HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE NORTHWEST – KATY CAMPUS
MICROBIOLOGY 2420
SPRING 2015
Instructor contact information
Instructor:
Office:
E-mail:
Richard J. Cristiano, Ph.D.
Spring Branch - AD7
richard.cristiano@hccs.edu
Office Phone:
Office Hours:
713-718-5638
Tues./Thurs. 12pm-2pm or By Appointment
Welcome to
Course Title:
Course Prefix:
Course Number:
Credit Hours:
Microbiology
Biol
2420/43162
4
Semester and Year:
SPRING 2015
Class Days & Times:
Lecture Room Location:
Lab Room Location:
Lab/Lec:T/TH; 2pm-5pm
Rm 307
Rm 308
Course overview
Description:
This course is designed for health science majors. This course is a study of microorganisms including a description of basic
cell structure, biochemistry, metabolism, nutrition, reproduction and genetics. Mechanisms of transmission, microbial entry,
pathogenesis, prophaylaxis, epidemiology and microbial control of selected human pathogens will be explored. Basic body
defense mechanisms and immunological responses to pathological conditions will be examined. Laboratory exercises will
include aseptic techniques, microscopy, culture techniques, determination of bacterial morphology, staining, and
biochemical differentiation. This course is designed for allied health students.
Course Learning Outcomes:
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Establish an understanding of the major historical events in microbiology and their impact on medical science.
Describe basic cell structure, biochemistry, metabolism, nutrition, reproduction and genetics of microorganisms with
an emphasis on bacteria.
Compare and contrast the various types of pathogenic microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, viruses, protists,
and helminths with an emphasis on their medical significance.
Describe various methods of microbial control both in vivo and in vitro.
Demonstrate knowledge of basic principles of immunology.
Demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of epidemiology.
Compare and contrast the mechanisms of transmission, entry, pathogenesis, and prophylaxis of selected human
pathogens.
Demonstrate skill in aseptic transfer techniques and discuss the importance of general aseptics.
Demonstrate skill in basic microscopy, morphological staining, cultural techniques, and biochemical differentiation
of selected human pathogens.
In our efforts to prepare students for a changing world, students may be expected to utilize computer
technology while enrolled in classes, certificate, and/or degree programs. The specific requirements are listed
below:
Classes may be supplemented with online quizzes, online assignment submissions, Microsoft Word document submissions,
discussion boards, etc. as well as online homework and quizzes.
Getting ready
Required Material:
Text: Kathleen Park Talaro, Barry Chess, Foundations in Microbiology, 8th Edition, 2012, McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Lab Manual: Donna S. Wiersema, M.S. & Pramila Sen, Ph.D., Editors. Microbiology, Laboratory Manual for Biology 2420,
5th Edition 2007.
Learning Web: Assignments may be posted on the Learning web found at: http://learning.hccs.edu/faculty/richard.cristiano
Optional Materials: Scantrons (100 count) will be used for tests. I will not accept exams on other scantrons. You are
responsible for bringing scantrons to exams. Students will be required to purchase- Sharpie marker pens and Gloves (Not
required, however, if you want to use them, you must purchase them).
Instructor guidelines and policies
Attendance: Roll will be taken but attendance is your responsibility. I expect students to attend all classes. Good class
attendance is absolutely essential to do well in this course! It is a good idea to exchange names and phone numbers
with others in the class so that you can obtain the information you missed as quickly as possible. In case of a prolonged
absence (2 or more class meetings), the instructor should be notified as soon as possible. In the event you are absent, it is
your responsibility to check for information you missed as a result of your absence. In addition, if at some point you decide
not to attend this class anymore, I will not drop you. It is your responsibility to drop this class if you choose to do so!
Assignments:
Reading homework may be assigned. You are expected to read and take notes and be prepared to participate in class
discussions. Read the chapters and labs before coming to class! It will make learning a lot easier! Work is due on the
assigned day. Late work will not be accepted.
Exams/Quizzes: There will be two lab practical exams worth 150 points. Lab exams will cover content and techniques
learned during the lab and will consist of fill in the blank and short answer questions. There will be no make-ups for lab
practical exams. All lecture (5 exams including final worth 500 points) and lab exams will consist of questions that may
include multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, True-False, matching, and/or short answer questions. The final exam is
mandatory!!!! Exam policy: 1. Exams and quizzes will be given at the beginning of class time. After the first exam has
been completed, submitted, and that student has left the room, no more exams will be passed out. DON’T BE LATE TO AN
EXAM! 2. Bring with you to class a 100 question scantron. Caution; Make sure you bring the correct scantron as there are
many versions of scantrons. Those without will be sent to the bookstore to purchase one before they are given an exam.
Lecture/Lab Report: There will be one report/project assigned worth 100 points. Further details regarding the report will be
provided during the semester.
Notes: Notes/powerpoints for each lecture/lab will be posted on-line prior to class. It is your responsibility to make sure
that you can access this material on-line. It is also your responsibility to access and print the notes. Bring the notes to class
with you to serve as a discussion outline. You must take your own notes and read the textbook to do well in this class!
Make-up Exams: There will be no make-up allowed for quizzes and the lab practical exams. You will be allowed to makeup ONE lecture exam throughout the semester, within a week (seven calendar days, including the day of the exam) of
the missed exam being given. I must receive in writing your request for a make-up within 24 hours of the missed
exam. Once the seven days from the original exam date has pasted, you will not be able to make up the exam and will
receive a zero on that exam. Missed exams will also result in a zero; so once you make the appointment to make-up the
exam, keep it! Make-up exams will be given in the testing center. You cannot make-up the final exam.
In Class Technology (Cell Phones, Laptops, etc): All phones and beepers must be turned off or be in silent (courtesy)
mode. Please do not text or access you phone during class time or in the laboratory. You may not leave the room during a
test to answer a phone call. Should this occur your test will be taken up immediately. I will allow the use of laptops in class,
but only if you are using them for note taking purposes. The use of computers in class for email, facebook or any other
purpose beyond appropriate course work is strictly prohibited.
Instructor’s Assurance: Instructor will return all email correspondence (if you email me, please include your name and
what class you are in) within a 48-hour period Monday through Friday. All exams and quizzes will be graded and scores
given within a week of the test date. Instructor will provide students with the opportunity to review and discuss their exams.
Behavior and etiquette: Unless the students are asked by the instructor to conduct discussions, talking is not allowed in
lectures or labs. Communication among students during lab for group work is allowed with noise level kept to a low level.
The instructor will ask a student who disturbs lectures/labs to leave the room, and be marked “absent” for the day.
Eating or Drinking in Laboratory: No food or drinks are allowed in the microbiology laboratory.
Dress code: Covered footwear must be worn to ALL labs! A student who does not wear covered footwear will be asked to
leave the lab, and be marked “absent” for the day.
Questions/Problems: Please make sure that if you have any questions/problems at any time, that you first contact me as
soon as possible. The worst thing you can do is wait to contact me or not take advantage of the resources available to you.
By taking an active part in your education, you will make your academic experience much more rewarding and exciting!!
EGLS3 (Evaluation for Greater Learning Student Survey System)
At Houston Community College, professors believe that thoughtful student feedback is necessary to improve teaching and
learning. During a designated time near the end of the term, you will be asked to answer a short online survey of researchbased questions related to instruction. The anonymous results of the survey will be made available to your professors and
department chairs for continual improvement of instruction. Go to www.hccs.edu/egls3 for more information.
GRADE DETERMINATION:
Your grade will be
determined by the following
Exams including Final (5)
Lab practical exams (2)
Details of format
5 Exams (Includes Final);
100pts. Each
2 - mid/end of semester;
150pts. Each
Points
(if applicable)
500
Percent of Final
Average
50%
300
30%
Lecture/Lab Quizzes
5-10 - Lecture/Lab Quizzes
100
10%
Lecture/Lab Report
1 Disease Report/Project
100
10%
Total:
100%
LETTER GRADE ASSIGNMENT:
Letter Grade
A
B
C
Final Average in Percent
89.5 - 100
79.5 - 89.4
69.5 – 79.4
D
F
59.5 – 69.4
0 – 59.4
*At any time during the semester, you can determine how you are doing by;
1) Add up all the points you have earned.
2) Divide that by the total number of points possible at this time.
3) Multiply by 100, which will give you a percentage grade of how you are doing.
Withdrawal Policy
If you stop attending class, you must withdraw at the registration office prior to “W” day. Please remember that lack of
attendance does not mean that I will automatically drop you, It is your responsibility to drop this class. If you stop attending
class and do not officially withdraw, you will receive an “F” for the course.
Six Drop Rule
Students who enrolled in Texas public institutions of higher education as first-time college students during the Fall 2007
term or later are subject to section 51.907 of the Texas Education Code, which states that an institution of higher education
may not permit a student to drop (withdraw with a grade of “W”) from more than six courses, including courses that a
transfer student has previously dropped at other Texas public institutions of higher education that have already been
counted against their six drop limit. Each student should fully understand this drop limit before you drop any course. Please
see a Counselor or Advisor in our Student Services area for additional information and assistance.
HCCS is committed to your success
Early Intervention Program and Services
Your success is our primary concern! If you are experiencing challenges achieving your academic goals, please
contact your instructor or an early intervention coach. We can provide assistance with academic needs, ADA
accommodations, classroom difficulties, financial concerns, and other issues. Contact cfintervention@lonestar.edu
for more information.
Tutoring
HCCS provides free online tutoring for all HCC students. Go to www.hccs.askonline.net; use your own e-mail address;
choose a username and password you will remember; put your HCC student ID number in the Comment Box.
Counseling Services
Counseling services are available to students who are experiencing difficulty with academic issues, selection of college
major, career planning, disability accommodations, or personal issues.
Tentative Instructional Outline:
*All or any part of this syllabus is subject to change*
Week Number
Lecture
Laboratory Exercises (Tentative)
**Exact Lab Schedule May Change**
1
JAN 20
Syllabus/ Main Themes of Microbiology (Ch. 1)
Syllabus/Introduction/Safety Agreement
JAN 22
2
JAN 27
JAN 29
Main Themes of Microbiology (Ch. 1)
Care and Use of Microscope
Cell Structure & Function (Ch. 4/5)
Characterizing & Classifying Viruses (Ch. 6)
Smear Preparation and Simple Staining
Ubiquity of Microorganisms
3
FEB 3
FEB 5
February 2nd - Official Date of Record
Exam 1 (Chapters 1, 4/5, 6)
Microbial Nutrition, Ecology, and Growth (Ch. 7)
Negative Staining
4
FEB 10
FEB 12
5
Microbial Metabolism (Ch. 8)
Microbial Metabolism (Ch. 8)
Gram Staining
FEB 17
Microbial Genetics (Ch. 9)
Acid - Fast Staining
FEB 19
Microbial Genetics (Ch. 9)
6
FEB 24
Exam 2 (Chapters 7, 8, 9)
Bacterial Spores
Week Number
Lecture
Laboratory Exercises (Tentative)
**Exact Lab Schedule May Change**
FEB 26
7
MAR 3
Drugs, Microbes, Host -- The Elements of
Chemotherapy (Ch. 12)
Drugs, Microbes, Host -- The Elements of
Chemotherapy (Ch. 12)
Bacterial Capsules
MAR 5
Microbe-Human Interactions (Ch. 13)
Physical and Chemical Agents for Microbial Control
8
MAR 10
Microbe-Human Interactions (Ch. 13)
Bacterial Flagella
MAR 12
9
Microbe-Human Interactions (Ch. 13)
Lab Practical Exam #1
MARCH 16 - 20, SPRING BREAK - NO CLASSES Lab Practical Exam #1
10
MARCH 24TH - Last Day for Administrative/Student Withdraw (Drop with a "W")
MAR 24
An Introduction to Host Defenses and Innate
Immunities (Ch. 14)
MAR 26
An Introduction to Host Defenses and Innate
Immunities (Ch. 14)
11
MAR 31
Exam 3 (12, 13, 14)
APR 2
Adaptive, Specific Immunity and Immunization (Ch 15)
12
APR 7
Adaptive, Specific Immunity and Immunization (Ch 15)
APR 9
13
APR 14
Diseases of the Skin and Wounds
APR 16
Exam 4 (Chapters 15, Diseases of the Skin, Nervous
System, and Eyes)
Diseases of the Nervous System & Eyes
Culture and Isolation of Bacteria Using the Streak
Plate Method/ Aseptic Methods
Colony Morphology/Slants/Growth Patterns
Selective, Differential, and Enriched Media
Selective, Differential, and Enriched Media
Selective, Differential, and Enriched Media
14
APR 21
Unit 12 – Biotechnology
Cardiovascular
& Systemic Diseases
APR 23
15
Diseases of the Respiratory System
APR 28
Diseases of the Respiratory System
APR 30
Diseases of the Digestive System
16
MAY 5
Diseases of the Digestive System
MAY 7
17
FINALS WEEK
Selective, Differential, and Enriched Media
Antibiotic Testing: Sensitivity and Resistance
Review for Practical
Lab Practical Exam #2
Diseases of the Urinary & Reproductive System
Final Exam week from May 11th to May 15th
Final Exam: Thursday, May 14, 2014: 2:00pm - Diseases of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Digestive,
and Urinary/Reproductive Systems/Part Comprehensive (Final Exam is Mandatory!!). In addition a
comprehensive District Exam will also be given at this time as well.
Additional Instructor Policies
Academic Integrity
This instructor is committed to a high standard of academic integrity in the academic community. In becoming a part of the
academic community, students are responsible for honesty and independent effort. Failure to uphold these standards
includes, but is not limited to, the following: plagiarizing written work or projects, cheating on exams or assignments,
collusion on an exam or project, and misrepresentation of credentials or prerequisites when registering for a course.
Cheating includes looking at or copying from another student's exam, orally communicating or receiving answers during an
exam, having another person take an exam or complete a project or assignment, using unauthorized notes, texts, or other
materials for an exam, and obtaining or distributing an unauthorized copy of an exam or any part of an exam. Plagiarism
means passing off as his/her own the ideas or writings of another (that is, without giving proper credit by documenting
sources). Plagiarism includes submitting a paper, report, or project that someone else has prepared, in whole or in part.
Collusion is inappropriately collaborating on assignments designed to be completed independently. These definitions are
not exhaustive. When there is clear evidence of cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or misrepresentation, disciplinary action
may include but is not limited to requiring you to retake or resubmit an exam or assignment, assigning a grade of zero or "F"
for an exam or assignment; or assigning a grade of "F" for the course. Additional sanctions including being withdrawn from
the course, program or expelled from school may be imposed on a students who violate the standards of academic integrity.
Student Behavior Expectations
Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately while on College property or in an online environment. The
instructor would institute established HCCS disciplinary action. Students who pose a threat to the safety of others will be
subject to immediate withdrawal from the classroom. Please refer to the HCC Student Handbook.
Americans with Disabilities Act Statement
HCCS is dedicated to providing the least restrictive environment for all students. We promote equity in academic access
through the implementation of reasonable accommodations as required by the Vocational Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title V,
Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) which will enable students with disabilities to participate
in and benefit from all post-secondary educational activities.
If you require reasonable accommodations because of a physical, mental, or learning disability, please contact the
Counseling Office to obtain the necessary information to request accommodations. Upon completion of this process, please
notify your instructor as soon as possible and preferably before the end of the first two weeks of class to arrange for
reasonable accommodations.
Computer Virus Protection
Computer viruses are, unfortunately, a fact of life. Using removable devices on more than one computer creates the
possibility of infecting computers and diskettes with a computer virus. This exposes the computers of the college, your
personal computer, and any others you may be using to potentially damaging viruses. The college has aggressive anti-virus
procedures in place to protect its computers, but cannot guarantee that a virus might not temporarily infect one of its
machines. It is your responsibility to protect all computers under your control and use and ensure that each diskette you
use, whenever or wherever you use it, has been scanned with anti-virus software. Since new viruses arise continually, your
anti-virus software must be kept current. And, since no anti-virus software will find every virus, keeping backup copies is
extremely important.
Equal Opportunity Statement
It is the policy of the HCCS to provide equal employment, admission and educational opportunities without regard to race,
color, creed, national origin, gender, age, veteran's status, sexual orientation, or disability.
FERPA
The academic, financial and non-directory information on your student account is confidential and protected by the Family
Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA). We cannot release certain information to another person without your written
authorization. The Authorization to Release Student Information Form can be found at
http://www.lonestar.edu/departments/studentservices/Authorization_to_Release_Student_Info.pdf.
Evaluation of Instruction
HCCS is committed to student success. As part of its’ institutional effectiveness efforts, our instructors are assessed in
several ways. For the continuous improvement of our instruction, all students are required to provide input for each course
they take each semester using the Course Evaluations Questionnaire. This occurs approximately half way through your
course and your instructor will provide you more information on this process. The deans, and/or department chairs may visit
each instructor’s class at some time during the semester to observe the instructional environment being provided, and
complete an assessment of the instructor.
Final Examinations
A final evaluation activity will occur during the published final evaluation period. The appropriate dean, director, or
department chair must approve any variation to this schedule.