - you will only be tested on the material covered in lecture. The exact date of the examinations will be announced in class at least two class periods prior to the examination date, but will follow the course schedule as closely as possible. Because of the quantity of material to be covered please do not fall behind in your readings. Please read the assigned chapter in the lab manual before coming to lab. I will always try to be available before and after class to answer any questions you may have.

HONOR SYSTEM: Blinn College does not tolerate cheating, plagiarism, or other acts of dishonesty.  Definitions of these behaviors and procedures for dealing with them are described in "Scholastic Dishonesty" in the Blinn College Student Handbook, copies of which are available at the information desk in the administration building.  All tests will be closed book and notes.  All students will remove hats and sunglasses before tests. In my classes, we are on a student honor system which we will talk about the first day.

HEALTH CONCERNS: Eating or drinking are not allowed in classrooms or laboratories.

CIVILITY STATEMENT:  Members of the Blinn College community, which includes faculty, staff and students, are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all aspects of campus life.  Blinn College holds all members accountable for their actions and words.  Therefore, all members should commit themselves to behave in a manner that recognizes personal respect and demonstrates concern for the personal dignity, rights and freedoms of every member of the college community, including respect for college property and the physical and intellectual property of others.  Civility applies to attire as well as language and behavior.  Please dress appropriately for the academic classroom and laboratory.

CRITERIA FOR GRADING: Item                                                                                       Points
Unknowns I, II, III and IV                                                                             300

Lecture exams                                                                                                  300
3 Lab exams (drop 1)                                                                                       200
Final                                                                                                                 200
Matrix assignments                                                                                            10

Extra credit points                                                                                                ?
 
YOUR COURSE AVERAGE = YOUR TOTAL POINTS   X 100 =     _________%
Last modified1 828/09                                          1010
 
 
 

 

Microbiology Lecture Schedule

Fall 2009

 

Aug. 31

Chap. 1

Introduction/History of Microbiology

 

 

Miasma theory/Spontaneous 

 

 

Generation/Germ Theory

Sept. 2

Chap. 3

Concepts and Tools for Studying Microorganisms  

 

 

Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells

Sept. 9

 

 A Survey of Microorganisms

 

 

Light Microscopy

Sept. 21

Chap. 4

Prokaryotic Cell Structure and Function

 

 

Bacterial Reproduction and Growth

Sept. 28

Chap. 5

Bacterial Growth and Nutrition

 

 

Reproduction and Growth

 

 

Culture Media and Growth Measurements

Oct. 5

Lecture Exam I

 

Oct. 7

Chap. 6

Metabolism of Prokaryotic Cells

Oct. 14

Chap. 7

Prokaryotic Genetics: Anabolism of DNA and proteins

Oct. 21

Chap. 8

Gene Transfer, Genetic Engineering and Genomics

Oct. 26

Chap. 18-22

Resistance and the Immune System

Nov. 2

Lecture Exam II

Nov. 4

Chap. 9

Bacterial diseases in Humans/Airborne 

Nov. 9

Chap. 10

Foodborne and Waterborne diseases

Nov. 16

Chap. 11

Soilborne and Arthropodborne diseases

 

Chap. 11

Sexually Transmitted, Contact and Miscellaneous Bacterial Diseases

Nov. 16 (in lab)

Chap. 16

The Fungal Parasites

Nov. 18 (in lab)

Chap. 17

The Protozoan Parasites

Nov. 23 (in lab)

Chap. 17

The Multicellular Parasites – The Worms

Nov. 30

Chap. 17

The Multicellular Parasites – The Worms

Dec. 2

Lecture Exam III

 

Dec. 7

Chap. 13-15

The Viruses and viral diseases

 

Comprehensive Final Exam

 

Sec. A1

Monday, Dec. 14th @ 7:45AM  

 

Sec. A2

Monday, Dec. 14th @ 12:45PM IN LAB

 

Sec. A3

Tuesday, Dec. 15th @ 7:45AM

 

Last updated 8/28/09

 

 MICROBIOLOGY LAB SCHEDULE

Fall 2009


 

  DATE

LAB # 

TITLE AND MODULE #

KNOW FOR LAB EXAMS

8/31

1

General lab safety; Sanitary method

 

Movie; handout; sign agreement 

 

9/2 

2 

The Ubiquity of Microbes 
Handout

The Ubiquity of Microorganisms;

Physical Control of Microorganisms:

  Preparation of Culture Media

  Plates, Tubes

  The Autoclave
 

 9/7

3

Aseptic transfer of microbes;

Isolating and Identifying Bacteria

Atlas p. 13

Aseptic transfer of microbes; 

Streaking for isolation 
Using open flames 
Using the bacteriological culture loop 
Pure and mixed cultures 
 

9/9

4

Quantifying Bacteria

Atlas pp. 83 - 86

Aseptic transfer of microbes, cont:
4 Common ways cultures can become contaminated 
The Pour Plate Technique

Quebec Colony Counter

Note TFTC; TNTC

9/14

5 

Viewing Bacteria;

Stain Techniques 
Atlas pp. 27-40

Preparing a bacterial stain
Positive stains: 
Simple stain 
Gram stain 
 

9/16

6

Viewing Bacteria, Cont;

The Microscope;

Slides

Atlas pp. 23 - 26

Parts of the microscope

Inversion of image 
Depth of focus 
Parfocal lens 
Total magnification 
Carrying the microscope 
Use of oil immersion lens 
Cleaning the microscope 
Field of view 
Review; comparison of prokaryotes and eukaryotes 
Slides: Your Gram (+) and Gram (-) slides;

Bacterial Morphology: 3 bacterial types, cyanobacteria, diplococci, streptococci, staphylococci, bacilli, staphylobacilli, spiral forms

Bacterial Structures: bact. flagella, bact. capsules, bact. spores, cyanobacteria

9/21

7

Characteristics of Bacteria –

Colonial Characteristics

Atlas pp. 1-9

 


 

9/23

8

 

Colonial Characteristics, cont;

Review for Lab Exam

9/28

9

Lab Exam I

 

 

 

9/30

10

Identifying Gram (+) Bacteria

 

The Staphylococci; Identifying pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus

The Streptococci; Identifying the pyogenic Streptococci

 

Selective and differential tests for Gram +organisms
Blood agar - p. 48
Mannitol salt - p. 18
Catalase test - p. 50
Coagulase test  - p. 52
Optochin and bacitracin disc test p. 46
Bile esculin - p. 47

 

10/5

11

Identifying Gram (+) Bacteria, cont.

Complete Lab 10

Hand out Unknown # 1

10/7

12

Identifying Gram (+) Bacteria, cont.

 

Work on Unknown #1

1012

13

Identifying Gram (-) Bacteria

 

Gram (-) Bacteria; Gram (-) Pathogens; the Enterobacteriaciae

Selective and differential media for Gram - organisms
Carbohydrate fermentation  - p. 57
Nitrate reduction - p. 68  
Hyrogen sulfide production and TSIA - p. 78

10/14

14

Identifying Gram (-) Bacteria, cont.

 

Selective and differential media for Gram- organisms,continued
The IMViC tests  - p. 60, 67, 80, 51
Motility test - p. 67
Oxidase test - p. 72

Urease test - p. 79

Review for Lab Exam II

 


10/19


 

15

 Lab Exam II

10/21

16

 Identifying Gram (-) Bacteria, cont.

 

Film

Hand out Unknown #2

10/26

17

 

 

Work on unknowns
Unknown I Lab Report due

10/28

18

 

Antimicrobials

Handout

Effects of antiseptics, disinfectants and antibiotics -p. 89

11/2

19

 

 

Complete Lab 18

Hand out Unknown #3/4

11/4-11/11

20-22

 

 

Work on Unknown #3/4

 

11/16

23

The Fungi

 

Identifying Fungi - p. 159 (for reference)

Unknown II  Lab Report Due

11/18

24

 

The Protistans

 

Identifying the Protozoans: p. 175 (for reference)

The Amoebozoans,  Flagellates, Ciliates and Apicomplexans

11/23

25

The Multicellular Parasites

The Animalia

 

Phyla Platyhelminthes and Nematoda p. 187 (for reference)

Review for Lab Exam III
Turn in Lab Report for Unknowns 3 and 4

 

11/30

26

Lab Exam III

 

12/2

27

The Viruses

 

Unknown Lab III/IV due

12/7

28

The Viruses

 

12/9 

29

Review for final exam

 

 

Last modified 8/28/09