OCEAN COUNTY COLLEGE
Professor’s Syllabus
Professor’s Name:
Dr. Catherine Murphy
Course Title and Number:
General Microbiology/BIOL 264 Lab (Should be taken
concurrently with BIOL 264 Lecture)
Catalog Description:
This course is a study of the various groups of microorganisms,
their morphology, physiology, biochemistry, genetics and importance to man and all other
life forms. The course will emphasize the major microbial model systems, laboratory
techniques of growth, control, research utilization and safety. Current DNA recombinant
technology, immunology and biotechnology will also be included.
Semester:
Fall 2012 (September 5 – December 21)
Office Location: Room H232
Phone:
(732) 255-0400 extension 2263
Email:
cmurphy@ocean.edu or catherine_murphy@portal.occ.edu
Office hours:
Monday, 10:55-11:50, Tuesday, 8:30-9:20 & 10:55-11:20, Wednesday,
9:25-9:50, Thursday, 10:55-11:50, Friday, 10:55-11:50
Other Meeting Times:
To arrange a meeting with your instructor in addition to the regularly scheduled
office hours, please contact your instructor directly or contact the Department of
Science (extension 2178/khamilton@ocean.edu).
Required Text and other Materials:
Tortora, G.J., B.R.Funke and C.L. Case. 2010. Microbiology: An
Introduction, 10th Edition..
Lab Manual: Available in Ocean Cruiser under Shared files.
Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives:
The course is intended primarily to serve the needs of students of science and
related fields. As a basic science, Microbiology will be highly laboratory
oriented and aimed at developing understandings and techniques of
investigation. The study will include the scientific principles of the
morphology and physiology of microorganisms, their impact on all aspects of
life and survival on the planet. Microbes involved in medicine will be
reviewed. Their use as research tools will also be explored. The new frontiers
of genetic engineering, recombinant DNA, immunology and biotechnology
will also be included.
General Education Goals Addressed in the Course:
1. To develop the ability to become an independent thinker through
mathematical, scientific and philosophical reasoning.
2. To develop the ability to solve problems by collecting, organizing and
evaluating information.
3. To develop an understanding of the concepts, theories and fundamental
principles of the natural and social sciences.
4. To develop a global perspective on problems and issues that humankind faces,
and to explore solutions which are morally, socially, economically, politically
and ecologically sound.
Course Standards:
No collaboration is allowed on any exam. Cheating on exams or plagiarism on reports
will be dealt with according to College policies. Refer to Student Handbook Policy #
5180.
Cell phones must be turned off and put away during exams and quizzes.
Cell phones must be turned off and put away during the lab period.
Cells phones must be put either vibrate or silent during lecture. Ringing cell phones and
texting disrupts the class and is not allowed.
You may tape the lectures.
Always feel free to raise your hand to ask questions.
In the event that you should need to withdraw from this course please do so by the
appropriate time allowed by the Ocean County College calendar. If a student discontinues
attending class and does not properly withdraw, an F will be given for a final grade.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance at all lectures and labs is expected.
All absences must be granted by an individual faculty member, who will make the final
decision on whether or not to accept a student’s excuse for planning to miss class(es) or
for having missed class(es). In emergency situations such as a death in the family or
serious illness or other unforeseen occurrence, a student who does not have time to notify
his or her Professor should contact the departmental secretary, ext. 2178.
A grade of “F” will be assigned to any student who stops attending and does not
officially withdraw from the course.
Grading Scale:
A =
B+ =
B =
C+ =
C =
D =
F =
90-100
86-89
80-85
76-79
70-75
60-69
< 60
Course Outline:
Lecture Schedule:
Topic
The Microbial World and You
Functional Anatomy of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
Quiz 1
Microbial Metabolism
Exam 1
Microbial Growth
The Control of Microbial Growth
Quiz 2
The Eukaryotes
Exam 2
Viruses, Viroids, and Prions
Principles of Disease and Epidemiology
Quiz 3
Microbial Mechanisms of Pathogenicity
Innate Immunity
Exam 3
Antimicrobial Drugs
Microbial Genetics
Biotechnology and Recombinant DNA
Final Exam
Chapter in Text
Chapter 1
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 20
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
BIOL 264 Laboratory Schedule:
Date
Topic
9/07/12
Orientation/Safety; Microscopy – Eukaryotic Microbes & Bacteria
9/14/12
[LAB Worksheet 1 from Lab Manual, page 9 - DUE]; Smear
Preparation & Simple Stain
9/21/12
Introduction to Unknown: Aseptic Technique – Inoculate streak
plate, broth and slant using Unknown
9/28/12
Cultural Characteristics – Analysis of Broth, Slant & Plate;
Motility - Wet Mount prepared from Broth culture
10/05/12
Differential Staining - Gram Stain
10/12/12
Metabolism – Biochemical Test Media; Differential Staining Spore Stain
10/19/12
Metabolism (Assessment); Microbe Sensitivity Test – Inoculation
(Disk Diffusion plates)
10/26/12
Microbe Sensitivity Test – Evaluation
11/02/12
Conjugation Experiment – Media preparation; [PET LAB
REPORT DUE]
11/09/12
Conjugation Experiment (Part I & Part II); [LAB Worksheet 2
from Lab Manual, page 38 and 42 - DUE]
11/16/12
Conjugation Experiment (Part III) [LAB Worksheet 4 from Lab
Manual, page 55 -DUE]
11/23/12
Thanksgiving Break
11/30/12
Enumeration of Microbes in Food - Serial Dilution and Pour Plate
12/07/12
Enumeration of Microbes in Food –Assessment, [Lab Worksheet
3 from Lab Manual, page 47 - DUE]
12/14/12
Lab Final
12/21/12
Lab Final Review
Statement on Plagiarism: Students should refer to the Student Handbook and review Policy
#5180.
Statement about Civility:
Ocean County College defines civility primarily as the demonstration of respect for others, basic
courtesy, reciprocity (treating others as we wish to be treated), and behaviors that create a
positive environment in which to learn and to work.
Lecture begins promptly. As a courtesy to your fellow students and your Professor, please arrive
on time.
Questions and participation in lecture discussions is strongly encouraged.
Distracting “side bar” conversations will not be tolerated.
Cell phones must be turned off or placed on vibrate setting during the lab and lecture periods.
Evaluation of Students:
60% Exams (4 exams, 15% each)
15% Lab Final (Cumulative)
10% Quizzes (3 quizzes, lowest dropped)
15% Lab Reports and worksheets (1 Formal lab report, 4 worksheets)
Exam format: The types of questions on exams will include multiple choice, matching
true or false, fill in, and short answer.
*If a student is absent on an exam day, the student may make up the exam at the
instructor's convenience. Make up exams will be ESSAY type. Quizzes can not be made
up, therefore absence from a quiz is a grade of “0”.
It is your responsibility to read the lab exercises prior to the lab. You will be
receiving minimal instruction on how to perform the lab experiments, so it is vital
that you come prepared. There are no make-up labs. If you are absent for a lab
exercise, you are still responsible for the material covered. If you are absent from lab
more than two times, points will be deducted from your lab grade. Five (5) points will be
subtracted from the final lab grade for each lab that is missed, with the exception of the
two allowed absences.
Formal Lab reports must be written in a specific format as indicated in the Lab Manual
found in Ocean Cruiser Shared files. Lab reports and Worksheets are due according to the
schedule above.
Campus Resources and Services: There is tutoring available (a) in the writing lab for all
subject areas, not just English courses, and (b) in the Mathematics Tutoring Center. In addition
Student Success Seminars are scheduled each week and are posted on the college website under
“Campus Resources and Services.” More information on college services can be found by using
the A-Z index on the college website (for example, under “T’ for Tutoring or under “S” for
Study Strategy Sessions.)
Statement of Accommodations:
If there is any student in this class who has special needs because of learning disabilities or other
kinds of disabilities, please feel free to come and discuss this with me, or a staff member in the
Center for Academic Excellence.
Disclaimer: Individual faculty members may make reasonable changes to his course outline
exclusive of course requirements, course calendar, and grading procedures.
All individuals should not assume that anything received, sent, or stored in this course or in any
course is private. Students’ written work, assignments, and test results may be used
anonymously for college assessment purposes. Course content, support materials, and
communications (including chats, discussions, emails, and any other forms of communication)
may be used for quality assurance purposes by authorized college administrators.
Important Notes
Ocean Cruiser is the official email communication for students at OCC
(firstname_lastname@occ.mailcruiser.com)
Failure to pay for this course may result in your being dropped for non-payment.