Microbiology (BIO-241)
Community College of Philadelphia
Spring 2014
John-Paul Vermitsky, Ph.D.
E-mail: jvermitsky@ccp.edu
Phone: 215-972-6306
Office: NERC Room 337
Office Hours: Indicated on Office Door or by Appointment
Course Website: http://ccpmicrobiology.weebly.com
Course Information:
Prerequisite for this course is BIO 106 or 107 or 109 or 123.
In this course we will study the wonderful world of bacteria, viruses and fungi. This course will have an
emphasis on the growth, metabolism, physiology and genetics of microorganisms in lecture and laboratory exercises.
In addition, this course will present many clinical aspects of particular microbes for discussion.
For each section of the course, laboratory exercises illustrate real-life applications of the concepts being
learned. Most weeks, class-time will be divided between an interactive lecture environment and a self- and groupdriven lab environment.
 Text: Tortora, Funke and Case (2013). Microbiology, An Introduction. Pearson.
 Lab Manual: BIO 241 Principles of Microbiology Laboratory Manual, A custom edition for CCP.
(Pearson), this manual must be purchased NEW as you will be turning in assignments.
 Lab Materials: Each student is REQUIRED to bring the following to each lab session otherwise you
WILL NOT be able to participate.




Gloves
Pre-lab report
Lab book
Sharpie Black Marker (fine tip)
Attendance & Course Policies:
1. Attendance will be recorded at each lecture and laboratory session during the first 5 minutes. It is
important to show up on time, as coming late is disruptive to everyone in the room.
a. If you are late more that two times you will loose 5 points off your grade for each occurrence.
b. If you are absent more than two days you will loose 10 points off your grade for each occurrence.
2. An attentive demeanor and mutual respect is expected at all times.
3. No grades will be discussed over e-mail or phone. Please see me before or after class, during office
hours or by appointment.
4. Cell phones must be turned off or on vibrate. NO TEXTING ALLOWED.
5. IF ANY CELL PHONE IS OUT DURING AN EXAM YOU WILL RECEIVE A ZERO.
6. College policy states that students may be administratively dropped from the course if absent for two
weeks worth of work, “without an acceptable excuse”. IF YOU MISS MORE THAN TWO LAB
SESSIONS, YOU WILL BE DROPPED FROM THE COURSE; there are no make-up laboratory
sessions; however you may attend another session with prior approval from the professor.
7. THERE IS NO EATING OR DRINKING IN THE LABORATORY. Each time you are caught you will be
penalized 10 points off your grade. This is for your safety and the safety of others around you.
8. No shorts or open toe-shoes may be worn in the laboratory. You will not be able to attend lab if you are
not in compliance.
9. All students will be held to the student code of conduct outlined in the student handbook and the
Biology Departments Academic Dishonesty Policy. Any violations in these policies can result in a
student received an F for the course.
10. No exams are to be duplicated in any way or leave the room without permission from the professor. Any
violation in this policy will result in an F for the course.
Evaluation:
Course Points:
1. Lecture Examinations (125 points each; 4 total exams – 500 total points): There will be 4 lecture
exams to test the student’s ability to retain material presented in the course. All exams are scheduled in
the syllabus and will be listed on the course website. If there are any changes to the schedule, the
student will receive a two (2) class notice.
a. Lecture exams are usually composed of multiple choices, true and false, matching and short
answer type questions. The information for writing these questions will be taken from the lecture
notes (power points) and any required readings assigned on the syllabus or during class.
b. All exams MUST be taken on scheduled dates, unless there is an extraordinary
circumstance (having the sniffles, cold or headache IS NOT and extraordinary circumstance).
Documentation is required for any missed exam. In addition, make-up exams WILL BE a
different format and administered DURING the last week of classes.
2. Laboratory Practical Examination (100 points): There will be a mid-term laboratory practical exam.
Students will have to perform techniques learned in lab. Techniques include but are not limited to:
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
Microscopy
Culturing techniques
Aseptic techniques
Slide preparation
Gram-stain
Identification of unknown species
3. Laboratory Pre-Lab Reports (10 points each; 12 pre-lab reports – 120 total points): There will be 12
scheduled lab sessions.
4. Laboratory Reports (15 points each; 12 lab reports – 180 total points): There will be 12 lab reports
due. After each laboratory session, each student will need to prepare a laboratory report (discussed
during first lab) and turn that in by the next laboratory session. If you are absent the laboratory report
should be e-mailed to me by the due date and a hard copy brought to the next class. NO LATE
LABORATORY REPORTS WILL BE ACCEPTED.
5. Department Final Exam (100 points): The departmental final exam is a comprehensive exam covering
important concepts of the course. This is a mandatory exam; however, any points obtained will be added
as extra credit.
Extra Credit Points:
1. Lecture Assignments (2 points each): Lecture assignments will be posted on the course website to
supplement the lecture material and act as “study guides”. Each assignment is worth 2 points (which will
be added as extra credit) and will be due on the day of the exam. NO LATE ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE
ACCEPTED.
2. Philadelphia Science Festival Poster (50 points): Details will follow in the next few weeks.
STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE ROOM DURING AN EXAM FOR ANY REASON
Grades:

There is a total of 1000 points a student can earn for the course:
900 or higher
800-899
700-799
600-699
Below 599



A
B
C
D
F
NO EXAM GRADE WILL BE DROPPED.
No individual extra credit assignments are available; class wide lecture assignments may be
given at the discretion of the professor.
Cheating on exams will result in a zero grade on the assignment -- NO EXCEPTIONS.
Dedication, Collegiality and Professionalism:
From the outset, I assume that students who have advanced sufficiently in their academic professional
goals to be taking this course are self-motivated and want to achieve at the highest level. I view my own role as
one of a colleague who serves to orient and guide the student. In both the classroom, and especially in the lab
where tight collaboration is a necessity, I strive to create an environment that promotes a strong sense of
professional respect and look for students to collaborate in this endeavor. While respecting the norms of
academic honesty, we seek a cooperative approach to learning where we all take advantage of each others’
strengths and skills in a collegial way, much as one would hope to find in a well-managed workplace.
Microbiology requires serious and time-intensive dedication. A minimum of ten hours preparation, study
and revision outside of class is needed to pass and perhaps more time to really excel. Think of class as a quick
orientation to what you need to learn during the rest of the week or over the weekend. I strongly encourage
students to study together. Nonetheless, any hint of plagiarism or violation of academic honesty in the
preparation of class assignments will result in an instant fail grade for the semester.
Website: http://ccpmicrobiology.weebly.com
Virtually all material presented during class, as well as any logistical information (such as this syllabus) will be
posted on the course website and will be available to you into at any time. This website will be maintained into
the foreseeable future so it can even serve you as a reference after leaving this class.
Lecture Schedule: The schedule is subject to change; however students will be notified ASAP.
PRINCIPLES OF MICROBIOLOGY (BIO-241)
Week
Topic
Chapter
Exam
1
Course Information
The Microbial World and You
-1
-I
2
The Chemistry of Biology & Tools of the Laboratory
2&3
I
The Prokaryotic Profiles: The Bacteria & Archaea
4, 11
I
Eukaryotic Cells and Microorganisms
12
I
Introduction to Viruses
13
I
Microbial Nutrition, Ecology & Growth
6
II
4
Microbial Metabolism
5
II
5
EXAM I
Microbial Metabolism
5
II
Microbial Metabolism
5
II
Microbial Genetics
8
II
Microbial Genetics
8, 9
II
3
6
7
8
9
10
III
EXAM II
Infections of the Skin and Eyes
21
III
Infections of the Nervous System
22
Infections of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems
23
III
Infections of the Respiratory System
24
III
Infections of the GI Tract
25
III
Infections of the Genitourinary System
26
III
Principles of Disease and Epidemiology
14
IV
EXAM III
Microbial Mechanisms of Pathogenicity
15
IV
12
Non-specific Host Defenses
16
IV
13
Specific Immunity and Immunization
17
IV
Specific Immunity and Immunization
17, 18
IV
Control of Microbial Growth
7
IV
Drugs, Microbes, Host – The Elements of Chemotherapy
20
IV
11
14
15
EXAM IV