COURSE SYLLABUS
NORTHEAST COLLEGE
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
BIOL. 2420 – MICROBIOLOGY
FALL SEMESTER - 2014
INSTRUCTOR: Dr. PHILIP E. SWARTZ
TEXTBOOK: Foundations in Microbiology, latest edition available, Talaro, K. P.,
McGraw Hill Publishers.
LAB MANUAL: Microbiology Lab oratory Manual – Biology 2420, latest edition
available, Houston Community College System, Donna S. Wiersema & Pramila Sen
editors.
OPTIONAL & SUPPLEMENTAL REFERENCES: I will list these on the blackboard
the first day of class.
Northeast College, Houston Community College System, Codwell (Northeast) Campus,
555 Community College Drive, Houston, TX 77013. Telephone: (713) 718-8300.
LECTURE AND LABORATORY FOR CRN # 26884: Lectures on Tuesdays in the
Science and Technology building, Room 213 from 5:30 P.M. – 8:30 P.M. Laboratory on
Thursdays in the Science and Technology building, Room 213 from 5:30 P.M. – 8:30
P.M.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: Study of microorganisms, including morphology (shape),
metabolism, taxonomy (classification), culture techniques, microbial genetics,
immunology, bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology, and diseases. This is a
Core Curriculum course.
RULES AND REGULATIONS: (1) CLASS ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED. 3 tardies
or leaving early 3 times = one absence. 5 absences and I will personally withdraw you
from the course with a final course grade of “W” if it is before the official withdrawal
date or “F” if it is after the official withdrawal date. I WIIL NOT MAKE ANY
EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE. REGARDLESS OF YOUR EXCUSE: DEATH IN
THE FAMILY, PERSONAL ILLNESS, ETC., IT WILL NOT STOP ME FROM
WITHDRAWING YOU FROM THE COURSE. (2) Smoking, eating, or drinking is not
allowed in the classroom. (3) Speaking with other students is not allowed while the
instructor is lecturing. (4) You should not work on other class work or other work not
relating to class during lecture or lab. (5) YOU MAY NOT BRING CHILDREN TO
THE LECTURE OR LAB. (6) You may not bring phones, beepers, ipods, etc. to lecture
or lab. (7) Students must adhere to all policies stated in the HCC Student Handbook. (8)
Disruptive behavior will result in the security guard being called, and disruptive students
will be removed from class. (9) CHEATING ON EXAMINATIONS WILL RESULT IN
A GRADE OF ZERO ON THE EXAMINATION.
PREREQUISITE: BIOL. 1406 + College Reading Skills = passed the TASP Reading
Test.
CREDIT: 4 semester hours
EVALUATION OF THE STUDENT (GRADE COMPUTATION): Three lecture
examinations will be given, two lab practical exams will be given, and a comprehensive
final lecture exam will be given. THE HIGHEST GRADE POSSIBLE ON ANY
MAKE-UP EXAM OR EARLY EXAM = 80 REGARDLESS OF YOUR EXCUSE. IF
YOU TURN IN LAB REPORTS AT THE END OF THE COURSE I WILL COUNT
THAT AS ONE ADDITIONAL GRADE. I WILL AVERAGE 5 OR 6 GRADES FOR
EACH STUDENT DEPENDING ONWHETHER OR NOT YOU TURN IN THE
EXTRA CREDIT LAB REPORTS. ALL 5 OR 6 GRADES WILL COUNT EQUALLY
AND THIS AVERAGE WILL BE YOUR FINAL COURSE GRADE. A SECOND
MISSED EXAM IN EITHER LECTURE OR LAB WILL RECEIVE A GRADE OF
ZERO. SUBSEQUENT MISSED EXAMS WILL RECEIVE GRADES OF ZERO.
THERE WILL BE NO ADDITIONAL EXTRA CREDIT WORK ALLOWED. All
exams in both lecture and lab will be strictly objective in nature = true – false, multiple
choice, and matching. There will be no essays, short answer, or fill in the blank
questions. You will need to bring a Scantron answer sheet (Scantron Form 882) to each
exam. The Scantron answer sheets are sold in the library or at the front desk. You will
also need to bring 2 number 2 lead pencils and a good eraser to each exam. No head
phones, cell phones, etc. will be allowed in the lecture or lab room during exams.
GRADING SCALE FOR THE COURSE: “A” = 89.50 – l00. “B” = 79.50 -89.49+. “C”
= 69.50 -79.49+> “D” = 59.50 -69.49+. “F” = less than 59.49+. “I” = Incomplete. “W”
= withdrawn or withdrew. NOTE: I WILL NOT GIVE A GRADE OF “I” TO ANY
STUDENT WHO HAS MISSED MORE THAN ONE EXAM OR MORE THAN 5
CLASSES.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES: (LECTURE): Each student is expected to
demonstrate competency in the following areas at the completion of this course: (1) Use
of appropriate microbiological terminology. (2) Understand basic organic and inorganic
chemistry as it applies to living organi9sms. (3)Have an understanding of prokaryotes
and eukaryotes. (4) Have an understanding of the following topics: (a) viruses, (b)
microbial nutrition, ecology, and growth, (c) microbial metabolism, (d) microbial
genetics, (e) genetic engineering,, (f) physical and chemical control of microbes, (g)
chemotherapy (drugs – microbes – host), (h) microbe-human interactions, (i) the nature
of host defenses, (j) the acquisition of specific immunity and its applications, (k) immune
assays, (l) disorders in immunity, (m) introduction to medical bacteriology, and (n)
microbial impact on human disease.(LSABORATORY): (1) To have a working
knowledge of care and use of the light (compound) microscope. (2) To learn the
following laboratory techniques and principles: (a) simple bacterial staining and
morphology, (b) negative staining, (c) isolation of bacteria using the streak plate
technique, (d) gram staining, (e) acid-fast staining, (f) bacterial spores, (g) bacterial
capsules, (h) bacterial flagella and motility testing, (i) selective, differential, and enriched
media, (j) gas requirements for bacterial growth, (k) counting bacteria in milk using the
pour plate method, (l) effects of heat on microbial populations, (m) carbohydrate
fermentation by bacteria, (n) triple agar iron fermentation test, (o) the IMViC
biochemical tests, (p) rapid and miniaturized methods for identification of bacteria, (q)
bacteriophages, ® white blood cells and the immune system, and (s) antibiotic sensitivity
testing: Kirby-Bauer method. (3) To understand the scientific method and to be able to
apply it to the experiments that we perform in class. (4) To be able to perform, observe,
analyze, and write up the experiments that we perform in class.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: The Houston Community College System does not
discriminate on the basis of disability in the recruitment and admission of students or the
operation of any of its programs and activities. The designated office for compliance
with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and section 504 of the Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 is the HCCS Access and Equity Office. The college will make its campuses
and programs accessible to individuals with disabilities in accordance with the law.
Where it is impractical to modify a specific area to make it accessible, the college will
provide an accessible alternative. For instructional accommodations, the student should
contact the HCCS Disabilities Services staff through the Counseling Office at least 60
days prior to the first day of class. Academic accommodations will be provided only
after students have properly registered for services through designated disability services
staff. Any student who anticipates difficulty in gaining access to a classroom should
contact the center administrator at or before the time of registration.
IMPORTANT DATES (2014):
Aug. 26 – First day of class for this course.
Sep. 8 – Official Date of Record
Sep. 19 – Registration ends and last day for Drop/Add/Swap.
Oct. 3l – Last day to officially withdraw. (4:30 P.M.)
Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving Holiday – NO CLASSES.
Dec. 11 – Comprehensive Final Examination in the regular classroom at the beginning of
the regularly scheduled class time.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Students who repeat a course 3 or more times may soon face
significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities.
If you are considering course withdrawal because you are not earning passing grades,
confer with your instructor/counselor as early as possible about your study habits, reading
and writing homework, test-taking skills, attendance, course participation, and
opportunities for tutoring or other assistance that might be available.