Course Summary
In this class we will study the characteristics and importance of microorganisms with emphasis on their identification, control, beneficial applications, and relationships to health and disease.
Course Goals
1. To give students a brief historical background of microbiology and to learn how microorganisms affect all aspects of our lives, both positively and negatively.
2. To evaluate classic microbiological experiments, this will serve to demonstrate experimental design and data interpretation.
3. To provide students with a basic understanding of microbial cell structure and function, as well as an appreciation of microbial classification schemes.
4. To make students aware of how microbial populations can grow remarkably fast. Methods will be examined regarding how this growth can be encouraged (with beneficial microbes) and discouraged (with harmful microbes).
5. To provide students with a basic understanding of microbial genetics, biotechnology, and recombinant DNA techniques. Such knowledge will enable students to appreciate the many beneficial applications of microorganisms.
6. To show students how the human body interacts with microorganisms (both in health and in disease) an d to give students an overview of the body’s nonspecific and specific defense mechanisms against microbial infections.
7. To demonstrate some of the essential functions performed by microorganisms in industry and in the environment.
8. To enhance student through the writing of a formal papers.
Textbook
Microbiology, An Introduction - Tortora, Funke, and Case, C.L. (2013) Customized
11 th
Edition (2 nd
Custom Edition); several copies of the textbook on reserve at the NDSU
Library (circulation desk).
The textbook comes with an access card to the publisher’s
Mastering Microbiology website. This website includes a variety of learning activities and practice quizzes, as well as an electronic version of the textbook.
Instructor
Tom Gustad, MS
125 Van Es Hall
Phone: 701/231-8126
Email: T.Gustad@ndsu.edu
Office hours by appointment
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Course Information
MICR 202 Call #03729
Lecture meets Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:00-11:50am in Minard 116 {Attendance is expected and encouraged via pop quizzes and in-class assignments, which cannot be made up without an acceptable and pre-approved excuse responsible for obtaining notes they miss when absent}
; likewise, students are
Lecture notes and outlines for (most) videos will be available online at the Blackboard website
( https://bb.ndsu.nodak.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp
). Students are encouraged to download and bring the lecture notes to class. In addition, students are expected to monitor Blackboard, and their NDSU e-mail account for announcements.
General Education
The course goals, outlined previously, are designed to meet the General Education requirements in the
Science and Technology category based upon the following learning outcomes:
Outcome #5: Comprehend concepts and methods of inquiry in science and technology and their applications for society.
Methods of Inquiry - A number of classical microbiological experiments will be evaluated in this class.
These evaluations will serve to demonstrate experimental design and data interpretation.
Applications for Society - In this introductory microbiology course the significant impacts of microorganisms on society, both good and bad, will be addressed. Students will be made familiar with the widespread use of microorganisms for biotechnology, bioremediation, and fermentation. Students also will learn about the negative impacts microbial pathogens have had, and continue to have, on our society. Some microbial disease outbreaks, such as plague and influenza, will illustrate the historical significance of infectious diseases. More contemporary microbial diseases, such as AIDS and SARS, will serve to demonstrate the continuing problems infectious diseases have on our society.
Outcome #6: Integrate knowledge and ideas in a coherent and meaningful manner.
Writing assignments will motivate students to assimilate microbiological principles learned in class and gathered from additional sources. Students will gain experience researching microbiological subjects utilizing scientific journals, news journals, or the internet. The writing of these papers will enhance student comprehension of lecture topics by requiring them to integrate their microbiological knowledge into a coherent manuscript. In addition to writing assignments, the overall design of this introductory microbiology class will support the integration of knowledge and ideas. The course combines both microbiological fundamentals and applications. Such a blending of theory and practice will encourage students to assimilate the information in a meaningful manner.
Academic Honesty
Academic dishonesty and plagiarism are prohibited according to university policies. For more information please refer to the following websites: http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/policy/335.htm
http://www.ag.ndsu.edu/academics/honor.htm
. Academic dishonesty on assessments will result in a score of zero and the offending student will be referred to the CAFSNR Honor Commission for further disciplinary action.
Exam/Quiz Rules: No talking/whispering, no wandering eyes, no cell phones (please turn off).
No portable electronic devices may be used during assessments
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Special Needs
Any students with disabilities or other special needs, which need special accommodations in this course, are invited to share these concerns or requests with the instructor as soon as possible. The instructor may request verification which can be obtained from Disability Services in the Wallman Wellness Center 170 (231-8463). http://www.ndsu.edu/disabilityservices/
Veterans and Military Personnel
Veterans or military personnel with special circumstances or who are activated are encouraged to notify the instructor as early as possible.
Grading
Examinations – Students must bring a scantron, available at the Varsity Mart, to
each of the 3 exam periods
There will be two examinations, each worth 75 points, and a comprehensive final worth 125 points. Examinations consist of multiple choice or matching questions based on (any) lecture material (including assigned readings and videos).
Due to past abuses, I am forced to announce that there will be no flexibility in the scheduling of examinations. Therefore, the examinations must be taken at the scheduled times (with exceptions allowed only in extreme situations). Please plan your test preparation accordingly.
In-Class Quizzes/Assignments
In addition to the formal examinations, there will be 3 unannounced pop quizzes worth 10 points each. Students will need a pre-approved excused absence before they will be allowed to make up a missed pop quiz (note: makeup quizzes will be difficult and must be completed within one week of the in class quiz date).
In addition to the pop quizzes, there will be 10 unannounced in-class assessments, each worth 5 points. These in-class assessments are designed to encourage students to attend class and keep up to date with the material. Only students with pre-approved excused absences will be allowed to make up missed in-class assessments (note: makeup assessments will be difficult and must be completed within one week of the original assessment date).
On Line Quizzes
A total of 8 online quizzes, each worth 15 points, will be available approximately every two weeks throughout the semester (posted in the Course Information section of the Blackboard website). The on line quizzes are “open book/open notes” assessments designed to help students assimilate course information.
Once begun, the on line quizzes must be completed within a one hour time allotment. Each quiz will be available for approximately one week .
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Mastering Microbiology Quizzes
Students will be required to complete one online Mastering Microbiology quiz for ten of the twelve textbook chapters covered. Each quiz will be worth 10 points and will be available through the date of the relevant exam. Mastering
Microbiology quizzes for chapters 1, 4, 5, and 6 will be available through
Sept. 30, 2013 . Mastering Microbiology quizzes for chapters 7, 8, and 9 will be available through Nov. 3, 2013 . Mastering Microbiology quizzes for chapters 14, 16, and 17 will be available through Dec. 15, 2013 Prior to beginning each quiz students should review the various learning activities and practice quizzes for the relevant chapter.
Writing Assignment (Formal Paper)
Students will be required to write a formal paper worth a maximum of 25 points.
The topic for th is semester’s paper is emerging infectious diseases.
This paper is due Dec. 11, 2013 . Late papers will be accepted but one point will be deducted from their score for each day that they are late.
Prior to writing this paper, students will need to find two related articles concerning the assigned topic. These articles can be from scientific journals or from nonscientific sources such as news magazines, newspapers, or the internet.
The papers should be 3-4 pages in length. They should include a one paragraph introduction which identifies the titles and sources of the articles. The introduction should be followed by a 2-4 paragraph summary in which you summarize the two articles (in your own words). The summary should be followed by a 2-4 paragraph discussion . The discussion should include your opinions and/or commentary about the articles. Each section of the paper
(introduction, summary, discussion) should be clearly labeled . Copies of what I consider to be exemplary papers can be found in the course documents section of the blackboard web site.
The writing assignments are designed to satisfy general education requirements regarding the integration of microbiological principles and ideas in a coherent and meaningful manner. In preparing these papers students will gain experience researching microbiological subjects utilizing scientific journals, news articles, or the internet. The writing assignments will enhance student comprehension of lecture topics by requiring them to assimilate their microbiological knowledge into an articulate manuscript.
Point Distribution
Exam 1- 75 points (tentatively scheduled for 10/2/13)
Exam 2- 75 points (tentatively scheduled for 11/6/13)
Final Exam- 125 points (scheduled for 12/19/13)
On Line Quizzes- 120 points (one available ~every 2 weeks of the semester)
Pop Quizzes- 30 points (times unannounced, *no makeup's)
In-Class Assignments- 50 points (times unannounced, *no makeup's)
Formal Paper- 25 points (due 7/30/13) *without pre-approval
Mastering Microbiology- 100 points (one for 10 of 12 chapters covered)
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Final grades will be distributed as follows:
Total Points Percent Grade
540-600 90-100 A
480-539 80-89 B
420-479 70-79 C
360-419 60-69 D
<360 <60 F
Tentative Examination Schedule - Students must bring a scantron, available at the Varsity
Mart, to each of the 3 exam periods
Exam #1, Wed. 10/2/13 75 points (Ch. 1,4,5,6; plus videos)
Exam #2, Wed. 11/6/13 75 points (Ch. 7,8,9,10; plus videos)
Final Exam, Thursday, 12/19/13 (8:00am-10:am), 125 points (Comprehensive, but with emphasis on Ch.14,16,17,27; plus videos shown since 2 nd
examination)
Missed Examinations
Students will be expected to take exams on the days designated by the instructor. Exceptions will only be made for legitimate reasons (e.g. illnesses, either personal or immediate family) and written documentation (e.g. a doctor's excuse) will be required. Every effort should be made to contact the instructor prior to missing an examination. Should an exam be missed due to class cancellation by the university, the test will be administered at the next regularly scheduled class period.
Learning Environment
Students deserve a quality learning environment. Adherence to the following rules will help create such an environment.
1. Cellular Phones - unless you are expecting an extremely important call, please turn cell phones off prior to the start of class ( please also refrain from text messaging, internet surfing, and social networking during lecture ).
2. Chatter - please limit talking when instructor is speaking. This has been a recurrent issue during fall and spring semesters. Please respect you instructor, and your classmates, by minimizing conversations during lectures and videos.
3. Punctuality - please strive to arrive on time and avoid making preparations for leaving until the class period is over.
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Tentative Class Outline Date
Course Introduction Aug. 28 (W)
Ch. 1 The Microbial World and You
Ch. 4 Anatomy of Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Cells
Sept. 4 (W)
Sept. 9 (M)
Sept. 11 (W)
Sept. 16 (M)
Ch. 5 Microbial Metabolism
Ch. 6 Microbial Growth
Exam #1 (Ch. 1,4,5,6; plus videos)
Ch. 7 Control of Microbial Growth
Ch. 8 Microbial Genetics
Sept. 18 (W)
Sept. 23 (M)
Sept. 25 (W)
Sept. 30 (M)
Oct. 2 (W)
Oct. 7 (M)
Oct. 9 (W)
Oct. 14 (M)
Ch. 9 Biotechnology and Recombinant DNA
Ch. 10 Classification of Microorganisms
Oct. 16 (W)
Oct. 21 (M)
Oct. 23 (W)
Oct. 28 (M)
Oct. 30 (W)
Nov. 4 (M)
Exam #2 (Ch. 7, 8, 9, 10; plus videos)
Ch. 14 Principles of Disease and Epidemiology
Nov. 6 (W)
Nov. 13 (W)
Nov. 18 (M)
Nov. 20 (W)
Ch. 16 Nonspecific Defense Mechanisms of the Host
Ch. 17 Specific Host Defenses: The Immune Response
Nov. 25 (M)
Nov. 27 (W)
Dec. 2 (M)
Dec. 4 (W)
Ch. 27 Environmental Microbiology
Dec. 9 (M)
Dec. 11 (W)
Final Exam ( Comprehensive, emphasis on new material) Dec. 19 (8:00am –10:00am, Th)
Final exam questions from old material (exam #1 and #2 material) will come from the first two pop quizzes.
Due to past abuses, I am forced to announce that there will be no flexibility in the scheduling of examinations. Therefore, the examinations must be taken at the scheduled times (with exceptions allowed only in extreme situations). Please plan your test preparation accordingly. No quiz/ICA makeups after the final exam!!
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