Applied Microbiology: BIOL 21300

Lecture:  CHS 202 Tues 6:50-9:30 pm

Lab:  CNS 212 Thurs 1-3:50 pm

Fall 2010

Course Description: This course explores the physiology and identification of microorganisms and explores the central role of microbes in biology including the influences and impact of microorganisms on the biosphere, as well as the interrelationship of microbes with humans, and the transmission of disease. This course is specifically designed for allied health majors. This course cannot be used to fulfill biology or biochemistry elective course requirements. 4 credits.

Prerequisites:  BIOL-12100-BIOL-12200 or BIOL-11900-BIOL-12000; CHEM-12100 or CHEM-12300 or CHEM-11100-CHEM-11200.

Course Objectives: By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Define Microbiology.
• Understand & discuss the characteristics of prokaryotes and how they differ from eukaryotes.
• Understand & discuss how prokaryotes cause disease.
• Demonstrate a practical and theoretical knowledge of routine clinical microbiological lab techniques, such as aseptic technique, control of microbial growth, and differential diagnosis of certain microbes
• Apply learned material to the broader scope of biology and our lives, specifically from an allied and public health perspective

Course Structure: 

Lab Manual, notebook & labs: 

Student Assessment: 

There will be two hourly exams conducted during the semester, one cumulative final exam administered during finals week, prelab quizzes administered at the beginning of some of the labs, maintenance of a lab notebook, and student presentations. No extra credit is possible for this course.

• Hourly Exams—There will be two administered approximately after each third of the semester.  These will focus on lecture materials, but may include some relevant lab materials as well.  They each count for 15% of your final grade (30% total).
  
• Prelab quizzes—There will be six prelab quizzes.  These will last approximately 10-15 minutes and will be on the required readings for that day’s lab.  Providing student has taken all six, the lowest quiz score will be dropped.  Please note the first prelab quiz will be administered the week of Aug 30. Each quiz will count for 3% of your final grade (15% total)
• Lab notebook—This will be periodically examined by your instructor in class, turned in prior to Thanksgiving and again after the last lab period.  The total value of your lab notebook will be 15% of your final grade.  More information as to what is expected in lab notebooks will be posted in Blackboard (15% of your final grade).  There will be no formal lab practical exam.
• Presentations—Each student will be required to present on an infectious pathogen to the class.  This will entail considerable advanced research, preparation and presentation of your materials, as well as a written summary turned in. Presentations will be conducted during the last third of the semester, during specified lab or lecture periods.  Selection of organisms must be pre-approved by the instructor.  A list to select from will be distributed early in the semester. Counts towards 20% of your final grade.  Information from these presentations will be included on the final exam. More information on this assignment will be posted in Blackboard (20% grade).
•  Final Exam—Cumulative final, counts towards 20% of your final grade.

Grading Rubric:  Letter grades correspond to the following final percentages:

Attendance:

Students at Ithaca College are expected to come to class during scheduled class meeting times.  You should notify me in advance of any anticipated absences.  In order for the absence to be excused, written documentation providing evidence for the reason of your absence will be required.  Excused absences include only the following:  religious holidays; verifiable emergencies such as:  severe illness, or hospitalization or death of a family member; or required appearance in a court of law.  In cases of an emergency, you should notify the Office of Student Affairs, who in turn will notify me.  A student may be excused for participation in college-authorized cocurricular and extracurricular activities such as athletic events, musical and theatrical performances, and professional conferences if this does not impair the specific student's or the other students' ability to succeed in the course. Please review the Ithaca College Attendance Policy as described in the current undergraduate catalog for further details regarding absences. 

Make-up Policy: 

There is only one lab section for this course, so make-up labs or prelab quizzes will not be possible, with the exception of the Microscopy II lab held on Thurs Sept 9 due to Rosh Hashanah.  Other make-up assignments and exams will be provided only in the instance of an excused absence (see above).  Arrangements for missed material, assignments and exams must be made by the student with the instructor at the time of notification (before the assignment due date or exam period).  Make-up exams will not be the same as that given to the rest of the class, but will cover the same material.

Academic Conduct: 

Students are referred to the current Ithaca College Student Handbook regarding Ithaca College's definition of and policy on academic honesty and plagiarism.   Breaches of academic honesty, as described in the student handbook, will be met with serious consequences: Students caught during an exam with their eyes on another student's exam will be considered to have breached academic honesty.  If you are ever unclear of your responsibilities in upholding proper academic conduct in this course, please obtain clarification from the instructor.

Students with Disabilities:  

In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and The Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodation will be provided to students with documented disabilities on a case-by-case basis. Students must register with the Office of Academic Support Services for Students with Disabilities and provide the appropriate documentation to the College before any academic adjustment will be provided.

Course Evaluation:   

Student input is highly valued and is important to maintain high quality instruction.  Course evaluations are mandatory  and must be completed  at the end of the semester (TBA) .  An incomplete may appear on your transcript  if it is not submitted by that time.  The evaluation will be submitted to the Department Assistant. She will verify that you have submitted the form.  Once that has been checked, your identification will be removed and will not be printed with the comments.

Other policies:

• The syllabus, readings, lab and/or homework assignments are subject to change.  Please consult Blackboard on a regular basis, and particularly Sunday evenings after 8, for any important announcements regarding such changes.
• Please be sure to TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES, beepers, pagers, etc. before class starts.  If there is a valid reason for keeping cell phones on for a particular class or lab, please discuss this issue with me before the session.  If the use of a cell phone or other electronic device is noticed, the instructor may take the device away from the student until a later time.
• Late submission of assignments will be penalized at the rate of 10% per business day late (that means every day of the week, M through F). No assignments will be accepted more than 10 business days after the due date.
• Students will at all times adhere to the lab safety rules and regulations discussed at the beginning of the semester.  Students will sign an agreement to this effect during the first lab.  A copy will be kept for reference in Blackboard.
• Students will be required to participate in class discussions, and are encouraged to attend office hours to discuss course materials or your progress in the course.
• Students are responsible for all material (lecture/lab handouts, assignments and all readings) in preparation for exams.  However, emphasis will be on what is presented during class time.
• Students are subject to the policies of Ithaca College as outlined in the Student Handbook.  These policies supersede any policies outlined within this syllabus.
  

 SCHEDULE

Please note that this is a tentative schedule.   I will keep you informed about  upcoming topics through Blackboard. 

¹Thanksgiving Break Nov 20-28

²Final Exam Week (see www.ithaca.edu for exam schedule)

Go to the Ithaca College  home page.