Microbiology for Science Majors Syllabus for 2013-2014
Return to Syllabus List

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

Privacy Statement

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-2421-002 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

\N

Occupational License Disclaimer

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

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

\ Microbiology Laboratory Manual 5th Edition, 2012, R. Bauman, Jr. Ph.D., N. Dolby Ph.D., S. Schwarzlose, M.S. is required for the laboratory.

Supplies

\ A Sharpie is optional, but recommended for laboratory.

Student Performance

\ 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.

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

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

Students 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

AVOID ANY APPEARANCE OF CHEATING. Cheating may result in loss of the grade for that quiz or exam. Hats are not to be worn during exams (caps may be turned so the bill is in back).

CELL PHONES & PAGERS: Cell phones and pagers should be turned off or on silent mode during lectures & especially during exams. If you have an urgent need to have a phone or pager on, you must inform the Instructor before class, have the cell phone on silent mode and must quietly exit the room to take a call. This policy also applies to texting.

BEVERAGES may be consumed in lecture, but NO food or drinks are to be taken into or consumed in the laboratory.

LABORATORY SAFETY. No food or drinks are to be be taken into or consumed in the laboratory (a table outside SCIE 118 is provided for containers). Open-toed shoes and shorts or very short skirts are not to be worn 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 located in SCIE 114.
Seating will be assigned in laboratory (seating assignments are negotiable for reasonable issues).

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.

NO MAKEUP EXAMS, a missed exam becomes the drop grade. No makeup lab tests, a missed lab test becomes the drop grade.

Lecture exams are 50% of the total grade for the semester. Six 50 minute exams (multiple choice, matching, true-false) covering both lecture and reading material. Each exam will be worth 100 points, the lowest exam grade will be dropped. Optional Bonus point essay or short answer questions will be included on exams. Misspelled words will result in loss of 1/4 point each.

Science Testing Center: Warren Hall 112
All exams, 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.   Please note:  No tests will be given out less than one and a half hours (90 minutes) 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.

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 the Final Exam) 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 set to you by e-mail.  Take the printed form with you when you attend tutoring and will be signed and stamped 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

Short bonus point quizzes on lecture and lab material will be given in class and online in AC Connect or the MasteringMicrobiology site.  Availability of online quizzes will be posted in AC Connect.  In class quizzes may be given in lecture or lab and will not always be announced.  The first 50 quiz points accumulated will be added into your lecture grade. The student can decide how to apply any points above 50. (The extra points can be added to the final exam, the unknown, a specific exam, and so forth.  They cannot be added to the overall course grade.) Quizzes do not have to be taken in the Science Testing Center.

Laboratory: 25% of the total grade for the semester, 10% for identification of unknown bacterium, 10% for lab tests (6, as indicated on the schedule,10 points). The lowest test grade will be dropped before course grade calculation. Misspelled words will result in loss of 1/4 point each. Student group presentations are 5% of the course grade. Detailed information on the presentation will provided in class.

Grades for exams, laboratory tests, the unknown and the final will be posted on AC Connect (Bb). Quiz grades will be available on AC Connect when the quiz is submitted.  Look for the "My Grades" link on the left hand menu.

Final Exam: 25% of the total grade for the semester. Comprehensive, 2 hours, in class, as scheduled on the Amarillo College Final Exam schedule.  One 3" x 5" card written on both sides will be permitted during the final.

Attendance

\ Attendance is not a numerical component of the grading of this course, but regular attendance is required for success.

Calendar

Additional Information

Microbiology Lecture Notes Dr. Nichol Dolby, July 2013, are recommended and are available in the bookstore. A .pdf version will be posted in ACConnect for students access in the "Resources" area of the course.  Note: this is copywrited material made available for currently enrolled students only.

A Photographic Atlas for the Microbiology Laboratory 4th ed, 2011 by Leboffe and Pierce is recommended, but not required, for use in the laboratory.  (Older editions can also be used.)

The ACConnect (Blackboard) site for the class has a syllabus and calendar for the class, and a variety of useful resources and links. Lecture quizzes will be on the ACConnect (Blackboard) site and on the MasteringMicrobiology site (instructions for registration for this site are included with your textbook).