Syllabus
Microbial Physiology 450/650
Fall 2009
MWF 8-9am
309 Halsey Science
Instructor:
Dr. Sabrina Mueller-Spitz
Office: Halsey 151
Email: muellesr@uwosh.edu
Phone: 920-424-1104
Office Hours:
Wednesday 2-3:45 pm
Thursday 12-1 pm
Other times available by appointment
Available anytime by email
Course Objectives: Gain a fundamental understanding of cellular composition,
membrane transport, energy generation, diversity of metabolic processes, growth and
cell death, and techniques used to elucidate physiological processes. Integrate primary
scientific literature of microbiology to further your understanding of microbial physiology.
Develop scientific writing skills and critical thinking about scientific research.
Assignments and Examinations:
1) Interview with the instructor during the first three weeks of the course to
ensure ability of asking questions over the course of the class and to determine
areas of microbial physiology that are of interest. (10 extra credit points)
2) Take 4 written examinations spaced evenly during the semester. Examinations
will be made up of a combination of subjective questions (e.g. essay, data
analysis) and direct content (e.g. definitions, multiple choice, matching).
3) Complete the laboratory section as describes on separate syllabus for the
laboratory. Including maintaining a detailed lab notebook, lab quizzes, complete
lab questions, and presenting of results from an independent project.
4) Class Participation is broken down into attendance, journal discussions and
additional questions given in either class or take home assignments.
Participation will be scored on level of preparedness and interaction about the
journal topic for each paper discussion.
5) Summarize 5 (450 students) or 10 (650 students) microbiology journal articles.
Each summary will be 1 page long, single spaced, 12 pt font, and 1 in margins.
Submitted summaries on D2L allowing for on-line assessment by the instructor.
These summaries must include 1) importance to microbial physiology research,
2) evaluate the research and the data presented, and 3) suggest future areas of
research stemming from the journal article. Only 1 summary can be submitted
each week and all MUST be turned in by Dec. 4, 2009. Choose articles that
interest you that include something about microorganisms and an aspect of their
structure, function, metabolism, or biochemistry. If unsure about an article,
please ask.
There are numerous microbiology journals available:
Journals by American Society of Microbiology are a great starting point.
http://journals.asm.org/, specifically Applied and Environmental Microbiology,
Journal of Bacteriology, Infection and Immunity, Journal of Clinical Microbiology
Journal Search Tools
Pub Med : http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/
ISI Web of Knowledge: Searches over 4200 journal
Link on D2L Library Page
6) Graduate student lead discussion. The journal article will be chosen by the
student to illustrate a topic of microbial physiology. Must meet with professor two
weeks before the class presentation/discussion of the article. The presentation
should be about the topic in general (for example: the gene studied, function of
this gene, what has been previously determined about how this gene aids the
bacteria in survival), which will be followed by discussion of the journal article.
Please prepare a list of 5 reading questions that can be used for discussion. The
paper and reading questions must be sent out 1 week before your chosen
discussion date. Design your questions in a way to engage the other class
members to critically analyze the data and evaluate the topic in general
Additional papers can be suggested as supplementary readings on the topic, if
needed to support the main topic of the paper. PLEASE COME EARLY TO TALK
ABOUT YOUR IDEAS for the discussion/lecture.
Readings: Class readings will be posted on D2L for download or a link to the article.
Readings will be discussed in on a weekly basis. Discussion of these papers will count
towards the class participation grade. Each graduate student will be responsible for
leading discussion once during the semester of the scientific journal articles.
Textbook: Prescott, Harley, and Klein’s Microbiology 7thEdition
ISBN 978-0-07-299291-5
Evaluation:
Assignments
Exam (4 @ 100 points each)
Journal Article Summaries
(30 pts each for 450 students)
Value (points)
400
150
(15 pts each for 650 students)
Class Participation
Journal Discussion
In-Class & Take Home Questions
Journal Discussion (650 students)
Laboratory
TOTAL for 450 Students
TOTAL for 650 Students
100
100
100
350
1100
1200
Determination of Course Grades:
% of Total Points
Grade
93-100
A
90-92.9
A87-89.9
B+
82-86.9
B
81.9-80
B77-79.9
C+
71-76.9
C
69-70.9
C67-68.9
D+
61-66.9
D
60.9-60
Dless than 60
F
Topic Outline:
Week
1
2
Sept. 18
3
Sept. 25
4
Oct. 2
5
6
Oct. 15
7
Oct. 23
8
Topic
Milestones in Microbial Physiology
Introduction to Microbial Physiology
Literature Searches
Composition and Structure
Growth and Cell Division
Literature Discussion
Growth and Cell Division (cont.)
Membrane Transport / Bioenergetics
Literature Discussion (Grad. Student)
Membrane Transport / Bioenergetics (cont.)
Exam 1
Catabolism
Sugar metabolism
TCA Cycle
Energy Generation
Literature Discussion (Grad. Student)
Fermentation
Biosynthesis Small Organic Compounds
Literature Discussion (Grad. Student)
Biosynthesis Macromolecules
Readings
Ch. 1:3-15
Ch. 3:39-73
Ch. 5:101-110
Ch. 6:119-142
Supplements
Supplements
Ch. 8 & 9
Supplements
Ch.10:225-242
Ch.11:247-276
Oct. 28
9
Nov. 6
10
Nov. 13
11
12
13
Nov. 23
Dec . 4
14
Dec. 11
15
Dec. 16
Dec. 18
Regulation
Exam 2
Stress Responses
Literature Discussion (Grad. Student)
Horizontal Gene Transfer
Literature Discussion (Grad. Student)
Nutrient Cycling C:N:S
Exam 3
Challenges of Extreme Environments
Biofilms/Quorum Sensing
Literature Discussion (Grad. Student)
Microbial Transformation of Organics
Microbes and Metals
Literature Discussion (Grad. Student)
Current Topics
Exam 4
Current Topics & Careers in Microbiology
Ch.12:291-312
Supplements
Supplements
Ch.27:641-653
Supplements
Supplements
Supplements
Supplements