Course syllabus and schedule - Academic Resources at Missouri ...

BIO 251
Fall 2010 / Walton
BIO 251: Medical and Public Health Microbiology
SYLLABUS
General course information:
Instructor: Dr. Kristen Walton
Office: #13 Modular 7 (trailers north of Remington Hall)
Phone: 816-271-5613
Email: kwalton1@missouriwestern.edu
Office hours: MW 12:00-1:30pm, TR 12:00pm-1:00pm, or by appointment
Required books and materials:
Alcamo’s Fundamentals of Microbiology, Body Systems Ed., by Jeffrey C.
Pommerville, ISBN# 9780763762599 (an electronic version of this
textbook is available from the publisher)
Symbiosis Custom Laboratory Manual for BIO 251, Benjamin Cummings
(available at the MWSU bookstore)
CPS clicker by EInstruction (ISBN: 9781881483717; older models not acceptable) and access
code (purchase at the bookstore or online at http://www.einstruction.com). The class key to
enroll your clicker in BIO 251 is: F62460E666
Primary course website: http://webct.missouriwestern.edu
Basic course information: http://academic.missouriwestern.edu/kwalton1/BIO_251.htm
Publisher’s website with study tools: http://microbiology.jbpub.com/bodysystems/
Course objectives:
This course will explore microbiology in the context of human infectious disease. After successfully completing this
course, students will be able to:
Describe and compare characteristics of major classes of microbes
Explain mechanisms of action for various microbial control agents
Explain how the human immune system responds to infectious agents
Discuss characteristics and disease-causing mechanisms of selected microbial pathogens
Analyze case studies and data related to microbes and infectious disease
Use standard microbiological laboratory techniques to identify and characterize specific microbes
Classroom environment and behavior:
The classroom is a professional environment, and students are expected to act accordingly. See p28 of the
Student Handbook (http://www.missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf ) for the University policy on
Classroom Behavior.
The use of any personal electronic devices (cell phones, iPods, etc) is prohibited during class time. These devices
must be turned off or set to silent mode and put away during class. This includes text messaging. Laptops or
iPads are allowed provided the student is using the laptop solely for note-taking.
You are expected to participate in discussions and group work, to be attentive while someone else is speaking, and
to show respect for the comments and questions of others.
Failure to comply with these policies or to follow lab safety procedures may result in loss of any points earned
that day, an unexcused absence, and/or dismissal from class.
Attendance policies:
Attendance in lecture will be recorded using your CPS clicker. Therefore, you must bring it to every lecture.
If you do not have your clicker, or you are late to class, you are responsible for signing in with the instructor at
the end of class, or you will be considered absent. In-class quizzes may be taken using your clicker. If you do not
have your clicker, batteries, etc., you may receive a zero on the quiz.

BIO 251 2
In order to improve student learning as well as to achieve compliance with federal financial aid policies, Western
has a mandatory attendance policy for all 100 and 200 level courses. The University attendance policy is detailed
on p22 of the Western Course Catalog (http://www.missouriwestern.edu/catalog/academicpolicies.pdf ).
Attendance is expected in both lecture and lab. You will be given an excused absence when acting as an official
representative of the university, provided you give prior written verification from the faculty/staff supervisor
of the event. Documented medical or family emergencies may also be considered excused absences. All other
absences will be deemed unexcused. Excused absences must be requested no later than the first class
following your absence.
The maximum number of unexcused absences allowed for this class before the midterm report, October 27, is 5
for lecture or 3 for lab. Thus, if you reach 6 unexcused lecture absences or 4 unexcused lab absences before
October 27, you will be reported to the Registrar’s Office and will be automatically withdrawn from this class.
The Financial Aid Office will reduce financial aid as appropriate.
Attendance in lab is especially important because lab skills often build on each other, and there are no makeup
labs. Therefore, missing lab any time throughout the semester has further consequences. Two unexcused
absences from lab by the last lab class meeting will result in a 10% reduction in your lab average, 3 unexcused
absences from lab will result in a 20% reduction, and 4 or more unexcused lab absences will result in incomplete
lab performance and a grade of F for the course. If you miss a lab for any reason, you are responsible for
catching up on missed material and completing assigned lab questions.
There are no make-ups for in-class assignments and quizzes, regardless of the reason for an absence. If you
know ahead of time that you must miss a class in which an assignment is due, make arrangements to turn it in
ahead of time. Late assignments due to unexcused absences will not be accepted. Internet or WebCT problems
are not acceptable excuses for late online assignments.
Make-up exams will only be offered if an MWSU-approved reason exists (extreme illness, emergency, official
MWSU business) and you take the initiative to contact me prior to the exam. Any make-up exams may be in a
format typically less preferred by students (such as essay).
Disabilities:
Any student requiring accommodation to perform successfully in the course should see me within the first week of class
and arrangements will be made as necessary. Students requesting accommodations for assessments (exams, etc.) must
have documentation from the MWSU Office of Disability Services (phone 271-4330).
Grading policies:
Mastery of course content and objectives will be assessed by exams, assignments and quizzes, lab exercises and analysis
of unknown bacteria, and a group project. Your lowest individual lecture quiz/assignment score will be dropped when
your final course grade is calculated at the end of the semester. No lab grades will be dropped. Your course grade will
be calculated based on the number of points you earn out of the total number of points possible for the course according
to the scale below. You must pass the lab portion of the course to earn a passing grade for the course.
Lecture (490-590 pts) Regular lecture exams 3 x 100 points = 300 pts
Final exam 100
Lecture quizzes/assignments 50-150
Group project presentation 40
Lab (300-330 pts) Lab exams 2 x 100 points = 200
Lab exercises (5 randomly selected) 5 x 10 points = 50
Lab quizzes 0-30
Gram stain unknown 10
Bacterial unknown 40
Grading scale: 90-100% of total points = A; 80-89% = B; 70-79% = C; 60-69% = D; below 60% = F

BIO 251 3
Academic Honesty Policy and Due Process Procedures:
Academic honesty is required in all academic endeavors. Violations of academic honesty include any instance of plagiarism,
cheating, seeking credit for another’s work, falsifying documents or academic records, or any other fraudulent activity.
Violations of academic honesty may result in a failing grade on the assignment, failure in the course, or expulsion from
the University. When a student’s grade has been affected, violations of academic honesty will be reported to the Provost
or designated representative on the Academic Honesty Violation Report forms. Please see p26 of the Student Handbook
for specific activities identified as violations of this policy and for the student due process procedure. This handbook is
available online at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf .
Violations of academic honesty include, but are not limited to, the following activities:
1. Copying another person’s work and claiming it as your own;
2. Using the work of a group of students when the assignment requires individual work;
3. Looking at or attempting to look at an exam or quiz before it is administered;
4. Asking another student who has already taken an exam about the exam content;
5. Using materials during an exam that are not permitted;
6. Allowing another student to complete an assignment, a quiz, or an exam for you;
7. Intentionally impeding the academic work of others;
8. Using any electronic device to transmit portions or questions or answers on an exam or quiz to other
students;
9. Using any electronic device to store information for an exam;
10. Providing false attendance data for another student;
11. Knowingly furnishing false information to the University or its representatives;
12. Falsifying results in laboratory exercises;
13. Assisting other students in any of the acts listed above.
Plagiarism is a specific kind of academic dishonesty in which you take another’s ideas or words and claim them as
your own. When you draw on someone else’s work, you must indicate the source of that material, whether you
are repeating another’s words, argument or thought. Even if you paraphrase another’s work and are not using the
exact wording, you are still required to indicate the source of the material. This material must be clearly
identified with appropriate citations. If you do not do that, you have plagiarized those materials. Any time you
copy and paste any writing that is not your own for an assignment, you must use quotation marks and give the
source of that material. If you cut and paste without noting what you have done, you will be guilty of plagiarism.
Even if the writing is your own, if it has been used for a previous assignment that should be indicated.
As per the MWSU policy, in BIO 251, a violation of academic honesty or plagiarism will result in a zero grade on
the assignment or exam. A second violation of academic honesty or plagiarism may result in failing the course.
Grade appeal procedure:
Students are responsible for meeting the standards for academic performance established in each of the courses in
which they are enrolled. The establishment of criteria for grades and the evaluation of academic performance are the
responsibilities of the instructor delegated by this University. The grade appeal procedure is available for the review of
allegedly capricious grading or clerical error by the instructor and not for the purpose of evaluating the student’s
academic performance in any particular course. The course grade appeal procedure is detailed on p26 of the MWSU
Student Handbook, available online at http://www.missouriwestern.edu/handbook/index.pdf .

BIO 251 4
LECTURE SCHEDULE: (Tentative and subject to change)
Date Day Topic Textbook chapter
8/30 M Course introduction & policies; Microbiology: Then and Now 1
9/1 W
9/3 F Review of organic molecules; Concepts and tools for studying
microorganisms
2, 3
9/6 M LABOR DAY HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
9/8 W
9/10 F Prokaryotic cell structure and function 4
9/13 M
9/15 W Prokaryotic growth and nutrition 5
9/17 F Prokaryotic genetics and gene transfer 8, 9
9/20 M
9/22 W Viruses: anatomy, replication, and evolution 12
9/24 F
9/27 M Fungi & Protozoa 11
9/29 W EXAM 1
10/1 F Control of microbial growth: physical & chemical 7
10/4 M
10/6 W Control of microbial growth: chemotherapeutics 18
10/8 F
10/11 M Infection and disease 13
10/13 W
10/15 F
10/18 M
10/20 W
10/22 F EXAM 2
10/25 M Resistance and the immune system: innate immunity 14
10/27 W
10/29 F
11/1 M Resistance and the immune system: acquired immunity 15
11/3 W
11/5 F
11/8 M Immunity 16
11/10 W Immune disorders 17
11/12 F
11/15 M EXAM 3
11/17 W HIV/AIDS 17
11/19 F
11/23 M FALL BREAK – NO CLASS
11/25 W FALL BREAK – NO CLASS
11/27 F FALL BREAK – NO CLASS
11/29 M Infectious diseases affecting the urinary and reproductive systems 24
12/1 W
12/3 F Infectious diseases affecting the skin and eyes 19
12/6 M Infectious diseases affecting the respiratory tract 20
12/8 W Infectious diseases affecting the digestive system 21
12/10 F Infectious diseases affecting the nervous system 22
The final exam will be given during the scheduled final exam period, Wednesday, December 15 th from 2:00-3:50pm.

BIO 251 5
LAB SCHEDULE: (Tentative and subject to change)
Date
Aug 30/31
Sept 1/2
Sept 6/7
Sept 8/9
Sept 13/14
Sept 15/16
Sept 20/21
Sept 22/23
Sept 27/28
Sept 29/30
Oct 4/5
Oct 6/7
Oct 11/12
Oct 13/14
Oct 18/19
Oct 20/21
Oct 25/26
Oct 27/28
Nov 1/2
Nov 3/4
Nov 8/9
Nov 10/11
Nov 15/16
Nov 17/18
Nov 22/23
Nov 24/25
Nov 29/30
Dec 1/2
Dec 6/7
Dec 8/9
Lab topic and page reference in Symbiosis lab book
Check in / p1 Hand washing experiment / Culturing microbes from the environment (handout)
p3 Basic laboratory techniques for isolation, cultivation, and cultural characterization of
microorganisms / p9 Culture transfer techniques / Techniques for isolation of pure cultures (p21 and
handout)
LABOR DAY HOLIDAY – No MONDAY or TUESDAY LABS
p29 Microscopy / p31 Examination of stained cell preparations
p39 Bacterial staining / p43 Preparation of smears and simple stains
p49 Gram stain
p55 Acid-fast stain
Gram stain unknown (10 pt activity)
p61 Differential staining for visualization of bacterial cell structures
p73 Physical and chemical agents for control of microbial growth / p75 Moist versus dry heat / p79
Electromagnetic radiation
p83 Chemical methods of control: disinfectants and antiseptics / p87 Chemotherapeutic agents
CONVOCATION Thursday 10/7 – No WEDNESDAY or THURSDAY LABS
p71 Fungi
LAB EXAM 1 (hand in lab book for grading)
p97 Selective and differential media /group project meeting time
p103 Extracellular enzymatic activities of microorganisms / p109 Catalase test / p113 Carbohydrate
fermentation / p119 Urease test
p123 Utilization of amino acids / p129 Triple sugar-iron agar test / p133 IMViC test / p143
Hydrogen sulfide test
p147 Microbial flora of the mouth: susceptibility to dental caries /group project work time
p151 Normal microbial flora of the throat and skin / group project work time
p151 Normal microbial flora of the throat and skin continued / Probiotics (handout)
Probiotics continued / group project work time
Group project presentations
Methods for detecting microbial infection (handout)
LAB EXAM 2 (hand in lab book for grading)
FALL BREAK – NO CLASS
FALL BREAK – NO CLASS
Bacterial unknown identification
Bacterial unknown identification
Bacterial unknown identification
Bacterial unknown identification DUE / group project quiz / check out
NOTE: All students are required to wear some form of lab coat during lab exercises. Safety glasses or goggles are
required for lab exercises which involve open flames and/or use of chemicals. Please make sure you have these supplies
by the second lab class meeting. Goggles/safety glasses and disposable lab coats are available from the Biology
Administrative Assistant, Remington 218.