COURSE SYLLABUS
NORTHEAST COLLEGE
HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
BIOL. 2420 – MICROBIOLOGY
FALL SESSION - 2011
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, Northeast Campus, 555
Community College Drive, Houston, TX 77013. Telephone: (713) 718-8300 or possibly
Pinemont Campus, 1265 Pinemont, Houston, TX 77018
LECTURE AND LABORATORY FOR CRN # 51038: Lectures on Mondays at either
the Northeast Campus or the Pinemont Campus from 2:00 P.M. – 5:00 P.M. Laboratory
on Wednesdays at either the Northeast Campus or the Pinemont Campus from 2:00 P.M.
– 5:00 P.M. for half of the class and on Wednesdays at either the Northeast Campus or
the Pinemont Campus from 8:00 A.M. – 11:00 A.M. for the other half of the class..
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. THERE WILL BE NO MAKE UP EXAMS UNDER
ANY CONDITIONS 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
demonstrsate 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 (2011): Aug. 29 (Mon.) – Classes begin for this course, and
Drop/Add/Swap Fee is in effect ($ 15.00). Aug. 30 (Tue.) – Registration ends, and Last
day to Drop/Add/Swap Classes. Sept. 5 (Mon.) – NO CLASSES (All buildings at
H.C.C.S. are closed because of the Labor Day Holiday). Sept. 9 (Fri.) – Official Date of
Record = Last day to drop a course with no record on your transcript. Oct. 14 (Fri.) –
Deadline for Spring Semester, 2012 Financial Aid Award, and Priority Deadline for
Completion of degrees or certificates. Nov. 17 (Thu.) – Last Day for
Administrative/Student Withdrawals – 4:30 P.M. Nov. 23 (Wed.) – No night classes
before Thanksgiving – DOES NOT AFFECT THIS COURSE. I WILL HOLD CLASS
ON THIS DATE! Dec. 1 (Thu.) – Veteran’s Advanced-Pay Application Deadline for
Spring Semester, 2012 Session. Dec. 7 (Wed.) – Last day of regular classes for this
course. Dec. 12 (Mon.) – NO CLASS BECAUSE OF FINAL EXAMINATION
SCHEDULE. Dec. 14 (Wed.) – Comprehensive Final Lecture Examination in the regular
classroom at the beginning of the regularly scheduled class time. Dec. 23 (Fri.) – Grades
Available to Students.
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.