Monday 1:15-2:00 PM, and Thursday 1:15-2:00 PM.
Enroll in the Remind text message option available in the Week 1 folder. See Contact Information in Blackboard for additional contact options.
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 Student Service Center office 112. 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 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.
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
The Tutoring for Success policy applies to any student whose grade or performance in the course falls below a departmentally determined minimum threshold. In either of those cases, the instructor will direct the student to the appropriate tutoring service, which may be faculty-led, discipline-specific, and/or general. Under this policy, the instructor will follow specific departmental guidelines governing the use, duration, and grade component of the tutoring need.
Students who do not attend class on or prior to the census date will be administratively dropped. Effective Fall, 2016
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.
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 .
BIOL-2421-001 Microbiology for Science Majors
Prerequisite: CHEM 1311, CHEM 1111 and BIOL 1406, BIOL 1407 or BIOL 1411, BIOL 1413
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 ResourcesStudent Resources Website
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.
(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 3 lab)
Hybrid
Nester’s Microbiology A Human Perspective, 9th ed., 2019, Denise Anderson et. al., McGraw Hill.
With McGraw-Hill Connect (access code included with textbook).
Most laboratory exercises are provided as .pdf files in the Weekly Folders. Students are to print them out and bring them to the relevant classes. Some on line/virtual activities are also required.
A long sleeved cotton or cotton blend lab coat is required. One may be purchased at a uniform shop or from the AC Biology Club. Lab coats will be stored in the lab classroom during the semester. One box of gloves, non-latex, any size except one-size-fits-all. A Sharpie is also recommended for laboratory.
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:
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".
AVOID ANY APPEARANCE OF CHEATING. Cheating may result in loss of the grade for that quiz or exam. Plagiarism is a form of cheating and will not be tolerated. An online lesson on avoiding plagiarism must be completed by the end of the second week of class.
CELL PHONES & PAGERS: Cell phones and pagers should be turned off or on silent mode and put away during lectures. 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. 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 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. Lab coats, gloves and eye protection will be worn when directed to do so by the instructor. Cell phones should be stored in the cubbies except when being used to record results. Cell phones are not to be placed on lab benches. Students must complete the online Microbiology Lab Safety lesson, read and sign a laboratory safety contract before they are allowed to continue attending. MSDS sheets are located in SCIE 114.
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 lab.
Seating will be assigned in laboratory (seating assignments are negotiable for reasonable issues).
SCIENCE TESTING CENTER: Each student must read and sign the STC Contract for Success before the first exam. Students must abide by the rules of the contract, which will be handed out the first day of class.
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 programs require 70% (C) or better.
Lecture, 50% of the total grade for the semester, is based on lecture, reading assignments and research project grades. Four exams (multiple choice, matching, true-false and short essay questions) covering both lecture and reading material will be taken on line. Each exam will be worth 100 points. Misspelled words will result in loss of 1/4 point each. Two library research projects, each worth 100 points. The lowest exam or project grade will be dropped.
Short bonus point quizzes on lecture and lab material will be given online in AC Connect or the McGraw Hill Connect site. Availability of online quizzes will be posted in AC Connect. Bonus points are a maximum of 5% of the course grade.
Pre-class exercises: 10% of the total grade. Several mini-lessons must be completed before the start of specified class meetings. Most will be delivered online. Links will be provided in the appropriate Weekly Folder, and notifications will be found on the course calendar.
Laboratory: 20% of the total grade for the semester. Grade components are: 5% of the course grade for identification of unknown bacteria; 10% of the course grade for other lab assignments. Group lab projects and lab reports are worth 5% of the course grade.Misspelled words will result in loss of a point each.
NO MAKEUP EXAMS, a missed exam becomes the drop grade.
Final Exam: 20% of the total grade for the semester. Comprehensive, 2 hours, on line using Lockdown Browser, during the last 2 days of class. One 3" x 5" card written on both sides will be permitted during the final.
Mandatory Tutoring: Warren Hall 110
In an effort to increase retention in Biology courses, any student who scores below a 69.5 on any exam (excluding the Final Exam) must complete a mandatory 30 minute tutoring session in the Science Enrichment Center or with his/her instructor before taking the next exam. Virtual tutoring is encouraged: go to this link: https://www.actx.edu/successcenters
Appointments for 30 minute tutoring are required and can be scheduled in the Science Enrichment Center or by calling (806)371-5536. You may also receive virtual tutoring from your instructor by appointment, preferably during office hours, but other times are available.
Grades for all exams, lecture research projects, laboratory tests, lab research projects, the unknown, quizzes and the final will be posted on AC Connect.
Attendance is not a numerical component of the grading of this course, but regular attendance is required for success.
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APPROXIMATE 8 WEEK BIOL 2421 SCHEDULE |
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WEEK |
LECTURE |
LAB |
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1 3/22-25 |
First day of class will be virtual. Most lecture material will be available as recordings. Chapters 1 & 3 Introduction to the microbial world, and Microscopy |
Lab Safety Orientation The Microscope Discuss environmental sampling, formulate hypotheses. |
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2 3/29-4/1
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Chapters 2, 6 & 4 Cell Structure & Function, Cell Chemistry & Metabolism Genetic information flow concept map Chapters 7 & 8 |
Hand washing. Pond water wet mount Soil collection Hand washing results. Discuss concept map Lab test 1 |
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3 4/5-8 |
Exam 1 Microbial Characterization and Classification: Chapter 10 Eukaryotes, Chapter 12 |
Aseptic techniques Isolation of bacteria from various environments. Streak plates, colony characteristics Discuss microbial classification |
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4 4/12-15 |
Viruses, Chapter 13 Exam 2 The roles of microbes in the environment Chapter 28 First project due date. |
Transfers, (Sec. 4), broth & slant characteristics Bacterial wet mounts, smears and simple stains Gram staining Lab Test 2. Soil sample report due. |
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5 4/19-22 |
Chapter 29 The roles of microbes in public health & industry Chapters 30 & 9 |
Bacterial Unknown. See handout in Week 5 Folder |
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6 4/26-29 |
Exam 3 Impact of microbes on human health. Chapters 14, 15 & 16 |
Complete bacterial unknown. Unknown DATA Sheet, Justification due by noon Friday 4/30. Water sample collection, testing. Bacteriophage isolation & titration |
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7 5/3-6 |
Selected topics from Chapters 21-27 Last week to submit research projects. Drop deadline May 4. |
Finish labs as needed. Water analysis, & bacteriophage lab reports due. Lab test 3. |
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8 5/10-13 |
Exam 4 Review Final Exam Thursday 5/13 |
Student presentations |
Internet access is essential. Many resources and assignments are delivered on line. Lecture outlines and a .pdf version of the lecture slides will be posted in AC Connect for student access in the "Resources" folder. Laboratory procedures and forms will be posted on line in the Weekly folders
A Photographic Atlas for the Microbiology Laboratory 4th ed, 2011 by Leboffe and Pierce is recommended, but not required, for use as a resource for the laboratory. (Older editions can also be used.)
The AC Connect site for the class has a link to the syllabus for the class, and a variety of useful resources and links.
02/28/21 3:52 PM
03/20/21 1:44 PM