Course # 5167/5168, Biology& 260, Microbiology, Spring Quarter 2015
Lecture Tu/Th 15-220, 6:30-7:45
Lab Tu/Th 15-320 Sec C 4:15- 6:05, Sec D 8:00-9:50
The Washington Community and Technical College system has adopted common course numbers, prefixes and
titles for courses that are equivalent at many two year colleges. These changes go into effect Summer Quarter, 2008.
The courses and their descriptions are not changing, just the course number and in some cases the prefix and/or title.
There are changes to both common courses and non-common courses. Common courses are identified by having an
“&” character at the end of the prefix, for example ENGL& or ANTH&. You can see a complete list of all the
changes and more information at www.tacomacc.edu/ccn
Instructor
Dr. David Tison
Office location & office hours: 15-332, Tu/Th 3:00-4:00
Contact Information
TCC Voice Mail – 253-460-2000 x7038
TCC e-mail address – dtison@tacomacc.edu.
Other contact information david.tison@multicare.org, 253-403-2209
Catalog Description
Biological characteristics and metabolic activities of microorganisms, with and emphasis on
bacteria and viruses. Includes consideration of microbial ecology as well as the relationship of
microorganisms to disease.
Course Overview
During the Quarter we will learn about the various groups of microorganisms, including bacteria,
viruses, fungi (yeasts and moulds), protozoa & algae. Our focus will be primarily on the bacteria
which we will study on both the cellular and organismal level. Our discussion of microbes will go
beyond the classroom in order for you to understand how these organisms effect out daily lives.
A basic understanding of the principles of biology and chemistry are necessary for you to be able
to complete this course successful.
Course Learning Objectives
The purpose of this course is to provide the student with an awareness of the microbial world. We
will consider the physiological processes and ecological significance of microbes with an emphasis
on bacteria and viruses. This course will provide a good foundation for further studies in the
biological sciences. The public health significance of microorganisms will also be addressed for
those of you interested in the health sciences.
Degree Learning Outcomes
Tacoma Community College has identified six degree learning outcomes that form the foundation
of our educational emphasis. Students at TCC strive to make significant progress building skills in
communication (COM), critical thinking and problem solving (CRT), responsibility and ethics (RSE),
information & information technology (IIT), and living and working cooperatively while respecting
differences (LWC). Many of the detailed course objectives for Biol 260 support your building a core of
knowledge (COK) in microbiology. Your practical lab experience, laboratory journal, team presentation,
and the essay questions on exams are opportunities to improve your communication skills, your ability to
work cooperatively, respectfully, and productively with colleagues, your ability to use information and
technology, and your ability to think creatively and critically about microbiology. Responsibility and ethics
is embedded in everything we do in this class.
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Sciences Program Level Outcomes
The faculty of the Sciences Program at Tacoma Community College has identified five outcomes
that constitute a core of understanding in science. Our study of microbiology this term will help you make
significant strides in these five outcomes. The acronyms in parentheses refer to the degree learning
outcomes mentioned above.
1.
2.
Evaluate information scientifically in the context of his/her own life (COK, COM, CRT, RES, ITT).
Explain the importance of observation and hypothesis testing in the scientific process, and
distinguish between the scientific process and other human endeavors (COK, COM, CRT).
Communicate the primary principles and processes underlying at least one natural system (for
example: atoms and molecules, cells and organisms, the oceans and atmosphere, the solid
earth, or the cosmos) (COK, COM, CRT).
Perform and effectively communicate the results of scientific investigation, and explain how
research is done in science (COK, COM, CRT, ITT, LWC).
Demonstrate the safe and proper use of scientific instrumentation, measuring devices, chemical
reagents, media, and/or other tools of science in a laboratory or field setting relevant to specific
disciplines of science (COK, COM, CRT, ITT, LWC).
3.
4.
5.
Detailed Course Objectives and Laboratory Competenciesfor General Microbiology (Biol& 260)
(Tiny font note: The numbers in the parentheses refer to the Science Program Learning Objectives)
Upon successful completion of Biology 260, you should be able to:
1.
…demonstrate proper aseptic technique in handling bacterial cultures (5)
2.
…demonstrate hands-on competency in microscopy, differential staining, and bacterial culture
techniques and describe how these experimental techniques can be used to determine the identity of
clinical isolates of bacterial species. (4,5)
3.
…generate and interpret experimental evidence, formulate hypotheses, and draw appropriate
conclusions from laboratory observations and empirical data. (2,4,5)
4.
…clearly convey the procedures, results, and analysis of investigative laboratory work in a narrative
laboratory journal record. (2,4)
5.
…describe some of the historical milestones in the development of microbiology in their cultural context.
(3)
6.
…use the literature of microbiology and describe the process by which understanding of the microbial
world is developed. (1,2,3)
7.
…describe the phenotypic characteristics used to characterize bacteria and explain the current systems
of classifying microorganisms. (3)
8.
…describe the generalized structure of prokaryotic (noneukaryotic) cells and give the functions of the
various cell structures that distinguish different species of bacteria. (3)
9.
…describe the principles of microbial growth and environmental factors that affect microbial growth in
habitats. (3)
10.
…describe, compare and contrast techniques commonly used to quantify the growth of microorganisms
under laboratory conditions (3,4)
11.
…prepare and analyze serial dilutions of bacterial cultures and explain how serial dilutions are used to
quantify bacterial growth (3,4,5)
12.
…give examples of physical and chemical methods commonly used to kill or control the growth of
microorganisms and explain their respective modes of action (3)
13.
…explain the genetic basis of how bacteria become resistant to antibiotics (1,3)
14.
…describe representative examples of the diverse metabolic activities of bacteria. (3)
15.
…describe, in a general way, the ecological relationships of bacteria and explain the importance of
microorganisms in the geochemical recycling of elements in the biosphere. (1,3)
16.
17.
18.
…describe the structure of viruses, compare and contrast lytic and lysogenic viral life cycles, and
explain why viruses are not only agents of disease but also agents of hereditary change. (1,3)
…describe examples of characteristics that make some species of microorganisms pathogenic to
human beings. (1,3)
…describe the human inflammatory response (innate immunity) and the specific immune response
(adaptive immunity) to the invasion of a microbial pathogen. (3)
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Instructional Methods Used
This course uses lecture and lab. Students will work in small groups and independently in the
laboratory. Library and internet research will also be used by students for extra credit.
Textbooks & Supplemental Materials
- Nester, et. al, Microbiology: A Human Perspective, 7 th edition
- R A Mikles & D L Tison, Microbiology Laboratory Guide, 2014
- M. J. Leboffe & B. E. Pierce, A Photographic Atlas for the Microbiology Laboratory, 4rd ed.,
Morton Publishing Co., Englewood, CO, 2005.
Course Calendar: See lecture & lab schedules.
Supplies
Students are to supply a lab notebook. A bound composition-style book is recommended. Lab
coats will be provided. Students may choose to supply their own lab coats. If you bring in your
own lab coat it must remain in the Microbiology Lab for the entire Quarter.
Technology
Internet access is not required for this course. It will be useful for extra credit, but not essential.
Dictionaries and other tools:
Printed dictionaries, electronic dictionaries, cell phones, iPods, or any other type of electronic
devices may not be used during exams or lab practical exams.
Electronic versions of class materials:
As they become available, I will post electronic versions of class materials (syllabus, schedules,
PowerPoint slides, etc) to the public folder for this class on MyTCC Portal. Instructions for
logging on are posted on the portal access page. If you have trouble accessing these materials,
please do not be shy about asking for help.
Evaluation Criteria & Grading Standards
Students will be responsible for the material covered during both lectures and labs, however
attendance will not be taken.
Exams:
There will be three 100 point, 60 minute exams. Exams will be a combination of true/false,
multiple choice, matching and short answer questions based on lectures and reading
assignments. Make-up exams will only be given under very special circumstances & will only be
worth a maximum of 90 points.
Lab journal:
Each student is required to maintain a bound laboratory journal. The format for keeping your lab
journal is explained in the lab guide. You must bring your lab journal to every session. I do not
collect and grade lab journals, but I will randomly spot-check them. You will be allowed to use
your lab journal during the lab practical exams.
Lab Practicals:
There will be two lab practical exams worth 100 points each and unscheduled quizes worth 5 pts.
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Lab participation:
As a fan of hands-on learning and team work in a lab setting, I take attendance and celebrate
your participation with lab participation points (5 points per session for the eight full weeks of lab
for a total of 80 points). Since we are working with live cultures and media that have limited shelflife, I do not offer make-up labs. If you miss a lab, you miss the experience as well as the
participation points for that session. If it is evident to me that you are present, but not
participating, you will lose participation points proportional to the degree of your nonparticipation.
Biology Laboratory: Safety, Procedures, Emergencies
All students must follow the biological science lab safety procedures and standard operating
procedures established by Tacoma Community College, the Science & Engineering Department,
and the instructor. Students who repeatedly or willfully violate these procedures may face
sanctions, including removal from the course, a failing grade, and referral to the college for action
under the Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities. The departmental safety procedures for
biological science are available on the Portal
athttp://cms.tacomacc.edu/UserFiles/Servers/Server_6/IntranetFile/Biology%20Laboratory%20Sa
fety%20Rules.pdf.
Prioritizing the material:
It is obvious to the most casual observer that there is no way we can cover all of the material in
the textbook in one quarter. The lectures and pre-lab lectures are your “study guides” for
prioritizing the material. Give the things addressed in lecture and lab the highest priority when
studying for exams. There will be many things in the reading assignments that we will not cover
in either lecture or lab. I am not going to say you are not responsible for those gems, because in
a perfect world you should be. However, when prioritizing your studying for exams, give them
less weight. Read things that are not covered directly in lab or lecture for flavor and context.
Because the exam material will be derived primarily from the lectures, it is extremely important
that you attend class faithfully, take lecture notes with gusto, and, most importantly, process the
lecture and lab material as soon after class as is possible. Come to the next lecture prepared
with questions from the previous session.
Grades:
A
AB+
B
94-100%
90-93%
87-89%
83-86%
BC+
C
C-
80-82%
76-79%
70-75%
65-69%
D+
D
E
60-64%
56-59%
<56%
Attendance at lectures:
While your attendance is implicit in my assumption that you want to successfully complete this
class, I do not routinely take attendance in lecture. If you must miss a lecture, meet with a
student colleague to get lecture notes. This is especially important since I do not lecture directly
from the text.
Seeking help outside of class:
Please do not be shy about coming to see me. Seek help early and often. If you have a conflict
during my posted office hours, I am available at other times. Call me to make an appointment.
Incidentally, the worst time to try and meet with me is during the 10 minutes prior to the start of
lecture or during the break after the early lab.
Tutoring:
The Writing & Tutoring Center is located on the second floor of the Learning Resources Center
(Building 7, Rm 221). They can be reached by e-mail at tutoring@tacomacc.edu or by phone at
253-566-6032. Also, tutors are often available in the Active Learning Lab (the ALL) located on the
first floor of the science building (Bldg 15). Check the posted schedule as to their availability.
Students are entitled to up to two hours/week of tutoring per subject. Seek support from these
excellent resources early and often!
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Withdrawals & Incompletes
Incomplete grades for the course will only be submitted after prior approval by the instructor. If
approval is not obtained a final grade based on points earned will be turned in. Withdrawls must
be discussed and approved by the instructor if requested after the deadline for the quarter. Refer
the the current Tacoma Community College catalog for policies on course withdrawal (WI) and
incompletes (I).
Academic Dishonesty
“As stated in the TCC Catalog, ‘Students are expected to be honest and forthright in their
academic endeavors. Cheating, plagiarism, fabrication or other forms of academic dishonesty
corrupt the learning process and threaten the educational environment for all students” (pg. 31).
In this course, sanctions for academic dishonesty will be as follows: Cheating, etc., will result in a
zero for that piece of work/exam. A second offense will result in withdrawal from the course with
an “E” grade.
The complete Administrative Procedure for Academic Dishonesty is available on TCC website:
http://www.tacomacc.edu/resourcesforstudents/studentpolicies/administrativeprocedureforacade
micdishonesty.aspx
Accommodations
Students with Special Needs: All students are responsible for all requirements of the class, but
the way they meet these requirements may vary. If you need specific auxiliary aids or services
due to a disability, please contact the Access Services office in Building 7 (253-566-5328). They
will require you to present formal, written documentation of your disability from an appropriate
professional. When this step has been completed, arrangements will be made for you to receive
reasonable auxiliary aids or services. The disability accommodation documentation prepared by
Access Services must be given to me before the accommodation is needed so that appropriate
arrangements can be made.
Classroom policies
All students are expected to behave with respect and courtesy toward others. All cell phones,
pagers & other electronic devices must be turned off or silenced in order to prevent disruptions
during lecture and lab. No guests or children will be allowed in class without my permission.
Food & drink is allowed in lecture only. Lecture and lab will begin promptly at the scheduled time.
All students are expected to be in their seats and quite at the time class is scheduled to begin.
Etiquette for Classroom Dispute Resolution
If you have questions or concerns about this class or me, please come to talk with me about your
concerns. If we are unable to resolve your concerns, you may talk next with the Chair of the
Department, Katie Gulliford in 15-335. The Chair can assist with information about additional
steps, if needed.
Caveats
This syllabus and schedule are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances. If
you are absent from class, it is your responsibility to check for announcements made while you
were absent.
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Current Topics in Microbiology aka Bugs in the News – Extra Credit
Bring in articles from the newspaper, magazines, internet or notes of items from radio or TV which relate
to microbiology. Only items related specifically to microbes will be accepted. Articles pertaining to other
areas such as immunology or cancer research in which microorganisms are not specifically mentioned
will not earn extra credit points.
Write a one-paragraph summary describing the significance of the material in the article from your
perspective. Submit the item & summary to me before lecture. Include your name & lab section on the
front page
I will give 2 points of extra credit for each Current Topic article. I will accept two articles per week, up ten
articles for the quarter, for a maximum of 20 extra credit points. If I do not return the write-up, you can
assume you have received two extra credit points.
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