2013-2014 Course Syllabus
Subjects: Medical Microbiology & Pathophysiology
Teacher: Ms. Tomar
Email: stomar@houstonisd.org
Location: RM N233
Course Introduction
Welcome to the terribly exciting and excitingly terrible twin worlds of medical microbiology &
pathophysiology. The medical microbiology course (fall semester) will focus on differentiating between
the broad categories of medically relevant microorganisms and will include discussion of an assortment of
infectious diseases that affect humans. The pathophysiology course (spring semester) will focus on the
mechanisms of disease in the human body and will include discussion of noninfectious diseases. I’m
excited to be teaching these courses and to have the opportunity to work with students who are
passionate about science. I look forward to our year together.
Grading System
Major (70%) tests and projects/presentations
You can expect to have approximately 2 tests and 1 project/presentation per six weeks grading cycle.
Minor (30%) quizzes, labs, classwork, and participation
Daily activities and short assessments will account for less than a third of your overall grade, but putting
forth your best effort in completing these assignments on time is vital to your success in this class.
Required Materials
1½” binder
dividers
loose leaf notebook paper
spiral notebook
pocket folder
pencils
pens
highlighter
Course Outline
MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY (FALL)
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (SPRING)
Unit 1: Intro to Microbiology & Origins of
Infectious Diseases
Unit 1: Pathogenesis & Immune Responses
Unit 2: Bacteria
Unit 2: Genetic Disorders & Noninfectious
Diseases
Unit 3: Fungi, Protozoa, Helminths, & Arthropods
Unit 3: Cancer
Unit 4: Viruses & Prions
Unit 4: Disease Management & Epidemiology
Unit 5: Emerging Infectious Diseases
Class Expectations
1.
Be present. You will not miss class without a very, very good reason. Being both physically and
mentally present in class will help you internalize the lesson and retain material long term.
2.
Be punctual. You will be on time to class. If the door is locked, you’re tardy and will go to the
deans’ office to get a tardy pass before you may enter the classroom.
3.
Come prepared for the day’s lesson. You will have completed all previously assigned readings
and taken notes as homework, and you will have started on the day’s warm-up, without
prompting, before the tardy bell rings. You will have your own paper and writing utensils and
will not be bothering your classmates for these.
4.
Make it a habit to participate in class discussions and activities. You will keep your head up, be
attentive, and be prepared to be called on at any time during class. Asking and answering
questions is a brilliant way to engage with your classmates, and it also reinforces your learning.
5.
Bring a positive attitude to class. Because you value your education, you won’t let negativity
interfere with your learning. You will seek help wherever you can if you’re confused or stressed.
I’m here to support you, and I won’t let you give up…so don’t even try it.
6.
Behave in a manner that is pleasant and professional. You will treat all people and property with
the highest respect. You will listen to and learn from your peers. You will make sure your cell
phones are on silent and put away before you enter the classroom. And you will not bring food
or drink into the classroom.
FAQs
How is homework graded?
Strictly speaking, it’s not. Whether or not you have sincerely completed your homework will become
apparent the next day in class. Your level of preparedness to participate in class discussions and complete
classwork will depend on how seriously you attempted the homework. There will also be pop quizzes to
incentivize accurate and timely homework completion.
What is the late work policy?
Late work for major grades, i.e., projects, will result in a loss of 11 points from your assignment grade for
every school day that the assignment is late, except in cases of documented medical or family emergency.
If you expect to be absent the day an assignment is due, talk with me about scheduling an alternative due
date. Late work for minor grade assignments will not be accepted and will be entered in the gradebook as
a zero, except in cases of documented medical or family emergency.
What do I do if I have been absent?
If you were absent, check the absent work tray. A classmate volunteer will have gathered your absent
work and attached a form with your name on it. But it is ultimately your responsibility to find out what
you have missed and the timeframe within which you must make it up. You will have one day for every
day that you were absent to complete and submit your make-up work. If you were absent on a test, lab,
or presentation day, talk with me immediately when you return to school so that arrangements can be
made for you to make up that assignment.
What do I do if I need extra help learning the material?
I host tutorials in my classroom on Mondays and Fridays during lunch, and by appointment. I also
encourage you to use your resources (books, internet, friends, etc.) to help you process the material in a
way that I perhaps don’t teach it. That said, I welcome your questions and suggestions for making class
more relevant and engaging to you.
*This syllabus is subject to revision.