Staggs 2420 details

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Departmental Course Syllabus

Biology Department Revision Date: 10-12-2009

San Antonio College *1300 San Pedro * San Antonio, TX * 78212-4299

Biology 2420 Microbiology and Pathology - Freshmen level course

4 Credit Hours 3 Hours/Wk Lecture 3 Hours/Wk Lab

Professor - Teanna M. Staggs, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department Chair

Office Hours:                         Monday 8 A.M. - 11:30 A.M. ; 1:30-3 P.M.
Office Number: 345               Tuesday 9:30 A.M.- 10:30 P.M. and 1 - 3 p.m.
Phone: 486-0840                     Wednesday 8:00 A.M. - 3:30 P.M.
(Appointments preferable)            Thursday 9:30 A.M.- 10:30 P.M and 1 - 3 p.m..
                                                Friday 8:00 A.M.-2:00 P.M.

Summer I Hours:                    Monday 8 A.M. - 8:40 A.M.; 10:30-11:30 A.M. ; 1:30-3 P.M.
Summer II Hours:                   M-R 9:00 A.M.-3 P.M.

Office: CAC345 Phone Number: 210-486-0840 FAX: 210-486-1525

E mail: tstaggs@alamo.edu Home and Office

Web Address: http://www.accd.edu/sac/biology/tstaggs/p2staggs1.htm

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I. Catalog Description: This course includes a study of the microbiology and pathology vital to the paramedical health profession, upon which infectious diseases and their prevention and nursing care depend. Special emphasis is placed on disease etiology, epidemiology and host-parasite interactions.

II. Pre-requisites, co-requisites and other requirements: Chem 1305/1105 or Chem 1405. Anatomy/Physiology highly recommended before taking this course. All Biology Department courses require basic skill levels in reading, English and math.

Tuition and Fees: http://www.alamo.edu/main/html/registration/tuition_fall.htm

Additional costs: There is a mandatory student activity fee of $1.00 per semester credit hour charged to all students to cover the cost of student services. A vehicle registration fee of $21.00 is required of all students electing to park on the institutional campus parking lots. For this course students must also purchase the text (~$170.00 new), 7 scantrons #886E and 2 scantrons #882, Lab supplies including a black Sharpie marker (~$2.00), Time Med tape ($4.00 per roll), liquid soap (~$2.00)are required. Some printing costs are incurred by students who wish to print course materials from Blackboard Vista from their home computers.

III. Text: Microbiology. Robert W. Bauman (2nd edition) ISBN#: 9780321513410

SoftChalk Lectures and Lab Manual: (Printable from Blackboard Vista)

Audio lectures and PodCasts downloadable through BioSpot Website or Blackboard Vista

Zunes available for overnight checkout through Biology Department Office (CAC345)

Laboratory Schedule (Fall 2009 Blended Course: Biol 2420-080 and 081)

IV. Instruction will consist of: traditional lecture material delivered as recorded lectures, SoftChalk presentations, voice-over slide presentations and a laboratory. The course also includes a heavy emphasis on case studies which are delivered via Blackboard Vista. See below for laboratory specific information.

Laboratory Grading and Procedures: There will be two laboratory examinations and the Unknown (the identification of an unknown bacterium or bacteria and an oral exam on the project). In addition, to ensure that students read and prepare for each laboratory, quizzes will be given on a daily basis on reading material for the current laboratory and over results from each previous lab. The average of these quizzes will count as a third lab test grade. No quiz scores will be dropped. The lab quizzes are given during the first 5-10 minutes of each lab and will not be given to any student coming in late. You must be present when the first question is asked in order to take the quiz. Anyone leaving the lab early will be counted absent and the quiz taken that day will not be graded. Detailed content of laboratory exam material will be discussed prior to each test. It is critical that each student maintains and reports his or her unknown identification number. Otherwise, the unknown will not be graded. The quality of the oral, the accuracy of the identification and the difficulty of the organisms will factor into the score. In general, identification of both organisms will result in a possible 100%, one organism of a pair is ~80% and incorrect identification, a possible 60%. All students are required to clean up the laboratory work areas. Waste materials must be placed in the appropriate containers. All materials must be removed from the incubators, refrigerators and desks at the end of the term. Points (ONE PERCENTAGE POINT PER ITEM) will be deducted from the final lab average for materials left in a student's area at the end of the term. This includes Petri plates, slide preparations or test tubes. Attendance of the laboratory exercises is mandatory. Lab quizzes will be disregarded if a student takes the quiz, then leaves the laboratory.

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Instructor Requirements and Grade computation: This course is a web enhanced course which means that one component of your grade involves online testing. The online exam can be taken from home, the Biology Study Center, the SLAC Lab, or any other computer with stable internet access. This exam is comprised of Case Studies (as described above) which provide the student with experience in problem based learning and critical thinking skills required in the health sciences.

Class Room Participation

Students are expected to ask questions in class and contribute to class discussions.

In Class Oral Presentation of Unknown Results

Students are required to present their research findings through oral examination.

Group Work

Students are required to work with their lab groups during class.
Students are encouraged to form study groups outside of class. Study groups can reserve study room in the BioSpot.

Academic Enrichment and Performance Expectations:
As a college student you are expected to discuss ideas from class with others outside the class.
You should turn in drafts of any writing assignments for review by the professor before the final draft is submitted.
Multiple sources should be used for all writing assignments.
All assignments and readings should be completed on time.
You are encouraged to read for academic enrichment, not just assignments.
Always prepare for class.
Feel free to contact your professor by email or telephone.
Make use of your professor’s office or BioSpot hours to discuss grades, assignments and career plans.
Feel free to contact your instructor to discuss readings from the text during your office hours.
Participate in clubs and organizations such as the Biology Club.

Dr. Staggs' MP3 Mini-Lectures and Voice Over Powerpoints

NEED HELP with a Biology Course? Tutoring Available on Campus

The BioSpot is an interactive tutoring/mentoring facility which serves multiple purposes. Faculty spends 2 hours of office time in the center each week to provide tutoring and mentoring for students. Often tutoring sessions begin impromptu with a group of students and a professor. Students may also schedule private tutoring sessions with the departmental tutor. Students have access to the computer lab where they can work independently using supplemental materials provided by publishers as well as individual faculty members. Students have access to a copier and all sorts of reserved materials placed in the center by instructors including practice exams. The center is also used as a testing facility. Private rooms for collaborative learning are available for check out by students. Recruitment events are held in the facility as well to inform students of degree programs at all ACC colleges as well as area 4 year universities.

The BioSpot offers private tutoring available on a sign up basis as well as impromptu tutoring sessions with professors who spend office hours in the BioSpot.
Contact the SLAC (Student Learning Assistance Center)
Moody Learning Center (MLC726)
San Antonio College
Box 73, 1300 San Pedro Ave.
San Antonio, TX 78212
(210) 733-2106
slac_lab@hotmail.com

Computer Lab Hours: Tutoring Lab Hours:

Monday - Thursday: 7:30am - 10:00pm Monday - Thursday: 08:00am - 10:00pm

Friday: 7:30am - 04:00pm Friday: 08:00am - 04:00pm

Saturday: 10:00am - 04:00pm Saturday: 10:00am - 04:00pm

Sunday: 12:00pm - 05:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm - 05:00pm

SLAC Policies: View a complete list of the SLAC lab's policies at http://www.accd.edu/sac/slac/Policy/policy.htm

Skill Labs Available on Campus: The Writing Center, Math Lab
The SAC Writing Center offers a variety of FREE services to students, faculty members, and departments.

We can help writers:

With any writing you are working on
Understand your assignment
Get started
Build a draft plan
Organize your paper
Recover from writer's block
Lengthen your paper
Learn to document sources
Understand your teacher's comments on your graded paper
Learn new proofreading techniques
Avoid plagiarism
Think about writing differently

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V. Course content:

TEXT CHAPTER

A. Historical evolution of microbiology Chapter 1

1. Discovery and contributors
2. Development of causative theories and innovations

B. The field of microbiology

1. Diversity and classification of microorganisms
2. Scientific nomenclature
3. Importance of microorganisms

C. Cellular anatomy of microbes Chapter 3

1. Procaryotic vs. eucaryotic cells
2. Bacterial morphology

a. Coccus: diplococci, streptococci, staphylococci, sarcinae, tetrads
b. Bacillus: diplobacillus, streptobacillus, coccobacillus
c. Vibrios: comma shaped species
d. Spiral microbes: Spirilla sp., spirochetes
e. Pleomorphic - variable

3. External bacterial structures
4. Bacterial cell wall (Gram + vs. Gram -)
5. Agents affecting the cell wall
6. Internal bacterial structures

D. Kingdom mycetacea (fungi) and fungal diseases Chapter 12

1. Distinguishing features

2. Morphology
3. Reproduction
4. Medically important fungi

E. Kingdom protista and protozoan diseases

1. Photosynthetic protista - algae
2. Lichens
3. Nonphotosynthetic protista -protozoa

EXAM I

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F. Viruses and viral diseases Chapter 13

1. General characteristics
2. Morphology
3. Replication
4. Cultivation
5. Classification
6. Bacteriophage
7. Animal viruses
8. Viruses and cancer
9. Latent viral infections
10. Slow viral infections
11. Unconventional agents of disease

G. Bacteria Chapter 19-24

1. Bacterial groups and diseases

a. Spirochetes
b. Aerobic/Microaerophilic, motile, helical/vibrioid Gram-negative bacteria
c. Gram-negative aerobic rods and cocci
d. Facultatively anaerobic Gram-negative rods
e. Anaerobic, Gram-negative, straight, curved and helical rods
f. Anaerobic Gram-negative cocci
g. Rickettsias and chlamydias
h. Mycoplasmas
I. Gram-positive cocci
j. Endospore-forming Gram-positive rods and cocci
k. Regular nonsporing Gram-positive rods
l. Irregular nonsporing Gram-positive rods
m. Mycobacteria

Exam II
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H. Basic chemistry Chapter 2

1. Inorganic compounds (importance of water)
2. General chemical reactions
3. Basic organic compounds

I. Microbial metabolism and energy yielding reactions Chapter 5

1. Enzymes
2. Energy production
3. Biochemical pathways
4. Carbohydrate catabolism
5. Lipid catabolism
6. Protein catabolism
7. Photosynthesis
8. Anabolic biochemical pathways

J. Microbial growth Chapter 6

1. Physical and chemical requirements

a. Temperature
b. Acidity, alkalinity (pH)
c. Osmotic pressure
d. Carbon sources
e. Trace elements
f. Oxygen
g. Nitrogen
h. Sulfur

i. Phosphorus

2. Culture medium
3. Preserving bacterial cultures
4. Growth of bacterial cultures
5. Enumeration of bacterial cells in culture

EXAM III

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H. Control of microbial growth Chapter 9

1. Sterilization

a. Dry heat
b. Moist heat
c. Sterilization without heat

i. Filtration
ii. Ethylene oxide
iii. Formaldehyde
iv. Gamma radiation

2. Disinfection

a. Desiccation
b. Freezing
c. Osmotic pressure
d. UV radiation
e. Glutaraldehyde
f. Phenol and phenolics
g. Chlorhexidine
h. Halogens -iodine and chlorine
I. Alcohols
j. Heavy metals
k. Surfactants
l. Organic acids
m. Oxidizing agents

K. Microbial genetics Chapter 7

1. Replication
2. Transcription
3. Translation
4. Regulation of gene expression

a. Repressible genes/operons
b. Inducible genes/operons

5. Mutations
6. Genetic transfer/genetic recombination

L. Recombinant DNA/Biotechnology/Molecular Biology Chapter 8

1. Genetic recombination

a. Transduction
b. Transformation
c. Conjugation
d. Transposons

2. Genetic engineering

a. Restriction enzymes
b. Vectors
c. Restriction mapping
d. Gel electrophoresis
e. Cloning
g. Gene libraries
h. PCR (polymerase chain reaction)
i. cDNA

3. Gene therapy
M. Nonspecific Lines of Defense Chapter 15

1. Overview
2. Components and activities of the first and second line of defense

a. Phagocytosis
b. extracellular killing
c. Nonspecific chemicals
d. Inflammation
e. Fever

N. Specific Defense: The Immune Response Chapter 16

a. Overview
b. Stimulation of immune cells
c. Humoral response
d. Cell mediated response
e. Type of acquired immunity

EXAM IV

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VI. Learning Outcomes and Performance Obectives

It is expected that upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

Learning Outcome 1: Acquire, comprehend, organize, and apply knowledge within the field and understand the value of biological sciences in a global community.

Performance Objectives/Methods of Measurement for each outcome:

Understand cellular and molecular processes such as metabolism, genetics, growth and reproductions as measured by written exam.
Understand the principles of immunotherapy and the body's immune defenses against microbial infections as measured by written exam.
Describe and explain the basic structure of prokaryotic cells and viruses, contrast their differences and compare/contrast to eukaryotic microbes as measured by written exam, lab practical, oral exams and lab journals.

Learning Outcome 2: Analyze and evaluate knowledge within the field of microbiology in a laboratory setting.

Performance Objectives/Methods of Measurement for each outcome:

Demonstrate an understand of the scientific method through data collection, interpretation and trouble shooting as measured by laboratory testing and written compilation of a lab journal.
Master asceptic technique, culture handling, specimen collection and proper disposal methods as measured by lab proficiency and written testing.
Demonstrate proficiency with a compound, light microsope as measured by practical exam and the "unknown" identification project.
Differentiate among fermentation, aerobic respiration, anaerobic respiration and photosynthesis in bacteria as evaluated through biochemical testing in the laboratory setting.
Develop lab based skills required to make a differential diagnosis of an "unknown" microbe based on staining and biochemical testing as evaluated through lab journal, oral exam and written exam.
Evaluate and understand the effectiveness of various antibiotics, disinfectants, and antiseptics on bacteria cultures as measured by laboratory exams.
Explain processes by which bacteria adapt to become resistant to antibiotics as measured by laboratory exams.

Learning Outcome 3: Solve problems presented in the field.

Performance Objectives/Methods of Measurement for each outcome:

Master critical thinking skills, problem based learning and application of clinical lab science as measured by the ability of the student to solve scenarios involving patient histories and case studies.

Learning Outcome 4: Demonstrate oral and/or written competence.

Performance Objectives/Methods of Measurement for each outcome:

Oral competence is measured by participation in class discussion and other oral presentations.
Written competence is measured by completion of written assignments and/or essay questions on exams.

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VII. Course requirements and grade computation

College requirements:

A written, comprehensive final examination, not to exceed 2.5 hours in length, shall be given at the end of each semester for each course at the regularly scheduled time. Any exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the appropriate dean. Other examinations are given at the discretion of the instructor.
A student who must be absent from a final examination should petition that instructor for permission to postpone the examination. A student absent without permission from a final examination is graded “F.” Postponed examinations result in a grade of “I”. The final exam must be taken within 120 calendar days from the end of the semester or the grade automatically becomes and “F.” (San Antonio College Bulletin, Faculty Handbook – January 1995)

Departmental Requirement: Students are encouraged to take advantage of the Biology Study Center.

BioSpot: Room 350 is the BioSpot (BSC). Computer, videotapes, laboratory and reference materials are present for the student's use. A catalog is present in the study center with a list and description of materials which are present. The Biology study center hours are 8 a.m to 8:30 p.m. M-TR. It closes at 3p.m. on Friday. The center is not open on weekends. Computers are available in the BSC for web access and can be used for taking the on-line Case Study Exams and for taking the on-line practice exams. You must present your student ID to be able to use the material and/or computers in the BSC. There is a practice exam on-line for each lecture test. The purpose of practice exams is to alleviate test stress, acclimate students to the professor's testing style and to assist students in identifying testable information. To access the on-line case studies or practice exams, use Internet Explorer or Firefox (do not use the AOL browser or Netscape Navigator) and go to the Blackboard Vista login page at https://vista.accd.edu/webct/entryPageIns.dowebct, then log on to Blackboard using the userid you were issued when you registered for this course. It will appear on your bill. Usually the userid is the first letter of your first name and your last name. Sometimes if there are a lot of D. Smith’s or J. Garza’s there will be a number added to your userid. Your password is the first two letters of your last name in capital letters and the last 6 digits of your social security number. Once in Blackboard, click on the course under "Course List", and it will open BBV platform. Once on the course opening page, you will see a course menu on the left hand border of the screen. There is a bulletin board function and a mail function that I may use to post messages to you specifically or the class in general. You will also see an icon for Practice Exams/Case Studies. If you click on that icon, you will see a listing of all the practice tests and case studies available. Each is password protected and cannot be opened until the test is released. Each test will become available as you need it and will have a different password which will be announced in class. Each test is a timed exam with limited access. Tests are not to be printed, transcribed, or copied in any form. Each Case study Exam will have a specific due date. All due dates for Case Studies will be announced after Lecture Exam II. If for any reason you cannot reach Blackboard directly, try going to the Biology Department web page, http://www.accd.edu/sac/biology/biodept.htm then to my web page at http://www.accd.edu/sac/biology/tstaggs/p2staggs1.htm . My webpage has a hot link to Blackboard. The Case studies are patient histories, lab reports and other relevant data which will be presented for each patient. Then a series of questions regarding the case will be answered as multiple choice questions. There are seven cases in each unit of case studies with several follow up questions for each case. The three units of case studies will be averaged together and will count as a fifth lecture exam. It is the student’s responsibility to take these case studies before the due dates which will be announced in class. The due date is not the day you should take the exam. The due date is the date on which the test will become unavailable. Take your exams early so we can trouble shoot any server problems in advance.

Instructor Requirements and Grade computation: This course is a web enhanced course which means that one component of your grade involves online testing. The online exam can be taken from home, the Biology Study Center, the SLAC Lab, or any other computer with stable internet access. This exam is comprised of Case Studies (as described above) which provide the student with experience in problem based learning and critical thinking skills required in the health sciences. Grading information below:

The following scale will be used to determine the final grade for each student.

Final Average Course Grade
90-100                         A
80-89                           B
70-79                           C
60-69                           D
0-59                             F

The course grade will be determined by in class lecture tests, on line testing, oral exam on Unknown project, laboratory tests, daily lab quizzes and final examination. The lowest grade of five lecture tests will be dropped. (Four lecture exams will be in class, written exams. The fifth will be a series of three on-line tests which will be averaged together as the fifth lecture exam. These on-line tests are Case Studies - see Biology Study Center for details on access). There will be no makeup examinations. If a student misses an exam, that grade will automatically be entered as a zero and will be the grade which is dropped. However, all five exams must be taken in order to complete this course with a grade. Even if the exam is missed and graded as a zero, the test must be completed at the soonest available opportunity during the student’s own time. All online test units must be completed by the submission deadlines if the case study grade is to be used as the dropped grade. Class attendance, attitude and laboratory participation may influence borderline scores for those students who do not miss two or more classes and who have not missed an exam. (A borderline grade is 89.4 or 79.4, not 88% or 78%) Exams will consist of multiple choice and/or completion type questions. Essay questions may sometimes be included. All exam questions will be based on lecture information as well as text material as outlined in the syllabus. Laboratory exams\unknown\daily quizzes will count 25% of the final grade. No laboratory grades will be dropped. Lecture exams will count 50% of the final grade. The cumulative final exam comprises the remaining 25% of the course grade. Tests may not be taken late under any circumstances. However, tests may be taken early in some cases to accommodate scheduling conflicts such as funerals, hospitalization, etc. providing that proof of these events are provided by the student.

Extra Credit: Each student will have the opportunity to earn five extra points to be added to each of the four in class lecture exams. The points can be earned by any combination of two methods. First, prior to each exam, a pop quiz will be given worth a maximum of five points. This option may not be available for the blended course. (Usually 10 questions at 0.5 points each). Secondly, points can be earned by reading and bringing to class current articles (No more than one month old and must be dated. If the publication date does not appear on the article, the cover of the journal may be photocopied.) directly relating to lecture subject matter. By current, I mean the articles must come from journals published in the current month and the date must appear on the article. For each article submitted, the student must provide a short synopsis (at least one paragraph) of the article's content including a statement on how the information relates to this course. Journals which are acceptable include: Scientific American, Natural History, Time, Journal of the American Medical Association, Lancet, Nursing, medical news bulletins from the Internet, etc. Journals I will not accept include hard core research articles which are too advanced for most beginning microbiology students. These include: Nature, Science, Journal of Bacteriology. I also do not care to see articles from tabloids, local newspapers, Cosmo, Readers Digest, Mademoiselle, etc. Articles must be of sufficient length to provide useful information (which means a minimum of three pages of text). This excludes all photos and advertisements which might be in the paper. If all criteria are met, each article will be worth one extra point. Articles from the web will be accepted only if they also fit the above criteria and are primary source, full length articles from a reputable journal.

The maximum is five extra points per lecture exam only. These five points include any points gained through pop quizzes and articles added together. If you earn three points from the pop quiz, you need only bring in two articles for a total of five extra credit points. You may bring in extra articles and any points more than five will be carried over to the next lecture exam. Articles must be submitted no later than the day of the lecture exam.. Articles cannot be submitted at the end of the semester to cover past exams. Extra points cannot be applied to laboratory exams. Articles may not be photocopied from departmental bulletin boards.

Class Attendance: Students are expected to attend class and laboratory sessions regularly. Students accumulating two weeks of absences (four for MW or TR classes; six for MWF classes) may be dropped from the course at the instructor's discretion. Each lab and each lecture session counts as separate classes; therefore, if you miss both lab and lecture, you will accrue two absences. Two tardies count as an absence. Each student is expected to remain for the entire duration of each lecture and laboratory session except in emergency situations. Students are not allowed to come to lab to take the attendance quiz and then leave. Any student who sleeps during a lecture or leaves early without instructor's permission will be counted as absent for that day. If you decide to drop this course, it is your responsibility to inform the professor. Once you notify the professor of your intention to drop, you can be dropped directly from the computer system by the professor. Paper drop slips are no longer required unless you drop before the census date at the beginning of the semester. If you cannot find your professor to drop, then a drop slip can be obtained in the Biology Department office (CAC345) or counseling and must be signed by your professor, the Biology Department chair or a counselor. If you have not insured that your name is removed from the class roster prior to the drop date, you will earn an F for the course. Students who intermittently attend class and laboratory may be dropped from the course at the instructor's discretion without prior notification. It has been shown repeatedly in this course that the final grade reflects the student’s attendance record. Students who do not make up a missed lecture exam or case study exam will receive an “I” for the course until those tests are taken. An ‘I’ grade automatically converts to an ‘F’ after 120 days unless all missed work is completed.

Testing Etiquette: You are on your honor at all times for both major exams and quizzes. The following procedures will be followed during testing: No base ball caps may be worn during an exam. No jackets or coats may be worn during an exam. If you suspect you will be cold in the classroom, wear a sweatshirt. No headphones may be worn during an exam. Students are not allowed to place heads down on the desk during an exam. If you like to look up from your paper to think, make it a habit to sit with your eyes averted to the ceiling or keep them closed. All book bags, purses and other belongings will be stowed at the front of the room prior to taking an exam. All students are required to bring their own scantrons. You will need 7 scantrons (886E) for major lab and lecture exams and 2 smaller scantrons (882) for daily lab quizzes to complete this semester. Turn them in to your professor during the first week of class. Do not put your name on the scantrons. One will be issued back to you before each exam. A scantron, No. 2 Pencil and eraser are the only instruments which may be in the student’s possession prior to taking an exam. No one is allowed to leave the room during a test.