Fall 2015 Syllabus for BIOL A250.001 and .002 – Microbiology
Instructor reserves the right to make reasonable changes in the syllabus.
Instructor: Dr. Elizabeth Burgess
Office: SBDG 204
Instructor E-mail: elizabethb@usca.edu
Office Hours: TTH 8:15-9:15 AM, or by appointment
Course Description and Objectives: This course is an introduction to microorganisms, with an emphasis on
attributes relevant to human health. Students should become familiar with modern microbiology, including pathogenic
mechanisms and host-responses, classical and modern microbiological techniques, and mechanisms to control
microbial growth.
Course credit: 4 credit hours (upon successful completion)
Suggested Textbooks:
Lecture: Slonczewski, J.L., Foster, J.W. (2011) Microbiology, An Evolving Science 3rd ed. ISBN 0-393-91929-5.
Laboratory: Holley, H.A.T., Smith, G.W. (1998) Microbiology Laboratory Manual. ISBN 0-697-37461-0.
LeBoffe, M.J., Pierce, B.E. (2012) A Photo. Atlas for the Micro. Lab., 4th ed. ISBN 0-89582-872-3.
Lecture Time & Place: TTH 9:25 – 10:40 AM, HSS 103
Laboratory Time & Place: Section 001: F 1:00 - 3:40 PM, SBDG 213
Section 002: F 4:00-6:40 PM, SBDG 213
Blackboard: https://blackboard.sc.edu,
Section 001: BIOLA250-001-FALL-2015: MICROBIOLOGY
Section 002: BIOLA250-002-FALL-2015: MICROBIOLOGY
Grading: The on-line grade book will be updated regularly. Documentation (the graded quiz, exam or assignment)
must be presented to resolve discrepancies.
Possible points breakdown:
5 lecture exams (100 pts. ea.)
500
1 lecture final exam (comprehensive, 100 pts.)
100
10 laboratory quizzes (10 pts.)
100
2 laboratory techniques assessments (10 pts. ea.)
20
2 laboratory group projects (20 pts. ea.)
40
5-10 additional point opportunities (10-20 pts. ea.)
100
1 participation/safety score (20 pts.)
10
Total possible points
870
Grade-point scale: A: 783 or more, B: 782-696, C: 695-609, D: 608-522, F: 521 or less
Grade Opportunties Overview:
Lecture exams: Lecture exams will cover material presented since the last exam.
Question formats for the tests range from multiple choice to essay. Scantron Forms
882-E, available at the Pacer Schoppe, will be required.
Final exam: This exam will be comprehensive, covering material from the entire semester.
Laboratory quizzes: The laboratory quizzes will be given at the beginning of the scheduled
laboratory time and will cover material presented throughout the semester, including
assessment of your preparation for the lab exercise(s) that day.
Laboratory techniques assessments: These will be in-lab assignments to evaluate your ability
to demonstrate important microbiology skills, the Gram stain and isolation streaking.
Laboratory group projects: There will be two group projects in lab, construction of a
dichotomous key and identification of an unknown organism. Additional details will be
provided as the semester progresses.
Additional point opportunities: At the instructor’s discretion, you will be given at least five additional point
opportunities during the semester. These may take the form of scheduled or pop quizzes in lab or lecture, group
quizzes or assignments, or Blackboard discussion assignments. Guidelines will be provided as appropriate.
Participation/safety score: Get your points! Come to class, participate, follow the rules, don’t
hurt yourself or others, and clean up after yourself. Look here also for any bonus points
that aren’t associated with a specific exam, quiz or assignment.
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Attendance and Punctuality: Poor attendance will negatively affect both your Participation and Safety score and
your overall grade. Good attendance will give you the opportunity to hear the lectures, ask questions, participate in
laboratory exercises and learn the material on a first-hand basis, which will improve your overall grade. Attendance
will be monitored each week for administrative purposes.
Exams and quizzes given at the beginning of the lecture or laboratory period will start promptly at the scheduled
time. No extra time will be given for a late arrival.
There will be no make-up exams or quizzes except under extreme circumstances as deemed acceptable by the
instructor on an individual basis. There will be absolutely no make-ups for missed laboratory exercises or
assignments.
Tutoring: Tutoring services are available through the Academic Success Center on campus. The center employs
experts trained to help students develop good study habits based on individual needs and skills. See
http://www.usca.edu/asc for more information.
Disability Statement: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability that might affect your
performance in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, B&E 134, (803) 643-6816, as soon as
possible. The Disability Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation.
Honor Code: Students are expected to abide by the Academic Code of Conduct as described in the Student
Handbook on every assessment. “On my honor as a University of South Carolina at Aiken student, I have neither
given nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment / examination. To the best of my knowledge, I am not in
violation of academic honesty.” Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if academic integrity is violated.
Respect and Policy for Portable Electronic Devices: The instructor expects you to participate in this course in a
respectful manner. This includes everything from using complete sentences in correspondence to SILENCING
electronic devices before entering the classroom or laboratory. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. The instructor
reserves the right to dismiss disrespectful students during lecture or lab, or to block their participation in on-line
discussions. There will be no make-ups of missed material.
The use of portable electronic devices during class is allowed. Contact with the outside world, however, is not
appropriate unless prior approval has been given to the student from the instructor. If you use a portable electronic
device during a test, quiz, or other assessment, you are eligible to receive a failing grade on that assignment.
Again, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken if academic integrity is violated.
Additional Advice: Microbiology is a very time-consuming course, and it will require study time outside of regularly
scheduled class time. Work with your lab partners, study in groups, use the Student Q&A Discussion Board. Quizzing
someone else can help you learn or you might gain insight from someone else’s explanation of a difficult concept.
Don’t hesitate to ask questions about things you don’t understand. Make flash cards to help you remember difficult
terms. Set aside time each week to review lecture and laboratory material; waiting until the night before an exam to
study is a risky practice. New material will build on the foundation you establish with previous material. If you are
serious about your career/education, put in the time required to be successful.
Lecture Schedule: The PowerPoint files for each Lecture Topic will be posted on Blackboard, grouped by exam.
Content for exams will come primarily from what is presented in class; the textbook is a supplement to this material.
The exams will be scheduled based on the amount of time required to get through the lecture topics associated with
each. As the semester progresses, the exam schedule will be updated on the Blackboard calendar.
The final exam is scheduled according to the USCA Final Examinations Schedule. For this course, the final
exam will be Tuesday, December 8 at 8:00 AM, HSS 103.
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Microbiology Lecture Topics Outline
Topic
No.
Lecture Topic
Text Chs.
1
Chemistry, Introduction, History
1, A1
2
Microscopy
2
3
Non-Clinical Considerations
16, 22
EXAM 1 (Topics 1-3)
4
Structure
3, A2
5
Classification
18-20
EXAM 2 (Topics 4-5)
6
Epidemiology
28
7
Pathogenesis/Virulence
25
8
Host Defenses/Immunity
23-24
EXAM 3 (Topics 6-8)
9
Metabolism
13-15
10
Genetics
7-12
EXAM 4 (Topics 9-10)
11
Growth and Control
4, 5, 27
12
Viruses
6
EXAM 5 (Topics 11-12)
13
Bug Parade
26
FINAL EXAM (All Topics)
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Laboratory Schedule: Relevant information for lab each week will be posted on Blackboard on Mondays. You are
responsible for accessing this information and being prepared for lab. Many of the exercises will require you to
work in the lab outside of the regularly scheduled lab time. You should be able to access the laboratory 24/7. Maintain
regular communication with your instructor and the laboratory assistants to request necessary supplies in a timely
manner.
Laboratory Safety: This course requires handling of live microbiological cultures. A lab coat or oversized, button-up
shirt and close-toed shoes are required. Do not eat or drink in the laboratory at any time. Long hair and bangs should
be pulled back or tied up. Keep workspace clean. Thoroughly wash hands before and after lab work. Additional
details are provided in the Microbiology Lab Plan. Failure to practice laboratory safety will negatively affect your
Participation and Safety score. Instructor reserves the right to dismiss students exhibiting unsafe behavior during lab.
Blackboard: Familiarity with Blackboard is strongly advised for this course. If you are having trouble accessing
Blackboard, get help as soon as possible by contacting University Technology Services
(http://uts.sc.edu/academic/blackboard/index.shtml, 803-777-1800, or servicedesk@sc.edu).
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