COURSE NUMBER: MICR V01 COURSE TITLE: General Microbiology page 1 of 10 Lecture Syllabus Term: Summer Year: 2015 Lecture Instructor: Dr. Marta D. de Jesus Office/Division Location: SCI-337 Office Phone: (805) 289-6248 Office Hours: by appointment only Instructor’s Web Page: http://dewhozitz.net/ E-Mail Address: mdejesus@vcccd.edu (please leave notes with the Division Assistants in SCI-321) Class Hours: Lecture: Tu/We/Th 1:30 – 4:20 PM (SCI-313) Class CRN: 50284 Lab: Tu/We/Th 10:30 - 1:20 PM (SCI-311) with Prof. E. Bellenson Class CRN: 52249 Lab: Tu/We/Th 4:30 - 7:20 PM (SCI-311) with Prof. E. Bellenson Prerequisite(s): BIOL V04 or PHSO V01 or equivalent with grades of C or better; AND CHEM V01A & CHEM V01AL or CHEM V20 & CHEM V20L or CHEM V30 & CHEM V30L or 1 year of high school chemistry with grades of C or better Recommended Prep: BIOL V01 & BIOL V01L and CHEM V21 & CHEM V21L and ENGL V01A. (To see the pre-nursing requirements for VC’s RN Program go to: http://www.venturacollege.edu/departments/academic/nursing_science/faqs.shtml .) A. Course Description This course includes lectures and laboratory studies concerning bacteria, fungi, protists, algae and viruses with emphasis on bacterial morphology, anatomy, staining, classification, metabolism and growth, and the effects of physical and chemical agents on bacteria. The course includes the principles of disease transmission, prevention and biotechnology. It serves several different populations including pre-nursing, biotechnology, and as preparation for graduate professional degrees in physician assistant, pharmacy, etc. Disclaimer: This course is NOT the equivalent of a required class for microbiology majors or medical students (MD or DO), although it may be a useful class in aiding preparation and understanding for those students. Summer-specific Note: This is an accelerated version of MICR V01 as compared to our normal semester. Each day the class meets is the equivalent of 1 week of that class AND 1 week of summer ≅ 3 weeks of regular term. Recommendation: Do NOT plan on having much time for other activities during the course AND do NOT plan any absences. B. Method Of Instruction In the “lecture” portion of this class, traditional lecture will be the primary mode of instruction. The lab portion of this class consists mostly of a “hands-on” set of lab exercises (see Schedule). Please see the Schedule and Grading Plan for a list of reading and other assignments, tests, etc. C. Student Learning Outcomes 1. Student knows and can apply microbiology and immunology terms and concepts to microbiological problems. 2. Student understands and can compare and contrast taxonomy, biological significance, genetics, and metabolism of microorganisms. 3. Follow laboratory protocols and perform microbiologic lab skills, including microscopy, staining, and culturing of microorganisms. COURSE NUMBER: MICR V01 COURSE TITLE: General Microbiology page 2 of 10 D. Course Objectives Upon successful completion of the lecture portion of this course, the student will be able to demonstrate the following measurable skills and abilities: 1. Analyze basic biological principles, particularly as they apply to microorganisms. 2. Use terminology common to microbiology. 3. Discuss the importance of microorganisms in nature. 4. Evaluate microorganisms (e.g., viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists, and helminths) as agents of disease. 5. List the important physical and chemical methods for control of microorganisms. 6. Solve problems of applied microbiology. 7. Evaluate the principles, techniques and significance of genetic engineering. 8. Compare the mechanisms involved in disease caused by microorganisms. 9. Compare the mechanisms of host resistance to pathogenic microorganisms, particularly the immune system. 10. Diagram the principles of taxonomy; e.g., identification, nomenclature, classification. 11 Organize scientific information resources and use scientific writing skills. 12. Solve problems using the scientific method. E. Course Topics/Units (see schedule) F. Core Competencies Read, retain, and apply published ideas Write clearly and accurately in a variety of contexts and formats Employ the vocabulary of the subject being studied Recognize the need for information and/or identify and clarify the question that needs to be answered Differentiate between major and minor arguments or ideas Find and interpret relevant information from text, tables, graphs, personal communication, and observation Evaluate authority, veracity and bias of information Utilize data gathered to draw conclusions or to create new sources of information that can be shared with others Apply the principles of scientific reasoning to solve problems Use language as appropriate to the situation G. Textbook(s) and others Required Textbook: Foundations in Microbiology (9th ed.) by Talaro & Chess. Bring your textbook to every class meeting. Read the assigned chapters before class! Note: the publisher’s online ancillaries (quizzes, etc.) are NOT required for this class, but may be helpful for studying. Access is free with a new copy of the textbook; otherwise the access code can be obtained for a fee from the bookstore or directly from the publisher. Optional Lecture Outlines or Powerpoint pdf files: (To Be Announced) Required Lab Text: Benson’s Microbiological Applications (13th ed.) - Short Version by Brown & Smith Required Lab Safety Supplies: Your lab instructor may require more items than these: labcoat (NOT scrubs!), safety eyewear (glasses or goggles), disposable gloves, etc. Optional/Recommended Materials: 1) Student Study Guide (for text) 2) A Photographic Atlas for Microbiology Laboratory (color photos) 3) Dictionary of Word Roots & Combining Forms by D.J. Borror (useful for medical terminology) 4) Clinical Microbiology Made Ridiculously Simple by M. Gladwin & B. Trattler 5) The Cartoon Guide to Genetics by L. Gonick & M. Wheeler (has a good introduction to molecular genetics) 6) Coloring books: Microbiology Coloring Book by Alcamo Diversity of Life by Margulis, Schwartz, & Dolan COURSE NUMBER: MICR V01 COURSE TITLE: General Microbiology page 3 of 10 H. Grading Plan - Course Guaranteed Grades: A: 90-100% B: 80-89% C: 70-79% D: 60-69% F: below 60% In general, there are NO MAKE-UPS and late assignments will NOT be accepted. Grades will be assigned based on work performed. 75% of your grade will come from Lecture and 25% will be from Lab (actual “points” in the lecture & lab are NOT of equal weight). (your lecture grade)(.75) + (your lab grade)(.25) = your final numerical grade Eg: (lecture)(.75) (70%)(.75) (66%)(.75) (64%)(.75) (62%)(.75) (60%)(.75) + + + + + + (lab).25 (70%)(.25) (82%)(.25) (88%)(.25) (94%)(.25) (100%)(.25) = 70% (to pass) Lecture Component Specifics: Lecture Tests: 20-point tests will be given every day in lecture at the start (after the first day) and are over either when a) the last person to arrive on-time finishes, or b) a reasonable time has passed. Question formats can include multiple choice, matching and short answer. Each test will cover the material since the last test. Bring new 50-point Scantron answer sheets (Form# 95946) available at the Bookstore or Student Business Office for the multiple choice and/or matching questions on one side and short answer ones on the other side. You will also need #2 or mechanical pencils (other pencil leads and ink are not read by the machine), and a good eraser (the white plastic ones seem to work best). The lowest 2 test scores (not including the Final Exam) will be dropped from your final grade tally. There are usually no make-ups; this gives you 2 times you can miss a test at maximum. Lecture Final Exam is cumulative and will contain 110 points; bring a larger, new 100-point Scantron Form 95677 for this exam. Total Lecture points possible: 350 points {with 12 daily Tests (out of 14) counting and the Final Exam} Estimated Total Lecture Point levels to achieve: A level: 315 or more B level: 280-314 C level: 245-279 {To figure out your “current grade” in lecture at any time, divide the number of current earned lecture points, eg: by the total number of current possible points, eg: Test 1: 16 points + Test 2: 17 points = 33 points 20 points + 20 points = 40 points Example Grade: 0.825 = 82.5%} Lab Scores (25% of your grade) are determined by how you perform in lab (according to the lab instructor). Extra Credit: there is usually none (both lecture & lab). Attendance/Participation: Even though there are no direct points given for this, it can affect your ultimate grade. If you are tardy or leave early, you will lose points on tests, and you may miss valuable information/announcements. Expect to be present in class the entire time listed (lecture & labs). You are responsible for your credit and enrollment status; be aware of Ventura College’s add/drop dates and policies. Note: VC Catalog states: “When absence from the class exceeds in number 1/9th of the total class contact hours for the session, the instructor may recommend to the Registrar that such student be dropped from the class and a grade recorded in accordance with withdrawal from class policy as stated in (the) Catalog. Classes missed because of late registration are counted toward the number of absences.” Note: in this accelerated class this occurs at 2 absences. Last Day to Withdraw with a “W”: July 16, 2015 COURSE NUMBER: MICR V01 COURSE TITLE: General Microbiology page 4 of 10 I. Classroom Rules Of Conduct (also Appendix 1 of the Ventura College Catalog: Student Conduct Code or go to http://www.venturacollege.edu/honesty/). Academic Dishonesty (a.k.a. Cheating): This can take a variety of forms. In Academia in general, at Ventura College, and especially in this class, it will NOT be tolerated. All work you submit for grading (assignments, papers, & tests) must be your own work. In this course you are being graded as an individual and your work must reflect that. Dishonest behavior includes: a) looking at another’s test/exam/quiz; b) allowing someone else to see your test/exam/quiz; c) passing information in any form during an test/exam/quiz (talking will NOT be tolerated); d) using unauthorized crib notes or other “aids” during a test/exam/quiz; e) plagiarism = using someone else’s words as your own. This includes copying an assignment from another student or allowing someone else to make a copy of your assignment, copying and pasting information from the Internet without correct attribution, and paraphrasing which means using the same words/phrases as the original author, even if they are rearranged. At the least, the first time academic dishonesty becomes an issue, during a test you may be moved and you will receive a ZERO GRADE for the assignment. If the incident is outrageous or a second offense, sterner measures will be taken. A Word to the Wise: Since you have chosen to continue in academia and are aiming for a profession with very high ethical standards, realize that behavior that may have been treated as a minor infraction earlier will have increasingly serious consequences if it occurs now or later in your academic or professional career (possibly all the way up to the loss of the degree and/or profession). Disruption/Obstruction of class: None will be tolerated. All communication and computational devices must be turned audibly OFF during classroom time, and any disruptive behavior (this includes talking out of turn or answering a text message) will get you excluded from class. Please leave the room if you must take a message and/or cannot comport yourself as required during the lesson. Otherwise, the class will be getting an occasional break and that is when you can take time to check messages, etc. During tests & exams all communication devices will be out of sight and hearing; you cannot respond to calls at that time. If you have an emergency situation, please discuss this with the instructor before the test or lecture, or as soon as possible. Lab Safety: As this class has a laboratory component, there is a required introduction to lab safety. No student will be allowed to participate in lab until this instruction has taken place. J. Some of the On-Campus Student Help: see the online Summer 2015 schedule of classes for a complete list. Please make use of these services if needed! Tutoring Center: offers free tutoring in most academic subjects including biology, chemistry, math, etc. as well as help with general study skills. Note: Qualified tutors are very difficult to find for this class; often there are NONE available for Microbiology. {Incidentally, if you are doing well in his or any other class & are willing to help others (& get paid for it), PLEASE consider signing up as a tutor!} Counseling & Career Centers: Counselors can help to define your educational goals & the path to achieve them. For Nursing (LVN, & RN), talk to Bea Herrera or Angelica Gonzalez. For 4-year (i.e., transfer) majors (including BSN programs) there are additional counselors (eg: Marian Carrasco Nungaray, head of the Transfer Center). To do your own research for how VC’s programs and classes match up with your target institution(s), California public colleges & universities only, go to: www.assist.org. (Note: Please realize that I and your other professors can answer some questions about transfer & careers. We’ve been to some of the schools & know about careers in our majors and other related studies.) COURSE NUMBER: MICR V01 COURSE TITLE: General Microbiology page 5 of 10 Special academic needs: Disabled Students Programs and Services/Educational Assistance Center (DSPS/EAC): If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations in this class, please see the DSPS/EAC (then me) as soon as possible so that your learning needs can be appropriately met. Extended Opportunity Programs & Services: helps economically disadvantaged students. K. Emergency Procedures For Accidents And Acute Illness College Nurse 289-6346 Campus Police 289-6486 a) In life-threatening situations, dial 911. Give the nature and exact location of the accident or medical emergency! DO NOT MOVE THE VICTIM, unless to prevent further injury. b) For non-life-threatening situations, contact the Student Health Center (x6346). A nurse is on duty during daytime hours and limited evening hours. SHC can treat many problems. There are nominal fees for laboratory tests, procedures (including vaccinations), medications, and a variety of medical practitioners attend SHC patients. When the nurse is not available or the Student Health Center is closed, call 2896486; First Aid is available from Campus Police when the Student Health Center is closed. Please report ALL student college-related injuries, as soon as possible to the Student Health Center. The instructor or person in charge shall make a written report of the injury. Accident report forms are available at the Student Health Center, the Evening Dean's office, or from Campus Police. Accident reports are essential to process Insurance Claims; both are processed through the Student Health Center. Once an accident report is received that requires an Insurance Claim, the student will be given information about the college's insurance coverage and the billing procedures. An injury resulting from an illness is NOT covered by the college insurance, but it still needs to be reported to the Student Health Center! Ventura College insurance coverage for college-related injuries is limited, and it does not guarantee payment in full! L. Other Microbiology helps: Online Microbiology textbooks (some of these are medical school microbiology books; none can completely replace your textbook): Todar's Online Textbook of Bacteriology The Microbial World Microbiology and Immunology On-line Medical Microbiology http://www.textbookofbacteriology.net/ http://www.microbiologytext.com/index.php http://www.microbiologybook.org/ http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK7627/ Some online Microbiology resources (there are lots more & they vary in technical level): Powers of 10 http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/primer/java/scienceopticsu/powersof10/ Molecular Expressions: Exploring the World of Optics & Microscopy http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/index.html Highlights in the History of Microbiology http://users.stlcc.edu/kkiser/History.page.html MicrobeWorld http://www.microbeworld.org/ The Grapes of Staph http://student.ccbcmd.edu/~gkaiser/goshp.html MicrobeWiki http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/MicrobeWiki MicrobiologyBytes http://www.microbiologybytes.com/blog/ The Original Medical Wiki: http://wikidoc.org/index.php/Main_Page National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Disease (part of NIH) http://www.niaid.nih.gov/Pages/default.aspx CDC http://www.cdc.gov/ FDA http://www.fda.gov/default.htm FDA’s Bad Bug Book http://www.fda.gov/Food/FoodSafety/FoodborneIllness/FoodborneIllnessFoodbornePathogensNatura lToxins/BadBugBook/default.htm (easier- just type in “Bad Bug Book” into a search engine) COURSE NUMBER: MICR V01 COURSE TITLE: General Microbiology page 6 of 10 UC Museum of Paleontology http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/collections/other.html Pond Life Digital Video Gallery http://micro.magnet.fsu.edu/optics/olympusmicd/galleries/moviegallery/pondscum.html ALGAL-ED http://silicasecchidisk.conncoll.edu/Algal-ED_finished.html Tom Volk’s Fungi http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/ Dr. Fungus http://www.doctorfungus.org Parasites On Parade http://www.cbu.edu/~seisen/ParasitesOnParade.htm Animal And Human Parasite Images: http://www.k-state.edu/parasitology/625tutorials/index.html http://www.cdc.gov/dpdx/az.html http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/parasiticdiseases.html Medical Entomology http://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publichealth/resources.html All the Virology on the WWW http://www.virology.net/garryfavweb.html ViralZone http://expasy.org/viralzone/ {Note: the non-textbook images I use usually come from the Internet; use the Images/ Photos option when you web-search to find them or other similar photos.} Online useful study skill & test-taking advice (there are LOTS of sites; here are just a few & some cross-reference each other) http://www.samford.edu/how-to-study/ (videos by a learning researcher!) http://www.humboldt.edu/learning/handouts/success_in_sciences.pdf http://www.ucc.vt.edu/stdysk/stdyhlp.html http://www.howtostudy.org/ http://www.studygs.net/ http://www.uni.edu/walsh/linda7.html http://ollie.dcccd.edu/Services/StudyHelp/StudySkills/ Nearby Medical Libraries 1) St. Johns Regional Medical Library (SJRMC) 1600 N. Rose Ave. Oxnard, CA 93030 Phone 805.988.2820 www.stjohnslibrary.org Contact them to find out if they are still open to the public and when. (If you know of another local medical library open to the public, please inform me.) 2) UCLA Biomedical Library (see hours & policies on the UCLA website: www.ucla.edu) National Library of Medicine Website: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/ 2 major professional Microbiology societies: The American Society of Microbiology http://www.asm.org/ with http://www.microbemagazine.org/ Society for General Microbiology (UK) http://www.sgm.ac.uk/ http://www.sgm.ac.uk/en/publications/microbiology-today/current-issue.cfm DISCLAIMER This syllabus is subject to change and may do so depending on circumstances. Every attempt will be made to advise the class of these changes in a timely manner and make the changes equitable. Any grading changes/adjustments will be made in an equitable manner based on work performed. Being absent from class and missing announcements does not constitute an excuse for missing announcements or assignments. M. Types of Questions (Bloom’s Taxonomy; Bloom et al. 1956): page 7 of 10 You (as a college student) should be able to answer questions that test you on course material that are in ANY of the following formats (not just the first one, Knowledge). * favorite kinds of most Science courses Knowledge remembering memorizing recognizing recalling identification recalling information Examples: who, what, when, where, how ___ ? describe __ Comprehension interpreting translating from one medium to another describing in one's own words organization and selection of facts and ideas Example: retell __ *Application problem solving applying information to produce some result use of facts, rules and principles Examples: how is __ an example of ...? how is __ related to ...? why is __ significant? *Analysis subdividing something to show how it is put together finding the underlying structure of a communication identifying motives separation of a whole into component parts Examples: what are the parts or features of __ ? classify __ according to __ outline/diagram __ how does __ compare/contrast with __ ? what evidence can you list for __ ? Synthesis creating a unique, original product that may be in verbal form or may be a physical object combination of ideas to form a new whole Examples: what would you predict/infer from __ ? what ideas can you add to __ ? how would you create/design a new __ ? what might happen if you combined __ ? what solutions would you suggest for __ ? Evaluation making value decisions about issues resolving controversies or differences of opinion development of opinions, judgements or decisions Examples: do you agree that __ ? (then explain why!) what do you think about __ ? (then explain why!) what is the most important __ ? (then explain why!) place the following in order of priority __ (then explain why!) how would you decide about __ ? (then explain why!) what criteria would you use to assess __ ? (then explain why!) COURSE NUMBER: MICR V01 page 8 of 10 COURSE TITLE: General Microbiology N. WEEKLY OR DAILY PLANNED SCHEDULE - Su15 (tentative) Week 1 Tu 6/23 W 6/24 Th 6/25 Week 2 Tu 6/30 W 7/1 Th 7/2 Lecture Introduction to Microbiology & History Microscopy & Tools Text Chapters Ch 1 Microscopy & Tools (cont.) Cell Structure & Function Ch 3 (Last Day to Add or Drop with Refund) Cell Structure & Function (cont.) Microbial Metabolism (Last Day to Drop w/o W) Ch 3 Ch 4a (prok), 5a (euk) Ch 4a (prok), 5a (euk) Ch 8 Lecture Microbial Metabolism (cont.) Microbial Nutrition & Growth Microbial Nutrition & Growth (cont.) Controlling Microbial Growth – Phys/Chem Text Chapters Ch 8 Controlling Microbial Growth – Phys/Chem (cont.) Antibiotics - overview Characterizing & Classifying Prokaryotes Ch 11 Ch 7 Ch 7 Ch 11 Ch 12 - exc Ch 4b (& 18 21) Laboratory Exercises Lab Intro & Safety 1 Brightfield Microscopy 5 Protozoa, Algae, & Cyanobacteria I 6 Ubiquity of Bacteria I 5 Protozoa, Algae, & Cyanobacteria II 6 Ubiquity of Bacteria II 7 Fungi 8 Aseptic Technique 10 Smear Preparation 11 Simple Staining 8 Aseptic Technique II 9 Pure Culture I 14 Gram Stain-no cultures Laboratory Exercises 9 Pure Culture II 15 Spore Stain 16 Acid-Fast Stain Lab Exam #1 25 Temperature Effects I 34 Unknown Bacterium I Gram Stain 35 Culture Characteristics TSA plate 25 Temperature Effects II 34 Unknown Bacterium II 35 Culture Characteristics I -coverslips for wet mount 24 Effects of Oxygen I Brewer’s FTM 36 Catalase I / Oxidase I 52 Blood & BEA Agar I / MAC & MSA I Gram Stain COURSE NUMBER: MICR V01 page 9 of 10 COURSE TITLE: General Microbiology N. WEEKLY OR DAILY PLANNED SCHEDULE - Su15 (tentative) Week 3 Tu 7/7 Lecture Characterizing & Classifying Prokaryotes (cont.) W 7/8 Characterizing & Classifying Prokaryotes Th 7/9 Characterizing & Classifying Eukaryotes: Fungi, Protists Text Chapters Ch 4b (& 18 21) Laboratory Exercises 24 Effects of Oxygen II Brewer’s FTM 52 Blood & BEA Agar II / MAC & MSA II 36 Fermentation I Glucose, Lactose, Mannitol 38 Multiple Test Media I KIA Agar 38 IMViC I MR-VP Citrate Tryptone SIM Ch 4b (& 18 36 Fermentation II 21) Glucose, Lactose, Mannitol 38 Multiple Test Media II KIA Agar 38 IMViC II MR-VP Citrate Tryptone SIM 36 Nitrate Reduction I 37 Hydrolysis I Skim Milk Starch Agar Nutrient Gelatin 37 Urease I Lysine decarboxylase I? Bergey's Manual & taxonomic keying Ch 5b, 5c (& 22 - 336 Nitrate Reduction II 23) 37 Hydrolysis II Skim Milk Starch Agar Nutrient Gelatin 37 Urease II Lysine decarboxylase II? Spore, & Acid-Fast Stains COURSE NUMBER: MICR V01 page 10 of 10 COURSE TITLE: General Microbiology N. WEEKLY OR DAILY PLANNED SCHEDULE - Su15 (tentative) Week 4 Tu 7/14 Lecture Characterizing & Classifying Eukaryotes: Protists, Animals Text Chapters Ch 5c, 5d (& 23) W 7/15 Microbial Genetics Ch 9 Th 7/16 Microbial Genetics (cont.) Recombinant DNA Technology (short) (Last Day to Drop w W) Ch 9 Lecture Characterizing & Classifying Viruses Characterizing & Classifying Viruses, Viroids & Prions (cont.) Infection & Epidemiology Immunity Text Chapters Ch 6 (& 24, 25) Laboratory Exercises +Bacterial Transformation I Ch 6 (& 24, 25) Practical: Streak plate Review for Lab Final +Bacterial Transformation II 21 Bacteriophage Titer II White Blood Cell ID II Final Lab Written & Practical: Gram Stain – 1/person Week 5 Tu 7/21 W 7/22 Th 7/23 Ch 10 - exc Ch 13 Ch 14, 15 Laboratory Exercises 30 Alcohol as an Antiseptic I 32 Antiseptics I 31 Kirby-Bauer Test I 19 Enumeration of Bacteria I 19 Enumeration of Bacteria II 21 Bacteriophage Titer I White Blood Cell ID I Review for Lab Exam Lab Exam #2 Unknown Due 30 Alcohol as an Antiseptic II 32 Antiseptics II 31 Kirby-Bauer Test II Week 6 Lecture Text Chapters Laboratory Exercises Tu 7/28 **Final Exam** (none) + not in lab manual -> get the exercise as a handout from the lab instructor Note: for labs labeled I & II: I is when the cultures are subjected to those procedures and II is the day the results are observed and recorded. COURSE NUMBER: MICR V01 Summer 2015 CRN: 50284 52249 COURSE TITLE: General Microbiology (Please circle which of the above CRNs apply to you) AFFIDAVIT (Please return this to me, filled in by the next class period!) My signature below indicates that I have read and understood this syllabus and have been given a copy of my own to keep. Student Signature Date Student Information Print Name: Nickname? (last) (first) Student ID No. Telephone No. Preferred email address: Major? How long have you been in college? (note: “pre-____” is NOT an official major) Have you already finished a college degree? Planning to transfer? What kind? Where? Eventual employment goals? What college-level Life Sciences classes have you had or are in now? What college-level Chemistry classes have you had or are in now? What college-level Math, Engineering or other science classes have you had or are in now? What is/are the reason(s) you are taking this class? Is there anything else you want to tell me as you start the class?