MICROBIOLOGY FOR PUBLIC HEALTH (PCH4990)
Sections 2110
Online Classroom (eLearning)
Instructor: Kristen (Hellein) Coffey
E-mail: khellein@uwf.edu
Office: Bldg 58. Room 005
Office Hours: M/W 12:30 – 1:30pm; T 2:00 – 3:00pm; Or by appointment.
Phone: 850-857-6021
Required Text: None. Materials will be posted on eLearning with each week’s module.
Prerequisites or Co-Requisites: None
Course Description: This course integrates an introduction to microbiology with an
emphasis on the important skills of: 1) critical thinking; 2) scientific writing; and 3)
preparation for Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases. Although the specific focus is on
microorganisms, the course incorporates a thorough review of important subjects.
Microbiology is highly relevant to both scientists and the general public. This course
seeks to provide students with an understanding of important scientific concepts, an
ability to think critically, and an understanding of the importance of microbiology in
public health.
The Student Learning Outcomes of this course are:
1. Tell the major contributions of selected individuals in the field of microbiology.
2. State the germ theory of disease and tell the importance of Koch’s postulates.
3. Describe the differences between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells.
4. Describe factors involved in the growth and inhibition of growth of
microorganisms.
5. To provide an understanding of the role of microbes in disease transmission and
prevention
6. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the immune system and how vaccines
function.
7. Tell the distinguishing characteristics of bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites
involved in disease.
8. Tell diseases caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites.
9. Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the principles underlying microbial causation
of disease.
Topics Covered: See schedule.
Method of Instruction: This class is a lecture delivered entirely online with internet
based exercises. Classes will open by 12:00 am Monday of each week. Each week’s
module will contain Student Learning Outcomes, Narrated Powerpoint, Supplemental
Reading for Discussion (if applicable), a Homework Assignment (if applicable), and a
Checklist.
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Grading/Evaluation:
Quizzes: 10 pts. Each. Quizzes will be on that week’s presented material. They
will open on Thursdays at 12:00 am and close Sundays at 11:59 pm, as indicated
in the schedule. No make-up quizzes will be allowed. Quizzes are graded
immediately and quiz answers will be made available once the quiz closes.
Homework/Case Studies: 10 pts. Each. When homework is assigned, it will
open with the week’s module. It will be due in the appropriate Dropbox by 11:59
pm Sunday of that week, as indicated in the schedule. I will grade and return
homework to you within one week. Late assignments will not be accepted.
Discussions: 10 pts. Each. As indicated in the schedule, a relevant news article
will occasionally be posted. You will be required to participate in a guided
discussion forum on the topic of the article. The quality of your participation is
being graded. Discussions participation must be completed by Sunday of that
week at 11:59 pm, as indicated in the schedule. Please read the Netiquette Rules
before participating.
Exams: 100 pts. Each. Exams will consist of several types of questions to include
True/False, Short Answer, Matching, and Essay. Exams will be administered in
the Respondus Lockdown Browser and will have a time limit of one hour.
Please do not begin the exam in the time that may overlap with the eLearning
maintenance window, which runs from 3:00 – 6:00 am (CST) each day. If you are
interrupted by eLearning maintenance, your score will be recorded as and remain
a zero; no exceptions.
If you experience any technical problems or errors during the exams (excluding an
overlap with eLearning maintenance), you are required to notify the HelpDesk
immediately at helpdesk@uwf.edu or 850-474-2075. Failure to contact the
HelpDesk will result in a grade of zero on the exam. If you are unable to get
immediate help, attempt to restart the browser or open the exam in a different
browser. If you still cannot access the exam, e-mail me with information that
shows you contacted ITS and we will arrange a make-up exam.
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Grading policies: Grades are determined as follows:
% of grade
Quizzes
10
Homework Assignments
15
Discussions
15
Exam 1
15
Exam 2
15
Exam 3
15
Exam 4
15
Total
Grading Scale:
93-100 = A
100%
73-76 = C
90-92 = A-
70-72 = C-
87-89 = B+
67-69 = D+
83-86 = B
63-66 = D
80-82 = B77-79 = C+
60-64 = DBelow 63 = F
Expectations for Academic Conduct/Plagiarism Policy:
As members of the University of West Florida, we commit ourselves to honesty. As we
strive for excellence in performance, integrity—personal and institutional—is our most
precious asset. Honesty in our academic work is vital, and we will not knowingly act in
ways which erode that integrity. Accordingly, we pledge not to cheat, nor to tolerate
cheating, nor to plagiarize the work of others. We pledge to share community resources
in ways that are responsible and that comply with established policies of fairness.
Cooperation and competition are means to high achievement and are encouraged.
Indeed, cooperation is expected unless our directive is to individual performance. We
will compete constructively and professionally for the purpose of stimulating high
performance standards. Finally, we accept adherence to this set of expectations for
academic conduct as a condition of membership in the UWF academic community.
Please see the training tutorial on plagiarism at
http://library.uwf.edu/Tutorials/module_plagiarism/default.htm.
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Code of Conduct: The Student Code of Conduct sets forth the rules, regulations and
expected behavior of students enrolled at the University of West Florida. Violations of
any rules, regulations, or behavioral expectations may result in a charge of violating the
Student Code of Conduct. It is the student’s responsibility to read the Student Code of
Conduct and conduct themselves accordingly.
Students may access the current Student Code of Conduct at
http://www.uwf.edu/judicialaffairs.
Students with Disabilities: The Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) at the
University of West Florida supports an inclusive learning environment for all students. If
there are aspects of the instruction or design of this course that hinder your full
participation, such as time-limited exams, inaccessible web content, or the use of noncaptioned videos and podcasts, please notify the instructor or the SDRC as soon as
possible. You may contact the SDRC office by e-mail at sdrc@uwf.edu or by phone at
(850) 474-2387. Appropriate academic accommodations will be determined based on
the documented needs of the individual.
Computer Savvy: Not all of us are computer savvy. Please see the material in the
Orientation section of your eLearning site for tutorials and information of computer help.
Minimum Technical Skills and Special Technology Utilized by Students
This course is totally online. All instructional content and interaction takes place over the
WWW. In addition to baseline word processing skills and sending/receiving email with
attachments, students will be expected to search the internet and upload/download files.
In addition, students may need one or more of the following plug-ins:
 Adobe Acrobat Reader: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
 PowerPoint Viewer:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=048DC840-14E1467D-8DCA-19D2A8FD7485&displaylang=en
 Windows Media Player:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download/
 QuickTime Player: http://www.apple.com/quicktime/download/
 Real Player: http://www.real.com/realplayer/search
 Adobe Flash Player: http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/
 For students’ using Screen Readers: Download Elluminate’s Java Bridge:https://
 www.elluminate.com/Support/Other_Resources/Java_Accessibility_Bridge/?id36
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 eLearning’s Accessibilty Resource Guides for users:
http://www.desire2learn.com/access/resources/
TurnItIn
UWF maintains a university license agreement for an online text matching service called
TurnItIn. At my discretion, I will use the TurnItIn service to determine the originality of
student papers. If I submit your paper to TurnItIn, it will be stored in a TurnItIn database
for as long as the service remains in existence.
If you object to this storage of your paper:
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1. You must let me know no later than two weeks after the start of this class.
2. I will utilize other services and techniques to evaluate your work for evidence of
appropriate authorship practices.
Weather Emergency Information
In the case of severe weather or other emergency, the campus might be closed and
classes cancelled. Official closures and delays are announced on the UWF website and
broadcast on WUWF-FM.
WUWF-FM (88.1MHz) is the official information source for the university. Any pertinent
information regarding closings, cancellations, and the re-opening of campus will be
broadcast.
 In the event that hurricane preparation procedures are initiated, the UWF Home
Web Page and Argus will both provide current information regarding hurricane
preparation procedures, the status of classes and the closing of the university.
 Emergency plans for the University of West Florida related to weather or other
emergencies are available on the following UWF web pages:
o Information about hurricane preparedness plans is available on the UWF
web site:
http://uwfemergency.org/hurricaneprep.cfm
o Information about other emergency procedures is available on the UWF
web site:
http://uwfemergency.org/
Course Withdrawal: The deadline for withdrawal is 2 Nov 2012. The last day for
Drop/Add is 31 Aug 2012. The UWF website for the Academic Calendar is:
http://uwf.edu/registrar/calendar.cfm
Course Communication: All emails will be answered within 24 hours, excluding
weekends. All graded material will be returned with feedback within one week of
submission.
Flexibility: It is the intention of the instructor to accomplish the objectives specified in
the course syllabus. However, circumstances may arise which prohibit the fulfilling of
this endeavor. Therefore, this syllabus is subject to change. When possible, you will be
notified of any change in advance of its occurrence.
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Dates
27 Aug –
2 Sept
4 – 9 Sept
10 – 16 Sept
17 – 23 Sept
Module And Topics Covered
Module 1:
 Welcome and Introduction
Powerpoint
 Module 1 Core Concepts
 Microbiology Through History
Powerpoint
 Koch’s Postulates Video
 Checklist, Module 1
Module 2:
 Module 2 Core Concepts
 Cell Structure and Function
Powerpoint
 Homework Assignment 1
 Checklist, Module 2
Module 3:
 Module 3 Core Concepts
 Microbial Growth, Nutrition, and
Genetics Powerpoint
 Supplemental Reading: Glowing
Bacteria Make a Pretty Postcard
 Checklist, Module 3
EXAM 1
24 – 30 Sept
1 – 7 Oct
Module 5:
 Module 5 Core Concepts
 Infection and Disease Powerpoint
 Supplemental Reading: Newly
Emerging Disease
 Checklist, Module 5
15 – 21 Oct
Quiz 1: Microbiology Through
History
Quiz 2: Cell Structure and
Function
Homework 1
Quiz 3: Microbial Growth,
Nutrition, and Genetics
Discussion 1
EXAM 1
Module 4:
 Module 4 Core Concepts
 Physical and Chemical Control of
Microbes Powerpoint
 Homework Assignment 2
 Checklist, Module 4
8 – 14 Oct
Graded Material
Module 6:
 Module 6 Core Concepts
 Innate and Acquired Immunity,
Vaccines Powerpoint
 Homework Assignment 3
 Checklist, Module 6
EXAM 2
Quiz 4: Physical and Chemical
Control of Microbes
Homework 2
Quiz 5: Infection and Disease
Discussion 2
Quiz 6: Innate and Acquired
Immunity, Vaccines
Homework 3
EXAM 2
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22 – 28 Oct
29 Oct –
4 Nov
5 – 11 Nov
13 – 18 Nov
19 – 21 Nov,
24 – 25 Nov
26 Nov –
2 Dec
3 – 7 Dec
8 – 13 Dec
Module 7:
 Module 7 Core Concepts
 Introduction to Epidemiology
Powerpoint
 Supplemental Reading: Listeria in
Cantaloupe
 Checklist, Module 6
Module 8:
 Module 8 Core Concepts
 Air-, Food-, and Water-borne
Bacterial Infections Powerpoint
 Supplemental Reading: Case Study
 Checklist, Module 8
Module 9:
 Module 9 Core Concepts
 Soil- and Arthropod-Borne Bacterial
Infections, Sexually Transmitted
Bacterial Infections Powerpoint
 Homework Assignment 4, Case
Study
 Checklist, Module 9
EXAM 3
Module 10:
 Module 10 Core Concepts
 Fungal Infections Powerpoint
 Homework Assignment 5, Case
Study
 Checklist, Module 10
Module 11:
 Module 11 Core Concepts
 Parasitic Infections Powerpoint
 Homework Assignment 6, Case
Study
 Checklist, Module 11
Module 12:
 Module 12 Core Concepts
 Parasitic Infections Powerpoint
 Supplemental Reading: Case Study
 Checklist, Module 12
EXAM 4
Quiz 7: Introduction to
Epidemiology
Discussion 3
Quiz 8: Air-, Food-, and Waterborne Bacterial Infections
Discussion 4
Quiz 9: Soil- and ArthropodBorne Bacterial Infections,
Sexually Transmitted
Bacterial Infections
Homework 4
EXAM 3
Quiz 10: Fungal Infections
Homework 5
Quiz 11: Parasitic Infections
Homework 6
Quiz 12: Viral Infections
Discussion 5
EXAM 4
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