Course Syllabus
Microbiology
BIOL 2420
Semester with Course Fall 2015
70443
Reference Number
(CRN)
Instructor contact
information (phone
number and email
address)
Dalton R. McWhinney, Ph.D.
713-718-2540 (P)
713-718-6211 (F)
dalton.mcwhinney@hccs.ed
Office Location and
Hours
Learning Hub Science Building (LHSB), RM 401
Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 1:00-2:30 PM
Course
Location/Times
Learning Hub Science Center RM 307
Tuesday/Thursday 5:30 AM – 8:30 PM
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)
16
Type of Instruction
Lecture and laboratory
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 2420 - 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 2420 - 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 2420 - 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 2420 - 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
In class lectures supplement with the use of power point and video; in class group
discussion
Date
Chapter
Topics
8/25
1
History of Microbiology
9/08
2
Chemistry of
Microbiology(optional)
9/08
3
Cell Structure & Function
9/08
4
Microscopy, Staining and
Classification
9/15
5
Microbial Metabolism
9/15
6
Microbial Nutrition and
Growth
9/22
Exam 1 [Ch. 1-6]
9/29
7
Microbial Genetics
9/29
8
Recombinant DNA
Technology
10/06
9
Controlling Microbial
Growth in the Environment
10/06
10
Controlling Microbial growth
in the body
Antimicrobial Drugs
10/13
Exam 2 [Ch. 7-10]
10/13
LAB EXAM I
10/20
11
Characterizing and
Classifying Prokaryotes
10/27
12
Characterizing and
Classifying Eukaryotes
10/27
13
Characterizing and
Classifying Viruses, Viroids
and Prions
11/03
Exam 3 [Ch. 11-13]
11/03
14
Infections, Infectious Disease
and Epidemiology
11/10
15/16
Innate Immunity/Adaptive
Immunity
11/17
17
Immunization and Immune
Testing
11/24
Exam 4 – Course Final
[Ch. 14-17]
12/01
LAB EXAM II
12/08
Departmental FINAL EXAM,
Comprehensive
Student Assignments
Bio 2420 - 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. (Includes immunity)
Bio 2420 - 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. (Includes immunity)
Student
Assessment(s)
Exams: There will be a total of four lecture exams (including course final)
and one departmental final exam given to you. Each exam will contain a
number (50-70) of multiple-choice, true-false, matching and fill in the blank
questions and essays. Multiple Choice questions have to be answered on the
scantron. Each exam has an equal value (100 pts each). The final exam is not
cumulative but is mandatory. The departmental final Exam is cumulative.
Out of the four lecture exams you have a choice to drop one. Your lowest
grade automatically becomes your drop grade. You will not drop your final
exams. If you miss an exam, that becomes your drop grade. If you miss two
exams, you get a zero in one exam.
Quizzes: You will be given an on line quiz week before each lecture exam. Each
quiz will consist of 25 questions taken from the chapters that are included in that
exam (for example; quiz 1 will include chapters 1, 3, 4). The quizzes will be
open book and will be worth 25 points each. The quizzes will be made available
to you only for a limited duration of time and you will be allowed to take the
quiz once only, hence attempt the quizzes only after going through the chapters.
If you arrive late for an exam, you will have only the time remaining from
the official start of the exam. THERE WILL BE NO MAKEUP EXAMS
unless you can prove you had to go to court or were seen by a doctor on the
day of the exam.
On a test day, once someone has finished the exam, no other student may
enter and start that exam. So, if you are late for class on a test day, you may
be prohibited from taking the test.
Laboratory exam: Two laboratory tests will be given, each worth 100 points.
You CAN NOT drop the lab exam; therefore if you miss it, you will be given a
zero for the exam. Everything that is covered during the lab sessions will be
included in the lab exams. There is absolutely no make up for the lab
exam.
Lab exam review: There will be a review session a week before each lab
exam. The lab study pages for review are also available at the following site.
http://imc02.hccs.edu/BiologyLabs/index.html
Assignments: You will also use an additional online site called Mastering
Biology which is provided by the publisher of your text. On this website you
will work on assignments. You need two different codes to use Mastering:
If you bought a new textbook through the HCC bookstore, you already have
the code you need to get into the Mastering Biology site: it is packaged with
your textbook. If you have not yet bought a text and wish to buy an e-text, it
will also include the code for Mastering. E-book can be purchased from:
http://www.masteringbiology.com
If you have purchased a used book, the access code is not included in it.
Access code can be purchased from:
www.masteringbiology.com
The other information you will need is my Mastering course
number;central90174
You are required to complete ALL assignments. They are worth 100 points.
Instructor's
Requirements
CELL PHONES, PAGERS AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES: All
electronic devices including cell phones, pagers, BlackBerrys or iPods
should be switched OFF (NOT on vibrate) and put away during class time
and during all exams. Answering cell phones and texting are not
permitted during class time. Texting during class indicates that you are
not actively involved in the learning process, and will earn you an
absence for that class. Please remove ear buds during class. If you
anticipate a potential emergency situation, please talk to me before class
starts so that we can make the necessary arrangements for that particular day.
Use of recording devices, including camera phones and tape recorders, is
prohibited in classrooms, laboratories, faculty offices, and other locations
where instruction, tutoring, or testing occurs. Students with disabilities who
need to use a recording device as a reasonable accommodation should
contact the Office for Students with Disabilities for information regarding
reasonable accommodations
Reminder: Under no circumstances should any electronic devices be out
or used during the exams. Anyone found using these devices will have
their exam taken up, and will receive a score of “0” for the test.
 TARDIES AND LEAVING EARLY: Talking and
moving during class time is a distraction to your
classmates and to your instructor. So please plan to
attend class on time and to leave only at the end of
the period. Understandably, emergencies can happen
that result in your tardiness or early departure. Please
speak to me in this regard so that you can be excused
for your late arrival or early departure on a particular
day. However, please do not make a habit of being
tardy or leaving early since this will be reflected as an
unexcused absence from class.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: Students are expected to
do their own work diligently and honestly. Anything
that is suspected to be cheating will result in a grade of
zero.
Biology Department Rules and Regulations
All students are to read, understand and follow the following rules and
regulations.
-Textbook and lab manual are required
-Full class attendance is required. Students with more than four (4)
unexcused absences may result in an administrative withdrawal. Students
are responsible for everything covered during their absence.
-To avoid disruption in the classroom, all pagers must be set on the silent
mode. Cellular phones must also be turned off during the class period.
-No children are allowed in the classroom
-Eating, drinking or smoking is NOT allowed in the laboratory
-You must read the laboratory safety rules before doing any of the lab
exercises
-The laboratory safety release form must be signed during the first lab
session.
-Grades will not be posted at any time during the semester. You may receive
your final grade at the end of the semester from the Biology Dept. (LHSB
402). Proper identification is required to receive the final grade. The
transcripts will be mailed to you by the HCC System office after the
information has been entered in the computer.
-Cheating is not permitted. If it occurs, the student may receive a zero for
the exam or a grade of F in the course.
-Students who require reasonable accommodations for disabilities are
encouraged to report to room LHSB108 or call 713-718-6164 to make
necessary arrangements. Faculty is only authorized to provide
accommodations requested by the Disability Support Services Office.
COMMUNICATION: Announcements will appear on the homepage of the
EO, EO e-mail and/or announced during the lab sessions. Please check EO
email and the homepage frequently (at least twice per week). If you miss a
lab session, check with someone in class for the missed work. If you have
any question, e-mail me at dalton.mcwhinney@hccs.edu.
Program/Discipline
Requirements: If
applicable
HCC Grading Scale:
A = 100- 90
B = 89 - 80:
C = 79 - 70:
D = 69 - 60:
59 and below = F
FX (Failure due to non-attendance)
IP (In Progress)
W (Withdrawn)
I (Incomplete)
AUD (Audit)
4 points per semester hour
3 points per semester hour
2 points per semester hour
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
GRADE COMPUTATION OF EXAMS AND ASSIGNMENT:
4 Lecture Exams
2 Lab Exams
Mastering Assg
Quiz /PPT
Dept. Final
100 pts each
100 pts each
100 pts
100 pts
100 pts
(10%)
Late assignments may not be accepted. If late assignments are accepted,
they will be accepted at the instructor’s discretion, a penalty of 5 points per
day will incur.
There will be no make up for exams with exception of presented doctor’s
excuse.
Grading
90-100
80-89
70-79
60-69
59 & <
A
B
C
D
F
4 Exams including Final Exam = 100 pts each for a total of 400 points.
There will be 2 laboratory Exams valued at 100 points each. These 600
points represents 70% (seventy-five percent) of your final grade. Mastering
assignments, other activities and pop quizzes represent 20% of your grade.
This number is yet underdetermine and is based upon the final # of pop
quizzes. One departmental exam is worth 10% of the grade.
Instructional
Materials
Textbook –
Microbiology with Disease by Taxonomy, Fourth edition 2014, by Robert W.
Bauman
Laboratory manual – Microbiology Houston Community College System 5.5 edition
Donna S. Wiersema, M.S. and Pramila Sen, Ph.D.
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