Suffolk County Community College
Eastern Campus - Riverhead, New York
General Microbiology – BIO244
Spring 2016
CRN # 23083 Section # 400
I.
Instructor: Adriana Pinkas, PhD.
pinkasa@sunysuffolk.edu
Shinnecock 212
631-548-2628 (Department secretary)
Web site: http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/pinkasa
II.
Textbooks:
Microbiology, an Introduction, 12th Edition, by Gerard J. Tortora, Berdell R. Funke, and Christine L.
Case, Publisher: Benjamin Cummings. 2013. ISBN#9780321767387 (Older editions are fine to use: 8th
edition to present are all about the same.)
Benson’s Microbiological Applications Complete Version: Laboratory Manual in General
Microbiology, 13th Edition, by Alfred E. Brown, Publisher: McGraw-Hill. 2015. ISBN#
9780077668020 (This book must be exactly as indicated: older editions and short versions are different.)
*The textbook, lab book, microbiology atlases, study guides, etc. are available at the Eastern Campus
Library at the reserve desk under BIO244. A list of these reserve items is available on my website.
Other necessary materials:
III.
Catalog Description:
Introduction to microbiology by a survey of methods, tools and techniques used in studying main groups
of bacteria and other microorganisms and application of this knowledge in physical and chemical control
of microorganisms. Relationship of microorganisms to disease is discussed. (3 hrs. lecture, 4 hrs.
laboratory)
IV.
Learning Outcomes:
The goal of this course is for the student to be introduced to microbiological concepts in order to
understand the similarities and differences between various organisms, and to gain basic knowledge of
the relationship of microorganisms to health, disease, and ecological balance. The student will learn
microbial metabolism and genetics and become familiar with the main groups of bacteria and other
types of microorganisms through use of basic laboratory techniques of observation, experimentation,
isolation, and identification. The student’s knowledge of the material studied will be demonstrated
through written and practical exams, discussions and reports, and through proficient use of scientific
equipment and techniques.
Upon completion of this course students should be able to:
1. Explain basic microbiologic concepts, including cell biology and genetics.
2. Explain the fundamental differences between prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
3. Gain an understanding of the basic characteristics of individual microbial groups: bacteria, archaea,
fungi, protists, algae, and viruses.
4. Gain an understanding of the laboratory tools and techniques used in the analysis of microbes.
5. Explain physical and chemical methods for controlling microbial growth.
6. Gain a better understanding of metabolism.
7. Acquire knowledge pertaining to basic concepts in microbial genetics.
8. Explain the relationship of microorganisms to health and disease.
9. Explain mechanisms of pathogenicity and immune defense mechanisms.
10. Explain the usefulness of microbes in food production, therapeutics, and bioremediation.
11. Discuss biotechnology in theory and in practice and the importance of microbes in everyday life.
12. Acquire knowledge pertaining to the relationship of microorganisms to the environment
V.
College Absence and Attendance Policy:
The College expects that each student will exercise personal responsibility with regard to class
attendance. All students are expected to attend every class session of each course for which they are
registered. Students are responsible for all that transpires in class whether or not they are in attendance,
even if absences are the result of late registration or add/drop activity at the beginning of a term as
permitted by college policy. The College defines excessive absence or lateness as more than the
equivalent of one week of class meetings during the semester. Excessive absence or lateness may lead
to failure in, or removal from, the course. A student may be required to drop or withdraw from a course
when, in the judgment of the instructor, absences have been excessive. A student may also be withdrawn
from a course by the Associate Dean of Student Services or the Student Conduct Board following a
disciplinary hearing for violating the Student Code of Conduct as described in the student handbook.
There will be NO makeup lab exercises, quizzes, or exams. If you must miss a quiz for a VALID REASON
you must contact me BEFORE the start of class to be excused from receiving the grade of zero.
VI.
Student Requirements for Completion of the Course:
1. Required materials for in class use:
Lecture:
1. Notebook paper or printed notes from the website pertaining to the chapter being discussed
2. Writing implements
Lab:
1. Three-ring binder containing the instructor provided supplemental packet
2. Lab book
3. Sharpie or other thin permanent marker
4. Lab coat
2. You are required to read the chapters pertaining to the lecture in advance to be familiar with the
material. The lecture experience is a much more useful when the time can be spent learning the
concepts rather than attempting to decipher new and unfamiliar vocabulary.
3. For the lab component of the course, it is absolutely necessary and required to read the activities prior to
class. You are required to provide an outline of the lab activities for the day each day. Your outline will
be a written synopsis of what you are to do in the lab period that day. This will require you to read the lab
book and supplemental materials BEFORE class in order to adequately complete the outline. Failure to
provide a complete outline will result in the loss of one point from your final grade for each outline not
turned in. Failure to prepare yourself for the lab activities each day will result in your inability to complete
the lab assignment in the prescribed time.
4. You are required to complete all assignments on time.
5. Should you encounter difficulties on any of the topics, seek assistance immediately.
VI.
Evaluation of Student Performance:
Your comprehension of the material will be determined by your performance on weekly quizzes, lecture
exams, lab practical exams, and the correct identification of, and reporting on, an unknown culture
Quizzes
Quizzes will be given weekly and will cover the material since the previous quiz or exam, generally two
lectures worth of material. You will be given approximately five minutes at the start of class to complete the
quiz. Do not be late to class as quizzes will be collected promptly at five minutes past the start of class,
regardless of when you arrived. If you wish more time you may come to class ten minutes early and begin
on arrival. The purpose of the quizzes is to insure that you are keeping up on the material. Just cramming the
night before an exam is a sure way to fail a course as dense as this one.
Lecture Exams
Lecture material will be broken into four units with an exam on each unit. The exams will cover the material
since the last exam and are not cumulative. You will have the entire lecture period (1 hour 15 minutes) to
complete the exam on the day it is scheduled. Any format on the exams is possible. Often they are multiformat including such testing types as matching, true-false, multiple choice and short answer.
Lab Practical Exams
Lab material will be broken into two parts with an exam on each. The practical exams will cover material
since the previous exam and are not cumulative. Lab practical exams tend to be in the format of question
stations around the room where you are asked to identify features on the slide/specimen/object or interpret
the results of a diagnostic test. Additionally you will be responsible for methods and reagents utilized in the
laboratory activities. Spelling does matter and no word banks are provided. The time allotted to a lab exam
will be determined by the complexity of the exam, but there will be no lab activities on an exam day.
Laboratory Activity Outlines
You must read and understand the planned activities for lab each day prior to your arrival in class. To insure
that you have read and know where to locate the directions for your activities, you are required to turn in an
outline of the planned activities each day. No outlines will be accepted late, and each missed outline will
result in the loss of one point from your final course average. There will be a total of 27 outlines due during
the course of the semester so failure to submit outlines will result in a tremendous impact on your final grade.
Each outline will be a written synopsis of what you are to do in the lab period that day and will include such
details as the organisms you will use, the type and amount of media and equipment, and the methods that
will be employed to accomplish the lab. You may refer to page numbers for step by step instructions instead
of rewriting the complete instructions.
Be sure to consult the lab supplemental packet for any changes to the lab activity so that you can incorporate
the changes into your outline. An example outline has been provided in the supplemental packet.
Unknown Identification
You will be issued two organisms on or around the sixth lab period that you will be responsible for identifying
by genus and species using various testing procedures during the subsequent eight labs. Upon completion of
the tests, you will submit one data report in the correct format for your favorite of the two organisms. In the
report you will identify the organism and summarize the results for all the tests you performed. The data
report will count as half of one exam grade. The other half of the grade will come from a second report,
written in formal scientific style, regarding the same unknown culture. This report will include background
information and will demonstrate a logical flow of critical thinking to the solution of the identity of your
unknown. A description of each of the lab report formats is provided in your laboratory supplemental packet
and must be followed exactly as stated.
Optional Oral Report
During the last lab period, as an optional activity, we will explore how microbes contribute to our diet. You
will choose a food product that is made of a microbe or is made using some microbial metabolism process.
Your food item must be unique in the class. Solid foods, beverages and food supplements are all acceptable.
You will give a roughly five-minute talk and visual presentation in which you will discuss the food, the
microbes, and how the food is produced. Presentations and a food sampling party will occur during the last
lab period. The oral presentation can be worth up to 2 points on the final average, depending on quality.
Grading:
Four lecture exams, eight quick quizzes, two lab practical exams, the identification of an unknown bacterial
sample, subtraction of points for missed outlines, plus an optional oral presentation on microbial food
products will determine your final grade. Each exam and the average of all the quizzes will count equally,
and the lowest of these seven grades will be dropped. The unknown report will also count equally but may
NOT be dropped. The optional oral presentation will be worth up to 2 points on the final average, depending
on quality. Each laboratory outline not turned in will result in the loss of one point from the final average.
There are no additional curves or extra credit projects, as your grade should represent the overall percentage
of material you mastered in this course. Your final grade will be calculated as follows:
90% and above = A
85.0 – 89.9% = B+
80.0 – 84.9% = B
75.0 – 79.9% = C+
70.0 – 74.9% = C
65.0 – 69.9% = D+
60.0 – 64.9% = D
59% and below = F
1. Exam 1
2. Exam 2
3. Exam 3
4. Exam 4
5. Practical 1
6. Practical 2
7. QUIZ AVERAGE
Unknowns (NO drop!)
To calculate your final grade, add the 6 highest of the assignments 1-7 above, then the unknown, and
divide by seven. Subtract one point for each outline not turned in, and add two points if you do a very
good, very complete, with visual aids and food, food presentation. Then consult the grading scale above
to determine your final letter grade.
VII. Departmental Cell Phone and Tablet Policy:
Cellular phones and tablets are considered a classroom distraction and are not permitted in class at any
time. All cell phones should be out of sight and either turned off or placed in silent mode so they do not
ring during class. Cell phones are not a substitute for calculators. If a calculator is required, students
must be prepared with a standard, scientific or graphing calculator as permitted in that class. Students
in violation of this policy will be asked to leave the class for that day and an absence will be indicated
for that class. It is the student’s responsibility to request, in advance, an exception to this policy from
their professor. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
VIII. Communication:
You can contact me via e-mail regarding subjects related to the course. In such cases you must use your College
e-mail account. E-mails from other accounts (yahoo, gmail, aol, optoline, etc) will not be answered. Check your
College account frequently since important announcements and messages will be sent to those e-mail addresses.
Grade requests after the final examination will be answered but the expediency is not guaranteed. Any messages
that ask for higher grade and try to negotiate grades will not be answered. Any inappropriate e-mails will be
forwarded to the proper institution at the College. Lecture notes and related materials used in class will be
available on www2.sunysuffolk.edu/pinkasa. My e-mail address is: pinkasa@sunysuffolk.edu
IX.
Major Topics Required:
Lecture:
A. Microbial cell biology (25%)
1. Structure and function of prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms
2. Structure and function of acellular infectious agents
3. Growth and division
4. Energy metabolism
5. Regulation of cellular activities
B. Microbial genetics (20%)
1. Inheritance and flow of information
2. Causes, consequences, and significance of mutations
3. Exchange and acquisition of genetic information
4. Genetic engineering
5. Biotechnology
C. Interactions of microorganisms and humans (50%)
1. Host defense mechanisms and immune systems
2. Pathogenicity mechanisms of cellular and acellular infectious
agents
3. Disease transmission
4. Control of microorganisms
5. Antimicrobial agents
6. Epidemiology and public health
7. Adaptation and natural selection
8. Symbiosis
D. Interactions and impact of microorganisms in the environment (5%)
1. Microbial recycling of resources
2. Microbes transforming the environment
Laboratory Skills:
A. Discipline specific
1. Practicing laboratory safety
2. Collecting and handling specimens
3. Isolating and identifying microorganism (differentiation)
4. Using a microscope
5. Pipetting and micropipetting
6. Using aseptic technique
7. Growing and controlling microorganisms
8. Utilizing basic antigen-antibody interactions
9. Making dilutions
B. General
1. Effectively communicating scientific information
2. Finding and using appropriate resources
3. Critically evaluating information, results, and incompatibilities
4. Demonstrating ethical behavior and scientific integrity
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
----
To: _____Adriana Pinkas_______________________
(your instructor’s name)
From: ____________________________________________
(print your name)
Date: ____________________________________________
I have read the OUTLINE, have had an opportunity to ask questions about them, and fully understand
them.
Your Signature _________________________
BIO244 Lecture Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays 6:00-7:25 pm CRN# 23083
Lec#
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DATE
1/26
1/28
2/2
2/4
2/9
2/11
2/16
2/18
2/23
2/25
Micro
3/3
3/1
3/8
3/10
3/15
3/17
3/22
3/24
3/29
3/31
4/5
4/7
4/12
4/14
4/19
4/21
4/26
4/28
5/3
5/5
5/10
TOPIC
Course Policy and Introduction
Biomolecules
Quiz 1 (on Lec #1,2) Biomolecules
Prokaryotic Cell Structure
Quiz 2 (on Lec#3,4) Eukaryotic Cell Structure
Microbial Metabolism
Quiz 3(Lec#5,6) Microbial Metabolism
Microbial Genetics
Exam 1 (Chapters1,2,4,5) Lecture 1-7
Microbial Genetics
Quiz4(Lec#8,9) Biotechnology
No Class: Faculty Professional Development Day
Quiz5(Lec# 10) Microorganism Classification
Bacteria
Quiz6(Lec#11,12) Fungi, Protista
Protista
No Class: Spring Break
No Class: Spring Break
Viruses
Disease and epidemiology
Exam 2 (Chapters 8-13) Lecture 8-15
Pathogenicity
Quiz7(Lec#16,17)Nonspecific Host Defense
Immune Response
Quiz8(Lec#18,19) Immunology Application
Growth and Control of Microorganisms, Antimicrobial drugs
Exam 3 (Chapter 14-18) Lecture 16-20
Microbial Diseases
Quiz9(Lec#21,22) Microbial diseases
Microbial diseases
Exam 4 (Chapter6,7,20-26) Lecture 21-24
CAPTER for
lecture
1
2
2
4
4
5
5
8
8
9
10
11
12
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
6,7,20
21,22
23-24
25,26
BIO244 Lab Schedule: Tuesdays & Thursdays 7:40 – 9:40 pm CRN#23083
LAB DATE TOPIC
#
1
1/26 Microscopy lecture
Microscopy, Ubiquity: test household surfaces for bacteria
2
1/28 Bacterial Growth lecture
Aseptic and Pure Culture Techniques
Smear Preparation and Simple Staining
3
2/2
Gram and Acid-fast Staining
4
2/4
Negative, Capsular, and Spore Staining
5
2/9
6
2/11 Motility, Effect of Oxygen on Growth, Unknown
7
2/16 Unknown, Cultural Characteristics (Information in Exercise 42 may
help you identify your unknown)
8
2/18 Gram Stain Unknown, Observe Demonstrations of Cultural
Characteristics
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
2/23
2/25
3/1
3/3
3/8
18
19
3/10
3/15
3/17
3/29
3/22
3/24
3/31
4/5
20
4/7
21
22
4/12
4/14
23
4/19
24
25
2627
27
29
30
Omit Lab 9 From Night Class schedule
Oxidation and Fermentation Tests
Hydrolytic and Degradative Reactions
No Class: Faculty Professional Development Day
Multiple Test Media, Gram Negative Intestinal Pathogens
Staphylococci and Streptococci & Enterococci Identification
Fungi: prepare cultures for lab 15
Read Results (End material for Practical Exam 1)
*Unknown Data Report Due*, Fungi
Practical Exam 1 (Covers material from Lab Days 1-14)
Protista
No Class: Spring Break
No Class: Spring Break
Enumeration
Bacterial Counts on Foods, Examination of Water, Membrane Filter
Method
*Draft Formal Report Due for Peer Review*, Bacterial
Transformation
*Peer Review of Report Due*, Bacterial Transformation
Simulated PCR Screening, Agarose Gel Electrophoresis
*Unknown Formal Report Due*, Simulated PCR Screening, Agarose
Gel Electrophoresis
4/21 Antibody Disease Screening
4/26 Effects of Temp, pH, Osmotic Pressure, and Microbial Antagonism
on Growth
4/28 Effects of Alcohol, Washing, Antibiotics and Antiseptics on Growth,
Effects UV and Lysozyme on Growth
Read Results (Last day for food presentation sign up)
5/3
Practical Exam 2 (Covers material from Lab Days 15-28)
5/5
Prese Presentations of Microbial Food Products
5/10
EXERCISE
Text Chapter 3
1, 5, 7, Supplement
Text Chapter 6
9, 10
11, 12
15, 17
13, 14, 16
18, 27, 37, Supplement
37, 38, 42
15, 38
39
40
41, 71, Supplement
69, 70, Supplement
Set up 22
8, 22
6
21
58, 59, 60
EDVO-Kit#300
EDVO-Kit#300
67, Supplement, EDVOKit#124
67, Supplement, EDVOKit#124
EDVO-Kit#271, 74
28, 29, 30, 57, 62
31, 32,33, 36, 34, 35