Passaic County Community College
BS-203 – Microbiology
MASTER SYLLABUS 2010-2011
I. Course Code: BS-203
II. Course Title: Microbiology
III. Prerequisites: CH-103 or equivalent; BS 101 and BS 102 or BS 103 and BS 104.
IV. Number of Credits:
4 Credits total: 3 credits lecture, 1 credit laboratory
V. Instructor’s Information:
Course coordinator - Prof. Anne LaGrange Loving
e-mail: aloving@pccc.edu
VI. Catalog Description:
Studies the characteristics of microorganisms including morphology, metabolism, genetics, cultivation,
effects on human life and the environment. Clinical aspects as well as emerging topics such as food
poisoning outbreaks, antimicrobial resistance, genetic engineering and bioterrorism are included.
Laboratory sessions cover basic procedures culminating in the identification of unknown bacterial samples.
3 hours lecture; 3 hours laboratory.
Prerequisites: CH-103 or equivalent; BS 101 and BS 102 or BS 103 and BS 104.
NOTE: This is not an introductory course. Students entering this course are expected to be able to
understand and apply knowledge in the following areas, gained from previous courses: chemistry, genetics,
cell biology, organic molecules, and cell physiology. Students who are weak may need outside help and/or
supplementary materials.
VII. Course Objectives:
Upon successful completion of BS-203 the student should be able to:
a. perform basic Microbiology laboratory techniques including use of a brightfield microscope, inoculation,
subculturing, staining, and interpretation of biochemical reactions.
This will be assessed using the Microbiology Laboratory Competencies Checklist as well as written and/or practical
laboratory quizzes.
*b.apply the scientific method in the identification of a bacterium to the genus and species level using a
systematic, sequential series of laboratory identification methodologies.
This will be assessed using “unknown” bacterial cultures.
c. write a 2-5 page typed paper, based on Internet research of a current topic in Microbiology.
This will be assessed by the quality of the research paper.
*d. analyze a problem and draw conclusions from data and evidence by applying the scientific method.
This will be assessed using embedded questions in the lecture exams and the cumulative final exam.
e. demonstrate understanding of basic terminology, major concepts and fundamental theories in
science.
This will be assessed using embedded questions in the lecture exams and the cumulative final exam.
*f. apply scientific theories and principles to the solving of current issues and problems in microbiology.
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This will be assessed using questions embedded in the final exam and using specific laboratory-based problems.
* Note: General Education Science Goals applied to this course
VIII. Course Outline - Schedule for lectures and laboratories:
LECTURE TOPICS SCHEDULE
Topic
General Introduction to Microbiology
Prokaryotes ~ Eukaryotes
Microscopic Visualization of Bacteria
In vitro cultivation of bacteria
Sterilization and Disinfection
Bacterial Metabolism – How they eat
How they reproduce
How they metabolize
Microbial genetics
Classification of microorganisms
Viruses
Principles of disease and epidemiology
Immune defenses – Immunology testing
Antimicrobial drugs ~ susceptibility testing
Bacterial pathogens ~ diseases *
Parasitic pathogens*
Fungal Pathogen*
Pages
NOTE: These are reference pages. Students are not
responsible for ALL of the information contained in these
pages.
7th Edition
6th Edition
p. 1-27
p. 1-26
p. 79-115
p. 76-111
p. 52-78
p. 51-75
p. 165-170
p. 160-166
p. 341-365
p. 328-351
p. 148-164
p. 191-195
p. 178-190, p. 195-210,
p. 211-239, p. 256-260
p. 240-248, 260-267
p. 252-253, 271-309
p. 400-462
p. 463-487, p. 560-569
p. 366-399
p. 574-781
p. 326-335
p. 310-317
p. 319-325
p. 142-158
p. 182-188
p. 172-182, p. 188-199,
p. 204-227
p. 232-244, 252-258
p. 244-245, 264-296
p. 385-442
p. 446-544
p. 352-380
p. 547-742
p. 300-308
p. 314-321
p. 308-314
*Note: the lecture approach to these three sections will be organized by microorganisms, not by organ systems.
Furthermore, discussion of pathogenic microbes is inculcated throughout the lectures during the semester.
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SCHEDULE OF LABORATORIES
Week
Laboratory
Number/s
1
2
3
4
5
6
1
11, 12, 7
15
16, 14, 18
10, 40
7
Not in Lab
Book
35, 37
61
61, cont.
41
42, 43
Not in Lab
Book
Not in Lab
Book
46
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Laboratory Topic/s*
Introduction to the laboratory – there is only one day of lab this
week because the semester begins on a Wednesday.
Microscopy
Ubiquity of Bacteria, Smear Preparation, and Simple Staining
Gram Stain
Capsular Stain, Spore Stain, Motility Determination
Pure Culture Techniques – streaking and pour plates, Cultural
Characteristics
Analysis of Food
Evaluation of disinfectants
Water Testing (Modified using single strength lactose only)
Continuation of Ex. 61,
Physiological Characteristics
Physiological Characteristics
Start the Unknowns
Continue the Unknowns
Set up Enterotubes ®, Exercise 46
Finalize identification of Unknowns
Submit Unknown Reports
* These laboratory topics correspond with the required laboratory manual, Benson’s Microbiological Applications,
11th Edition.
IX. Text and Required Materials:
Lecture Text: Microbiology Principles and Explorations, 7th Edition, J.G. Black. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
2008.
Laboratory Manual: Benson’s Microbiological Applications – Laboratory Manual in General Microbiology,
Complete Version, 11th Edition – complete version, A.E. Brown. McGraw-Hill. 2009. Homework will be
assigned from the lab manual.
Laboratory Coat – It is very important that each student has a lab coat to wear during the laboratory
sessions. Stains can splash and ruin clothing. Live bacterial cultures could possibly contaminate clothing.
Lab coats can be purchased in a department store or in a uniform store. Alternatively, a student will be
permitted to wear an old shirt that fits over clothing, as long as the sleeves are not too long or too loose.
Sharpie Permanent Marker – bring to each lab
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X. Methods of Evaluation and Course Policies:
a) Breakdown of Grading
TOTAL
Lecture Tests
Paper
Laboratory Quizzes
Unknown Identification
Comprehensive Final Examination
50%
5%
15% *
5% *
25%
Grade Scale:
A
AB+
>92
90-92
88-89
B
BC+
83-87
80-82
78-79
C
D
F
70-77
60-69
< 60
* PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT INFORMATION, BELOW, ABOUT PASSING THE
LABORATORY PORTION IN ORDER TO EARN A PASSING GRADE IN THE COURSE.
b) Exams
There will be four or five lecture exams during the semester. Each will be announced one week in
advance. Each will include specified material from lecture. The lowest grade will be dropped from
the average of any student who takes all lecture exams. The average of the remaining best scores
will be worth 50% of the overall course grade. If a student misses a lecture exam for any reason,
this exam will become the “dropped” grade, and no other lecture exam grade will be dropped. If a
student misses more than one lecture exam, the second one missed becomes a “0” (zero) and is
averaged in as such. There are absolutely no makeup exams given in this course. In addition, a
student who arrives late for a lecture exam may not be admitted and will therefore not have the
opportunity to take that exam. When an exam is being administered, all book bags, back packs, cell
phones, pocket books and other personal belongings must be left in the front of the classroom.
Cell phones must be turned off. All that a student should bring to his chair are a pen and a pencil.
c) Attendance
Students are expected to attend ALL lectures and ALL laboratory sessions. In addition,
punctuality is required. If students do not respect my request for punctuality, I will start closing
the classroom or laboratory door after class begins, and no one else will be admitted. Repeated
absences (in excess of three) may result in the loss of 5 points (5) from the final grade average.
d) Paper
There will be one research paper as part of the course responsibility. The assignment will be clearly
defined on the first day of class, and the due date will be announced. Papers will never be accepted
late. The grade for this written assignment will count as 5% of the overall course grade. This grade
will not be dropped.
e) Laboratory
Altogether, the laboratory is worth 20% of the course grade. This includes laboratory quizzes
(15%), and the identification of an unknown (5%).
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Students are expected to make maximal use of lab time. This is the only opportunity for “hands
on” experiences, which will be vital for learning the material presented in the course. The
Microbiology laboratory is filled with potential hazards, so sloppy or inappropriate behavior will
not be tolerated. A student who does not adhere to safety guidelines in the laboratory may be
dismissed, with no opportunity to make up the missed material.
Sometimes students will be asked to bring items from home for analysis in the laboratory, such as
foods, disinfectants, and water. These needs will be announced a week in advance. Cooperation is
essential in order for these particular laboratories to run properly.
There will be several laboratory quizzes during the semester. Each will be scheduled one week in
advance. The lowest quiz grade will be dropped from the average of a student who takes all of the
quizzes. The remaining quiz grades will be averaged and will equal 15% of the overall course grade.
There will be no makeups for laboratory quizzes.
Identification of unknowns is another component of the laboratory portion of this course. This
will be equal to 5% of the overall course grade.
There will not be a laboratory final exam.
It is a Science Department policy that students in science courses must pass the laboratory
component of the course(s) in order to pass the course. 
* The lab grades account for 20% of the overall course grade (15% for the lab quizzes and 5% for
the “unknown” identification). While it is mathematically possible to have a passing average
without passing the laboratory portion, passing the lab is mandatory. In order to earn a passing
grade in the course a student must have a minimum grade of 60% for the laboratory portion. If a
student has an average of less than 60% in the laboratory portion, the course grade will be an F
regardless.
f) Comprehensive Final Examination
There will be a final comprehensive examination during the last week of the semester. It will cover
all of the material from the semester, and will be worth 25% of the overall course grade. This exam
must be taken when scheduled, and this grade will not be dropped. Please do not plan to travel
away from Paterson before the final examination.
g) Cheating
Cheating will absolutely not be tolerated in this class. Every student will have to sign a
disclaimer stating that s/he has not cheated, each time there is a lecture or laboratory examination.
A student who is caught cheating will get an automatic “0” on that exam, and may be dismissed
from the course.
XI. Preparation for Class:
The schedule for lectures and laboratories is provided in this document. Students are expected to prepare
for class by reading the material in advance. The only way to successfully absorb the material covered in
this semester is to prepare for every lecture and laboratory session, and to attend every lecture and
laboratory session.
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XII. Disabilities:
If you have a disability and believe you need accommodations in my classroom, please see your counselor,
in the Counseling Department. If you require testing accommodations, you must notify me one week in
advance of the test.
XIII. Cellular Phones:
Please turn your cell phone off before you come to class. Even “vibrating” phones are extraordinarily
distracting, especially when followed by a hurried exit from the class by someone who “has to” take an
“urgent call.” Moreover, I will not tolerate text-messaging during my classes, so please, again, just turn your
phone completely off for the 75 minutes of lecture and the 150 minutes of lab. I don’t even bring my
phone with me. Thank you for respecting this.
XIV. Children:
Children will not be permitted to come to class or laboratory sessions. Material discussed during lecture
may be inappropriate for children, children may cause a distraction during an exam, and laboratories are
completely unsafe for children.
XV. Portal:
Assignments, outlines, the course syllabus, and other information for this course are posted on the portal. The
information is accessed by following these simple directions:
1. go to the PCCC homepage: http://www.pccc.edu
2. click on “my PCCC account” at the bottom of the page
3. click on “log in”
4. enter your log-in ID and your password, and click “login”
5. enter the correct semester under “term”, for example “09/SP” is the Spring 2009 semester
6. click on the course name and section number
7. click on “shared files”
8. click on whatever file you need
Revised 1-2009
A. L. Loving