MBIO 1310 – Microbes and Society
An A+CE Course
Fall, 2016
CRN:10092
Instructor: Dr. Poonam Gulati
Office: N819
Phone: 713-221-8066
Email: gulatip@uhd.edu
Office Hours: M: 11 am – noon, 1 – 3 pm, F: 11am – noon, 1 – 3 pm and by
appointment
Textbook: Weeks, Benjamin S and Alcamo, Edward I, Microbes and Society,
4th edition, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2014.
Lab Manual: Pommerville, Jeffrey C, Alcamo’s Laboratory Fundamentals of
Microbiology, 10th edition, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2011
WELCOME TO MICROBIOLOGY!
Course Description: this combined lecture/lab course explores the roles and significance of
microorganisms in everyday life. Microorganisms are involved in processes of great value to
humans, including food manufacturing, genetic engineering, vitamin and antibiotics production,
soil fertility, production of biofuels, recycling of key nutrients, and bioremediation. A few
microorganisms cause damage such as infectious diseases, food spoilage and corrosion of metal
pipes. Other important areas that may be studied are biological warfare and bioterrorism.
Course Objectives
1. Identify the main characteristics of microbes, including bacteria, archea, fungi, protists and
viruses
2. Understand and be able to discuss the impact of microbes on society.
3. Perform lab techniques that enable the study of microbes in a laboratory setting.
Standard Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Utilize scientific processes to identify questions pertaining to natural phenomena
2. Develop hypotheses, collect and analyze data using quantitative and qualitative measures.
3. Effectively communicate the analysis and results using written, oral and visual communication.
4. Collaborate in the evaluation of the quality of scientific evidence from multiple perspectives
toward the goal of reaching a shared objective.
What is an A+CE Course: an A+CE course is enhanced with the study of course-relevant
community issues. In this course, we will analyze the use and abuse of antibiotics, reflect on the
long term usefulness of antibiotics, and consider the consequences of diminishing antibiotics.
A+CE Student Learning Outcome:
Students will be able to analyze community issues with respect to different perspectives, theories,
or solutions.
A+CE Requirements
• Students will do the assigned readings, view the relevant videos, and participate in
discussions about the use and abuse of antibiotics
• Students will complete a Signature Assignment related to this issue.
Students will also write a critical reflection after the Signature Assignment. Guidance will be
provided for the Signature Assignment and the critical reflection.
POLICIES
1. ACADEMIC HONESTY: the Honesty Code is followed by all members of the UHD
academic community. It states: WE WILL BE HONEST IN ALL OUR ACADEMIC
ACTIVITIES AND WILL NOT TOLERATE DISHONESTY. The link to the UHD Honesty
Policy Statement is http://www.uhd.edu/about/hr/PS03A19.pdf. Students are obligated to read
the policy and understand all the academic honesty violations listed in there.
2. DISABLED STUDENT SERVICES: The University of Houston-Downtown complies with
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990,
pertaining to the provision of reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids for students with a
disability. In accordance with Section 504 and ADA guidelines, UHD strives to provide
reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids to students who request and require them. If you
believe that you have a documented disability requiring academic adjustments/auxiliary aids,
please contact the Office of Disability Services, One Main St., Suite 409-South, Houston, TX
77002. (Office) 713-226-5227 (Website) www.uhd.edu/disability/ (Email) disabilityservices@uhd.edu
3. CLASS BEHAVIOR: Please don’t be noisy by eating, talking on phone (please silence your
phones) or to a neighboring student. If you are exhibiting rude or immature behavior I reserve
the right to ask you to leave the class.
4. CLASS ATTENDANCE & ENROLLMENT: Your failure to attend class or make contact
with faculty to adequately explain your absence by the 10th class calendar day of the semester will
result in your being administratively dropped from this course. Being dropped from this course
may affect your enrollment status and/or your financial aid eligibility.
5. LAB SAFETY: You are required to wear a lab coat and closed-toed shoes to the lab at all
times. You are also required to wear gloves and safety glasses when handling any microbial
cultures. You can purchase a lab coat and safety glasses at the bookstore.
5. PREREQUISITES: None
5. GRADING STRUCTURE: Your final grade will be determined as follows.
Points
4 Lecture Quests (lowest dropped)
30
A+CE Signature Assignment
10
Critical Reflection
5
Food Fair Assignment
5
In class Forum
5
Lecture Final
15
Lab Quizzes, Work Sheets and Report
15
Lab Final
10
Attendance and Participation
5
Total
100
Your total points earned will be assigned as A for 90s, B for 80s, C for 70s, D for 60s and F for less
than 60.
6. LATE POLICY: All assignments should be turned in at the beginning of the class period. No
assignments will be accepted late.
7. HOW CAN I DO WELL IN THIS CLASS?
a. Attend all classes to get the most out of the course. Lab is mandatory, they can't be set
up again.
b. Read the book and take notes – it is very important to read the book as the lectures
will not cover everything in detail.
c. Form study groups: this is encouraged, but each person must do his/her own work. NO
PLAIGERISM WILL BE TOLERATED - see Academic Honesty policy above
d. Prepare for and take all tests and quizzes
e. Hand in all assignments on time
f. Follow the Honor Code
8. IMPORTANT DATES
Lecture Quest 1
Quest 2
Quest 3
Quest 4
Final
Sep 10
Sep 26
Oct 15
Oct 31
Dec 10
Lab Final
Dec 5
Last date to drop without
a grade
Sep 11
Last date to withdraw with
a “W”
Oct 31
LECTURE SCHEDULE (approximate)
Topic
Chapter
Part I
The Microbial World
Classification of Microbes, Microscopy
Molecules of Cell, DNA Story
Bacteria
Viruses
Protists
Fungi
Microbial Growth and Control of Growth
1
2
3, 4
5
6
7
8
9, 11
Part II
Microbes and Food
Microbes and Industry, Biotechnology
Microbes and Agriculture
Microbes and the Environment
Diseases
12
14
15
16
17-19
LAB SCHEDULE
DATE
EXERCISE
Aug
27
Sep
29
3
5
10
12
EXER #
Introduce Lab; Safety Info.
Page IX
Watch Lab Safety Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VDFcpUkXalw
Aseptic Transfer Discussion
1
Quiz 1 - Lab Safety
Aseptic Transfer, Streak Plate
1, 2
Results of Exer.1, 2
Contamination Lab
Blackboard
Results of Contamination Lab
17
19
24
26
Oct
1
3
8
10
15
17
22
24
Nov
29
31
5
7
12
14
Dec
19
21
26
28
3
5
Worksheet
Use of Microscope
3
Use of Microscope
3
Quiz 2 – Microscope
Start Koch’s Postulates
Blackboard
Gram Stain
6
Worksheet Stains
View Structural Stns, Motility Test 7
Motility test result, finish struc stains
Worksheet Stains
Throat Cultures
Blackboard
Prepared Slides of Fungi, Protozoa 9
Worksheet
Prepared Slides of Fungi, Protozoa 9
Simulated Epidemic
10
Physical Agents against Bacteria
11 A – Heat
Chem Agents and Antibiotics
12, 14
against Bacteria
Worksheet
Complete Worksheet with results
Biochemical Characteristics
26 – Selected
Biochemical Characteristics
26 – Selected
Results of Exer 26
Quiz 3 - Biochemicals,
Virus Demo
Koch Postulates Report Due
Slide Agglutination
30 A
Microbiology of Food
32 E - Yogurt
Results of Yogurt Prep
Microbiology of Water
33D
Results of Water Expt
Review
Lab Final