Microbiology (BioSc221) Lecture Syllabus Instructors Dr. Dave Westenberg 105A Schrenk (Office) Office Hours - MWF 10:00 - 10:50 or by appt. Office phone: 341-4798 e-mail: [email protected] Dr. Melanie Mormile M-2 Schrenk Office Hours - by appointment Office phone: 341-6346 e-mail: [email protected] Course Webpage - All material in this syllabus plus supplemental lecture material can be found at the following URL: http://www.mst.edu/~microbio/Bio221.html Textbook. (The following book is required for all students) Microbial Life 2nd Edition. By Staley, Gunsalus, Lory and Perry Course Goals. (Adapted from the American Society for Microbiology Curriculum Recommendations) Define and use microbiological terms. Describe the principles applied in culturing and characterizing microorganisms. Distinguish diverse microorganisms according to their physiological characteristic. Explain the role of microbes in the evolution of life on earth. Develop an awareness of the impact that microbes have on the biosphere and humans. Describe the role of microbiology in biotechnology. Learn to say "Microbes Rule"☺ Disability Support Services: http://dss.mst.edu Any student inquiring about academic accommodations because of a disability should be referred to Disability Support Services so that appropriate and reasonable accommodative services can be determined and recommended. DSS is located in 204 Norwood Hall ( 341-4211, [email protected]) "If you have a documented disability and anticipate needing accommodations in this course, you are strongly encouraged to meet with me early in the semester. You will need to request that the Disability Services staff send a letter to me verifying your disability and specifying the accommodation you will need before I can arrange your accommodation." Academic Dishonesty: http://registrar.mst.edu/academicregs/index.html Page 30 of the Student Academic Regulations handbook describes the student standard of conduct relative to the System's Collected Rules and Regulations section 200.010, and offers descriptions of academic dishonesty including cheating, plagiarism or sabotage. Additional guidance for faculty, including a description of the process for dealing with issues related to academic dishonesty, is available on-line at http://ugs.mst.edu . If you have any comments or concerns regarding this course or either instructor (good or bad) please feel free to discuss them with us. If you are not satisfied with our response or prefer to speak with someone else, you may contact the Chair of the Biology Department, Dr. Robert Aronstam ([email protected], 341-4819) or the Vice-Provost for Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Harvest Collier ([email protected], 341-4390).Examinations and Grading: The course will be worth a total of 600 points. There will be 4 lecture exams of equal value (100 points each - 400 points total). (See the schedule for exam dates). The fourth exam will be during the final exam period and will not be comprehensive. There will be no make-up exams during the semester. If you miss an exam for a legitimate reason it may be possible to take a make-up exam during the final exam period. The make-up exam will be a comprehensive exam. There will be at least 8 quizzes during the semester. The best 5 scores will count towards your final grade (50 points total). 50 points will come from contributing news items and participating in online discussions. 50 points will come from web based homework assignments. 50 points will come from a "Microbe of the Week" report. Microbes in the News. Each student must contribute at least two news articles (1 for each half of the course) throughout the year. Post on Blackboard. Provide your own thoughts or comments on the article and everyone else contribute to the discussion. Each student must contribute at least 4 times throughout the year (twice for each half of the course). (25 points) Discussion Participation. Each student must contribute at least two discussion topics (1 for each half of the course) on the course blackboard site and participate at least 4 times throughout the year (twice for each half of the course) but more discussion is strongly encouraged. Students should post their thoughts, opinions or questions on any current topic being presented in the course. (25 points) Web based Homework assignments During the semester, each student will be given various web-based homework assignments. This will include an organism available through the American Type Culture collection. Throughout the semester the student will use various resources to collect information on their assigned organism. (50 points) Microbe of the “Week". Students will be required to choose an unusual organism and write a report on that organism. During the first half of the semester, you will be introduced to various resources for information on microorganisms. By the middle of the semester, you will have to choose your organism and write a report on the information you have learned about the organism. Your report is to be posted on the course Blackboard site for other students to read and comment on. As you search resources, post information on your search process on Blackboard. Tell your fellow students about resources you have found as you try and decide on a microbe and gather information about your organism. Let them know if you found the resources to be useful or not useful and why. During the second half of the semester, the instructors will select microbes during class. Be prepared to BRIEFLY say something about your organism such as why you chose it or what made it interesting to you. (50 points)Lecture Topics. Lecture topics and their corresponding pages are presented below. You will be expected to have read the appropriate material prior to the coverage of each topic. All material in the book may not be covered in lecture but you will be responsible for having read all the material. The following list of lecture topics is a guideline and is subject to change. Topic Section in Microbial Life Introduction – Planet of the Microbes Chapter 1 History of microbiology Chapter 2 Microbial structure - Microscopy Chapter 4 Microbial structure - Membranes, Walls, Capsules Chapter 4 Culturing microbes - Enrichment, Isolation Chapter 5 Microbial growth - Counting microbes Chapter 6 Microbial growth - Environmental parameters Chapter 6 Controlling Microbial Growth