Lecture Syllabus for General Microbiology (BIO 3317), Spring 2016
Lecture Instructors:
Alla Arzumanyan, Ph.D.
Room 446B, BioLife Sciences Bldg.
Phone: 215-204-8359
E-mail: areg@temple.edu
Office hours: by appointment
Mark Feitelson, Ph.D.
Room 409, BioLife Sciences Bldg.
Phone: 215-204-8434
E-mail: feitelso@temple.edu
Office hours: by appointment
Lectures will be held on Tuesdays and Thursday, 9:30 AM - 10:50 AM, SERC 110B
Lab Instructor:
Michelle H. McGowan, Ph.D.
Room 248E, BioLife Sciences Bldg.
Phone: 215-204-6141, e-mail: mcgowanm@temple.edu
Labs will be held in the room 128, BioLife Sciences Bldg. Lab syllabus and laboratory relevant information is
available under the “LAB” section on Blackboard (Bb). The laboratory component is a separate part of the
course but does not result in a separate grade.
Lecture Textbook is Brock’s Biology of Microorganisms (14th edition), The Pearson Custom Library for the
Biological Sciences. Hardcover and Binder-ready versions of this book (both of which include Mastering
Microbiology access code) will be available at the Temple University Bookstore. Access codes for Mastering
Microbiology (only) as well as E-text version (with Mastering Microbiology access code) can be purchased
on-line. Detailed instructions how to purchase E-book and Mastering Microbiology access code will be
provided in a separate e-mail. You must have the Mastering Microbiology access code, since homework
assignments will be chosen from this source.
Course Description: General Microbiology is an upper division undergraduate course that provides a
survey of the biology of microorganisms, in particular their diversity, structure, growth, genetics and
genomics. Lectures will also include topics on human microbiome, immunology, epidemiology as well as
pathogenic and beneficial effects that microorganisms have and their role in biotechnology. In addition,
students will gain an understanding of viruses (which are also part of the microbial world) and learn how
viral infection gives rise to immunopathology and malignancy. Understanding fundamentals of microbiology
(because of the wide range of its applications) is in many ways essential to your completeness as scientists
or health professionals, no matter what field you may pursue.
Lecture slides will be posted on Bb in advance, and students can use them in the class to add additional notes.
In order to better understand lecture material, class attendance is strongly encouraged. Although lectures
will follow the textbook, there will be material presented which is not in the text, and questions
discussed during the lectures may be asked in the exams. Please note that some parts of the lectures or
entire lectures are not covered in the textbook.
Blackboard/Class Communication: Check Bb and e-mail frequently. Course announcements, assignments,
grades, lectures, and updates to the syllabus will be posted on Bb. All e-mail communications must be
conducted through Temple e-mails only and please do not forget to include your full name in the e-mail.
Avoid entering lectures late. Please do not disrupt lectures with conversation as it is distracting to other
students and to the instructor.
Cell phones must be off during class! A student who engages in text messaging or cell phone calls during
lecture will be asked to leave the lecture room.
Certainly, you are always welcome to ask questions about material that is being presented, to talk about your
performance, study habits or ask advice on how to become a better exam taker. Please do not wait until the
end of the semester to express your concerns: this may have a large impact upon your performance.
Grading: Grades will be based on the following criteria
1. Homework (HW) assignments will consist of multiple-choice/art-activity questions covering material
discussed in the previous lectures and chosen from the Mastering Microbiology source.
Please note that each HW has assigned due date and time: if you miss the deadline, submission will not be
possible, and your missed HW will be graded “zero.”
2. Each midterm examinations will consist of two parts: multiple-choice (70%) and one short answer
(30%) questions. The last exam is not comprehensive.
Students are expected to take exams at the designated date and time. Make-up exams will be allowed only
in the case of serious illness or personal issues, and written documentation supporting the request is
required. If you have three final exams scheduled for the same day, please contact me to discuss
alternative arrangements to take exam. If you disagree about your grade for a particular question, you
should compose a written explanation based on reliable scientific evidence and email me within two days
after exam is returned.
3. Laboratory grade will be a sum of the grades for several quizzes, worksheets, article evaluation, lab
technique, notebook and cumulative practical exam (details are presented in the Lab Syllabus).
Point breakdown (maybe subject to change):
Four (4) exams, 100 pts./exam
Twelve (12) HW assignments, 20 pts./HW
Laboratory
Total:
400 pts.
220 pts.
300 pts.
920 pts.
Final grades will be awarded based upon the achievement of each student and assigned on a straight scale
using the following weights:
100 - 90% pts.: (A and A-)
89 - 78% pts.: (B+, B and B-)
77 - 67% pts.: (C+, C and C-)
66 - 58% pts.: (D), and 57% pts. (and below): (F)
Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities Policy: Temple University has a policy on
Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities (Policy #03.70.02) that can be accessed through
the link http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=03.70.02
Disability Disclosure: Student who needs accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact
me A.S.A.P. The Office of Disability Resources and Services (DSR) will coordinate accommodations and make
arrangements for extended time to take exams. DSR contact information: 1301 Cecil B. Moore Avenue,
Philadelphia, PA 19122; phone: 215-204-1280; e-mail: drs@temple.edu.
Finally, we will make every effort to help you learn, enjoy (!) and appreciate microbiology, but you must also
study and efficiently utilize available resources to acquire both understanding and professional skills at a
high academic standard that will be important for this class and your future success.
BIO3317 Lecture SHEDULE, Spring 2016 (maybe subject to change)
1. Jan. 12 (Tu). Ch. 1. Microorganisms and Microbiology, also sections 12.1-12.3 from Ch.12 (Early Earth
and the Origin and Diversification of Life, pp. 348-354).
2. Jan. 14 (Th). Ch. 2. Microbial Cell Structure and Function.
3. Jan. 19 (Tu). Ch. 3. Microbial Metabolism, also sections 13.6 (p. 393), 13.12 (p. 402) and 13.16 (p. 410)
from Ch. 13 (Metabolic Diversity of Microorganisms).
4. Jan. 21 (Th). Ch. 5. Microbial Growth and Growth control.
5. Jan. 26 (Tu). Ch. 4. Molecular Microbiology.
6. Jan. 28 (Th). Ch. 6. Microbial Genomics.
7. Feb. 2 (Tu). Ch. 10. Genetics of Bacteria.
8. Feb. 4 (Th). Ch. 11. Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology.
Midterm Exam 1 (Lectures 1-8), Feb. 9 (Tu)
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
Feb. 11 (Th).
Feb. 16 (Tu).
Feb. 18 (Th).
Feb. 23 (Tu).
Feb. 25 (Th).
Ch. 8. Viruses and Virology (Dr. Feitelson).
Ch. 9. Viral Genomes and Diversity (Dr. Feitelson).
Viruses as Etiologic Agents of Cancer (Dr. Feitelson).
Ch. 22 (III). Mammal as Microbial Habitats. Gut Microbiome (Dr. Feitelson).
Ch. 23. Microbial Interactions with Humans, also section 7.9 (p. 228) from Ch. 7 (Quorum
Sensing).
Feb. 29 (Mon) – Mar. 6 (Sun): Spring Break
Midterm Exam 2 (Lectures 9-13), Mar. 8 (Tu)
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
Mar. 10 (Tu).
Mar. 15 (Tu).
Mar. 17 (Th).
Mar. 22 (Tu).
Mar. 24 (Th).
Ch. 24 and 25. Immunity and Host Defense. Immune Mechanisms.
Ch. 26. Molecular Immunology.
Viral immunopathology (Dr. Feitelson).
Ch. 27. Diagnostic Microbiology.
Ch. 28. Epidemiology.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
Mar 31 (Th).
Apr. 5 (Tu).
Apr. 7 (Th).
Apr. 12 (Tu).
Apr. 14 (Th).
Apr. 19 (Tu).
Apr 21 (Th).
Ch. 29.
Ch. 30.
Ch. 31.
Ch. 32.
Ch. 18.
Ch. 19.
Ch. 20.
Midterm Exam 3 (Lectures 14-18), Mar. 29 (Tu)
Person-to-Person Bacterial and Viral Diseases.
Vector-borne and Soil-borne Bacterial and Viral Diseases.
Water and Food as Vehicles of Bacterial Diseases.
Eukaryotic Pathogens: Fungal and Parasitic Diseases.
Methods in Microbial Ecology.
Microbial Ecosystems.
Nutrient Cycles.
Apr. 26 (Tu). Study day
Midterm Exam 4 (Lectures 19-25), Apr. 28 (Th) (8-10 AM in SERC, 110B)