BIO 2010: Microbiology
Section 146167
The College of Southern Maryland
Spring 2018 Syllabus
Course Information
Instructor: Professor Margaret A. Bolton
Office: ST 204, La Plata Campus, 8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata, MD 20646-0910
Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays 8:30-10:00 am; Mondays 1:30-3:30 pm
Phone: (301) 934-7589
Fax: (301) 934-7688
Email: MargaretB@csmd.edu
General Education Statement:
General education represents a common body of skills and knowledge to which all graduates
with associate’s degrees should be exposed and for which the college may determine certain
levels of competency which will be assessed through the general education curriculum.
The following area will be emphasized and assessed in BIO 2010:
Evaluate a scientific problem supporting a hypothesis.
Course Description: BIO 2010 is a basic introduction to the field of microbiology. Students
study major groups of microorganisms, their structure, metabolism, epidemiology, and control of
microbial growth. Immunology is strongly emphasized.
Required Textbooks: Microbiology: A Human Perspective, 8th Edition, by Nester et al.
Credit Hours: 3
Prerequisites: Take 1 group; BIO 1040 BIO 1040L ; BIO 1060 BIO 1060L ; BIO 2070 BIO
2070L. Take any MTH course MTH 1000 and above
Internet Access and Software: Internet access is required. Microsoft Word will be used to
complete the assignments.
Minimum Computer Requirements: For web-based courses, you need convenient access to
either a Windows-based computer or a Macintosh. It should have a 28.8 modem or higher, an
Internet Service Provider, and a version of a web browser which has JavaScript and is JAVAenabled.
You may also use one of the Internet-connected computers in the college's open computer labs to
complete course requirements. Instructors and laboratory assistants are available in the labs to
help answer questions about web-based courses.
Plug-ins will be required to view some of the course materials. You must install the following
free downloads to ensure you will be able to view all materials: Adobe Reader, Flash, Real
MediaPlayer, Java, and Windows Media Player. Links to these plug-ins have been provided for
you in the Getting Started Module.
Important Dates:
January 29: First Day of Classes
March 26 - April 1: Spring Break; No Classes
April 4: Last Day to Withdraw Without a Grade or Change to Audit
May 20: Last Day of Classes
Student Responsibilities and Expectations: We provide a comfortable learning environment,
current computer equipment, lab assistants on site to give you immediate technical support, and
resolution of technical problems on campus usually within 24 hours.
Please be aware that we are not able to provide these same services at your home. If you
experience problems at home, please contact the ITS Help Desk at help@csmd.edu or (310) 9347740. Their hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 8 am to 10 pm, Friday from
8 am to 5 pm, and Saturday from 8 am to 1 pm (EST). Voice messaging is available and
someone may return your call at times other than those listed above.
Be aware that if you are unable to complete your assignments at home, you are expected to come
to one of the College’s designated computer facilities to complete your assignments on time.
Computer difficulties at home will not qualify as an excuse for missing deadlines. Late
assignments will not be accepted. You should always have a back-up plan!
Additional expectations and responsibilities include the following:
1. Students are responsible for scheduling and taking exams 2 and 5 at the Testing Center
by the due date.
2. Proper spelling and grammar are expected. All assignments, discussion posts, quizzes,
and exams are required to have correct spelling and proper use of grammar or points will
be deducted.
3. All assignments are to be completed on an individual basis unless I specify otherwise. If
you copy the work of another student or work together to complete an assignment, it will
be considered plagiarism and you will both receive a grade of zero on that assignment.
4. Plagiarism will not be tolerated. A student will be given a grade of zero on an
assignment in which any part of it was plagiarized. Other penalties are discussed in the
“Academic Misconduct” section.
5. Use a formal “speaking” style, utilizing correct English, when conversing with your
instructor and classmates on the phone and online. Popular abbreviations used online and
during texting are not appropriate for this course.
6. Students are expected to exhibit online courtesy. Netiquette is online jargon for Internet
etiquette and is a series of customs or guidelines for maintaining civilized and effective
communications in online discussions and email exchanges. Students in this course will
be expected to demonstrate netiquette when interacting with classmates and
instructors. Specific netiquette techniques will be introduced in the Getting Started
learning module.
7. Students that are disrespectful or uncivil to one another or to the instructor will be warned
twice for this behavior and removed from the roster on the third offense.
8. A Help forum has been established in the discussion area. Students who have a question
about information or concepts presented in a particular chapter should post a message to
the Help area. Classmates are expected to look at these postings and reply to them if they
think they can answer the question or provide some help. The instructor will respond to
questions posted to the Help forum within 48 hours if the question is not answered
correctly by a classmate.
9. Students should understand that the retention and comprehension level of the material
covered in this course depends on the degree of their commitment to learning.
10. Students should recognize that the syllabus, text, and online course materials are the
primary source of instruction in a web-based course, so they should read them carefully
and refer to them regularly.
11. Students must recognize the importance of communicating with the instructor and/or
their classmates. Successful students email their instructor to discuss questions or
concerns; they participate in online discussions.
12. Set aside at least 8 hours per learning module to complete the requirements of the
course. You need to be self-motivated to keep up with the material in this course.
13. Check course email a minimum of four times a week. After the start date of the course,
all emails sent to me or your classmates must be sent using the course email account, not
the college email accounts.
14. Students are expected to have the ability to 1) send emails with attachments, 2)
submit assignments online as attachments, 3) use Microsoft Word to complete
assignments, and 4) save files as .doc and .docx.
Instructor Responsibilities and Expectations: I will read all discussion board postings and,
occasionally, I may interject comments during the week in order to help steer the discussion. I
will forward individual comments using the course email when it is clear that a significant
misunderstanding of the concept has occurred or where a student needs additional assistance to
be successful in subsequent lessons.
I will typically respond to emails within 48 hours (24 hours during the summer). If I will not be
able to respond to your emails for a certain period, I will let you know through a course
announcement. This same response policy applies to questions you post in the HELP discussion
forum. I prefer that questions be posted in this area because someone else may have the same
question. Please feel free to respond to each other's questions and answers. I will also respond,
but perhaps not as quickly as your classmates.
Please be aware that email is the best way to communicate with me.
I will facilitate the learning process, encourage students, and provide constructive feedback on
assignments. I will post grades for assignments one week after their due date. I will evaluate
assignments fairly. The grading scale is included in the “Student Evaluation” section of this
syllabus.
Course Objectives and Design
Course Objectives: The successful student, upon completion of the course, will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
explain the diversity in structure between bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses
discuss the importance of bacteria, fungi, protozoa, and viruses in the disease process
describe the beneficial aspects of microorganisms
use the principles of microbial genetics which help to explain the spread of antibiotic
resistance among bacteria and comprehend the medical significance associated with the
spread of antibiotic resistance
5. describe the symptoms of major microbial diseases of humans and the importance of
nosocomial infections to the allied health worker
6. summarize the basic principles of immunology and how they relate to human defense
against disease
7. describe the control of microbial growth by chemical, physical, and chemotherapeutic
means
Course Design: The course is arranged into learning modules. There are 14 learning modules
for this course which correspond to designated chapters/topics in the textbook. There are also
introductory learning modules called Getting Started and Plagiarism Tutorial. The Getting
Started, Plagiarism Tutorial, and learning modules will be completed sequentially.
Online learning modules include:
A. an overview to the module. Review the overview for a summary of the key concepts
presented in each learning module.
B. a list of module-specific learning objectives. Review the learning objectives for each
learning module. The learning objectives state what the student will know or be able to
do upon completion of the learning module in observable, measurable terms.
C. an outline that includes main topics the student should focus on so that the learning
objectives will be achieved.
D. a reading assignment from the text. Students must read these assigned pages.
E. a PowerPoint lecture that summarizes the main concepts of each learning module in a
visual manner.
F. a discussion or assignment that emphasizes key concepts (in designated learning
modules). During discussions, the student must support their information with an
appropriate URL (one source minimum) to document their answer. Class discussions
provide a sound board of sorts to reaffirm or clarify course material. Students are
expected to respond to a minimum of one other student for each specified learning
module. The discussion questions are worth a total of 15 points each. Assignments
reinforce chapter and lecture key points. The assignments are worth 10 points each.
G. a quiz to assess student knowledge of the course content. A quiz consisting of true/false,
multiple choice, matching, short answer, and/or paragraph questions is assigned for each
learning module. Each quiz is worth 10 points.
H. a reflection that summarizes the expected learning module outcomes.
Five exams will be administered online during the semester. Please note that exams 2 and 5
must be taken in the Testing Center. See the “Student Evaluation” section of the syllabus for
more information.
Course Policies
Student Evaluation: Student evaluation will consist of assignments, discussion questions,
quizzes, and exams.
Assignments:
Assignments are displayed in designated learning modules. Assignments reinforce chapter and
lecture key points. These assignments will be completed using Microsoft Word and submitted
online as .doc attachments.
Assignment Rubric:
The assignments are worth 10 points each.
The total number of points for each assignment will be divided by the total number of answers to
get a point value for each answer. For example, a 10 point assignment that has 10 questions
would have a point value of 1 point for each answer. A 10 point chart that has 22 squares to
complete would have a point value of 0.45 points for each square answered.
The following rubric will be used to evaluate the assignments:
Credit Earned Per
Answer
Full Credit
Half Credit
No Credit
Grading Rubric for Online Assignments
How to Earn the Credit
Answers are correct, concise, and complete.
Answers are correct but not complete.
Answers are incorrect or assignment was not completed on time.
Discussion Questions:
Discussion questions are assigned in designated learning modules. In the initial answer to the
question, students must support their information with an appropriate URL (one source
minimum) to document their answer. Class discussions provide a forum to reaffirm or clarify
course material. Students are expected to respond to a minimum of one other student for each
specified learning module.
Discussion Rubric:
The discussion questions are worth a total of 15 points each. Original and response postings to
discussion questions will be graded according to the following rubric.
The following rubric will be used to evaluate the Discussion Questions:
Grading Rubric for Online Discussions (Possible Points 15)
Score/Original Post
Content Included
Style
8
The post shows extensive use of The post is clearly written and
the readings and course materials. contains no grammar or spelling
Sound analysis of the materials is errors that would serve to
employed.
undermine the clarity of the
post.
6
The post shows use of the readings The post is clearly written and
and course materials. Sound
contains few grammar or
analysis of the materials is
spelling errors that would serve
employed.
to undermine the clarity of the
post.
4
The post illustrates that its author The post has some clarity flaws
has read the readings. Some
but it is still possible to
analysis of the materials is
comprehend what the author
employed.
intends.
2
The post is brief but factually
The post has many clarity flaws
correct and relevant statements are and it is almost impossible to
made.
comprehend what the author
intends.
0
The post is very brief and not
The post has many style flaws;
necessarily accurate; no original no original post was made; or
post was made; or the content was the post was copied from the
copied from the Internet without Internet with no attempt to
quotes, presenting it as one's own summarize in one's own words.
words (plagiarism).
Score/URL
Content Included
Style
3
The URL was directly related to The post included a detailed
the topic.
statement explaining its
1
0
Score/Responses
4
3
2
1
0
relevance.
The URL was indirectly related to The post included a brief
the topic.
statement explaining its
relevance.
The URL was not related to the
The post included no statement
topic; or, no URL was posted.
explaining its relevance.
Content Included
Style
One response to a posting made by The response is clearly written
a classmate is well-written and
and contains no grammar or
elaborates on the comments. The spelling errors that would serve
comments further the discussion by to undermine the clarity of the
asking questions or by illustrating response.
another point of view.
One response to a posting made by The post is clearly written and
a classmate is well-written but does contains one to three grammar or
not elaborate on the comments nor spelling errors.
necessarily further the discussion
by asking questions or by
illustrating another point of view.
The response is brief but does not The post is clearly written and
further the discussion.
contains more than three
grammar or spelling errors.
The response is not related to the The post was poorly written; not
discussion. Responses may
relevant; or, copied directly from
include: ‘Good job’, ‘I agree’, or ‘I the Internet without quotes
liked your post’, etc
(plagiarism). No attempt was
made to respond in one's own
words.
No responses were posted.
Quizzes: Quizzes will be administered online, and access to them will close at 11:30 pm EST on
the date quizzes are due (see calendar and course schedule for due dates). Quizzes are closedbook and must be completed individually. A getting started quiz, a plagiarism quiz, and fourteen
learning module quizzes will be administered throughout the semester. You will be quizzed on
material from the assigned readings, PowerPoint lectures, and assignments.
Quizzes consist of true/false, multiple choice, and matching questions and each is worth 10
points. If you fail to take a quiz during the allotted time, you will receive a grade of 0 for the
quiz. There will be no make-up quizzes administered, so plan accordingly.
Exams: Students will take five exams. Exam 2 (covering modules 4-5) and Exam 5
(cumulative final exam) must be completed in the Testing Center by the due date during
their normal operating hours. Please see https://www.csmd.edu/student-services/testingservices/ for the three campus locations and hours of operation. Students will have one
week preceding the due date to take the exam. Students unable to travel to a CSM Testing
Center must secure their own proctor and have this proctor verified by CSM's Testing
Center staff prior to administration of the exam.
Just as with quizzes, exams are closed-book and must be completed individually. The exams are
composed of multiple-choice, matching, true/false, and ordering questions. If a student has a
concern about an exam question, they should contact the instructor immediately after the exam
and state the question number and their concern. Exams 1-4 are worth 50 points each; the
cumulative Exam 5 is worth 100 points.
Make-Up Quiz and Exam Policy:
Quizzes and exams cannot be made up; however, they can be completed early. DO NOT WAIT
UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO TAKE A QUIZ OR EXAM.
Grading:
The grading scale is based on a point system. You have the ability to earn a possible 565 points.
5 Exams (50 points exams 1-4; 100 points cumulative final exam)
300 points
Student Introduction
10 points
5 Assignments (10 points each)
50 points
3 Discussion Questions – Initial and Response Posts (15 points each)
45 points
16 Quizzes (10 points each)
160 points
Total
565 points
Average = Total points earned/total points possible
Total Points Earned
565-508.5
508.4-452
451-395.5
395.4-339
338 and below
Percentage
90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
Below 60%
Average = Total points earned/total points possible
Letter Grade
A
B
C
D
F
Borderline Grading Policy: Grades will not be curved.
Attendance and FX Grade Policy: Because this is a web-based course, students are not
required to come to the campus. However, students should check course email at least four times
a week. I am available to meet with students by appointment to discuss course content, to
explain concepts, or to discuss progress in the course.
An FX grade designates a failure due to never having participated or ceasing to participate
at or before the midpoint of a course. Participation is measured by completing coursework in
the learning modules (discussion questions, assignments, and quizzes). The FX will appear on
the transcript and equates to an F in grade point calculations.
Academic Misconduct: No form of dishonesty, including cheating and plagiarism, will be
tolerated. A grade of zero (0) will be given for any quiz, discussion, assignment, etc. on which
the student cheated or used plagiarized material. Plagiarism and other forms of academic
dishonesty are considered extremely serious offenses. The student is personally responsible for
understanding the various forms of academic dishonesty as they are explained in the "Student
Code of Conduct" in the Student Policy Guide. Ignorance of any requirement for academic
honesty will not constitute an excuse from disciplinary proceedings. Any form of cheating will
be considered grounds for failure of the course. If you have any questions about the policy,
please ask!
Audit Information: In lecture, a student may change their course designation to audit prior to
April 4. To audit, you must fill out the appropriate paperwork at the Biology office. Students
auditing the class must continue to complete all assignments and discussion posts and take all
scheduled quizzes as outlined for students taking this course for credit. Failure to fulfill these
requirements will result in a grade of WD.
Disabled Student Policy: Academic Support Services provides a comprehensive system of
student and faculty support services. Peer tutoring, skills improvement, testing, and disabled
student services are some available services. Students with a physical, psychiatric/emotional,
medical, or learning disability that may impact their ability to carry out assigned course work are
urged to contact Disability Support Services in the Student Success Center at 301-934-7614.
Unauthorized Persons in the Classroom: Only students registered for this class may attend
(i.e., access the course, participate in course activities). Any person not registered for this class is
considered an "unauthorized person" and will not be allowed to attend this class. See the
Student Policy Guide for further details.
Course Schedule and Outline of Topics
Course Schedule: I reserve the right to make any necessary modifications to the syllabus during
the course of the semester.
Module
Due Date* Assignments and
Assessments
Possible
Points
Points
Earned
2/2/18
Getting Started Quiz
10
___
2/2/18
Practice Assignment
10
___
Getting Started
Plagiarism
2/2/18
2/2/18
2/9/18
Student Introductions
Plagiarism Quiz
Assignment
10
10
10
___
___
___
Module 1
Module 2
2/9/18 Quiz 1
2/16/18 Quiz 2
2/23/18 Assignment
10
10
10
___
___
___
2/23/18 Quiz 3
10
___
Module 3
Module 4
3/2/18
3/2/18
3/9/18
Exam 1 (Mod 1-3)
Quiz 4
Quiz 5
50
10
10
___
___
___
Module 5
3/16/18 Exam 2 (Mod 4-5; must be
taken in Testing Center by
close of business)
3/16/18 DQ - Initial Post
50
___
11
___
3/16/18 DQ - Response Post
4
___
Module 6
Module 7
3/16/18 Quiz 6
3/23/18 Quiz 7
4/6/18 Quiz 8
10
10
10
___
___
___
Module 8
Module 9
4/13/18 Exam 3 (Mod 6-8)
4/13/18 Quiz 9
4/20/18 DQ - Initial Post
50
10
11
___
___
___
4/20/18 DQ - Response Post
4
___
4/20/18 Quiz 10
4/27/18 Assignment
10
10
___
___
4/27/18 Quiz 11
10
___
Module 11
5/4/18
5/4/18
50
10
___
___
Module 12
Module 13
5/4/18 Quiz 12
5/11/18 Quiz 13
10
10
___
___
Module 10
Exam 4 (Mod 9-11)
Assignment
Module 14
5/18/18 DQ - Initial Post
11
___
5/18/18 DQ - Response Post
4
___
5/18/18 Quiz 14
10
___
5/18/18 Exam 5 (cumulative final
exam; must be taken in
Testing Center by close of
business)
100
___
* Due dates are by 11:30 pm (Eastern time zone) of the calendar day. Work can always be
completed PRIOR TO this date.
Outline of Topics: The following is an outline of topics covered in the learning modules.
Module 1: Scope and History of Microbiology
A. Scope—infectious agents, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes
B. Importance of microbiology—food production, oxygen production, nitrogen fixation,
decomposition, bioremediation, antibiotics, genetic engineering, and normal flora
C. History of microbiology and scientific reasoning—Redi, Spallanzani, Pasteur, Tyndall,
Germ Theory of Fermentation, Koch’s Postulates, and Germ Theory of Disease
Module 2: Brightfield Microscopy and Staining Procedures
A. Nanometer vs. micrometer
B. History of microscopy—Hooke and Leeuwenhoek
C. Principles of microscopy—total magnification, resolving power, refraction/refractive
index, contrast
D. Brightfield microscope—parts and functions
E. Staining procedures—smear preparation, cationic and anionic dyes, simple staining,
negative staining, differential staining (Gram, acidfast, and endospore), structural staining
(capsule and flagella)
Module 3: Characteristics of Prokaryotic Cells
A. Definition and characteristics of prokaryotic cells
B. Shape and arrangement
C. External extensions—flagella, axial filaments, fimbriae, sex pili
D. Layers/coverings—glycocalyx (capsule and slime layer), cell wall (peptidoglycan), plasma
membrane (phosopholipid bilayer and proteins), passive transport (diffusion, osmosis, tonicity),
energy production (electron transport chain and proton motive force
E. Internal structures—nucleoid, plasmid, ribosomes, storage granules, gas vacuoles, and
endospores
Module 4: Growth and Culturing of Bacteria
A.
B.
C.
D.
Sporulation—layers, germination, location
Binary fission
Standard growth curve
Physical factors affecting bacterial growth—temperature, oxygen and metabolic
activities, pH
E. Nutritional factors affecting bacterial growth—carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen,
sulfur, phosphorus, and minerals
F. Culturing bacteria—biofilms, categories of media, isolation methods, types of media,
categories of complex media (enriched, enrichment, selective, selective differential),
characteristics of biochemical media
Module 5: Viruses
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Structure and chemical composition
Host range and cell specificity—limiting factors and genetic reassortment
Steps of lytic replication—bacteriophage
Comparison of animal viral replication with bacteriophage replication
Lysogeny and lysogenic conversion
Beneficial uses of viruses
Modules 6, 7, and 8: Eukaryotic microorganisms and parasitic diseases
A. Algae—Spirogyra, Volvox, Diatoms, Gymnodinium breve, Pfiesteria, Euglena
B. Protozoa—Paramecium, Balantidium coli, Plasmodium, Toxoplasma gondii, Giardia
lamblia, Trypansoma brucei gambiense, Trypanosoma cruzi, Amoeba proteus,
Entamoeba histolytica
C. Fungi—Rhizopus stolonifer, Aspergillus flavus, Penicillium notatum, Histoplasma
capsulatum, Mycorrhiza, Lichens
D. Yeasts—Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans
E. Helminths—Enterobius vermicularis, Necator americanus, Trichinella spiralis,
Diphyllobothrium latum, Fasciola hepatica, Schistosoma mansoni
F. Arthropods—vectors (insects and arachnids)
Module 9: Sterilization and disinfection
A.
B.
C.
D.
Antimicrobial definitions—sterilization, disinfection, antiseptics, pasteurization
History of microbe control—Semmelweis and Lister
Selection criteria of antimicrobial procedures
Physical antimicrobial methods—moist heat (boiling water, pasteurization, and
autoclaving), dry heat (oven and flame), filtration (liquid and air), radiation (gamma and
ultraviolet light)
E. Chemical agents—selection of agents, actions of agents, and examples of agents
Module 10: Antibiotics and bacterial resistance
A. Salvarsan, Prontosil, Penicillin, and Streptomycin
B. Properties of antimicrobials—selective toxicity, spectrum of activity, tissue distribution,
combination of drugs (synergistic vs. antagonistic), adverse effects
C. Mode of activity of antibiotics—inhibit cell wall synthesis, inhibit protein synthesis,
inhibit nucleic acid synthesis, inhibit metabolic pathways (with examples of each
category)
D. Determination of microbial sensitivities to antibiotics—Kirby Bauer Disc diffusion and E
test
E. Antibiotic resistance—how acquired (mutation, conjugation, and transduction), what
genetic change codes for, limiting drug resistance
Module 11: Innate Immunity
A.
B.
C.
D.
First lines of defense—barriers to entry, antimicrobial substances, normal flora
Cellular defenses—leukocytes (granulocytes & aganulocytes)
Cell communication—Toll-like receptors, cytokines, adhesion molecules
Complement—turn on of pathways, inflammation, opsonization, Membrane Attack
Complex
E. Phagocytosis—activities occurring prior to and steps of phagocytosis
F. Fever—endogenous and exogenous pyrogens
Module 12: Humoral Immunity
A.
B.
C.
D.
Characteristics of humoral immune response
Lymphoid system—functions, primary and secondary organs
Nature of antibodies—production, structure, classes, and what antibodies can do
Nature of antigens—definition, range of sizes, T-independent and T-dependent
Module 13: Cell Mediated Immunity
A. Definition
B. T-lymphocytes—thymus, T cell receptors, Major Histocompatibility Complex, activation
of T cells, T helper cells and their functions, T cytotoxic cells and their functions,
regulatory T cells and their functions
C. Natural Killer cells—Antibody Dependent Cellular Cytotoxicity,
D. Principles of immunization—active, passive, natural, artificial, vaccines (attenuated and
inactivated)
Module 14: Immunologic disorders
A. Type 1 Hypersensitivity
B. Type II Hypersensitivity
C.
D.
E.
F.
Type III Hypersensitivity
Type IV Hypersensitivity
Autoimmune diseases—myasthenia gravis, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus
Immunodeficiency diseases—SCID, Agammaglobulinemia, DiGeorge syndrome, HIV