Harrisburg Area Community College
Biology 100 Basic Microbiology, Spring 2015
1 credit CRN 32678
Online Course Syllabus
Science Department
Instructor: Michelle A. Bucks, Ph.D.
Phone: 717-469-5525
Email: mabucks@hacc.edu
Office Location: Harrisburg campus, Blocker 232B
Office Hours: Tuesdays 3:00 PM – 5:30 PM, Thursdays 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM
– 5:30 PM in Blocker 232B. Or, call the above phone number anytime between 8 AM and 7
PM any day of the week. Leave a message and I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
This class is conducted completely online. You must have regular access to a
reliable internet source. The course is designed to be taken on a computer (not a
portable electronic device such as a smartphone or tablet). These devices may work, but
it is essential that the computer or electronic device can properly access Desire to Learn
(D2L). Accessibility to a printer is also strongly recommended. You will also need access
to a computer/electronic device with a reliable internet connection and webcam when
taking the exams in this course (discussed in more detail below). Computer labs are
available during normal hours of operation at every HACC campus. You can access the
course website in D2L through the MyHACC portal or ehacc.hacc.edu.
This is a condensed 8 week biology course. We cover a lot of material in a short
amount of time. It is a one credit course, but the one credit is covered in ½ of the normal
semester. Therefore the workload will feel more like a 2 credit course. Furthermore,
students sometimes find biology courses to be more challenging than other subject areas.
Therefore, to be successful in this course you will need to dedicate a significant amount of
time in 8 weeks to study the material. It will not be easy. If you want to succeed in the
course you must be ready to work hard to learn the information!
Required Textbooks: Microbiology Demystified, 2nd Edition. Betsy and Keogh. McGraw
Hill Publishers. ISBN 978-0-07-176109-3
Print this syllabus. Read it thoroughly. All of the due dates for the entire course are
listed on the last page.
Catalog Course Description Biology 100 is a general review of microbiology with
emphasis on pathological mechanisms of infectious disease and precautions necessary for
the prevention of infectious disease in health care and extended care facilities.
Prerequisites: none
Course Learning Objectives:
1. List and contrast the different classes of microbial agents including bacteria,
protozoa, algae, viruses, prions, helminths, arthropods and fungi.
2. Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
3. Differentiate between Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria based on
color.
4. Identify selected prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathogens in terms of cell shape and
Gram stain reaction and correlate with corresponding disease(s).
5. Identify general characteristics of viruses and prions and correlate selected viruses
with corresponding infections.
6. Differentiate between normal flora and pathogens and identify strategies and
behaviors to prevent infections including the use of standard precautions and
avoidance of transmission of hospital acquired infections to patients.
7. Describe specific defense processes of the immune system and the three lines of
body defenses.
8. List and compare physical and chemical microbial controls and appropriate
antisepsis techniques for hand hygiene.
9. Compare antimicrobial treatment for prokaryotic, eukaryotic and viral
microorganisms and identify difficulties when treating for resistant microbes.
10. Describe proper collection techniques for the major body sites.
Communication with the instructor and other students is vital to being successful in an
online course. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me.
 Email: THIS IS THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME. You can use course email to
send me a private email message regarding concerns or questions. Questions
received by email will be answered within two business days during the course
term. Please always be sure to include your full name in your email message.
 Discussion Board: You can post a message on the general course discussion
board. Keep in mind that all students can read your posting, so do not post
concerns/questions of a private nature. This is the best place to ask a question that
might also apply to other students.
 By phone: Feel free to contact me via the phone number listed above.
Please do not hesitate to contact me, I cannot help you if I do not know you want
help!
Hawkmail: All students are provided a Hawkmail email account. Essential course
notifications will be sent via Hawkmail and/or D2L. It is essential that you activate and
use your Hawkmail account to ensure that you do not miss essential course
communications.
D2L Email: All students also have an internal email account in D2L. You can send me
email through this account also. Please always be sure to include your full name within
your email message. D2L email can be accessed by clicking on the envelope symbol at
the top of the D2L screen. When trying to view messages in the inbox, be sure to change
the “Filter by” option to “All messages” so you can view D2L email messages received
in all of your courses. Otherwise, the inbox will only show messages from a specific
course.
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Description and Assessment of the Online Course:
This course is taught entirely online. For each weekly topic there will be lecture materials
(including lecture powerpoint presentation files and audio files that correspond with the
powerpoint presentation) and a homework assignment. Due dates for all homework
assignments and exams are listed at the end of the syllabus.
Course Requirements:
 Complete textbook reading assignments and online lecture power point materials
(including audio files)
 Participate in the course by completing weekly homework assignments on time
 Complete online exams during the dates listed on the syllabus
Participation/ Attendance:
Attendance and active participation in this online course means that you are logging into
the course website on D2L a minimum of 2 days per week and are completing
required assignments on time. Failure to log in and participate in the course for a period
of longer than one week or repeated instances of failing to log in and participate may result
in withdrawal from the course. If you are unable to actively participate for an extended
period of time, please contact me to avoid a reduction in class grade or instructor-initiated
withdrawal from the course. Attendance policies are in accordance with Administrative
Procedure 661.
Homework Assignments:
Homework assignments are designed to encourage the student to review the week’s
lesson and/or provide examples of how course work is relevant to current
events. Answers to homework assignments will be found in the lecture powerpoint
presentation files and/or the lecture audio files. There will be 8 open-book homework
assignments for this course. Homework assignments must be submitted by the due
date listed on the syllabus. After submitting your assignment in D2L, it is strongly
encouraged that you check the gradebook to ensure that the assignment has been
successfully submitted to D2L. No late homework assignments will be accepted. If
you have technical difficulties in D2L submitting your assignment answers, you must email
me your answers before the due date for that assignment.
Correct answers for the homework assignments can be viewed immediately after you
submit that specific assignment. To view the correct answers for an assignment, Click on
“Assessments” (in the red bar at the top of the screen in D2L) and then click on
"Homework and Assignments.” Then click on the specific assignment you are interested
in. After you have clicked on the assignment, you then click on "Submissions" (in blue,
near the top), and then "Attempt 1" (below).
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Exams:
3 online exams will assess student learning. Exams are closed-book and must be
taken online using the online proctoring service, ProctorU, or at a local HACC
testing center. ProctorU is an online proctoring service that allows you to complete
exams from anywhere with a secure, uninterrupted internet connection and a webcam.
When connected with ProctorU, a live person will guide you to begin the exam and proctor
the testing session via a webcam. A basic webcam is required to take the exams (specific
technical requirements are listed in D2L). If completing the exam with ProctorU, you must
remain connected with ProctorU the entire time you are completing the exam. You must
schedule an appointment to take the exam with ProctorU during the exam
availability dates (listed at the end of the syllaubs). With ProctorU, exams can be
scheduled 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but exam appointments MUST be scheduled
with ProctorU at least 3 days before taking the exam (I recommend scheduling a
week in advance). Create your free ProctorU account and schedule exam appointments
at http://www.proctoru.com/portal/hacc/
Most students enjoy the convenience of the ProctorU testing option and have had positive
experiences with the online proctoring system. If you do not have access to a webcam, a
reliable (uninterrupted) internet service or have severe anxiety regarding the online
proctoring system, you can also schedule the exam to be taken at your nearest HACC
testing center during the exam periods listed on the syllabus. Exams may be scheduled
with a HACC Test Center by using the following online form:
http://www.hacc.edu/Students/TestCenter/TestingforOnlineStudents/Computer-ExamForm.cfm
Exams must be completed by 11:59 PM on the last day of exam availability (listed on the
last page of the syllabus). You will have 60 minutes to complete each exam. The
remaining time for each exam is shown at the top left of the screen while taking the exam.
After the 60 minutes has expired, answers cannot be entered and saved. Failure to
schedule the exam with ProctorU or a HACC testing center and/or technical difficulties are
not considered legitimate excuses for missing an exam. Do not procrastinate. Exams
cannot be accessed after the due date. Students must complete the exams during the
exam dates listed on the syllabus.
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Students may not use any form of outside help during the exams. You may
not access class notes, internet resources, textbooks, other individuals or any other
information while you are taking the exam. Using any materials or assistance
during the exam is considered academic dishonesty and will be penalized
accordingly.
Exchanging information about the exam with other students is considered cheating
and students will be penalized in accordance with the Academic Dishonesty
Policy.
Any student caught doing any form of cheating will be penalized in accordance with
the Academic Dishonesty Policy.
Make-up exams will only be granted in extreme circumstances and will require
documentation of a legitimate excuse. If documentation cannot be provided,
significant points may be deducted for the make-up exam, IF a make-up exam is
permitted by the instructor.
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Contact me immediately if you have difficulties accessing or completing the
exam.
Discussion Postings (Extra Credit):
Throughout the semester I will be posting several discussion topics/questions.
Participation on the discussion board is optional. However, meaningful, scholarly, correct
and properly cited discussion post responses will be awarded with extra credit points.
Only responses that are posted before the information has been tested on will be awarded
extra credit. Responses that are posted after that exam period has opened will not receive
extra credit. Up to 2 extra credit points for each discussion board topic and up to 1 point
for each current even topic response will be awarded. Only discussion board postings
posted before 3/20 will receive extra credit. The number of extra credit points earned will
be entered in the grades section of D2L on or after 3/20. A maximum of 15 extra credit
points may be earned from discussion board postings.
Discussion postings must be in complete sentences and be original and meaningful.
Put the information in your own words; do not plagiarize from online or written
sources. Please use proper grammar and punctuation. Postings such as “me too” or
“that’s cool” will not receive extra credit points. Postings containing information taken
from other sources must be appropriately cited (include website address or author
name and publication date).
Studying Course Material:
The same course material that is covered in the face-to-face course is covered in the
online course. Traditionally, science students should plan to study at least 2 hours outside
of class for every hour in class each week. This condensed class is equivalent to 2 hours
lecture/week, so you should plan to study and review course materials at least 4 hours
per week. I recommend that you view the lecture materials, listen to the audio files and
take notes as if you are sitting in the classroom. Don't get behind with the course
materials. Plan to start studying from day 1 and work ahead whenever possible.
Academic Dishonesty: You are expected to conduct yourself in a respectful and honest
manner. Academic dishonesty will jeopardize your chances of future success in
college and in your career. Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated. Any
incidence of cheating on an assignment or exam will result in a grade of “F” for the course
and the student will be dismissed from class. Any incidence of plagiarism will result in a
grade of 0 for the assignment. Copied statements from online or written sources without
proper acknowledgment or citation are considered plagiarism. All assignments,
assessments and discussion postings are to be your own work and in your own words.
Students are subject to policies and procedures approved in HACC administrative
Procedure 594
Makeup Work: Late assignments will not be accepted. Access to homework submissions
and exams is not available after the posted due date. One makeup exam will be permitted
only under extreme circumstances with an instructor approved excuse.
Refund dates: Refund dates can be found on the following HACC website:
http://www.hacc.edu/NewStudents/RegisterOnlineGuide/Add-Drop-Deadlines.cfm During
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the 100% refund period, students do not need an instructor’s signature to drop a class.
The course may be dropped in MyHACC. During the 50% refund period, students do not
need instructor’s approval for the drop, but must file a DAW form to drop the course. After
the 50% refund period students need to fill out a DAW form and need the instructor’s
signature to drop the course (discussed below).
Withdrawal from the Course: Students may withdraw from the course up until the last
day of class with a grade of “W.” However, the completed, signed withdrawal paperwork
(DAW form) must received by the Registrar’s office by the last day of class. The
withdrawal process may be performed via email from a student’s Hawkmail account or D2L
email account, but this process must be initiated and completed before the last day of
classes to ensure it is processed by Registration in time. Withdrawal policies are
detailed in Administrative Procedure 667 and in the “Getting Started” folder of the
course. Poorly performing students and those students who have not attended class and
fail to withdraw may receive a grade of “F.”
Incomplete Grades: A grade of "I" may be given by the instructor to students who,
because of extenuating circumstances, need additional time beyond the term to complete
course work. Students must contact the instructor and request the incomplete
grade. Coursework must be completed within 8 weeks of the following semester or a
grade of "F" may be given.
Technical/ Computer Help: If you are having trouble logging into the MyHACC portal
contact the Help Desk (helpdesk@hacc.edu) or call the Help Desk at (717) 780-2570 or 1800-ABC-HACC and ask for the HELP DESK. Please note that the Help Desk has hours
of operation and is not open 24 hours a day.
If you are having trouble logging into D2L you may contact the D2L Help Desk for
assistance at helpdesk@desire2learn.com or 1-877-325-7778. Please also contact me if
you are having repeated difficulties accessing course content on D2L.
Tutoring Services: The learning centers at each HACC campus provide free tutorial
assistance and workshops to help students in the areas of academic skills and
development. Centers are staffed with professional and peer tutors who assist students
with reading, writing, accounting, math, problem solving, science, computer literacy,
speech and academic success. Tutorial sessions may be arranged for students who
require assistance in other subjects. Tutoring is done on a walk-in, scheduled or referral
basis. All inquiries regarding these and other services should be directed to the Office for
Academic Success at your campus location.
Special Accommodations: Students who request special accommodations must show
documentation from the learning center. It is the student's responsibility to communicate
with the instructor when requesting special accommodations.
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PHRC Syllabus Requirement
EEOC POLICY 005 It is the policy of Harrisburg Area Community College, in full accordance with the law,
not to discriminate in employment, student admissions, and student services on the basis of race, color,
religion, age, political affiliation or belief, gender, national origin, ancestry, disability, place of birth, General
Education Development Certification (GED), marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression,
veteran status, genetic history/information, or any legally protected classification. HACC recognizes its
responsibility to promote the principles of equal opportunity for employment, student admissions, and student
services taking active steps to recruit minorities and women.
The Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (“PHRAct’) prohibits discrimination against prospective and current
students because of race, color, sex, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, handicap or disability, record
of a handicap or disability, perceived handicap or disability, relationship or association with an individual with
a handicap or disability, use of a guide or support animal, and/or handling or training of support or guide
animals.
The Pennsylvania Fair Educational Opportunities Act (“PFEOAct”) prohibits discrimination against
prospective and current students because of race, religion, color, ancestry, national origin, sex, handicap or
disability, record of a handicap or disability, perceived handicap or disability, and a relationship or association
with an individual with a handicap or disability.
Information about these laws may be obtained by visiting the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
website at www.phrc.state.pa.us.
Students with disabilities who are in need of accommodations should contact the campus disability
coordinator listed below. Coordinators for each campus are listed here:
http://www.hacc.edu/Students/DisabilityServices/Contact-Disability-Services.cfm
HACC—Lebanon Campus and Virtual Learning
Deborah Bybee
Coordinator, Disability Services
104R
735 Cumberland Street
Lebanon, PA 17042
Phone: 717-270-6333
Email: dabybee@hacc.edu
Grading:
3 lecture exams
8 Lecture homework assignments
(lowest score dropped)
100 pts each
15 pts each
300 pts
105 pts
405 pts total
Letter grades:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = 0-59%
405- 365 points
364- 324 points
323- 284 points
283- 243 points
242 points and below
At any point in the semester your percentage grade can be determined by dividing your
total amount of points earned by the total amount of points possible at that point in the
semester. For example, if midway through the semester the total points possible was 150
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and you earned a total of 120, you divide 120 by 150 to get .80. This gives you an 80% at
that point in the semester. Your final semester grade is determined in the same way at the
end of the semester using a total of 405 points possible. Decisions on borderline grades
(that may be rounded to the next higher letter grade) will be made upon consideration of
the student’s class participation and exam scores.
Tentative Schedule
Week
of
1/20
1/20
1/20
1/26
Topic
Material
Available
1/20
Assignments Due
Text Chapters
Practice Hmwk due
Sat. 1/24
1/20
Hmwk 1 Due Sun.
1, 9
Introduction to Microbiology
1/25
Set-up a Free Proctor U account and Contact ProctorU or contact a HACC Test Center to
schedule an appointment for Exam 1 during 1/31 – 2/4
1/20
Hmwk 2 Due Sun.
4, 11
Cell Structure and Eukaryotic Infections
2/1
Studyguide for Exam 1 Available 1/23
Introduction to Course
Exam 1 Available Sat. 1/31 – Weds. 2/4
2/2
2/9
2/16
Hmwk 3 Due Sun.
2/8
1/31
Hmwk 4 Due Sun.
Viruses and Prions
2/15
Contact ProctorU or a HACC Testing Center to schedule an appointment
for Exam 2 during 2/21 – 2/25
1/31
Hmwk 5 Due Sun.
Immune Defenses
2/22
Studyguide for Exam 2 Available 2/13
Pathogenicity and Prokaryotic Infections
1/31
10, p155-168
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14-15
Exam 2 Available Sat. 2/21 – Weds. 2/25
2/23
3/2
3/2
3/9
Hmwk 6 Due Sun.
3/1
Contact ProctorU or a HACC Testing Center to schedule an appointment
for Exam 3 during Sunday 3/15 – Thursday 3/19
2/21
Hmwk 7 Due Sun.
Antimicrobials
3/8
2/21
Hmwk 8 Due Sun.
Infection Control and Specimen Collection
3/15
Spring Break week, Study for Exam
Studyguide for Exam 3 Available 3/6
External Microbial Controls
2/21
6
16
13
Exam 3 Available Sun. 3/15 – Thurs. 3/19
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