Syllabus
BIOL.203
BAIRD spring 03
Microbiology
Lecture M& W 9:00- 9:50 a.m. Lab R 12-2
Office hours: M 3-4, T,R 3:15- 4 or call for an appointment
SPECIAL NOTICE to students with special needs:
Science Building 1 rm. 314
If any member of this class feels that he/she has a
disability and needs special accommodations of any nature whatsoever, to perform in this class the instructor will
work with you and university services. Please advise the instructor of such disability and the desired
accommodations at some point before, during, or immediately after the first scheduled class period.
Class Texts

Microbiology, Principles and Explorations, fifth edition, Black, J. G. Wiley 2002

Laboratory Experiments in Microbiology, Pollack. 2002

A student handbook for writing in biology, Knisely, 2002

A Photographic atlas for the Microbiology Laboratory, Leboffe and Pierce, Morton 1996
Additional Readings may be given in class:
Course Description & Objectives: Microbiology, nutrition, metabolism, taxonomy, ecology, genetics,
immunology, and epidemiology of microorganisms, of prokaryotic cells. Lab studies include basic microbial
techniques.
Objectives- Learners will:
 Discover the role and application of aseptic techniques
 Conduct research into the role of microbes in today’s world.
 Identify and work with prokaryotic cells in culture and in text.
 Understand the impact of genetics and metabolism in bacteria.
 Be introduced to infectious aspects of microbes including disease spread, immunology, and host responses.
Attendance: Students are expected to attend every lecture and complete assigned readings prior to coming to
lecture. It is your responsibility to get missed notes from another student if your absences are not excused in
writing. Exam make-ups will not be given without written confirmation of excused absence. All make ups will
be essay exams and must be completed within one week of returning from the absence.
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NOTE: This is a tentative schedule of lecture topics. Note exam dates.
Date
Topic
Readings/ Assignments
Jan. 15,
Introduction to life, basic chemistry
chpt 1, 2
20,22
Introduction to Prokaryotes
chpt 3, 4
27, 29
Metabolism
chpt 4-5
Feb. 3,5
metabolism cont. EXAM 1
10, 12
growth
chpt 6
17, 19
control
chpt 12
Mar. 3, 5
control, genetics
chpt 13
10, 12
genetics
chpt 7
17, 19
genetics, taxonomy
chpt 8, 9
24, 26
viruses,
chpt 10
31, Apr 2
disease
chpt 14
7, 9
Immunology
chpt 16, 17
21, 23
Immunity continued , Exam 2,
28, 30
Food Safety ,
5, 6
review
chpt 26,
GRADES: There will be approximately 1000 points in this course. 25 % from lecture exams and
assignments, 30% from the paper, 25% from lab exams and activities, and 20% from the comprehensive
final. The two lecture exams will be 100 points multiple choice, matching, diagrams, short answer, and
cartoons. The final will be from new materials and comprehensive from exams 1-2 as well as lab exams.
The term paper will be 200 points, 50 points for your poster and the oral report on the paper will be 50
points. The lab grades will be 75 points from each of the two lab exams. These cover the materials explored
in lab. They will be matching, multiple choice and short answer. Additionally, 100 points will come from
wet lab practicals and 50 points from in lecture assignments.
Letter grades will be assigned based on the following cut-offs:
91-100%pts
A
73%-76%
C
89%-90%
A-
70%-72%
C-
86%-88%
B+
67%-69%
D+
82%-85%
B
63%-66%
D
79%-81%
B-
60%-62%
D-
77%-78%
C+
59% or less
E
BIOL. 203
Microbiology-Lab
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Jan 23
Jan 30
Feb 6
Feb 13
Feb 20
Mar 6
Mar 13
Mar 20
Mar 27
Apr 3
Apr 10
Apr 24
May 1
Introduction & lab 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3& 4
Library research
Exercise 5 &6
Exercise 11- lab practical #1
lab exam, research
Exercise 12, 13
Writing time
Exercise 19 Term paper due at beginning of lab
Exercise 22 lab practical #2
Exercise 24& 25
Oral reports
Due to the use of living organisms and the need for incubation time, make up labs are not possible.
Alternative activities may be possible for excused absences, however no experience can completely
replace hands-on experience with the organisms.
Lab write-ups are not required. However, the content from the lab and the materials covered in the lab
report in your text will be the basis for your exams. You need to come to lab and ask for help on any
questions that you cannot answer from the previous weeks report.
Open lab hours: Much of the work begun during the formal lab time must be completed before the next
lab. The lab will be open for your use M-R 6am-10pm, F 6am –5pm, and Sat. 8am-4pm.
Term paper
1. The instructor prior to FEB 13th must approve the term paper subject. You will need a 2page overview of your topic at this time. Organism, problem and popular press articles are
necessary for this summary. This will count 20 points toward your paper score (10%)
2. Your literature review must meet the following criteria
 Contain at least 20 sources
 Include at least 5 primary sources (science journal articles reporting new results)
 Contain not more than 1 encyclopedia or dictionary
 Have no more than 2 on-line sources
 Reference at least 5 articles from the popular press.
3. The following sections must be included: Introduction- current issue, Historical review with
scientists involved; Proposed solutions; Conclusion, and References
4. The paper must follow APA style. This can be found in the reference section of the libraryPublication Manual for the American Psychological Association- 5th edition.
Grading criteria is attached to this syllabus. LATE PAPERS will have the letter grade dropped one letter
per day counting weekends. Paper must be delivered in person if late!!
Topic overview 20 points
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Paper Content 87 Points(3pts each)
General Knowledge Popular press- no points will be given for materials from scientific sources
1. What is the concern?
2. Who is being impacted?
3. What area is involved?
4. Who are the quoted experts?
5. What evidence is being used?
6. Are there suggestions or solutions being offered?
Format: 40 points (2pts each)
Scientific History: Content from Scientific sources only
Title page
1. When was this problem first identified?
Running head
2. What regions or people have been affected over time?
Title
3. What have past solutions been?
Page number
4. Who is referenced as experts on this topic?
Short title
5. What is the causal agent?
Author
6. What is the cell morphology, and culturing techniques
Affiliation
7. What diseases, problems, etc are involved?
8. Who discovered and named this organism?
Abstract
9. How has it been important through time?
Page format
Own page
Proposed Solutions: Your own conclusions based on your research
Summary of entire paper
For all stated Argument both pro and Con
Facts supporting suppositions
Body
Arguments clear
Title on first page
Persuasive Solution stated
Headings
Solution clear and reasonable
Page numbers
Evidence cited
Citations
Figures
Conclusions:
Margins
Brief summary of history that impact on your solution
Do we need more research/ education?
References
Solution restatement.
Alpha order/Author first
Double spaced
References
Correct font/ size/ style
Contain at least 20 sources
Correct information/order
Include at least 5 primary sources (science
Page numbers
journal articles reporting new results)
Contain not more than 1 encyclopedia or dictionary
Readability 65 points (12 pts each)
Have no more than 2 on-line sources
Paper well structured
Reference at least 5 articles from the popular press.( must be different
Good Grammar
publications)
Content Flows
Clear Presentation
Good use of charts and figures
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