Syllabus, p. 1
Bio 203/203A -- Introduction to Microbiology (lecture and lab)
National University, 2016
Course Syllabus
Instructor
Mr. Todd Kennedy
tmkennedy8@gmail.com
Textbook: Tortora, et al. Microbiology: an Introduction 11th ed. Benjamin Cumings co.
2010 ISBN: ISBN: 978-0-321-92915-0
Lab book: Johnson and Case, Laboratory Experiments in Microbiology (10th Edition)
(Spiral-bound) Benjamin Cumings co. 2010 ISBN:978-0-321-79438-3
Mastering MIcro code: MMBKENNEDY70198
Course requirements
Concurrent enrollment in SCI 203A is mandatory. The lecture and laboratory courses of 203
are tightly integrated. Each class meeting involves a laboratory component (first half of
class) and a lecture component (second half of class) when scheduling allows.
Previous completion of SCI 100+100A (Survey of Bioscience) and SCI 201+201A, 202+202A
(Human Anatomy and Physiology series) is strongly recommended.
Course philosophy
Two academic principles underlie this course. The first is that reasonably high, but realistic,
standards are set for the students. This is based on the idea that students get the most out of a
course when they are encouraged to work hard. Second, this course represents an informal
contract between the teacher and student, where each expects honest effort from the other. As
the teacher, I pledge to put my best effort into explaining the course material and helping each
student understand the concepts. I assume reciprocal effort by each student -- namely, that each
student will work his or her hardest to learn the course material.
Course description and goals
This course examines microorganisms (microbes), including both pathogenic and nonpathogenic
forms. A basic understanding of the kingdoms of life, cell structure, prokaryotic and eukaryotic
cells, cellular metabolism and methods of reproduction is necessary before focusing on the
organisms of clinical interest. Clinical topics include: fundamentals of the human immune
system, pharmacology, and the epidemiology, control, and prevention of infectious diseases.
Students will prepare presentations on pathogen-caused diseases, including common maladies,
AIDS, and newly emerging threats such as Ebola and SARS.
Syllabus, p. 2
Learning objectives
1. Describe historical aspects of microorganisms' impacts on human societies.
2. Describe health, ecological, and economic importance of microorganisms.
3. Compare the differences prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.
4. Describe the characteristics of bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and animal parasites
as they relate to medical microbiology.
6. Describe the epidemiology, control, and prevention of infectious diseases.
7. Describe the basic immune response to infection by microbial agents.
Lecture assignments and grading
Weekly Quizzes (6@10pts ea)
Midterm
Oral presentation + paper
Scientist paper
Mastering Micro
Final (non-cumulative)
TOTAL
60 points
200 points
50 points
20 points
50 points
200 points
580 points
Lab assignments and grading
Reports 1-6
Midterm
Reports 7- end
Final (non-cumulative)
Slide set
Weekly Quiz
TOTAL
30 points
200 points
40 points
200 points
25 points
20pts/ea or 100pts total
515 points
National University's +/- system is used:
A
95 - 100 %
C+
77 - 79 %
A90 - 94 %
C
74 - 76 %
B+
87 - 89 %
C70 - 73 %
B
84 - 86 %
D+
67 - 69 %
B80 - 83 %
D
64 - 66 %
DF
60 - 63 %
0 - 59 %
Other issues
1. Each quiz consists of 10 multiple choice questions, 2 short answer questions, or some
combination of the two. To prepare for these quizzes pay close attention to what is covered
in lecture and read carefully. The lecture midterm and final consist of approximately 80
multiple choice questions and 4 short answer questions (5pts ea). The lab midterm and final
will be more essays and less M/C. Students should not expect study guides, but should
instead review all notes and reading assignments carefully in advance of the exam.
Syllabus, p. 3
2. Students are expected to attend all class sessions and stay until dismissed. Two or more
absences may result in removal from the class. Late arrivals after the first break period are
recorded as absences. Early departures will be treated as half an absence, students leaving at
the half way point of the class or before will be given a full abs.
3. Reminder: if you miss three or more class meetings and do not withdraw from the course
before the 7th class meeting, then the Registrar will assign a grade of F. It is the student's
responsibility, not the instructor's, to officially withdraw from a course. See
"Attendance Procedures" in the General Catalog.
4. Switch electronic devices to silent mode during class and put them away. There are to be no
electronic devices out during class for any reason especially during quizzes or exams.
Students using these devises during lecture or lab will be warned once, and then asked to
leave. Those using them or having them visible during an exam or quiz will receive a zero
for the assessment, and be asked to leave for the night.
5. Make up policy: the simplest solution is to do all work on time. Health, family, or work
emergencies may earn extra time for the writing assignments, but there will be a minimum
of a 10% penalty per day (not class days, days of the wk) the assignment is late. Otherwise,
I will not accept any late work.
6. Cheating and/ or plagiarism: I hold a strict zero tolerance policy. If you are caught or I
suspect that the work you have turned in is not your own, you will be removed from the
class without discussion or argument. This applies to all work, assignments, quizzes and
tests.
7. In the absence of an extreme emergency, a missed quiz or exam counts as a zero.
8. Under no circumstances can labs missed due to absences be made up.
Syllabus, p. 4
Class schedule --THIS SCHEDULE COMBINES LECTURE (203) & LAB (203A) ACTIVITIES
Date
Wk 1
3/1
3/3
Laboratory (Room 202)
T (8-12) Ch 1, 2, and 3
Th Introductory (Ex. 1), Microscopy (Ex. 2)
Wk 2
3/8
T Finish Ch 3, 4 and 5
3/10
Th Microbes in Envir. (Ex. 3), Transfer of Bacteria (Ex. 4)
Lab quiz 1
Saturday 3/12
Wk 3
3/15
T Ch 6 and 7, start 8
3/17
Th Prep of smears and staining (Ex. 5), Negative Stain (Ex. 6)
Lab quiz 2
Wk 4
3/22
T Finish ch 8, 9 and 10 Midterm Exam Ch 1-10
3/24
Th Gram Stain (Ex. 7), Acid- Fast Stain (Ex.8) Midterm Exam Labs 1-8 + Readings
Saturday 3/26
Wk 5
4/5
T Ch 11 and 12, start 13
4/7
Th Structural Stains (Ex. 9), Methods of control (Ex. 22)
Lab Quiz 3
Wk 6
4/12
T Finish ch 13, 14 and 15
4/14
Th Methods of control (Ex. 24), Methods of control (Ex. 26)
Lab Quiz 4
Wk 7
4/19 T Ch 21-24
4/21 Th Bacteria of skin (Ex. 45), Microbes in food (Ex. 54)
Lab Quiz 5
Saturday 4/23
Wk 8
4/26 T Ch 25 + Final Exam; Scientist paper due
4/28 Th Oral Presentations + Final Exam
4/30
Sa return materials/ final grades
*Ch 27 and 28 – Read on your own for the final
Sat mtg’s 9/14, 9/28, 10/19
Syllabus, p. 5
Oral presentations -- Diseases
Description
* Teams of ~3 students are to prepare oral presentations on diseases caused by microorganisms.
* Each presentation is to be at least 15 minutes, but no more than 20 minutes. This is the typical
length of an oral presentation at a scientific conference. One student may not do all of the
talking for the team. The work on the project should be divided up and each student will
then present their part.
* The presentations will occur on _____________ (~8 teams will present on each of these dates).
* Each presentation is worth 50 points, broken down as so:
30 points: information covered. The following topics must be covered at minimum:
* Identification of the pathogen: kind of virus or organism ( include taxonomy/
phylogeny)
* Mode of transmission (indicate any vectors or hosts involved)
* Incubation time in humans
* Symptoms in humans
* Effects on human anatomy and physiology. Include specifics detailing the
toxicity of the disease.
* Established or possible vaccines, treatments, cure. ( I expect details here)
5 points: references. Clearly identify at least five sources used for information.
Websites are acceptable, but they are to be scholarly or those of established medical
journals/institutions.
15 points: organization and clarity of presentation.
* A 5-point penalty will be assigned to teams that go beyond 25 minutes. This is to emphasize
the lesson of clearly and concisely presenting a topic.
* Presentations do not have to be high-tech or PowerPoint. Bringing in posters, book
illustrations, or overheads is sufficient.
* A written summary of the presentation designating each team member’s contribution, properly
cited in APA format, will be submitted the night your group presents. Failure to include this
will drop your presentation two letter grades.
Disease (** must be covered by a student team)
** MRSA
** Pneumococcal pneumonia
** West Nile
** Influenza
** Malaria
** SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome)
Chickenpox
Herpes
Lyme disease
Measles
Common cold
Rabies
Syllabus, p. 6
Salmonellosis
Schistosomiasis
Scientist Summary:
20 points -- In your own words, write 2, 5 sentence paragraphs on each of the following's
contributions to microbiology and/or medicine. Do not plagiarize another student's work or
answers. Cite your sources, but the work you submit should be in your own words
(paraphrase). Plagiarism earns zero points for this assignment, and disciplinary referral to
University officials. (Note: Work will be submitted to Turnitin.com, similarity scores
higher than 15% will be deemed plagiarism.)
* Hippocrates (400s BC)
* Galen (100s AD)
* Anthony van Leeuwenhoek (1600s)
* John Needham (1700s)
* Lazzaro Spallanzani (1700s)
* Edward Jenner (1700s)
* Louis Pasteur (1800s)
* Jonas Salk (1900s)
* Linus Pauling (1900s)