COURSE SYLLABUS – APPROVED FORMAT
General Information
 Northern Arizona University- Yuma; Department of Arts and Sciences
 BSC 376, Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology
 Fall or Spring
 3 hrs. Lecture, 3 credit hours
 Dr. Francisco Villa
 Science and Research building, Office 112
 Office hours: Monday/Wednesday 8:00am to 9:00am and 4:00pm to 5:00pm
Course prerequisites
BIO 181 and CHM 151
Course Corequisite
None
Course description:
Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology explores how microorganisms are used to make
medicines, foods, and energy, and to genetically engineer plants and animals.
Student Learning Expectations/Outcomes for this Course
Upon satisfactory completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1.
2.
Describe how microorganisms are used in industry to make medicines, foods, and energy.
Explain how microorganisms are used to genetically engineer plants and animals.
Course structure/approach:
The course may involve one or more of the following approaches: lecture and discussion;
application exercises; scheduled activities; case analysis; team projects; field trips, speakers with
relevant expertise, and/or other activities as appropriate to achieve learning outcomes.
Textbook and required materials: Student learning is facilitated with textbooks, readings,
audio-visual content, software, and/or other materials
Recommended optional materials/references (attach reading list): None
Course outline:
Week 1: Introduction to course and to industrial microbiology
Week 2: Alcohol/vinegar fermentation
Revised 04/22/03
Week 3: Renewable energy
Week 4: Health care products
Week 5: Microbial enzymes
Week 6: Culturing microorganisms
Week 7: Microbial growth and nutrition
Week 8: Downstream processing
Week 9: History of biotechnology
Week 10: genetic engineering
Week 11: Using microorganisms to alter the genomes of plants
Week 12: Using microorganisms to alter the genomes of animals
Week 13: Cloning mammalian cells
Week 14: Sunthetic Life
Week 15: Synthetic Life
Week 16: Bioethics
Assessment of Student Learning Outcomes
 Methods of Assessment: In-class exams, homework, in-class activities, research paper,
and/or presentations.
 Timeline for Assessment: Over the course of the semester
Grading System:
Letter grades for the course will be determined based on the percentage of the total points as
follows:
90-100%
A Excellent
80-89%
B Good
70-79%
C Average
60-69%
D Lowest passing
<60%
F Failure
Course policy:
Retests/makeup tests:
No make-up exams or re-tests except for what the instructor may deem as extenuating
circumstances.
Attendance Policy:
Under NAU Policy, students are expected to attend every session of the class in which they are
enrolled.
Statement on plagiarism and cheating:
DON’T CHEAT!
Please refer to the NAU Student Handbook policy statement on Academic Integrity. Academic
honesty does not allow "plagiarism — knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as
one's own" (2005, Undergraduate General Academic and Graduation Policies).
Revised 04/22/03
If your instructor determines that you are guilty of plagiarism he deserves the right to give you a
zero on the alleged assignment up to failing the course in question. All incidents regardless will
be reported to the university.
University policies
Attach the Safe Working and Learning Environment, Students with Disabilities, Institutional
Review Board, and Academic Integrity policies or reference them on the syllabus. See the
following document for policy statements:
http://www4.nau.edu/avpaa/UCCPolicy/plcystmt.html.
Your instructor reserves the right to make any changes to the course policies, schedule, or any
other aspect of the class as he sees fit.
Revised 04/22/03