RARITAN VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
ACADEMIC COURSE OUTLINE
BIOL-221 MICROBIOLOGY
I.
Basic Course Information
A. Course Number and Title: BIOL-221 Microbiology
B. Date of Proposal or Revision: Revised: Spring, 1989; Updated: Fall 2000
C. Sponsoring Department:
Science & Engineering
D. Semester Credit Hours:
4
E. Weekly Contact Hours: Lecture: 3
Laboratory: __3__
F. Prerequisites: General Biology I & II; Statistics & Probability
Corequisite: General Chemistry I (It is recommended that the
General Chemistry sequence be completed prior to
taking this course)
G. Laboratory Fees: YES
II .
Catalog Description
The biology of micro-organisms, their structures, development and function.
Emphasis is placed on fundamental concepts and techniques of microbiology
such as isolation, cultivation, observation, morphology, nutrition, physiology,
genetics and identification of microbes; the role of microorganisms in nature and
their role in infections and immunity; physical and chemical control of microorganisms; microbial diseases; sanitary, industrial and clinical applications;
automation and uses of microcomputers in microbiology.
III . Statement of Course Need
Standard second year Biology majors course. Microbiology will attract students
interested in pursuing a microbiology career.
IV . Place of Course in College Curriculum
Required as a second year course in Biology Option. May also be used as a
science Elective by those students meeting prerequisites.
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MICROBIOLOGY COURSE OUTLINE
V. General Education Goals
1. To develop the ability to think critically.
2. To develop the ability to communicate effectively.
3. To collect, organize, and evaluate information to address different kinds
of problems.
4. To develop the ability to make informed judgements concerning ethical
issues.
5. To develop the ability to reason quantitatively.
6. To develop an understanding of fundamental principles.
11. To develop a global perspective on problems and issues that humankind
faces.
12. To develop an understanding of health and wellbeing.
VI. Student Learning Outcomes
The student will be able to:
A. To acquire sufficient background in microbiology to serve as a
satisfactory core and building block for more advanced courses in
microbiology and other related areas, which require a working
knowledge of microbiology.
B. To learn basic microbiological procedures to culture, isolate, identify,
control, and destroy microorganisms; diagnose disease; evaluate
chemotherapeutic agents, antibiotics and evaluate the microbiological
quality of water and foods.
C. Familiarize with the chemistry, physiology, and genetics of
microorganisms; and with some of the methods used in the study of
microbial metabolism and genetics.
D. Acquaint with the general nature of microbial disease and with many
of the more common diseases caused by microbes and/or their
products.
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MICROBIOLOGY COURSE OUTLINE
E. Have a basic understanding of some immunological principles and
procedures used to diagnose, prevent and treat microbial disease.
F. Learn practical methods and applications of asepsis, disinfection, and
sterilization; and the concepts involved in each.
G. Have the opportunity, knowledge and tools to identify an unknown
organism by both traditional methods and computer analysis.
H. Be exposed to many applications of microbes and microbiology, such as
water, dairy and food industries; soil fertilization; clinical products
including chemotherapeutic agents, vaccines, etc.; fermentations;
genetic engineering; epidemiology, etc.
I. To use their knowledge of microbiology to perform experiments
independently, evaluate results obtained, design new experiments, and
develop a schematic for epidemiological studies.
J. Acquaint with some of the professional organizations and resource
materials available to them and which are necessary to keep updated in
microbiology, such as journals, taxonomic manuals, and other reference
materials.
K. To gain and/or further their knowledge of microcomputers, and to
provide them with opportunities to apply the use of these
microcomputers to clinical and industrial applications of microbiology.
L. To feel the excitement microbiology offers and to encourage continued
intellectual growth in the subject through a self-learning process.
VI
Outline of Course Content
A. Introduction:
Nature of microbiology
History of Microbiology
General Applications
B.
Classification of Microorganisms:
Taxonomy
Nomenclature
Bacteria:
Identification & Classification
Bergey’s Manual
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MICROBIOLOGY COURSE OUTLINE
C. Observing Microorganisms
Microscopy
Staining Methods
D. Functional Anatomy of Procaryotic & Eucaryotic Cells:
Comparison
Bacterial Morphology
Nature of Gram Stain
E.
Microbial Growth:
Factors Affecting Growth
Nature of Culture
Preparation of Culture Media
Growth Phases and Reproduction
F.
Chemical Principles
Microbial Metabolism:
Nature of Enzymes & Enzymatic Activity
Microbial Physiology
Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration
G. Microbial Genetics
H. Viruses
I.
Fungi, Protozoa and Multi-cellular Parasites:
Yeasts and Molds
Protozoa
Helminths
Arthropod Vectors
J.
Control of Microbial Growth:
Physical Methods
Chemical Methods
K. Chemotherapeutic Agents and Antibiotics
L.
Principles of Disease and Epidemiology
Mechanisms of Pathogenicity
Microbial Diseases of the Skin & Eyes
M. Nonspecific Defenses of Host
Specific Defenses of Host: Immunology
Microbial Diseases of Nervous System
Microbial Diseases of
Respiratory System
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MICROBIOLOGY COURSE OUTLINE
N. Hypersensitivity and Cancer
Soil and Water Microbiology
Nosocomial Infections and Disease Associated with Wounds and
Bites
O. Food and Industrial Microbiology
Microbial Diseases of the Digestive System
Microbial Diseases of the Urinary and Genital Systems
Microbial Diseases of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic System
VIII . Required Materials
A. Textbooks Required: Black; “Microbiology: Principles & Explorations”;
l999; Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
B. LAB Book:
Cappuccino; “Microbiology: Lab Manual”; l999;
Publisher: Benjamin-Cummings
Suggested Materials
1. “Power Unseen” by Dixon Oxford University Press
2. “Microcosmos” by Margulis University of California Press
3. “Fearsome Fauna” by Knutson VHPS Publishing
4. “Outer Reaches of Life” by Postgage Cambridge University Press
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Updated: Fall 2000
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