Microbiology for Science Majors Syllabus for 2013-2014
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Instructor Information

Course Information

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

Any student who, because of a disabling condition, may require some special arrangements in order to meet course requirements should contact disAbility Services (Student Service Center room 119, phone 371-5436) as soon as possible.

Statement for Mental Health and Advocacy & Resource Center:

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. Amarillo College offers services to assist you with addressing these and other concerns you may be experiencing. If you or someone you know are suffering from any of the aforementioned conditions, you can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus by calling the AC Counseling Center at 806-371-5900. The AC Counseling Center website is https://www.actx.edu/counseling/ . Also, if you are in need of social services (affordable housing, utilities, transportation, food, clothing, childcare, medical/dental/vision, legal), please call the AC Advocacy & Resource Center at 806-371-5439. The AC Advocacy & Resource Center website is https://www.actx.edu/arc

Amarillo College Tutoring for Success Policy:

Administrative Drop Policy

N/A

Student Withdrawal Procedures

N/A

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The Amarillo College Privacy Policy is found at https://www.actx.edu/-amarillo-college-privacy-notice , and applies to all Amarillo College students.  If you have questions about this privacy statement or you believe that your personal information has been released without your consent, send email to humanresources@actx.edu .

Course

BIOL-2421-007 Microbiology for Science Majors

Prerequisites

RDNG 0331-minimum grade of C or a score on a state-approved test indicating college-level reading skills; SCIT 1307 recommended

Course Description

Principles of microbiology, including metabolism, structure, function, genetics and phylogeny of microbes. The course will also examine the interactions of microbes with each other, hosts and the environment. Laboratory activities will reinforce lecture content.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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\ Microbiology with Diseases by Body Systems, 3rd ed., 2012, Robert W. Bauman, Benjamin Cummings.

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\ Microbiology Laboratory Manual, 5th ed., 2012, R. Bauman, Jr., N. Dolby, S. Schwarzlose, Pearson.

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\ Supplemental - Not required

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\ A Photographic Atlas for the Microbiology Laboratory, 4th ed., 2011, M.J. Leboffe, B.E. Pierce; Morton Publishing.

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Supplies

One - box of gloves in your size 

One - Sharpie or other permanent marker

By the end of the semester the student will be able to satisfactorily complete all of the listed learning objectives (below) with a minimum of 60 percent competency level based on the completion of the required examinations and other work as required by the instructor.

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\ LEARNING/ PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES (MINIMUM COMPETENCIES):
\ After studying the material presented in this course, the student will be able to do the following:

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1. \ Describe the major subdivisions of microbiology and describe the types of microorganisms in each division.
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2. \ Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells on the basis of size, organelles, chromosomal characteristics, reproductive characteristics and nutritional types.
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3. \ Describe and define the function and basic chemical composition of various organelles.
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4. \ Describe and give examples of the four types of biomolecules.
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5. \ List the major characteristics of each kingdom of the biological world and viruses.
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6. \ List and describe the various characteristics associated with life.
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7. \ List and describe the major beneficial and destructive activities of the microbial members of each kingdom of the biological world.
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8. \ Describe and compare the various chemical and physical methods used in microbial control.
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9. \ Describe the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatments of major microbial diseases.
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10. \ List and describe the body's lines of defense in resisting and/or combating disease causing microorganisms.
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11. \ Explain what is meant by nosocomial infections and how to prevent nosocomial infections in patients.
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12. \ Explain how to safeguard themselves and others from infectious disease.
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Students Rights and Responsibilities

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Log in using the AC Connect Portal

In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

Expected Student Behavior

Grievance Procedure:  If a student is having a problem with the course policies, or with the instructor, he or she should first try to resolve any such problems with the instructor.  If the problem is not resolved, the student may proceed to the Biology program coordinator (Dr. Claudie Biggers), then the Mathematics, Sciences, and Engineering Department Chairperson (Dr. Wetzel), the Dean of Academic Transfer (Mr. Jerry Moeller), the Associate Vice-President for Instruction (Dr. Lowery-Hart), or the college President (Dr. Matney), IN THAT ORDER.

AVOID ANY APPEARANCE OF CHEATING. Cheating will result in loss of the grade for that quiz or exam. Hats are not to be worn during exams.

CELL PHONES & PAGERS: Cell phones and pagers are to be in silent mode during lectures and must be turned off during exams.  Use of cell phones in class is not permitted except in the case of recording lectures. If you are texing or surfing the net during class I will ask you to leave.  Assignments missed after being excused will result in the grade of Zero for the assignment. If you have an urgent need to have a phone or pager on, you must inform the Instructor before class, and must quietly exit the room to take a call.

LABORATORY SAFETY. No food or drinks are to be be taken into or consumed in the laboratory (a table outside SCI hall labs is available for use). Students are not allowed to wear open-toed shoes and shorts or very short skirts in the laboratory. These policies are for your personal safety. The first violation of the safety rules will result in a warning, the second violation may result in dismissal from that class session. Upon the third violation the student may no longer be allowed to attend class. Students must also read and sign a laboratory safety contract before they are allowed to continue attending. MSDS sheets are available.

Student are expected to follow all safety rules and to notify the instructor immediately if any accident occurs. While the risk of an accident is minimized as much as possible, there is the potential for contact with electrical appliances, heating elements, sharp instruments, chemicals, and organic materials, some of which may be biohazards. Any student deemed to be jeopardizing the safety of others will be asked to leave the lab immediately and possibly permanently. Other safety rules are listed in the Laboratory Manual and will be covered the first day of class.

Special Notes:

This syllabus is subject to change at the discretion of the instructor.  Material included is intended to provide an outline of the course and rules that the instructor will adhere to in evaluating student's progress.  Students are expected to read the textbook before and after the material is presented in the lectures.

BAD WEATHER: 
If classes are canceled due to inclement weather, you are responsible for reading and learning the material that would have been covered.  If an exam was scheduled and classes are canceled, the exam will be given the next class meeting. (BE PREPARED) If class is canceled the last day of class and an exam was scheduled, then the exam will be added to the Final Exam and the questions will count as the exam and as the final exam. If class is canceled during finals week, check the AC website for new exam times. Cancellations will be announced on the Radio by 6:30 AM or by 3:00 PM for evening classes. Also check the AC website.

Science Testing Center:
Warren Hall 112

Lecture tests, excluding the Final Exam, will be taken in the Science Testing Center and may be taken during normal Science Testing Center hours, day or evening.  Tests are to be taken outside of class lecture time.  If an exam is retaken, the higher of the scores is counted.  Please note:  No tests will be given out less than one hour before the Science Testing Center closes. You must present an Amarillo College student ID every time you take a test. The Science Testing Center staff will retain your ID while you take your test and it will be returned to you when you turn in your test.

When using the Science Testing Center students should scan in and out with their Amarillo College student I.D.

Mandatory Tutoring:
Warren Hall 110

In an effort to increase retention in Biology courses, any student who scores below a 70% on any exam (excluding he Final Exam week) must complete a mandatory 30 minute tutoring session with his/her instructor or in the Science Enrichment before taking the next exam.

Appointments for 30 minute tutoring are required and can be scheduled in the Science Enrichment Center or by calling (806)371-5536.

A Record of Tutoring form will be given to you when you complete 30 minutes of required tutoring. You will not be allowed to take the next exam without the complete Record of Tutoring form.

Free Drop-in: Peer tutors are available at the Science Enrichment Center

Grading Criteria

Grading Scale: A = 90- 100%, B = 80 - 89%, C = 70 - 79%, D = 60 - 69%, F < 60%.
To pass the course, students must attain 60% or better in the course. Most medical fields require 70% (C) or better.

Lecture - 50%

Exams are 40% of the total grade for the semester.  A minimum of five in class lecture exams will be given. The material for each exam/assignment will be based on lecture and lab material.  Each will be worth 100 points, the lowest exam grade will be dropped.

Chapter Quizzes 10% of the total grade for the semester. There will be a quiz at the beginning of each week.  12 of the quizzes will be used to calculate your quiz grade for the class.  There will be no quiz make-up grades given.

 

Laboratory - 25%

Lab Exams 5%- There will be 2 laboratory exams (One midterm and one final exam) that will be administered in class.  These exams will be announced in class well in advance. 

Lab practicals 5% -  There will be 2 laboratory practicals that will be administered in class. These exams will be announced in class well in advance. 

Quizzes 5% -Laboratory quizzes will be administered in lab during the semester.   They will be announced in class the previous class day.  The lowest quiz will be dropped at the end of the semester.

Bacterial unknown 10%-  Students will identify an unknown bacterium using the skills and knowledge they have acquired over the semester. 

Final Exam 25%

The Final Exam is 25% of the total grade for the semester. The exam will be comprehensive, 2 hours, in class, as scheduled on the Amarillo College Final Exam schedule. 

There are NO makeup exams; a missed exam becomes the drop grade.  There are No makeup lab quizzes or tests;a missed lab test becomes the drop grade.  All grades for lecture exams, laboratory tests and quizzes, the unknown identification, and the final exam will be posted on blackboard.  Final grades will be posted on Blackboard.

 

 

 

 

Attendance

 

A grade of W will be given for a student-initiated drop or withdrawal on or before April 24 2014.  You may not drop or withdraw after April 24, 2014, without permission of the Biology Department.  You must petition the department, in writing, for evaluation of a late withdrawal.  This will be reviewed by the full-time faculty of the Biology Department.

Calendar

Additional Information

\ Blackboard will have the syllabus, class notes,  and answers to quizes.    Lecture and laboratory exam dates are subject to change, with reasonable notification given to all students.

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\ Expectations: Every student will take personal responsibility for his/her learning in this course. To succeed, each student must...

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\     Attend all lecture and laboratory sessions.

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\     Participate in lecture and laboratory activities by asking questions and working diligently.   

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\     Spend at least 10 hours of study for each week's material.

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\     Prepare for each class by reviewing previous lecture material and by reading that day's laboratory exercise before coming to class.

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\     Complete all assignments when due.

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