Summer 2014
Title: Microbiology with Lab
Credit Hours: 5
Instructor: Nancy Mattsson R.D.H., M.S.
SMCC phone : 741-5500
South Portland, Maine 04106
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Catalog Number: BIOL-250 M1 and M3
Lecture M/W 5:30-7:55
Lab M/W M1 2:30-5:00; M38:10-10:05
E-mail: nmattsson@smccMe.edu
Course Syllabus
Required texts
Prescott’s Microbiology, Willey, Sherwood and Woolverton, 9 th edition ISBN 978-0-07-340240-6
Microbiology, Laboratory Theory and Applications , Leboffe and Pierce, 3 rd edition ISBN 089582-830-8
Course Description
This course studies the principles and techniques utilized in microbiology. Consideration will be given to microbial structure, growth, physiology and the reaction of microorganisms to their physical, chemical and biological environment. Laboratory emphasis will be placed on development of proper laboratory techniques and the identification of microorganisms.
Prerequisite(s ): BIOL-100 or BIOL-124 or BIOL-132
Learning Objectives
After successfully completing the course, the student will be able to:

Describe the structure of bacteria and other microorganisms

Conduct quantitative and qualitative tests of microorganisms

Interpret and evaluate the results of these tests

Understand the cellular functions that promote growth and reproduction of microorganisms
 Employ the proper laboratory techniques for the study of microorganisms Scope of the Course
Microbiology 250 is a 5 credit hour course that meets for two 1 ¼ -hour lectures and two 2-hour lab periods each week. Following college guidelines, for each hour in class you should expect to spend two hours studying outside of class.
Learning outcome: SMCC students apply the scientific method and employ the technological skills necessary to function effectively in an increasingly complex world.
Teaching Methods- This introduction to microbiology will include lectures, reading, relevant videos and hands on laboratory activities.
Page | 1

Student Support:
This course will require you to study a minimum of 6 hours each week outside of class. To do well in the course will require that you do your reading, attend class, and learn the material each week. If you are having problems please come to see me and ask questions. The SMCC learning center is also a great place for student support.
ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act):
Southern Maine Community College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and employer. For more information, please call 207-741-5798. If you have a disabling condition and wish to request accommodations in order to have reasonable access to the programs and services offered by SMCC, you must register with the
Disability Services Coordinator, Sandra Lynham, who can be reached at 741-5923. Further information about services for students with disabilities and the accommodation process is available upon request at this number.
Course policies about online testing are modified to suit each individual’s accommodations.
Student printing policy (new):
This policy identifies the cost per page for black and white as well as color printing in varying page sizes. Specifics of the policy are outlined below:
Per Page Costs
Each semester students receive a $20 printing credit. The balance resets at the end of the semester and any remaining credits are removed. The cost varies depending upon page size and whether printing is done in black and white or color. a. There is a $0.10 per page fee for standard 8.5” by 11” black and white documents. b. The reverse sides of duplex (double-sided) documents are free. c. There is a $.50 per page fee for standard 8.5” by 11” color documents. d. There is a $.20 per page fee for 8.5” by 14” (legal) or 11” by 17” (tabloid) black and white documents. e. There is a $1.00 per page fee for 8.5” by 14” (legal) or 11” by 17” (tabloid) color documents.
Duplex charges (printing on both sides of a page) work in the following fashion: One page is $0.10, two pages are $0.10, three pages are $0.20, and four pages are $0.20, etc . The flipsides are free, but another sheet of paper is $0.10. Please be aware that a document with any color at all (when printed to a color printer) will by default be printed in color. You are responsible for setting the print job to print black and white if you do not need color. For directions, please go to the IT Help tab in My SMCC.
How does it work?
The College’s pay-for-print system monitors printing on all printers (including those in general access labs, library printers, the Academic Achievement Center, Noisy Lounge and technology labs). Students can check the number of pages they have printed by using the Printing Balance tool available on SMCC computers (located in the lower right corner of the screen, near the clock). Departments with work study students who need to print documents for the department should contact the HelpDesk at 741-5696 to have a special account set up.
Refunds
Print jobs are eligible for a refund in the event of mechanical or electronic error on the part of the printer, print server, or software used to submit the job. Jobs are not eligible for a refund in cases where the job was not set up correctly, was submitted multiple times, or the student is not satisfied with the result. To request a refund, please bring the offending print to the IT Department in the basement of the Ross
Technology Center. Refunds will be granted in the form of a credit to the student’s account.
Why is SMCC charging for printing?
The pay-for-print system is an effort to control escalating printing costs. Charging for printing helps offset the increasing cost of supplies and encourages students to conserve resources. To find ways to reduce your printing charges, please go to the IT Help tab on My SMCC. If you have questions about the pay-forprinting policy or your printing charges, please contact the HelpDesk at 741-5696 or send an email to helpdesk@smccme.edu.
Page | 2

Be sure to log OUT of the system when you’ve finished your printing, to prevent unauthorized access to your account.
Drop/Add:
Students who drop a course during the one-week “drop/add” period in the fall and spring semesters, and the first three days of summer sessions, receive a 100% refund of the tuition and associated fees for that course. Please note any course that meets for less than the traditional semester length, i.e.
, 15 weeks, has a pro-rated drop/add period.
There is no refund for non-attendance.
IMPORTANT: Remaining enrolled after Drop/Add week means you understand and accept the requirements, policies, and instructions spelled out here, and in Blackboard.
Withdrawal:
A student may withdraw from a course only during the semester in which s/he is registered for that course. The withdrawal period is the 2 nd through 12 th week of the fall and spring semesters and the 2 nd through 9 th week of 12week summer courses. This period is pro-rated for shorter-length courses. To withdraw from a course, a student must complete and submit the appropriate course withdrawal form, available at the Enrollment Service Center (no phone calls, please). The designation “W” will appear on the transcript after a student has officially withdrawn. A course withdrawal is an uncompleted course and may adversely affect financial aid eligibility. Failure to attend or ceasing to attend class does not constitute withdrawal from the course.
There is no refund associated with a withdrawal.
Plagiarism:
Adherence to ethical academic standards is required. Plagiarism is cheating and is a serious offense, whether it consists of taking credit for work done by another person or doing work for which another person will receive credit.
Taking and using the ideas or writings of another person without clearly and fully crediting the source is plagiarism and violates the academic code as well as the Student Code of Conduct. If it is suspected that a student in any course in which s/he is enrolled has knowingly committed such a violation, the faculty member should refer the matter to the College’s Disciplinary Officer and appropriate action will be taken under the Student Code of Conduct.
Sanctions may include suspension from the course and a failing grade in the course. Students have the right to appeal these actions to the Disciplinary Committee under the terms outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.
Early Alert and Academic Alert: a. The first four weeks of the semester is the “Early Alert” period. Student progress is monitored closely during this time. The 5 th through the 9 th week is the “Academic Alert” period. Student progress continues to be monitored during this time. Students who are doing below-average work during these time frames receive an Early
Alert and/or Academic Alert grade of “U” (unsatisfactory, below a C). These alerts are intended to raise students’ awareness about their performance.
b. Grades of “U” (unsatisfactory) are sent to your advisor, who will notify you about scheduling a meeting to discuss strategies for improvement. Think about specific ways you can improve your performance and take these ideas with you to the meeting.
The Early Alert and Academic Alert periods cover the first half of the semester . If you are still performing unsatisfactorily at mid-term, it may be very difficult to earn a passing grade.
c. These alert grades do not change.
They do not become part of your permanent record and no other schools have access to them. They only reflect your performance for those time frames. However, these grades DO affect your final course grade, obviously, because your course grade continues to change as the semester progresses and you complete more work. Your final course grade may be different from your Early Alert and Academic Alert grades, i.e
., higher, lower, or the same, depending on your performance. You should calculate your grade often and know where you stand . d. If your course grade continues to stay at C or above (satisfactory), keep up the good work! You won’t receive an Early Alert grade or Academic Alert grade.
Page | 3

Administrative failure (grade of "AF"): a. “Administrative failure” is the consequence of missing work for a one-week period , OR not logging in at all for a one-week period , with no prior notification to the instructor regarding the reason. (The time frame for this policy differs by course.) b. A grade of AF is submitted to the Registrar immediately at the end of the two-week period. Basically, an
AF grade drops the student from the course. The student may then contact the instructor to request reinstatement in the course. Reinstatement is at the instructor’s discretion and is generally not granted because too much work has been missed by that time. Late work is not accepted, and makeup work is not available. c. A grade of AF is also assigned in cases of cheating and other inappropriate conduct. In these cases, other consequences may be imposed on the student.
d. An AF student can contact the Registrar and request that the grade of AF be changed to “W”
(withdrawn) if done before the final drop date. Students earning an AF or W are still financially responsible for the course.
End-of-course evaluation (online):
Students are asked to complete evaluations for each course attended at SMCC. Evaluations are submitted online and can be accessed through the student portal site. Students can access the course evaluation report beginning two weeks before the end of classes. The deadline for submission of evaluations occurs 24 hours after the last day of classes each semester. Instructors will announce when the online course evaluation is available. Evaluations have no effect on your grade. Instructors don't see student comments until grades have been submitted.
Attendance is required. Any absence must be approved in advance by the instructor. It is assumed that all materials will be turned in at the specified time. If you cannot attend a class period when an exam is given, you must make arrangements prior to that period. If class is cancelled for any reason, the assigned work will be due the following class period.
Missed, late, or makeup work. Lab work cannot be made up. Other work may be turned in late with pre-approval by the instructor and only due to emergencies or illness.
Grading and Description of Required Work
The grading for this class is broken up into 7 separate areas:
Quizzes (4) 20% of grade. May cover any aspect of lecture or lab material. The quizzes will contain 25 questions, including 15 multiple choice, 5 short answer, one math problem and one drawing
Midterm Exam 25% of grade. 100 questions, same general format as quizzes
Final Exam 25% of grade, same format as midterm. Covers material since midterm.
Mini-Research Paper 5% of grade
This will be a 4-page paper on a microbiology topic of your choice. Follow APA style. If you need to review APA style, help is available at the SMCC library. Must have at least 5 peer-reviewed sources.
Pre-lab quizzes 10%. Lab manual material only, 5 questions, multiple choice and short answer.
Laboratory Notebook 10% of grade
Bound (not spiral) notebooks must be used to record data. The organization, thoroughness and clarity of the notebook will be graded two times during the semester.
Bacterial Unknown Project 5% of grade
Unknown bacterial samples will be distributed to each student for identification during the last third of the semester. A short written report on the chosen identification scheme will be due at the end of the semester
Page | 4

Grade scale: 100-93 = A
92-90 = A-
89-87 = B+
Research paper grading rubric
Out of 100 points:
Appropriate length (10)
Appropriate number of references (5)
Grammar (10)
Adherence to specifications of style (5)
86-83 = B
82-80 = B-
79-77 = C+
Comprehension of material (20)
Ability to relate material to study of microbiology (10)
Ability to apply concepts learned in class (10)
Enthusiasm (10)
Unknown paper grading rubric
Out of 100 points
Separation of unknown (10)
Unknown #1 correct (10)
Unknown #2 correct (10)
Logical design of experimental sequence (10)
Interpretation of laboratory results (10)
Efficient use of laboratory time (10)
Demonstrates appropriate use of available laboratory materials (10)
Ability to work independently (10)
Completion of written report (10)
Lab notebook grading rubric
(out of 100 points)
Pages numbered (5)
Index (5)
Participation (10)
Comprehension of procedure (20)
Completion of verbal descriptions (10)
Adherence to specifications listed in instructions (10)
Completion of illustrations (10)
Comprehension of results (20)
76-73 = C
72-70 = C-
69-67 = D+
66-63 = D
62-0 = F
Page | 5

Laboratory Safety
You will begin your adventure into microbiology with the most important exercise of all when dealing with microorganisms, and that is safety. Safety includes rules of the laboratory and aseptic technique. You must first learn how to work in the laboratory with others safely without contamination to yourself, your classmates or what you are studying.
No visitors are allowed in lab without prior approval of the instructor.
In this laboratory, you will be working with living microorganisms. Most exercises will utilize bacteria that are generally considered non-pathogens and/or opportunists; others will use strains of pathogenic bacteria that have a reduced capacity to produce human disease (attenuated). However, the possibility remains that, under certain circumstances, most of these bacteria can cause infection. Therefore, you are advised to handle living cultures of all bacteria with the care and precautions that you would use in handling virulent pathogens.
The following simple instructions, if followed, eliminate or reduce the risks of accidental laboratory infection.
1. General lab safety: Notify instructor immediately of accident or problem.
To get help call SMCC security at 741-5553 or South Portland rescue at 911.
Note exit, eyewash, chemical shower, and fire extinguisher locations.
Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) notebook is in the media preparation room.
2. Personal safety in lab Do not eat, drink or chew gum in lab!
Keep fingers away from mouth and eyes (don’t chew on pencils).
Before leaving lab WASH YOUR HANDS.
Wear lab coat or apron (any covering for clothes) when working at bench.
Long hair should be tied back.
Closed toe shoes are required (no sandals).
Place other materials, books, etc. on chairs in front of room or in car.
Gloves should be worn for staining labs
3. Lab materials Clean bench before and after lab.
Do not take cultures from classroom.
Max of 4 people per bench (spread out).
Take care around flame
Carry tubes in test tube racks (not in hands) to avoid spills
Dispose of bacteria and media as follows (and listed on wall):
Slides go in glass disposal box.
Place test tubes (solid and liquid) in rack to be autoclaved
Plates go in autoclave bag.
You will need to bring these materials to each lab meeting:
Thin-tipped Sharpie permanent marker
Sewn, bound composition-type lab notebook
Lab coat or similar covering
Closed-toe shoes
Any essential paper work
Page | 6

Microbiology Lecture Schedule Summer 2014
Schedule is subject to change.
Topic Assignments_________
The Evolution of Microorganisms
Chemistry Review
Chapter 1
Chapter 2 Tortora
Chapter 2 Microscopy
Bacterial Cell Structure
Archael Cell Structure
Eukaryotic Cell Structure
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Viruses and other Acellular
Microbial Growth
Control of Microorganisms
Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Introduction to Metabolism
Catabolism
Recombinant DNA Technology
Bacterial Genome Replication…
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 17
Chapter 13
Regulation of Bacterial Cellular… Chapter 14
A little more Molecular Biology and Genetics (Selected parts of Ch. 15, 16, 18)
Clinical Microbiology and Immunology Chapter 36
Quiz 1 Mon June 9
Quiz 2 Wed June 18
Quiz 3 Mon June 30
Midterm (will collect and grade lab notebooks) Wed July 9
Research Paper Mon July 21
Quiz 4 Wed July 30
Unknown Report Wed Aug 6
Final Exam (will collect and grade lab notebooks)Mon Aug 11
Page | 7