BIOL 2900
Section A
Fall 2011, York University
Calendar description:
An introductory course in medical
microbiology designed for students
entering nursing.
Topics include: structure/function
relationships of viruses, bacteria
& fungi; physical & chemical
control of microbial growth;
human/microbe interactions;
immunology; major diseases of
humans; epidemiology & public
health.
Welcome to BIOL 2900!
This course is an introduction
to microbiology in health and
disease. After successfully
finishing this course, students
will have a general
understanding of the different
types of disease-causing
pathogens, how such
microorganisms are spread,
Microbiology plays a key role in
exploring microbiology
human health. Prevention and
concepts and themes through
control of infectious diseases is
these cases. Students will be
vital in a health care setting.
introduced to careers relating
This course was designed
to infection prevention and
specifically for nursing
control, and are encouraged to
students, with a focus on
consider how microbiology
aspects of microbiology that
affects their daily lives.
are relevant to nursing
practice.
host responses to these tiny
We will be looking at situations
invaders, and how pathogens
that have occurred (or could
attempt to evade the body’s
occur) in a hospital or other
immune system.
patient-care environment, and
Course director: Dr. Tanya Noel
micro@yorku.ca | 311 Lumbers
Office hours:
•
In person – Tuesdays 3:30 – 4:30 PM, OR
•
Mondays (where no in-class meet): 2:30 – 4:30 PM, OR
•
By appointment
BIOL 2900 focuses on key medical microbiology topics, themes and integrative skills.
Overview of the course
This class is blended. Some classes are in-person, and others online. We will meet during class time here on the following dates:
September: 12, 26
October: 3 (midterm + class), 17, 31
November: 7 (midterm + class), 21
December: 5
Other weeks, there will be online activities to replace class. On other Mondays (except Oct. 11-Thanksgiving) I will be available
online (Moodle chat, forums) 2:30 – 4:30.
The ability to use information sources (like reference books) is an important skill. Readings will be posted ahead of class, and to
make the best use of class time, it’s expected that students will have read the relevant text sections … and have made note of
any questions or confusion that has come up while reading! In this way, we can use class time to explore complex, difficult topics
… and go through case studies that reflect the types of situations you are likely to encounter as a nurse. Online reading quizzes
are designed to help you keep up with the readings – they are open-book, and give you some feedback each week (as well as
“activity points” towards your grade, including a participation point just for doing each quiz). We will have a number of small
activities/assignments relating to case studies and class work, also contributing to your activity points.
Class time will not just be “lecture”. The opportunity to explore and discuss issues, and solve problems with one another in a
collaborative way is valuable, and we will take advantage of this. Each person brings perspective, insight and background that
can help others learn more.
Midterms and the final exam will include questions on concepts in microbiology, as well as solving problems that are similar to
the case studies we’re using in class.
The written assignment will allow you to explore a topic in microbiology of interest to you. In addition to learning more about the
topic, you will have a chance to develop your written communication skills.
A number of online resources will be made available to you. Some are specifically to help support learning of specific material,
while others are for interest. Your feedback about what you find helpful would be appreciated to help improve this course in
future!
Please ask questions! Ask questions while you’re reading (and try to answer them). Ask your classmates questions. Ask me
questions. I’ll be asking you questions, too! We’re all learning, and asking questions is an important part of this journey.
Dr. Roslyn Devlin kindly gave us an interview
… and tour of the diagnostic microbiology
laboratory at St. Michael’s Hospital. (Also in
this picture, Tareq Ali, Tanya Noel.)
These videos (and others) will be available
online, through the course website.
Course components
BIOL 2900 Course components
Class: Mondays 2:30–5:30 PM in
Curtis Lecture Hall (CLH) A as
designated:
September: 12, 26.
October: 3 (midterm + class), 17, 31
November: 7 (midterm + class), 21
December: 5
Website: The BIOL 2900 Moodle
site will include announcements,
course materials, online quizzes,
resources and a discussion forum.
http://moodle.yorku.ca or
https://moodle11.yorku.ca/
Text/Readings: Custom edition of
"Foundations in Microbiology:
Basic Principles" by Talaro and
Chess. McGraw-Hill Publishing.
(Note: Index and glossary available
in Moodle.)
How will we be evaluated?
Activities (quizzes, small
(intermediate) graded
assignments, discussion forum
components for submission before
participation, surveys): There
the final assignment is due.
will be a number of different
activities that contribute to the
mark. Some include points for
There will be copies of the texts
(and other microbiology books) on
reserve (2 h) in the Steacie
Library.
participation/completion. The
Students may also want to consult
the free: Todar’s Online Textbook
of Bacteriology:
a missed class (e.g., due to
http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net
etc. We will likely have
Grade breakdown:
opportunities for students to earn
Activities
15%
Assignment (total)
15%
Midterm 1
20%
Midterm 2
20%
Final exam
25%
Floating 5
5%
Total
100%
lowest 20% of points (including
zeroes) will be dropped from the
student’s score. This accounts for
illness or other reasons),
forgetting to do a reading quiz,
at least 200 points throughout
the course. The lowest 20% of
Tests/exam: These will include
multiple choice and written
answer questions. Midterms will
be in class time, and are 60
minutes. Dates: Oct. 3, Nov. 7.
(On midterm days, we will use the
rest of the class time to discuss
and work on the assignment.) The
final exam will include cumulative
questions and be 90 minutes;
dates/times/rooms for exams are
scheduled and published by the
Registrar’s Office (RO).
these points, including zeroes,
Floating 5: 5% is given the same
will be dropped from the score.
mark as the highest mark of one
E.g., If there is a max of 200
of the following: Midterm 1,
points possible, final scores will
Midterm 2, Final exam or
be out of 160.
Assignment. (E.g., if a student
Assignment: Details will be
provided within the first 2 weeks
of class. There will be some
earned 68% on Midterm 1, 73% on
Midterm 2, 78% on the Final exam
and 75% on the Assignment, they
earn 78% in the “Floating 5”.)
BIOL 2900 focuses on key medical microbiology topics, themes and integrative skills.
Topics:
I. Medical microbiology –
introduction, general
information
II. Bacteria – structures,
functions, examples
III. Viruses & prions structures, functions,
examples
VI. Antimicrobial drugs (& drug
resistance)
VII. Human infectious diseases
– sampling and identification
VIII. Host defenses &
Immunology
IX. Epidemiology and public
health
IV. Pathogenic eukaryotic
Note: Detailed learning
microbes - structures,
objectives will be provided for
functions, examples
each topic.
V. Disinfection and antisepsis
Accommodation statement: Students
who feel that there are extenuating
circumstances that may interfere with
their ability to successfully complete
the course requirements are
encouraged to discuss the matter with
the Course Director as soon as
possible. Please note: "Senate policy
states that students are expected to
monitor their progress in courses,
taking into account their personal
and academic circumstances, and to
make the necessary adjustments to
their workload to meet the
requirements and deadlines." (from
Senate Policy of Students'
Responsibilities in the
Petition/Appeal Processes:
http://www.yorku.ca/univsec/senate/committ
ees/sac/sturesp.htm
Themes:
§
infection prevention/control (especially nosocomial infections)
§
handwashing
§
enzymes
§
virulence factors, pathogenicity
§
microbial antagonism
§
aseptic technique
Activities, assignment & tests will primarily focus on explaining and/or
applying microbiological concepts in a health-care setting or medically
relevant situation, so the order of topics/themes will not be exactly as
listed above.
)
Students with physical, learning or
psychiatric disabilities who require
reasonable accommodations in
teaching style or evaluation methods
are encouraged to consult with
Counselling & Disability Services (CDS
- http://www.yorku.ca/cds/) and
ensure that requests for appropriate
accommodations are arranged with
the Course Director early in the term.
Student information sheet – please
see:
http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/senate/com
mittees/ccas/documents/Course%20Outline%20
-%20Student%20%20Info%20Sheet%20%20March%2027-06.htm
Note: The drop deadline for Fall term
courses is Nov. 11, 2011.
THE FINE PRINT
POLICIES
Course Policies:
In our first class, we will discuss expected class conduct as a group, to decide what
behaviour you expect from your classmates (and vice versa!). Other policies:
1. MISSED TEST: With a legitimate documented reason, permission may be granted
to take a makeup test (if applicable). Only a "York Attending Physician's Statement
Form" (can be downloaded as part of the Petitions Package) OR a similarly detailed
doctor’s note (i.e. not a form just stating that the student visited the clinic) will be
accepted for medical excuses. The documentation should cover the date of the
missed test. All documentation supporting your excuse for missing a test must be
received at the Biology Undergraduate Office within a week of the missed test (or
as soon as the student is able to return to school if you are sick for more than a
week), but students should contact us as early as possible after a missed test.
Makeup tests may differ in format from the original test (i.e., include more
short/long answer questions).
2. REMARKING OF TESTS/EXAMS: If you believe that a written answer on a test was
Students are expected to be
familiar with and follow
marked incorrectly, you must submit your (written) rationale and paper for
York University policies,
remarking within 1 week of the test being made available to you. Only those
including:
answers written in ink will be eligible for remarking. Note: Remarking can result
- policies regarding
in the mark being raised, confirmed or lowered.
academic integrity. Please
3. DISCUSSION OF MARKS/GRADES: In order to be fair and consistent with regards
consult the website for
to the entire class, individual grades are not negotiable. There are no “extra
more details:
credit” assignments. Contact the course director about marks ONLY if there is a
http://www.yorku.ca/academi
clear error in your mark (calculation, clerical, etc.) as soon as possible at
cintegrity/students/index.htm
micro@yorku.ca. It is highly unlikely that you will receive a response regarding any
- the Code of Student Rights
other mark-related queries.
& Responsibilities:
4. DEFERRED STANDING: Students who do not write the final exam, but have
http://www.yorku.ca/scdr/
completed all midterms and assignment components on/by the scheduled dates,
studentconduct.html
must submit a Deferred Standing Agreement (and relevant documentation) to the
course director requesting permission to write a deferred exam (i.e., sign the
Academic integrity involves
Deferred Standing Agreement form). It is Senate Policy that "Normal requests for
avoiding plagiarism,
deferred standing must be communicated within one week following a missed
cheating and other ethical
examination, or on the last day to submit course work". Please check out the
breaches. Information will
Registrar’s Office Deferred Standing FAQs
be available on Moodle to
(http://www.registrar.yorku.ca/services/ds_faq.htm) for details. Students who
have missed one or more midterms (or other major components) will likely be
required to submit a petition to write a deferred exam.
help students understand
and avoid these behaviours.
Indications of academic
dishonesty will be
prosecuted.
THE FINE PRINT
POLICIES
Course Policies (CONTINUED):
5. EMAIL POLICY: Students should use their yorku.ca email address for
correspondence relating to the course. (Email from other addresses, such as
hotmail or yahoo, are likely to be filtered as spam/junk.) Course emails are
expected to be professional in style. The subject line should include “BIOL
2900”, your section (A/B) and a brief mention of the topic of the email. (E.g.,
Subject: “BIOL 2900 Section A: Confused about Clostridium”, or
“BIOL 2900 B – Ch 3 textbook question 7”.) The body of the email
should have a clearly written message (please avoid “text-speak”), and include
your name and student number. It is recommended that students check the Moodle
discussion forums to see if a question has already been answered before sending
email.
6. FORUM CODE OF CONDUCT. Students are encouraged to participate in the
online Moodle forums to discuss course concepts, organize study groups, and ask
questions relating to microbiology. The discussion on course forums has typically
been polite and respectful, and we hope this will continue. Students are expected
to follow the code of conduct in use of the Moodle forums:
i.
Check to see if your question has already been posted. (You can search the
forums – you don’t have to read each post!)
ii.
Use a clear, informative subject line. Try to be as specific as possible.
iii. Post comments appropriate to the particular discussion. Off-topic posts may be
moved or deleted.
iv. Be respectful. Posts containing personal insults/attacks/intimidation/profanity will
be deleted. (It is also worth remembering that your instructor reads forum posts!)
v.
Post only material relevant to BIOL2900/Microbiology. Other posts are likely to be
deleted.
vi. While it is appropriate to engage in debate/discourse on biological topics, such
discussions should be respectful and evidence-based. Evidence should be from
trusted sources – consult with the library or your instructor if you are not sure!
(See: http://www.yorku.ca/webclass/module4a.html )
vii. Any posts which appear to violate our code of conduct may be edited, moved to a
hidden forum or deleted at the discretion of instructors/moderators. If posts give
indications of violations of academic honesty or the York University student code of
conduct, further action will be taken.
Disclaimer: While Moodle moderators / instructors will attempt to remove (or edit)
objectionable/inappropriate material as quickly as possible, it is not always possible to review every
post. All posts made on the forums express the views and opinions of the author and not the
moderators / instructors (except for posts by these people) and they cannot be held liable.
Think small!