Biology 203W
General Microbiology
Winter 2016
Instructor: Michael Pressler
Phone: 686-9596
e-mail (preferred contact): michaelpressler2@delta.edu
Office: F244
Office Hours:
Tuesday: 9:00am-11:00am (F244) and 5:00pm-6:00pm (C119)
Thursday: 10:00am-11:00am (F244) and 5:00pm-6:00pm (C119)
Prerequisites
BIO 111 or BIO 130, each requiring a “B” minimum grade. Or BIO 140 or BIO 171 or BIO 152 or BIO 240,
each requiring a “C” minimum grade.
The Scope of the Microbiology Course
This Microbiology course will cover many aspects of the microbial world, from nitrogen fixation and the
carbon cycle to epidemiology and the immune system. In Lab, an emphasis will be placed on the medical
approach to microorganisms and infection control practices however, this is not strictly a medical microbiology
course. You will come to see over the duration of this semester how important an understanding of
microorganisms, their roles in the environment, their roles in everyday human life, and the diseases they cause,
is to you. The scope of the course is meant to cause the student to view the progress of disease from patient
infection, progression of symptoms, arrival in the health care setting, methods of diagnosis, and treatment
regimens. Throughout this process, the student must be conscious of how aseptic techniques, use of
standard/universal and transmission-based precautions, and common sense will keep the health care worker
from spreading the infection to themselves and others. This is not a standard "lecture and textbook" course, it
requires individual study and presentation of results. This course will open your eyes to a whole world you were
perhaps unaware of. "Germs" will become real microorganisms you will understand and know how to protect
yourself, your family, and your patients.
Required Course Materials
1. Microbiology: Theory and Application, Audra Swarthout and Michael Pressler, Kendall Hunt
publishing company. ISBN: 978-1-4652-7530-1. Available in the Bookstore
2. Access to Internet, eLearning and Delta email: If you do not have internet service at home you will
have to either come to campus or to your local library for access.
3. Access to Internet course management website: http://deltabio203.weebly.com
4. 3 NCS (Blue answer sheets): Available in the bookstore.
5. 2 black sharpie markers
Your role as a Student:

Be responsible! Vacations, trips, concerts, weddings, etc. are optional activities and should be scheduled in
your FREE time not class time. Your attendance in class is expected regardless of these types of activities.
If you miss a class, you are responsible for getting missed materials during my office hours not by email.
Major non-emergency medical procedures such as wisdom tooth removal should be scheduled after the
semester is over if a medical emergency is not imminent.

If at any time during the semester you feel the need to inquire about your performance in the class (i.e. your
grade), please speak with me privately after class.

Please use appropriate language.

If you send me an email, begin with a courteous greeting such as: Hello or Hi Mike. Do not begin an email
with: Hey or Yo!

To be successful in this course you will have to put in many hours of study each week! For every 1 hour in
the class room you should be spending 2 hours at home studying. We meet 6 hours for Lecture and lab
each week, this means you should be spending at least 12 hours outside of class studying Microbiology!

Come to class prepared. Bring your Textbook and all notes we covered in class.

It is your responsibility to be aware of due dates for assignments. It is your responsibility to be aware of
what lab activities we will be completing each week (hint: they are on your tentative schedule).
Graded Items:

Attendance, participation, and safety
o You will lose points if you are tardy. Points are deducted from assignments turned in on that
particular day you are tardy.
o If you are not participating or not prepared for class (did not print notes) you will lose points.
 Note taking is considered participation.
o If you violate a safety procedure you will lose points (safety glasses, sandals, not wearing long pants,
lab procedures such as working over you lab manual, improper handling of test tubes, etc…).
o If you text or are disruptive in the class room you will lose points.
o If you leave early without a medical or family emergency you will lose points.
o Participation
 There will be times throughout the semester that lecture or lab will end early, this does not
mean class is dismissed. You will have plenty to work on study guides, pre-labs, lab
reports, lecture worksheets. You are expected to remain in class until I dismiss you, if you
choose to leave then you will be deducted 50% from the assignment/Lab activity/Prelab/Lab report.
o Points are deducted at my sole discretion.

Quizzes: Announced or unannounced.

Pre-labs: 5 points each. Are due at the beginning of class on the day we are performing the lab activity.
The Pre-Lab is to prepare you for the lab activity for that particular day. Therefore, Pre-labs are not
accepted at any other time other than the beginning of class.
o Any loss of points on a Pre-Lab assignment will be deducted from the Lab Report.
o See attendance policy for further details.

Lab Reports: All but 1 Lab report are worth a total of 15 points (includes Pre-lab). A lab report containing
a series of questions will be completed for each lab activity. The assignment will require answering
questions and evaluating data (ex. Graphing) regarding the lab activity and its associated content.
o In order to earn full credit for a Lab Report you must be in attendance both days of the lab
and have turned in a completed/accurate Pre-Lab.
o See attendance policy for further details.

Unknown Lab Practical and Report: End of semester lab practical worth a total of 10% of your final
grade.

Writing assignments: There will be Writing Assignments assigned throughout the semester. Writing
assignments are to assess your non-verbal communication skills as well as your comprehension of the
concepts we are covering. The writing assignments will be in the form of a research paper including:
Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, and Conclusion. You will have ample time to complete the
assignments with opportunities for peer review.

Exams: 3 lecture exams will be given throughout the semester. Each exam will be worth approximately
100 points. Exams will be composed of multiple choice questions, short answer, and matching.
o The lecture period following the exam you will have time to review your exam and take notes. You
will then turn your exams back to me.
Grade determination:
The assigned points for each section are estimates and subject to change. Grades will be available on the
eLearning website. Record all exam scores. Keep all assignments.
The course is weighted meaning 40% of your grade is determined by your exam scores and 50% of your
grade will be determined by assignments, writing assignments, Pre-labs, and Lab reports and 10% of
your grade is determined by the unknown lab practical and report.
Each grade is weighted by points, meaning a 50 point writing assignment is more valuable than a 15 point lab
report.
Grading scale:
A 94-100
A- 90-93.9
B+ 87-89.9
B 83-86.9
B- 80-82.9
C+ 77-79.9
C 73-76.9
C- 70-72.9
D+ 67-69.9
D 63-66.9
F < 62.9
Statement of Academic Integrity:
All student work is to be the student’s own unless stated otherwise. Tests are to be an assessment of the
student’s knowledge of the course work without the aid of notes, etc. Plagiarism, the use of another’s
thoughts, words or ideas without citing the source, is unacceptable. Any deviation from these standards
will result in no credit for that assignment or test. If you do not understand plagiarism, please see me for
clarification: ignorance is no excuse!
Materials not allowed: Including but not limited to: Past exams or exam materials and past lab reports and
assignments.
**************************Attendance
Policy ***************************
Lecture and Lab:
 If you miss the first day of class I reserve the right to drop you from the class.

Attendance and participationis mandatory! Often we will have lecture and lab the same day. You
are expected to not just attend every class but also to participate, learn, and most importantly have
fun.

If you miss more than 2 lab days you will be dropped from the course.

Pre-labs are due promptly at the beginning of class if you are absent or tardy you will receive NO
credit for the Pre-lab!

Lab reports: You must participate in lab in order to earn credit for lab reports. Labs are set up one
day and finished on another day. Failure to attend both lab days (setup and analysis) will result in a
loss of at least half of the total available points. There are lab activities that are finished in one day, if
you miss a one-day lab no credit will be earned.

You are responsible for the material covered during lecture and lab along with information not
covered in the lab manual.

Tardiness: You are expected to be on time for class. My motto is “if you are on time you are late!”
This is good to practice and adopt for your own personal success in the future. When you are late it
is rude, distracting, and disrespectful.
o Frequent tardiness in lecture or lab or both will result in a loss of 5% of your overall grade
in the course.
It is your responsibility to be aware of drop dates. If you stop coming to class after the last
day to drop you will receive an F!
******************************************************************************************
Cell Phones:
No cell phones are allowed at your lab tables. If I see you with a phone I will ask you to put the phone in your
bag. Texting and ringing phones are disruptive to the learning environment. Please, turn them off or put them on
vibrate during class time. Taking calls and texting during class without prior permission from the
instructor (in case of emergencies) will result in the following: 1st incident = warning, each subsequent
incident = -3% of your final course grade.
Laptops:
The use of laptops in class will not be permitted unless given permission during in class assignments or
during break.
Class cancellation due to bad weather: please listen to the news for information on school closing, or
call the Delta College information line. If classes are delayed so that the college opens in the middle of our
scheduled class time, consider that class to be CANCELLED.
Delta College 24 Hour Information Line: 686-9179 From Midland/Auburn call 1-800-686-9179
Withdrawal Policy: I will follow the standard policy of Delta College regarding withdrawal from the
course and the awarding of the WP grade and the WE grade.
Exceptions & Extenuating Circumstances:
Occasionally there are extenuating circumstances which make it difficult or impossible for a student to adhere
to the dictates of the syllabus. If you feel that you are in this position you must show some form of proof that
the circumstances exist. The validity of the extenuating circumstances will be determined by me on a case-bycase basis. The exceptions the syllabus will also be dictated by me.
Statement of Change in the Syllabus
Unforeseen circumstances such as weather, instructor illness and class composition may make some adjustment
in the course schedule and procedures necessary. If the learning process will benefit from such a change you
will be informed in a timely manner. This document is not a contract and the instructor reserves the right to
modify aspects of the syllabus, schedule, and assignments in order to meet the course objectives. College
recognizes the right of the faculty teaching the course to use professional judgment in making such adjustments.
Microbiology Laboratory Syllabus
SAFETY:
We will be working with many opportunistic bacteria in lab. An opportunistic bacterium is one which normally
does not cause disease in healthy people but is capable of causing disease if introduced into the body were it is
not normally found. In order to study these organisms we will be culturing or growing them by the billions and
can easily be taken with you when you leave lab if you do not follow the required safety procedures. Safety is
the number one priority during lab periods. Should you fail to conduct yourself in a safe manner, you will be
asked to withdraw from the course rather than be a potential danger to yourself and other students.
SAFETY RULES:
Clinical and other lab science courses will build upon the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking abilities you
gain in this course. Therefore, it is imperative that you learn to aseptically handle the microbes and
equipment as soon as possible. Aseptic procedures will be presented, demonstrated and discussed in both
lecture and lab, plus explained in the textbook and lab manual.
The following are what I feel are the most important safety rules, failure to follow any of these will result in
loss of points or removal from class.
1) ABSOLUTELY NO food or beverages are to be consumed during lab. This includes cough drops,
gum, and other candy. If you need to take a break and get a snack during lab there will be opportunities
to do so.
a. Food items and personal belongings are to be stored in the provided space on the north
wall of the classroom.
2) You must wear a lab coat and button the lab coat. You can provide one or we have some for your use.
3) Closed toed shoes and long pants must be worn to lab.
4) Safety glasses must be worn during lab. The only time during lab when you will not need to have them
on will be when you are using microscopes. If someone is performing a lab experiment at your table you
must wear your safety glasses.
5) Use of disposable gloves. When handling petri dishes, test tubes, or when cleaning up biohazard spills
gloves must be worn.
6) NO CELL PHONES OR LAPTOPS are to be used during class and especially during lab!
7) Broken glass is to be reported to your instructor. All broken glass is to be placed in a Sharps container.
8) Long hair is to be tied back. We use open flames and do not want you to light your hair on fire.
9) Sit, do not stand, when doing laboratory procedures.
10) Walk, do not run, do not rush during lab time we have 3 hours and there is no need to rush or feel
hurried.
11) If you need to take a break and use the restroom please wait until I have finished talking then remove
your lab coat, wash your hands and leave the room. You can NOT leave the lab with your lab coat on!
12) Use of iPod or other devices with ear buds are not to be used in class or lab.
13) You should each 'pack a bag' and have it in your vehicle. You would, of course, want it for all the labs.
Put in the bag anything you'd like to be able to wear home, were a spill to occur and we had to take your
clothing to autoclave. (Yes, we've unfortunately had to do this before!) So you'll want underclothes,
socks, and shoes, plus the obvious outer clothing.
14) It is important that you do not wear eye contacts in the laboratory. If you normally wear contacts, do you
have eyeglasses that you wear as a back-up? Can you wear these for the lab? Your eyesight is too
precious of a thing to risk in a lab.
15) Report all accidents to your instructor.
LABORATORY ROUTINE:
You will be required to follow this routine each day you come into lab:
1) Place personal items such as book bags, purses, and any other personal items in the designated area.
2) Wash your hands.
3) Spray, wipe, re-spray lab bench with provided disinfectant.
4) Allow table top to dry for ~10 minutes. During this time you will review material, hand in assignments,
or discuss the day’s activities with your lab partners.
5) Once Lab begins I will usually give an introduction to the lab and demonstrate procedures you are not
familiar with. During this time you will be paying attention and taking notes.
6) Before you begin the activity you will put your lab coat, safety glasses, and gloves on and then begin the
activity. You will be required to wear your personal protective equipment (PPE) unless I say otherwise.
a. If I see you without your PPE on at anytime during lab you will be deducted points for safety
violations.
b. Repeated violations will result in your dismissal from the course.
7) When you finish with your activity your biohazard waste will be placed in the appropriate biohazard
waste containers.
8) You will then spray, wipe, re-spray your bench top, remove your lab coat, then wash your hands.
9) Failure to follow this routine will result in the loss of points.
BSL-2:
Practices, safety equipment, and facility design and construction are applicable to clinical, diagnostic, teaching,
and other laboratories in which work is done with the broad spectrum of indigenous moderate-risk agents that
are present in the community and associated with human diseases of varying severity. Biosafety level 2 is
appropriate when work is done with any human-derived blood, body fluids, tissues, or primary human cell lines
where the presence of an infectious agent may be unknown. Laboratory personnel working with human-derived
materials should refer to the OSHA blood borne pathogen standard for specific required precautions.
The containment elements described in BSL-2 are consistent with the OSHA standard, Occupational Exposure
to Bloodborne Pathogens, from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. This requires the use of
specific precautions with all clinical specimens of blood or other potentially infectious material (Universal or
Standard Precautions). BSL-2 recommendations and OSHA requirements focus on the prevention of
percutaneous and mucous membrane exposures to clinical material.


If you have a disability or condition in which working with bacteria may exacerbate your disability or
condition, let me know immediately so I can communicate with you the appropriate next step. That next
step may be to contact disability services and/or recommend further PPE such as a surgical face mask,
skin protection, eye protection, and/or respiratory system. The decision, risk, and understanding that
some materials may be detrimental to your particular health condition, in taking this class, as well as
entering the healthcare field, belong to YOU.
Purchasing special PPE such as surgical face masks and special protective gloves are the
responsibility of the student, not the instructor.
Chemical sensitivities and allergies may be a problem in the microbiology lab. If you know you are sensitive
or allergic to gloves, the powder in gloves, iodine, bleach, or any other chemicals that might be employed in
the laboratory, please notify the instructor before the class begins.
In most cases, students would still be able to be in the lab. However, if a student were hypersensitive (i.e., could
go into anaphylactic shock), they would need to drop the course. Students with hypersensitivities to chemicals
commonly found in healthcare should be counseled to consider a different career pathway.
The Unknown Lab Project & Report
This is a lab practical, you will use many things you have learned throughout the semester to complete this
project. Minimal instruction will be given and you are expected to work individually on this project. The
Unknown Project (Lab Practical) involves the identification of an unknown microorganism in the laboratory.
This project is a vital portion of your learning experience in the course. It requires utilization of critical
thinking skills as you work your way through the identification process. Because of this, completion of the
unknown project is considered a mandatory part of the course. You cannot pass the course unless you
successfully complete the unknown lab project.