Microbiology for Non-Science Majors Syllabus for 2025-2026
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Instructor Information

Course Information

AI Statement

Collusion is defined as “the unauthorized collaboration with another person or by any other means, including artificial intelligence (AI) and computer translators, in preparing work for fulfillment of course requirements.” Using AI like (ChatGPT or Google Gemini) to create a document is considered colluding. The use of Generative Artificial Intelligence on specific assignments is at the discretion of the instructor.

Title IX and Sexual Misconduct Reporting

Amarillo College prohibits discrimination and harassment based on sex, including sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking, under Title IX and Texas Education Code §51.253–255. Faculty and staff are mandatory reporters and must share any related concerns with the Title IX Coordinator at titleix@actx.edu. Reports and additional information are available at https://www.actx.edu/hr/title-ixtitle-ix. Confidential counseling and advocacy services are available through the Counseling Center and Advocacy & Resource Center.

Recording Policy

Disability Statement

If you have a disability (learning, mental, physical) that affects your ability to participate effectively and have access to any program or service at Amarillo College please contact Disability Services at (806) 345-5639 . Our offices are located in the Enrollment Center, Suite 700. More information may be found at www.actx.edu/disability.
Disability Services facilitates access to all programs and services according to the ADA, Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as well as other federal and state laws.

Amarillo College Web Accessibility Policy Statement

Amarillo College is committed to providing equal access to all programs and services, including all working, learning, and service environments that affect equal access for persons with disabilities. This commitment to provide equal access and opportunity for persons with disabilities is in compliance with federal and state law. Amarillo College also strives to provide Electronic and Information Resources (EIR) that are accessible to all authorized users.

If you find you are unable to access material in an accessible format please contact the Disability Services Office at (806) 345-5639 . This office will work in conjunction with other campus resources to address and accommodate your issue in a timely manner.

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:

Tutoring for Success applies to any student whose overall performance in the course falls below 75%. The instructor will create the task in the Student Engagement Portal (Watermark) to direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty- or SI-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. The tutoring service assigned, the due date for when the tutoring must be completed, and the amount of tutoring required are at the discretion of the instructor. Additionally, the task will alert the student’s success team. Students who do not fulfill the assigned tutoring task may be subject to program- and course-specific penalties that could result in a grade reduction and/or in not being allowed to progress in the course until the tutoring requirement has been satisfied.

Administrative Drop Policy

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

Student Withdrawal Procedures

Students who wish to withdraw from a course must complete all steps indicated on the Academic Withdrawal Request form by the course withdrawal deadline.

NOTE: Students who are 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. This withdrawal limitation does not include dual credit or developmental classes (Senate Bill 1231 Rule 4.10.) For more information on Drop and Withdrawal Policies, please visit the Registrar's Office Web site.

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-2420-005 Microbiology for Non-Science Majors

Prerequisites

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

Occupational License Disclaimer

Notice to Students enrolled in an educational program for preparation of issuance of certain occupational licenses:

Students enrolled in an educational program in preparation for obtaining certain occupational licenses are potentially ineligible for such license if the student has been convicted of an offense. For further information, please contact:

Melodie Graves
Justice Involved Advocate
Student Service Center 117
mgraves24@actx.edu
806-371-5995
Make appointment at https://melodiegraves.youcanbook.me

You can also contact the Legal Clinic, or the faculty member in charge of the educational program that you seek to enroll in. The further information you will receive will include notification to you of your right to request a criminal history evaluation letter from the licensing authority in order to clarify your particular situation.

Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)

Class Type

On Campus Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

REQUIRED

     Microbiology with Diseases by Body Systems. 5^th ed, Bauman. Pearson Publishing. 2015

     Microbiology Laboratory Manual. Revised 5th Ed, Bauman, Dolby, & Schwarzlose. Pearson Custom Publishing. 2013 (Available for Free Print Online)

Supplies

A black wax pencil and 1 box of latex or latex-free examination gloves (any size but “one size fits all”). These can be found at any pharmacy.

Student Performance

Study of the morphology, physiology and taxonomy of representative groups of pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms. Pure cultures of microorganisms grown on selected media are used in learning laboratory techniques. Includes a brief preview of food microbes, public health and immunology.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe the major subdivisions of microbiology and describe the types of microorganisms involved in each division.

2. Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells on the basis of size, organelles, chromosomal characteristic, reproductive characteristics, and nutritional type.

3. Describe and give the function and basic chemical composition of various cellular organelles.

4. Describe and give examples of the four nutritional types.

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. Give 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 them.

12. Explain how to safeguard themselves and others from infectious disease.

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.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Describe distinctive characteristics and diverse growth requirements of prokaryotic organisms compared to eukaryotic organisms.
2. Provide examples of the impact of microorganisms on agriculture, environment, ecosystem, energy and human health, including biofilms.
3. Distinguish between mechanisms of physical and chemical agents to control microbial populations.
4. Explain the unique characteristics of bacterial metabolism and bacterial genetics.
5. Describe evidence for the evolution of cells, organelles and major metabolic pathways from early prokaryotes and how phylogenetic trees reflect evolutionary relationships.
6. Compare characteristics and replication of acellular infectious agents (viruses and prions) with characteristics and reproduction of cellular infectious agents (prokaryotes and eukaryotes).
7. Describe functions of host defenses and the immune system in combating infectious diseases and explain how immunizations protect against specific diseases.
8. Explain transmission and virulence mechanisms of cellular and acellular infectious agents.
9. Use and comply with laboratory safety rules, procedures and universal precautions.
10. Demonstrate proficient use of a compound light microscope.
11. Describe and prepare widely used stains and wet mounts, and discuss their significance in identification of microorganisms.
12. Perform basic microbiology procedures using aseptic techniques for transfer, isolation and observations of commonly encountered, clinically significant bacteria.
13. Use different types of bacterial culture media to grow, isolate and identify microorganisms.
14. Perform basic bacterial identification procedures using biochemical tests.
15. Estimate the number of microorganisms in a sample using methods such as direct counts, viable plate counts or spectrophotometric measurements.
16. Demonstrate basic identification protocols based on microscopic morphology of some common fungi and parasites.

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. The appearance of cheating may result in a grade of zero for the exam or quiz and possibly a failing grade for the course. Hats and earphones are not to be worn during tests. Cell phones must be turned off during exams. Cell phones should be set to silent during lecture and labs, and texting is not allowed. If you must take an important call or have an emergency text you must reply to, please inform the instructor before class begins. There will be no eating, drinking or chewing gum in the lab. Any disruptive behavior may lead to removal from the lab or lecture.

The student will be expected to follow the safety rules and to notify the instructor immediately if any accident occurs. While the risk 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 found in the Laboratory Manual and will be covered in the first day of class. Proper attire is required to participate in lab. Improper attire may result in removal from the lab and a zero for any participation or exam grade given that day.

Grading Criteria

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS/EXAMINATIONS: Each week, the student will have 3 hours of lecture and 3 hours of laboratory. The lecture accounts for 55% of the final grade, laboratory section accounts for 25% of the final grade and a comprehensive final exam will account for 20% of the overall grade.

Lecture exams: Lecture exams, case studies, homework, and quizzes make up 55% of the total grade for the semester. There will be 5 exams, covering both lecture and reading material. Each exam will be worth 100 points, the lowest exam grade will be dropped. This means each exam will be worth 10% of your overall grade for a combined 40%. Quizzes will be given once or twice a week at the beginning of class. You will have 5 minutes to complete each quiz. Late arrivals to class may miss the quiz and earn a zero for the quiz that day. The average of your highest quiz grades will be equal to 15% of your overall grade. There will be 3 dropped quizzes. THERE WILL BE NO MAKEUP EXAMS OR QUIZZES. A missed exam becomes a zero or the dropped grade, and a missed quiz becomes a zero or a dropped grade.

Attendance

Regular attendance is necessary for satisfactory achievement.  It is therefore the responsibility of the student to attend class. Absences result in zeros for any missed quizzes, exams, presentations or participation grades. If you stop attending class and do not officially drop the course, you will receive an “F” for the course. A grade of “W” will be given for student-initiated drops or withdrawals. Texas law now mandates that students may only drop or withdraw 6 times in their entire college careers, excluding drops prior to the census date.

Calendar

Additional Information

CLASS WEBSITE: AC Online is utilized in this class as a grade book and e-mail system. There may be quizzes and other assignments to be completed through AC Online. I will post announcements, lecture and lab handouts, photos, and other important material via AC Online. The login for AC Online is the same as with WebAdvisor. If you do not have a computer or internet access at home, you have available to you the computer lab on campus in the library second floor.

Biology Study Center: Located in the Warren building, room 110.

MSDS: Material Safety Data Sheet may be requested from your instructor.

Campus Police: Campus Police NonEmergency 371-5163, in case of Emergency call 371-5911 or call 911 for city police and ambulance assistance.

Grievance Procedure: If a student has 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 Department of Mathematics, Sciences and Engineering Chairperson, the Dean of Arts and Sciences, the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the college President, IN THAT ORDER.

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

    Attend all lecture and lab meetings

    Spend at least 1 hour of study for each hour spent in lecture and lab

    Complete reading assignments before coming to class

    Participate in lecture and lab by asking questions and being active in lab

    Demonstrate college-level effort and behavior

    Complete all assignments when due.

STSC Contract for Success

_______I fully understand that if I cheat, or attempt to cheat on any test I will receive an automatic “F” in the course. This grade will go on my permanent transcript and cannot be removed. Cheating includes but is not limited to: the illegal use of books, notes, copying or photographing any test material, leaving the Science Testing Center with a test, and the use of any electronic devices such as unapproved calculators, cell phones, smart watches, laptops, tablets, etc. Cheating also includes helping or attempting to help other students cheat or gain an advantage on a test either inside or outside the testing center by sharing of information from the test.

_______Please Note: Cell phones or any other “SMART” devises are NOT allowed in the testing room at any time for any reason. If we see any unapproved electronic devises out AT ANY TIME, FOR ANY REASON, while in the testing room, your test WILL be taken up immediately and may result in an “F” for the course.

_______I understand all testing will be done outside of the class time, except for the final exam.

_______I understand if I score below a 70 on any exam, I must complete a mandatory tutoring session with my instructor or the Science Enrichment Center before requesting the next exam (excluding the Final Exams week). I also understand that I must present a completed Record of Tutoring form to the Science Testing Center staff when requesting my next exam.

Science Testing Center RULES

• Books, personal items, watches, drinks and snacks must be placed on the bookshelf before you take your test but, remember, Amarillo College is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
  • Items are better left at home or at another safe location.
• To take a test, fill out a “Test Request” slip.
• An Amarillo College picture ID is required in order to take or view any test in the Science Testing Center. 
• No unapproved scratch paper is allowed for testing. You may use the back of the test or scratch paper from the STC to show your extra work.  Once you have begun work on a test that is considered one attempt. You cannot leave the Science Testing Center and return to finish that test at a later time.
• In the testing room, please do not sit by someone with the same test.
• The Science Testing Center will not give any tests out later than 1.5 hours before closing.
• The Science Testing Center personnel will pick up your test 5 minutes prior to closing time.
• Tests may not be taken out of the Science Testing Center.
• The Science Testing Center hours are posted on the outside door, in your syllabus, and Science Testing Center. 
• Please come prepared. If you do not have a pencil, you may purchase one from the Science Testing Center for 25 cents.  Please bring exact change. Pens are not allowed on any scantron.
• Children may not accompany students into testing room or be left unattended anywhere on campus.
• CELL PHONE CALCULATORS or any other non-approved calculators ARE NOT ALLOWED in the testing area. Cell phones placed on the bookshelf must be turned off.
• Students will have to wait for their test results from their instructor.
• All online exams must be taken using the Respondus Lockdown Browser.

I have read and understand all of the above rules and requirements. Any violation of any of the above outlined rules or requirements will result in an immediate seizure of my test by the Science Testing Center staff, which may result in further disciplinary actions and possible “F” for the course.

Course and Section # ________________________   Instructor Name ______________________________ Semester __________________________________  Phone Number _______________________________

Signature: _________________________________   Print Name ___________________________________ Student ID Number __________________________  Email _______________________________________