Microbiology for Non-Science Majors Syllabus for 2016-2017
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Administrative Drop Policy

Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016

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Students who wish to withdraw from a class must:

• consult with their instructor to obtain a signed academic withdrawal request form to submit to the AskAC department for processing
• consult with the financial aid office if receiving financial aid
• consult with the Veterans Benefit Coordinator if receiving veteran benefits
• consult with their academic advisor to determine how withdrawing may affect their enrollment in future semesters
  • NOTE:  The Texas Education Code stipulates that students attending Texas institutions of higher education for the first time fall 2007 and later may not withdraw from more than six courses during their academic career, including courses from which transfer students have withdrawn at other Texas institutions of higher education. (Senate Bill 1231) Rule 4.10.

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Course

BIOL-2420-010 Microbiology for Non-Science Majors

Prerequisites

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

Course Description

This course covers basic microbiology and immunology and is primarily directed at pre-nursing, pre-allied health and non-science majors. It provides an introduction to historical concepts of the nature of microorganisms, microbial diversity, the importance of microorganisms and acellular agents in the biosphere, and their roles in human and animal diseases. Major topics include bacterial structure as well as growth, physiology, genetics and biochemistry of microorganisms. Emphasis is on medical microbiology, infectious diseases and public health. The lab covers basics of culture and identification of bacteria and microbial ecology.

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

Microbiology with Diseases by Body Systems, 4th ed., 2014, Robert W. Bauman, Benjamin Cummings

MasteringMicrobiology website account (access card is part of the bundle.)

Microbiology Laboratory Manual Revised Fifth Edition, 2014, R. Bauman, Jr. Ph.D., N. Dolby Ph.D., S. Schwarzlose, M.S. is required for the laboratory.

Supplies

One box of gloves, preferably in your size, non-latex, is required for lab (Not optional).  A Sharpie is optional, but strongly 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

Student Rights and Responsibilities

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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 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 Department Chairman (Dr. Claudie Biggers),  the Assistant Dean of Arts & Sciences (Dr. Kathy Wetzel),the Dean of Arts and Sciences (Mr. Jerry Moeller),  the Associate Vice-President for Instruction, or the college President, (Dr.Lowery-Hart), IN THAT ORDER.

Plagiarism / Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty or plagiarism will not be tolerated in this class.  Students caught cheating on a quiz, exam, or lab practical will be given a grade of zero on that assignment and referred to the Dean of Student Services, (Mr. Robert Austin).

AVOID ANY APPEARANCE OF CHEATING. Cheating may result in loss of the grade for that quiz or exam.

CELL PHONES & PAGERS: Cell phones and pagers are not prohibited; however, please be considerate of others.  Please keep all cell phones and pagers on silent or vibrate mode.  If it is essential that you answer the call please step outside the classroom to complete the call.  Absolutely no call shall be taken during a quiz, exam or lab practical.  This will result in a grade of zero on that quiz, exam, or lab practical.

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

TEXTING: Incidents of constant texting in class by a student shall be addressed by the instructor. If this habit is found to be an issue, the student may be asked to leave the room. Continual abuse of this policy will result with the student being referred to the Dean of Student Services.

LABORATORY SAFETY. No food or drinks are to be be taken into or consumed in the laboratory. Open-toed shoes and shorts or very short skirts are not to be worn in the laboratory. Cell phones are not to be placed on lab benches.  Additional policies can be found in the Microbiology Laboratory Manual and Safety Contract, and will be discussed the first day of class. Students must read and sign the laboratory safety contract and complete a safety quiz.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.

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 the student's progress.  Students are expected to read the textbook before and after the material is presented in lecture.

Grading Criteria

50% Lecture grade comprises 40% of lecture exams and 10% lecture quizzes

40% Lecture Exams:

• 5 major exams consisting of multiple choice, matching, and/or labeling diagrams and essays.  Each exam will be worth 100 points, with one lecture exam grade drop.
• In addition, if you score less than a 70 on any lecture exam, you will be required to obtain 30 minutes of tutoring from the Science tutor before the deadline set by the instructor that will always be scheduled before the next exam.  You will not be allowed to take the next test until after I have verification that you have received this tutoring. If you do not get tutoring before the set deadline and cannot take the test as scheduled, you will receive a grade of zero for that examination.

10% Lecture Quizzes:

• 8-10 lecture quizzes consisting of 10 questions. Online and pop (unannounced) quizzes may also be administered. One lecture quiz grade will be dropped.

12.5 % Lab Tests/Practicals:

• Five (5) lab practicals consisting of 30-50 questions (fill in the blank and short answers), with one practical grade drop. Some labs/homework may be graded for a lab practical grade.

10% Unknown bacteria:

• This will involve the process of identifying a bacterial sample that will be provided to you during the 11th-12th week of class.

2.5% Student Presentations

• Students will be each assigned a topic on an emerging disease and will conduct their own research and do a 10 minute powerpoint presentation on their topic.

25% Final Exam:

Grades will not be curved nor are extra credit assignments allowed / given so please do not ask.

Grading Schema:

• A = 89.5% to 100%
• B = 79.5% to 89%
• C = 69.5% to 79%
• D = 59.5% to 69%
• F = Less than 59.5%

No make-ups will be allowed due to one grade drop in each category.  Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed on an individual basis.  One lecture exam, one lecture quiz, one lab quiz grade and one lab practical will be dropped. Case studies (if assigned) and the final exam will NOT be dropped.

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement and may count for a grade.  Therefore, it is the responsibility of the student to attend class.  Attendance will be taken until the census day (Feb 1, 2017), after that date attendance may or may not be taken. Late arrivals (based on the classroom clock) to class during quizzes, tests and lab practicals will result in a zero for the respective assessment.

Calendar

Additional Information

Census date: (last day to drop with the course NOT appearing on the transcript) - February 1st, 2017.

Withdrawal deadline:  April 21, 2017

100% Refund date: January 23, 2017

A grade of W will be given for a student initiated drop or withdrawal on or before April 21, 2017. You may not drop or withdraw after Friday, April 21st, 2017 without permission of the Biology Department.  You must petition the department, in writing, for review of a late withdrawal.  This request will be reviewed by the entire full time faculty of the Biology Department.