Ocean County College
Professor’s Syllabus
Professor’s Name:
Dr. Catherine Murphy
Course Title and Number: Microbiology/BIOL 232 (Writing Intensive Course)
Catalog Description: A course primarily concerned with microorganisms as they pertain
to human welfare. Laboratory activities related to isolation,
culture, identification and control of microorganisms. The course is
intended for students in Allied Health programs.
Semester:
Spring 2013 (January 23 – May 15)
Office Location:
Room H232
Phone:
(732) 255-0400 extension 2263
Email:
cmurphy@ocean.edu or catherine_murphy@portal.occ.edu
Office hours:
Monday, 9:25-9:50, 11:50-12:15 & 1:55-2:25, Tuesday, 1:55-2:45,
Wednesday, 9:25-9:50, Thursday, 1:55-2:25, Friday, 10:00-10:50
Other Meeting Times:
To arrange a meeting with your instructor in addition to the
regularly scheduled office hours, please contact your instructor
directly or contact the Department of Science (extension
2178/khamilton@ocean.edu)
Required Text and Other Materials:
Cowan, M.K., 2011. Microbiology: A Systems Approach, 3rd
Edition.
Lab Manual: Available in Ocean Cruiser under Shared Files. It
must be printed out and brought to lab each week.
Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives:
The course is intended primarily to serve the needs of students
enrolled in health related programs. The course aims to introduce
students to the world of microbes present in the external and
internal environment of the human. The course further aims to
introduce the concepts and mechanisms of pathogenicity and
potential pathogenicity together with relevant aspects of control
and defense. Epidemiology of disease is emphasized throughout
the course. Laboratory experiences aim to supplement the lectures
while introducing students to those techniques related to
morphological, cultural, and biochemical characteristics used to
identify microorganisms. Labs also aim to emphasize performance,
scientific investigation, and safety.
General Education Goals Addressed in the Course:
1. To develop the ability to become an independent thinker through
mathematical, scientific and philosophical reasoning.
2. To develop the ability to solve problems by collecting, organizing and
evaluating information.
3. To develop an understanding of the concepts, theories and fundamental
principles of the natural and social sciences.
4. To develop a global perspective on problems and issues that humankind faces,
and to explore solutions which are morally, socially, economically, politically
and ecologically sound.
Course Standards:
No collaboration is allowed on any exam. Cheating on exams or plagiarism on reports
will be dealt with according to College policies. Refer to Student Handbook Policy #
5180.
Cell phones must be turned off and put away during exams and quizzes.
Cell phones must be turned off and put away during the lab period.
Cells phones must be put on silent during lecture. Ringing cell phones and texting
disrupts the class and is not allowed.
Always feel free to raise your hand to ask questions.
In the event that you should need to withdraw from this course please do so by the
appropriate time allowed by the Ocean County College calendar. If a student discontinues
attending class and does not properly withdraw, an F will be given for a final grade.
Attendance Policy:
Attendance at all lectures and labs is expected.
All absences must be granted by an individual faculty member, who will make the final
decision on whether or not to accept a student’s excuse for planning to miss class(es) or
for having missed class(es). In emergency situations such as a death in the family or
serious illness or other unforeseen occurrence, a student who does not have time to notify
his or her Professor should contact the departmental secretary, ext. 2178.
A grade of “F” will be assigned to any student who stops attending and does not
officially withdraw from the course.
Grading Scale:
A = 90-100
B+ = 86-89
B = 80-85
C+ = 76-79
C = 70-75
D = 60-69
F = < 60
Course Outline:
Lecture Topics:
Topic
The Main Themes of Microbiology
Prokaryotic Profiles
Quiz 1
Eukaryotic Cells and Microorganisms
Exam 1
An Introduction to Viruses
Microbial Nutrition and Growth
Quiz 2
Microbial Metabolism
Exam 2
Physical & Chemical Control
Drugs, Microbes, Host
Exam 3
Microbe-Human Interactions
Quiz 3
Diseases of the Skin and Eyes
Diseases of the Respiratory System
Quiz 4
Diseases of Gastrointestinal Tract
Diseases of the Cardiovascular System
Final
Reading
Chapter 1
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 18
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 20
LABORATORY SCHEDULE – Spring 2013 (H227)
Week of:
Lab Topic
1/21/13
Orientation/Lab Safety
1/28/13
Microscopy (Part I)
2/04/13
Microscopy (Part II); Smear Preparation; Simple Stain
2/11/13
Microbes in the Environment ; Motility (Wet mount)
2/18/13
Examine Environmental plates from prior week (colony
morphology); Aseptic Technique (Streak plate)
2/25/13
Introduction to Unknown; Cultural Characteristics (inoculation of
broth, slant & plate using unknown); Gram stain unknown
3/04/13
Cultural characteristics (interpretation); Differential Stains (Spore
Stain of unknown); Motility (Motility agar)
3/11/13
Biochemical & IMVIC Tests (Inoculations)
3/18/13
Biochemical & IMVIC Tests (Assessment); ID of
Unknown (Due)
3/25/13
Spring Break – No Labs
4/01/13
Preparation of Culture Media
4/08/13
Sensitivity Tests - Antibiotics and Disinfectants (Inoculations)
4/15/13
Sensitivity Tests (Assessment)
4/22/13
Food Testing (Inoculation); CDC Assignment Due
4/29/13
Food Testing (Evaluation)
5/06/13
Lab Final
5/13/13
Lab Exam Review
Statement on Plagiarism: Students should refer to the Student Handbook and review
Policy #5180.
Statement about Civility:
Ocean County College defines civility primarily as the demonstration of respect for
others, basic courtesy, reciprocity (treating others as we wish to be treated), and
behaviors that create a positive environment in which to learn and to work. [See
www.ocean.edu/civility.htm]
Lecture begins promptly. As a courtesy to your fellow students and your Professor,
please arrive on time.
Questions and participation in lecture discussions is strongly encouraged.
Distracting “side bar” conversations will not be tolerated.
Cell phones must be turned off or placed on vibrate setting during the lecture period.
Evaluation of Student:
60% Exams (4 exams, 15% each)
10% Quizzes (4 quizzes, lowest grade is dropped)
25% Lab (1 exam, Unknown, Participation)
5% WIC Assignment (Due – April 22, 2013)
Exams and quizzes consist of multiple choice, matching and true/false questions.
Writing Intensive Courses (WIC) and Writing (WIC) Assignment
Students enrolled in Writing Intensive Courses are required to generate at least 1200
words of written, graded work by the end of each writing intensive course. The purpose
of the college’s Writing Across the Curriculum [WAC] program is to ensure that students
develop and enhance their college-level writing skills throughout their college experience
and in preparation for their chosen careers or lifelong work. The WIC Assignment can be
found in Ocean Cruiser under “My Assignments”. It is to be submitted electronically in
Ocean Cruiser as described in the instructions for the assignment. You will use the Center
for Disease Control and Prevention website (www.cdc.gov) and/or the World Health
Organization website (www.who.int) to acquire information about specific infectious
diseases. Other sources, such as textbooks and journals should also be used. The
assignment should be written in your own words. Do not simply copy what is on the
website. Use correct grammar. Be sure to cite any sources that you use when completing
the assignment. Please refer to the additional handout in Ocean Cruiser Shared files on
“How to Cite Literature”. The assignment is due on April 22, 2013. Late submissions will
be penalized.
The assignment is worth 5 % of your final grade. Written work should reflect collegelevel writing, defined by the WAC criteria which appear in the rubric below.
WAC Rubric for Faculty Review Committees
Course Number & Title:
Instructor:
Grade Assigned by
Excellent
5
Proficient
4
Acceptable
3
Developing
2
Weak
1
WAC Criteria
1. Writing demonstrates
student learning of
discipline-specific
content
2. Writing displays focus,
organization, and
development
3. Writing displays
clarity
and unity
4. Writing displays
sentencelevel and mechanical
skills
5. Writing involves some
type of critical
thinking
such as analysis,
classification,
comparison/contrast
or
argument.
OPTIONAL COMMENTS
Please include any additional comments you would like to make about this writing sample,
including the assignment, the appropriateness of the grade the student received, or any other
pertinent matters.
Campus Resources and Services: There is tutoring available (a) in the writing lab for all
subject areas, not just English courses, and (b) in the Mathematics Tutoring Center. In
addition Student Success Seminars are scheduled each week and are posted on the
college website under “Campus Resources and Services.” More information on college
services can be found by using the A-Z index on the college website (for example, under
“T’ for Tutoring or under “S” for Study Strategy Sessions.)
Statement of Accommodations:
If there is any student in this class who has special needs because of learning disabilities
or other kinds of disabilities, please feel free to come and discuss this with me, or a staff
member in the Center for Academic Excellence.
Disclaimer: Individual faculty members may make reasonable changes to his course
outline exclusive of course requirements, course calendar, and grading procedures.
All individuals should not assume that anything received, sent, or stored in this course or
in any course is private. Students’ written work, assignments, and test results may be
used anonymously for college assessment purposes. Course content, support materials,
and communications (including chats, discussions, emails, and any other forms of
communication) may be used for quality assurance purposes by authorized college
administrators.
Important Notes
Ocean Cruiser is the official email communication for students at OCC
(firstname_lastname@occ.mailcruiser.com)
Failure to pay for this course may result in your being dropped for non-payment.