Great Basin College, Pahrump Valley Campus, 551 East Calvada Blvd, Pahrump,
Nevada – 89048 - Phone: (775) 727-2000 -Fax: (775) 727-2014
Course Syllabus for BIOL 251– General Microbiology – Spring 2014
Instructor: Dr. Rita Bagwe
Office: 101B
Email: rita.bagwe@gbcnv.edu
Phone: 775-727-2005
Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday 7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.; Friday – 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or
by appointment.
Teaching Assistants:
Ms. Holly Brice - tahollyb@gmail.com : Mon & Tue: 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Ms. JaniJohnston – janijohnston196@gmail.com ; Wed &Thur: 4:00 – 6:00p.m.
Teaching assistants will meet strictly by scheduled appointment only. Sign-up sheet for
scheduling appointment is kept in the Academic Success Center.
Course title:General Microbiology
Course number/ section numbers:BIOL 251 /1005 lab / 1006 lecture
Number of credits:4 Credits
Meeting dates/time/place: Tuesday & Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. & on Tuesdays 1:00
p.m. – 3.45 p.m. / Room number 116
Dates when classes will not be held: Classes will not be held on holidays listed in the school
academic calendar.
Prerequisite:Must have completed BIO 190.
Corequisite:Concurrent enrollment in a corresponding lab section is required for this course.
Course description:A laboratory and lecture course emphasizing taxonomy, morphology,
physiology, infectious diseases, and ecology of microorganisms in addition to skills in aseptic
procedures, isolation, and identification. Open to all life science majors and allied health majors.
Texts:Microbiology, an Introduction. 11th edition.
Publishers- Pearson, Benjamin Cummings Publishing Company
Authors – Gerard.J.Tortora,Berdell.R. Funke, & Christine. L. Case.
Published – January 2012.
ISBN-13: 978-0-32173-360-3
EISBN-13: 978-0-32182-081-5
Lab Manual:Microbiology Laboratory Theory & Application, Brief (Second Edition)
By Michael J. Leboffe, Burton E. Pierce, David Ferguson (Editor)
Publishers -Morton Publishing Company
Published - 2012
ISBN-13: 978-0-89582-947-4 / 9780895829474
Learning Outcomes and measurements:
Objectives
1. Communication Skills
Expected Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the course the
student will be able to:
Outcome Measurements
The expected outcomes will be
measured by:
Students will have several opportunities
to
exercise
written
and
oral
communication skills throughout this
course. They will complete laboratory
reports and written assignments accessing
scientific information as well as written
exams. Oral communication skills will
also be utilized during discussions
involved in completing laboratory
assignments.
Lecture Exams: Students will be able to
read and answer exam questions in written
form.
Lab Practical Exams: Students will read
and answer exam questions in written
form.
Written Lab Report: Students will clearly
communicate scientific information in
written form. (See “lab reports” below for
grading rubric).
Class Discussion: Students will be able to
communicate scientific ideas orally.
(Ungraded)
2. Critical Thinking
Quantitative Ability: Students will use
mathematical principles and quantitative
methods to complete the laboratory
assignments. They will also learn how to
quantitatively measure molecularbiological and cellular characteristics.
Lab Exams (written and practical)
Lab Notebook
Quizzes
Reasoning and Individual Thought:
Students will use reasoning and
independent thought to complete
laboratory experiments and answer exam
questions.
Scientific Understanding- Students will
comprehend molecular-biological and
cellular systems and the process by which
the scientific knowledge is discovered.
They will develop the ability to
understand molecular-biological and
cellular information and how it relates to
them.
Lecture Exams
3. Personal and Cultural
Awareness
Sense of the Individual in SocietyStudents will gain an understanding of
molecular and cellular biology and how
this affects them and the population.
Sense of the Past- Students will gain an
understanding of how biological
knowledge was discovered and how this
knowledge has changed society and their
lives.
Sense of Accountability- Students will
comprehend the consequences of human
discoveries in molecular and cellular
biology and their implications.
Appreciation of Fine Arts- Students will
develop an understanding of the value of
biological diversity and individual
curiosity and creative thought.
Lecture Exams:Students will be able to
answer exam questions on the importance
and place microbiology in society, on the
history of microbiological research, and
how their actions affect them and their
environment
Lab Practical Exams: Students will be
able to answer lab practical exam questions
on the importance and place of
microbiology in society, on the history of
microbiological research, identification of
microbes, Various tests to identify the
microbes and how it affects them and their
environment
Class Discussions: Students will be able to
discuss the importance or microbes and
their role in our everyday life - ungraded
Written Lab Report: Students will write
a report on any one of the diseases listed
4. Personal Wellness
Objective
5. Technological
Understanding
Students will develop skills in
determining the consequences of their
actions in relation to the environment and
their personal health. They will gain
knowledge needed to make important
decisions involving personal health.
Lecture Exams and Lab Practical
Exams: Students will be able to answer
exam questions on the molecular basis of
human health.
Students will gain knowledge of how
advancing technology in the field of
microbiology will affect their lives and
their personal health.
Lecture Exams: Students will be able to
answer exam questions on technology in
cell and molecular biology, and human
health.
Class Discussions: Students will discuss
the molecular basis of human health,
ungraded.
Lab Practical Exams: Students will
demonstrate the ability to use technological
lab equipment used in biology and relate
the use of this equipment to cell and
molecular biology and human health.
Written Lab Report: Students will
present, in written form, the use of
technology to discover knowledge in the
area of cell and molecular biology – the
“procedures” section of their lab reports.
Summary of the Assessment of Objectives:Learning and general education objectives will be
assessed with three distinct tools. Lecture exams will consist of multiple choice questions that
will test three types of knowledge: recall of factual information; definitions of terminology; and
conceptual and integrative thinking. Laboratory practical will emphasize recall of the various
manipulative and study objects used in the exercises, as well as testing that the students
understand the concepts and principles that were generated with these devices. The written
laboratory report will assess their written communication skills, as well as their conceptual
understanding of a critical lab experiment. This last experiment has been chosen for its mix of
conceptual, numeric, and technical skills.
Method of instruction:Each week there will be two lecture classes and one laboratory class.
Homework assignments will be assigned every week. It is your responsibility to read the chapter
before the class.
Use of computers in this course:WebCampus: This course will make use of WebCampus. To
log in, go to webcampus.gbcnv.edu. Your WebCampus ID is your Great Basin College email
address ID. If you don't have a GBC email address or don't remember your address go to
swami.scsr.nevada.edu or the Technology Help Desk helpdesk@gwmail.gbcnv.edu, or 7532167. Passwords will be sent by mail to students who register for their course(s) 5 days before
the semester begins. If you register after this time or did not receive a letter by mail, contact the
Help Desk as soon as possible.
Grading system:The grade for this course will be based on two components: performance in
lecture and laboratory. The total score for the course is 800.
400 Points- Lecture Grade based on 4 one hour exams (100 points each)
100 Points- 10 Lecture or Lab quizzes worth 10 points each
50 Points- 10 Homework assignments worth 5 points each
25 Points- Class Presentation. **See below for further information**
100 Points- 2 Lab Practical Exams 50 points each
80 Points- 4 Reports worth 25 points each that includes 3 lab reports and 1disease report.
15 Points- Lab notebook submittal
10 Points- Personal proficiency in the laboratory
Lab Reports:The use of color pencils is mandatory for all students. All the experiments should
have an aim, materials used, procedure, principal, results, conclusion and graphs, figures, tables,
flow charts wherever necessary. The disease report should include discussion in details of any
one microorganism or disease that is included in the textbook. The report(s) must be typed,
single spaced, 12 point font, times new roman. It is due by the next lab class period (1 week)
after being assigned. The report should follow the following outline:
Aim: Title of the experiment
Introduction: Give the background to the topic. Why is it important? Briefly tell what you are
going to do in the experiment.
Procedures: Explain what organisms, materials and methods were used in the experiments.
How did you do it?
Results: Present the results. Point out key or unexpected results.
Conclusion: What was the significance of your results? Explain the importance of the
experiment, and whether or not your outcome was consistent or inconsistent with what was
expected.
Reference: Citing material used in writing of lab report
Diagram / Figure/ Tables/ Calculations/ Graphs: Wherever necessary. Clear, legible and
labeled.
Grading criteria for the report are identical to those used by the English department:
1. Focuses and develops ideas effectively, showing creativity and insight.
2. Organizes ideas in a purposeful and logical manner, moving the reader (listener)
smoothly through the text (subject).
3. Uses sentence structure and word choice effectively with a sense of control.
4. Commits few, if any, errors in grammar/usage and mechanics.
Lab Notebook:A lab notebook has to been maintained by everyone and it will be graded during
lab exams. The use of color pencils is mandatory. A plain notebook should be used as lab
notebook and should include certificate page and index page. All lab exercise questions should
be answered and written legibly. The use of neat, well labeled graphs/diagrams should be
included when necessary. Attendance in lab is mandatory, there will be no make-up labs.
Technical Evaluation: Each student will be graded on my technical evaluation of your
proficiency in the laboratory. Staining, aseptic techniques, use and care of equipment(s), are
some of the factors that will be judged. Excessive tardiness/absences and careless behavior will
also be factored into the technical evaluation.
Class Presentation:Class presentation is mandatory and has to be based on any topic related to
the topics covered in the course. Topic and date of presentation has to be given within 15 days of
starting of the semester. It will be entirely your responsibility to make sure that you have a date
for the presentation. I am not responsible if you do not get dates for your presentation. Topics
can be changed latter on also but not the date of the presentation. If you need any help in
deciding topic or preparing a presentation please feel free to approach me.Points will be
deducted if you fail to present your topic on your scheduled date.
Homework Assignments: Will be posted on the web campus. Homeworkassignments will be
given by Friday evening and must be turned in by the following Thursday evening by 5:15
p.m.The grading scale is as follows: Homework must be handwritten on a plain piece of paper
and submitted without any reminders on the due date. Late homework assignments will not be
accepted at all.
Score Letter Grade
97 – 100
94- 96.99
90-93.99
87-89.99
84-86.99
80-83.99
A
A
AB+
B
B-
77-79.99
74-76.99
70-73.99
67-69.99
64-67.99
60-63.99
00-59.99
C+
C
CD+
D
DF
Your “up to the minute” grade for the lecture portion of the course will be posted on Web
Campus in an anonymous spreadsheet. Log on to the WebCampus course and follow the
instructions (filed permanently in the announcement area) to view your grade.
Instructions for dropping the course:If you do not complete the course and do not formally
withdraw by the drop deadline, your instructor will automatically assign you a grade of "F". And,
of course, it would be lovely for you to include the drop deadline for each of your courses. For
the spring 2014 semester the drop deadline is Monday, March 24, 2014. Support staff and
Admissions & Records staff can give you the specific drop date for any of your courses; just ask.
Congruent with this policy, "Incompletes" assigned for Fall 2013 courses and beyond, will no
longer automatically become W's when the March 15, deadline hits. Instead, if you have not
submitted an alternate grade before March 15 (or Oct 15 for spring courses), the "I" will become
and "F".
Attendance policy: Attendance in lecture is mandatory. Attendance will be taken in lecture and
Labs. Students remaining absent for more than three lecture or lab classes will be given a letter
grade down. Even if you come to class late or leave early it will count as absenteeism. That
means if you do it twice it will be counted as one complete absence. Regular attendance is the
single most important thing you can do to get and maintain a good grade. Do not forget to sign
attendance sheet for every class and lab separately. Six unexcused absence will automatically
result in being expelled from the class.
Student support information:The Student Support and Retention office provides individualized
coaching to students who are struggling in college, either academically or personally. The office
houses both professional staff and peer mentors to help students navigate obstacles in their
college experience and reach their academic goals. For more information visit
http://www.gbcnv.edu/retention/ or call the Retention Coordinator at 775-753-2255.
Lecture exam makeup policy:All the students have to take the exams at the given timed
schedule. I am not going to give the exam at any other time according to your convenience.
Make sure that you do not schedule anything during the lecture and lab time for the semester. In
order to be fair to students taking the exams on the assigned days I am extremely restrictive with
makeups. You will only be allowed to take a makeup if you present a written approved excuse
before the next time the class meets. You must take the makeup exam before the exam is passed
back to the rest of the class, which is usually the next class meeting. These options are only
available for approved written excuses at my discretion. If you have missed an exam or know
that you are going to miss one see me ASAP.
Lab practical exam makeup policy: Since the lab practical are very difficult to set up, makeups
will only be given in exceptional circumstances with an approved written excuse.
Lab quizzes: There will be few Lab quizzes to be given at the beginning of each lab period
when there is not a lab practical exam. You will be informed a week in advance of impending
lab quiz. They will be based on the previous lab’s material with a few questions from the lab that
will be done on the current day. These quizzes cannot be made up.
Schedule: This is a preliminary schedule. I reserve the right to change any part of it. Exam
dates will likely not change. But if they do, I will attempt to announce the change one week
ahead of time in class.
Chapter
1
3
4
5
6
7
02/25
10
11
12
13
14
15
04/01
16
17
18
19
20
04/22
21
22
23
24
25
26
05/13
Topics
The Microbial world and you
Observing Microorganisms through a Microscope
Anatomy of Prokaryotic cells
Self-Study
Microbial Growth
The Control of Microbial growth
Exam – 1(100 points)
Classification of Microorganisms
The Prokaryotes
The Eukaryotes
Viruses, Viroids, and Prions
Principles of Disease and Epidemiology
Microbial Mechanisms of Pathogenicity
Exam – 2 (100 points)
Innate Immunity
Adaptive Immunity
Practical Applications of Immunity
Disorders associated with the Immune system
Antimicrobial Drugs
Exam – 3 (100 points)
Microbial Diseases of the Skin and Eyes
Microbial Diseases of the Nervous system
Microbial Diseases of the Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems
Microbial Diseases of the Respiratory system
Microbial Diseases of the Digestive System
Microbial Diseases of the Urinary system and Reproductive System
Exam – 4 (100 points)
Laboratory schedule:
Lab
1
Date
01/28
Exercise
1-3
Topic
Introduction
Aseptic Method of Transfer, Appendix B-D
3-1
Pages 154-158
Microscope
Bacterial Shapes
2
02/04
3-4
3-6
3-7
Simple Stains
Gram Stain
Acid-Fast Stain
Demo Slides: Flagella; Endospore; Capsule
(lab Report #1 – Stains)
3
02/11
1-2
1-4
2-3
2-4
2-2
Preparing Culture Media
Streak Plates
Agar Slants
Broth Cultures
Colony Morphology (read only)
(lab Report #2 – Different types of Cultures and medias
used in Microbiology)
4
02/18
4-1
4-6
2 -8
2 - 10
2-6
2-7
Mannitol Salt Agar
Mac Conkey Agar
Effects of Temperature
Osmotic Effects
O2 - Fluid Thioglycollate
O2 - Anaerobe Jar
5
02/25
5-2
5-11
5-14
5-7
Acid and Gas Production From Fermentation
Degradation of Polysaccharides
Degradation of Protein
Differential Utilization of Citrate
6
03/04
5-3
Methyl-Red &Voges-Proskauer Tests
Handout Indole Production
Antibiotic Evaluation
7-2
03/11
7
8
04/01
Lab Exam 1(50 points)
03/18
5-4
5-21
5-20
Kit
Unknown Identification
Catalase Activity
Coagulase
Hemolysis of Red Blood Cells
Handout Litmus milk
7-1
Kit
7-6
7-3
Snyder Test
Effects of Hand washing&Hand washing Disc kit
Detecting Coliforms in Water
Plaque Assay
(lab Report #3 – Effects of Hand washing &Synder test)
9
04/08
04/29
Kit
Kit
Kit
8-2
Slides
Spice inhibitors
Chemical preservatives
Phage Assay
UV
Eukaryotic Microbes
(Report #4 - Disease report due on 04/08/2014)
Lab Exam – 2 (50 points)
NOTE: One educational visit to a pathological lab is being planned. Place, day and date will be
announced in the class. Attendance to this educational trip is mandatory.
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Statement:Great Basin College is committed to
providing equal educational opportunities to qualified students with disabilities in accordance
with state and federal laws and regulations, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of
1990 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. A qualified student must furnish current
verification of disability. The Director of Services for Students with Disabilities (Julie G.
Byrnes) will assist qualified students with disabilities in securing the appropriate and reasonable
accommodations, auxiliary aids and services. For more information or further assistance, please
call 775.753.2271.
Student Conduct Statements:Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated and may result in a
failing grade and/or reporting to GBC Administration. The students conduct policy in the current
GBC catalog will be enforced. This syllabus is not a contract and is subject to change, without
warning or notification, at any time.
Cell Phone Policies:Cell phones must be switched OFF during lecture and lab classes and left
off for the duration of the class. Neither phoning nor texting is permitted at any time. Anyone
found using it will lead to confiscation of their mobile. No electronic gadgets are allowed in the
class during exams.
This syllabus does not in any way represent a contract. It is a reflection of the intent of the
instructor, but do recognize that it is an organic construct that may change as the semester
progresses. Any changes will be announced in class.