Course Syllabus
Microbiology
BIOL 2420
Semester with Course
Reference Number
(CRN)
Instructor contact
information (phone
number and email
address)
Office Location and
Hours
Course
Location/Times
Course Semester
Credit Hours (SCH)
(lecture, lab) If
applicable
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
3
Laboratory Hours: 3
External Hours:
Total Course Contact
Hours
96.00
Course Length
(number of weeks)
Type of Instruction
Course Description:
Study of the morphology, physiology, and taxonomy of representative groups of
pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms. Pure cultures of microorganisms
grown on selected media are used in learning laboratory techniques. Includes a
brief overview of food microbes, public health, and immunology. Core Curriculum
course
Course
Prerequisite(s)
PREREQUISITE(S):


BIOL 1406
College-level reading (or take GUST 0342) and

Academic
Discipline/CTE
Program Learning
Outcomes
College-level writing (or take ENGL 0310/0349)
PSLO#1 - Will display an understanding of biological systems and evolutionary
processes spanning all ranges of biological complexity, including atoms, molecules,
genes, cells, and organisms.
PSLO#2 - Will integrate factual and conceptual information into an understanding of
scientific data by written, oral and/or visual communication. (This may include
successful completion of a course-specific research project or a case study
module).
PSLO#3 - Will demonstrate proficiency and safe practices in the use of laboratory
equipment and basic laboratory techniques.
PSLO#4 - Will apply principles of the scientific method to problems in biology in the
collection, recording, quantitative measurement, analysis and reporting of scientific
data.
Course Student
Learning Outcomes
(SLO):
Bio 2320 - LECTURE
1. Provide examples of the impact of microorganisms on agriculture, environment,
ecosystem, energy, and human health, including biofilms.
2. Identify unique structures, capabilities, and genetic information flow of
microorganisms.
3. Compare the life cycles and structures of different types of viruses.
4. Discuss how microscopy has revealed the structure and function of
microorganisms.
5. Give examples of the range of metabolic diversity exhibited by microorganisms,
impact of metabolic characteristics on growth, and control of growth.
6. Describe the causes and consequences of mutations on microbial evolution and
the generation of diversity as well as human impacts on adaptation.
7. Classify interactions of microorganisms on human and non-human hosts as
neutral, detrimental, or beneficial.
Bio 2120 - LABORATORY
1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize scientific tools such
as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.
2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in
the laboratory.
3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations.
4. Identify unique structures and capabilities of microorganisms.
5. Compare the life cycles of different types of viruses.
6. Discuss how microscopy has revealed the structure and function of
microorganisms.
7. Give examples of the range of metabolic diversity exhibited by microorganisms,
impact of metabolic characteristics on growth, and control of growth.
8. Classify interactions of microorganisms on human and non-human hosts as
neutral, detrimental, or beneficial.
Learning Objectives
(Numbering system
should be linked to
SLO - e.g., 1.1, 1.2,
1.3, etc.)
Bio 2320 - LECTURE
1. Provide examples of the impact of microorganisms on agriculture, environment,
ecosystem, energy, and human health, including biofilms.
2. Identify unique structures, capabilities, and genetic information flow of
microorganisms.
3. Compare the life cycles and structures of different types of viruses.
4. Discuss how microscopy has revealed the structure and function of
microorganisms.
5. Give examples of the range of metabolic diversity exhibited by microorganisms,
impact of metabolic characteristics on growth, and control of growth.
6. Describe the causes and consequences of mutations on microbial evolution and
the generation of diversity as well as human impacts on adaptation.
7. Classify interactions of microorganisms on human and non-human hosts as
neutral, detrimental, or beneficial.
Bio 2120 - LABORATORY
1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize scientific tools such
as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data.
2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in
the laboratory.
3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations.
4. Identify unique structures and capabilities of microorganisms.
5. Compare the life cycles of different types of viruses.
6. Discuss how microscopy has revealed the structure and function of
microorganisms.
7. Give examples of the range of metabolic diversity exhibited by microorganisms,
impact of metabolic characteristics on growth, and control of growth.
8. Classify interactions of microorganisms on human and non-human hosts as
neutral, detrimental, or beneficial.
SCANS and/or Core
Curriculum
Competencies: If
applicable
Core Curriculum Competencies:
Lecture exams, laboratory practical exams, and class activities will enhance the
learning process by giving the student the opportunity to demonstrate the basic
intellectual competencies of reading, writing, speaking, listening, and showing
critical thinking and problem solving ability.
Instructional Methods
Student Assignments
Bio 2320 - LECTURE
1. Provide examples of the impact of microorganisms on agriculture,
environment, ecosystem, energy, and human health, including biofilms.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
2. Identify unique structures, capabilities, and genetic information flow of
microorganisms.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
3. Compare the life cycles and structures of different types of viruses.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
4. Discuss how microscopy has revealed the structure and function of
microorganisms.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
5. Give examples of the range of metabolic diversity exhibited by
microorganisms, impact of metabolic characteristics on growth, and control
of growth.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
6. Describe the causes and consequences of mutations on microbial
evolution and the generation of diversity as well as human impacts on
adaptation.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
7. Classify interactions of microorganisms on human and non-human hosts
as neutral, detrimental, or beneficial. (Includes immunity)
No assignments selected for this outcome.
Bio 2120 - LABORATORY
1. Apply scientific reasoning to investigate questions and utilize scientific
tools such as microscopes and laboratory equipment to collect and analyze
data.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
2. Use critical thinking and scientific problem-solving to make informed
decisions in the laboratory.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
3. Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
4. Identify unique structures and capabilities of microorganisms.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
5. Compare the life cycles of different types of viruses.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
6. Discuss how microscopy has revealed the structure and function of
microorganisms.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
7. Give examples of the range of metabolic diversity exhibited by
microorganisms, impact of metabolic characteristics on growth, and control
of growth.
No assignments selected for this outcome.
8. Classify interactions of microorganisms on human and non-human hosts
as neutral, detrimental, or beneficial. (Includes immunity)
No assignments selected for this outcome.
Student
Assessment(s)
Instructor's
Requirements
Program/Discipline
Requirements: If
applicable
HCC Grading Scale:
A = 100- 90
B = 89 - 80:
C = 79 - 70:
4 points per semester hour
3 points per semester hour
2 points per semester hour
D = 69 - 60:
59 and below = F
FX (Failure due to non-attendance)
IP (In Progress)
W (Withdrawn)
I (Incomplete)
AUD (Audit)
1 point per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
0 points per semester hour
IP (In Progress) is given only in certain developmental courses. The student must reenroll to receive credit. COM (Completed) is given in non-credit and continuing
education courses.
FINAL GRADE OF FX: Students who stop attending class and do not withdraw
themselves prior to the withdrawal deadline may either be dropped by their professor
for excessive absences or be assigned the final grade of "FX" at the end of the
semester. Students who stop attending classes will receive a grade of "FX",
compared to an earned grade of "F" which is due to poor performance. Logging into a
DE course without active participation is seen as non-attending. Please note that
HCC will not disperse financial aid funding for students who have never attended
class.
Students who receive financial aid but fail to attend class will be reported to the
Department of Education and may have to pay back their aid. A grade of "FX" is
treated exactly the same as a grade of "F" in terms of GPA, probation, suspension,
and satisfactory academic progress.
To compute grade point average (GPA), divide the total grade points by the total
number of semester hours attempted. The grades "IP," "COM" and "I" do not affect
GPA.
Health Sciences Programs Grading Scales may differ from the approved HCC
Grading Scale. For Health Sciences Programs Grading Scales, see the "Program
Discipline Requirements" section of the Program's syllabi.
Instructor Grading
Criteria
Instructional
Materials
Textbook – either:
Foundations in Microbiology ( 8th Edition ) 2011 , by Kathleen Park Talaro and
Barry Chess
or
Microbiology with Disease by Taxonomy, Fourth edition 2014, by Robert W.
Bauman
Laboratory manual – variable from college to college
HCC Policy Statement:
Access Student
Services Policies on
their Web site:
http://hccs.edu/student-rights
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 research-based
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. Look for the survey as part of the Houston Community College Student
System online near the end of the term.
Distance Education and/or Continuing Education Policies
Access DE Policies
on their Web site:
http://de.hccs.edu/Distance_Ed/DE_Home/faculty_resources/PDFs/DE_Syllabus.pdf
Access CE Policies
on their Web site:
http://hccs.edu/CE-student-guidelines