General Microbiology BIOL 230 Spring 2008

Lecture:  MWF 9:00-9:50 AM; Evenden Tower 104

This is your guide for success in this course!

Course Objectives:

• To gain an understanding of organisms that are too small to see with the naked eye (microorganisms).
• To understand the characteristics of microorganisms and the ways they are adapted for their environments.
• To understand the ways that these adaptations affect other organisms such as humans and animals.  For example, to understand how these microbes cause disease.
• To understand the ways that human activities affect microorganisms.

General Education Objectives:

This course meets the New York State "Gen Ed" requirements for the sciences.  Some exercises and exam questions will analyze your understanding of the following General Education Objectives for the Natural Sciences.  You should be able to demonstrate the following

1. an understanding of the role of observation in the development of hypotheses to explain natural phenomena.
2. an  understanding of the methods of hypothesis testing.
3. methods of data collection and analysis.
4. the ability to synthesize data and information to arrive at a conclusive statement which assess the validity of hypotheses as applied to natural phenomena.

Evaluation of Your Knowledge of the Objectives:

• You will be tested on your knowledge of the listed objectives in a variety of ways.  Examinations will consist of a mixture of multiple choice, short and long discussion questions on the objectives for each unit.
• You will have a number of homework assignments that may consist of take-home essays, case studies, and other investigative assignments.  These often test your ability to apply the principles that have been covered in lecture and laboratory.
• You will have three laboratory reports that are based on your ability to use the skills that you have learned in laboratory exercises. 
  • One short report will be used to evaluate your knowledge of the Scientific Method by designing an experiment and carrying it out, and evaluating your results.
  • One longer report evaluates your ability to identify an unknown bacterium using the skills you have learned.
  • The final laboratory report evaluates your ability to design and carry out a laboratory experiment in microbiology.
• Your performance in laboratory will be evaluated by grading selected sections of your laboratory notebooks as well as one laboratory quiz.

Instructor: Dr. Marsha S. Stock;
Office 519 Evenden Tower
Phone: 746 4370
e-mail: stockms@.delhi.edu

In Case of Inclement Weather:

• The College generally does not cancel classes because many students live on campus.  However, if the roads are terrible and I cannot make it in to Delhi, I will cancel class.  However, you should assume that class IS meeting unless you hear otherwise.
• If I cancel class my voice mail message will be changed to indicate that I will not be here.
• If I cancel class I will also notify you by an e-mail in WebCT.
• If I cancel class I will usually give you an assignment to do in WebCT.
• Remember that all assignments are due regardless of whether class met or not.

Books et al.:     

• Textbook: Jacquelyn G Black. 2008  Microbiology: Principles and Explorations, 7th Ed. John Wiley & Sons, New York.  [Note that the 6th edition will be OK for this semester -- some page numbers may have changed, but the content is essentially the same.]
  Readings Book:  Pamela Nagami, M.D. 2001. the Woman with a Worm in Her Head:  and Other True Stories of Infectious Disease. St. Martin's Griffin, New York.

  • Laboratory Manual: Stock, Marsha S. 2002.  [Everyone must have a NEW Laboratory Manual -- even if you have taken the course before.]
• The Lecture Outline for the course is available on line in webCT
• Photographic Survey:  Wisbreich, George.  1999. Microbiology Perspectives:  A Photographic Survey of the Microbial World.  Prentice Hall, Inc. I strongly recommend that you purchase this book.  It has great pictures and the text is clear and to the point.  We will be using it a lot in lab and I will be referring to it during the semester.
• Technology:  I use technology extensively in teaching this course.  You do not have to have enormous expertise in technology but I do expect that you know the basic workings of a computer and the use of Microsoft Word or an equivalent word processing program.  You should be able to use the web and save and send files using e-mail and a web-based program like WebCT.
  • I can help you with this and the professionals in the computer lab are excellent at helping students with technology.

WebCT:

• I have created a separate web page of annotated references for web based resources for General Microbiology and Nutritional Microbiology.
• WebCT is what is known as a "course management system".  In WebCT I have created a customized resource for General Microbiology.
• And introduction to WebCT and how to use it can be found at this link:  WebCT.
• This link will get you to WebCT.
• Log on using your Student ID as your user name and your 6 digit PIN as your password.

Attendance:

You are expected to be on time and prepared for each lecture and laboratory. Walking late into lecture or laboratory is not only rude, it is disruptive.  Please make every effort to be on time.  (See disruptive behavior below.)

• Attendance rules will follow those of the college.  You are expected to attend lecture and laboratory at all times.
• Laboratory Absences: 
  • Laboratory attendance is essential in microbiology. It is very difficult to make up a laboratory exercise as materials are prepared expressly for each laboratory section with a specific number of students. 
  • It is your responsibility to arrange to make up material you have missed.
  • After a total of 2 unexcused laboratory absences 5 points will be deducted from your laboratory total for each additional absence.  
  • Laboratory often opens with a short introduction by the instructor.  It is important that you be there for this explanation.  Coming in late puts you at a disadvantage and disrupts the class.  Therefore a total of 3 tardy attendances will = 1 absence.
• You may be allowed to make up material that you miss if you have a legitimate excuse that can be documented.
• All health-related absences must be documented by the College Health Center in Forman Hall.
• College-related absences such as participation in athletic events or academically-based field trips may be excused in writing but ONLY with two weeks notice.  The written documentation must come from a coach or faculty member who is overseeing the event.
• If you are going to be absent for a religious holiday you must notify me in writing two weeks in advance of the holiday in order to be excused from class.
• Regardless of the excuse it is your responsibility to notify your laboratory or lecture instructor in a timely manner to make up the material you missed. 
• "A timely manner" would be within one week of the absence.
• With the use of WebCT and e-mail you have no excuse for turning in work late.  You are expected to find out what you missed and hand in all assignments on time.  Assignments are due regardless of your lack of attendance.
• Lecture exams: Missed lecture exams must be made up within the week of the absence. Make up exams will only be given with a documented excuse, i.e. doctor, family emergency, etc.

BE PREPARED: You may be called on at any time in lecture or laboratory. You are expected to be prepared by reading assignments, completing homework assignments, and continuously reviewing lecture and laboratory material. Keeping up with course work will make taking exams much easier.

Disruptive Behavior:

• Disruptive behavior of any kind that distracts from the learning atmosphere of the class room will not be tolerated. 
  • Such behavior includes, but is not limited to, late arrival, early departure from class, talking in class, walking around or leaving while class is in session. 
  • Cell phone or the use of other electronic devices such as PDA's and mp3 players will not be tolerated in lecture.  Be sure that all such devices are turned off and put away before you come to class or lab.  Their use is considered disruptive and may result in an F in the course.
  • Students who are disruptive will be warned one time but a written notice such as an Early Warning form. 
  • Any subsequent infraction may result in removal from the class and an F in the course.  Such behavior may be referred to the Disciplinary Council for appropriate action, which can include suspension from the College.

Academic Honesty:

• Academic Integrity is another way of describing honesty.  Students must understand that cheating in any form is unacceptable, whether copying another student's work, copying information from the internet or another source, bringing answers into a test, or giving answers to another student.  Students who cheat will be subject to the Academic Integrity Policy.  The policy Provost's Office Website, http://www.delhi.edu/academics/provost/ under "General Information for Students." 
• This policy requires that any violation of the academic integrity policy of the College be reported to the Office of Academic Advising.  If more than one incident is reported to this office the violations will be turned over to the College Judicial Coordinator and the student will be placed on deferred suspension.  Any further incidents may result in suspension or expulsion from the College.

Collaborative Learning: There are several instances where you will be handing in work that you have done in laboratory or lecture. In those cases you are free to consult with your classmates; I encourage you to do so. However, the work that you hand in must be your own and written in our own words. Work that, in the opinion of the instructor, is too similar to another student's work, may result in a grade of a zero on that assignment as well as a written and oral warning.   

Plagiarism: Plagiarism includes not only copying another student's work, but using the work of others, such as the author of your text, without giving proper credit. Reports and papers that are handed in must be properly referenced. Failure to do so will result in a verbal and written warning as well as a zero on that report.   See detailed instructions on scientific notation which will be handed out when you are given an assignment.

Cheating: Copying from other students in an exam or using any kind of study aid during an exam or quiz will be punished by an zero for that quiz or exam.

Students with Disabilities:

• In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the American Disabilities Act of 1990, New York State Human Rights Laws, and University policy, reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified students with documented disabilities.
• If you are entitled to reasonable accommodations you will have to meet with the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities, Linda Weinberg, 221 Bush Hall
• Accommodations that fundamentally alter the essential elements of a course or modifications that may pose a safety risk to themselves or others are not deemed reasonable.
• It is the responsibility of the student to inform the professor and coordinate arrangements for reasonable accommodations with Linda Weinberg and her staff.

Exams and Grading:

Lecture and Laboratory will not be separated for grading purposes:

• Exams and Quizzes:
• 3 hourly exams (100 points each) cover both lecture and laboratory material. 
• 3 quizzes (totaling 100 points).
• I will drop the lowest hourly exam grade OR the quiz total.
• Final Exam:  The comprehensive final exam will count 100 points.  The grade on the final will not be dropped.
  • The grade on the final will not be dropped.
  • You must score 60 or better on the final exam in order to get a C in the course.  Even if you have an average that is above a 70, you will be given a D in the course if you do not get at least a 60 on the comprehensive final exam.
• Missed exams may be made up only with a documented, legitimate excuse such as illness or a death in the immediate family.  The judgment as to the legitimacy of any excuses is determined by the instructor.  They must be made up as soon as possible and will not be given later than end of the week after they were given. .
• Written assignments:  You will have four assignments associated with laboratory:
• A group experiment of your own design for 50 points.  This will be an oral report plus a one-page summary.  More information is included with this assignment.
• An unknown report for 100 points.
• An individual experiment of your own design for 100 points.
• Written assignments will be handed in as a digital or soft copy as well as a paper copy.
• Written assignments  will be accepted up to one week late.  However, 5 points will be taken off per day.  Written assignments that are more than 7 days late will get a grade of a zero.
• Short Written Assignments.  
• There will be a number of short written assignments to be submitted on WebCT.  Many of these will be from the readings.
• These must be submitted on time in order to receive credit.
• They total 70-100 points. 
• Most will be questions on assigned readings.
• Laboratory notebook:  You will be required to keep a laboratory notebook which counts a total of 50 points.  Two or three laboratory exercises will be collected without advanced notice. 
• Laboratory quiz:  There will be one laboratory quiz at the end of  the semester worth 50 points.
• Deductions:  Failure to follow correct laboratory procedure that may result in harm to persons or equipment will be penalized by a 5 point deduction from your grade total for each infraction.  Repeated disregard for laboratory procedures can result in removal from the course and assignment of an F for the course.
• Laboratory:  see Microbiology Laboratory Home Page for information on laboratory expectations and assignments.
• NOTE that each lab section meets two times a week:   Tuesday and Thursday OR Wednesday and Friday.
• Letter Grades: Letter grades will be assigned after your numerical grade is calculated. In general there will be no curve so that letter grade assignments follow the following: A = 90-100; B = 80-89; C = 70-79; D = 60-69; F < 60.
• NOTE:  you must have an average of 70 or above to get a C in the course.  IF I give a C- it will be LESS THAN A 70 and will not count for credit for those of you in Veterinary Science or Nursing.
• ALSO:  I will not round up a grade of 69 point anything to a 70.  You MUST have a 70 or above to get a C.

Expectations and Suggestions

• Read the text.  This text has been chosen specifically because of its "readability".  In my opinion it is very well-written with enough, but not too much, detail.  Dr. Black has also included some very interesting and up-to-date information.  You are expected to have read the text before you come to lecture, just as you are expected to have read the laboratory manual before lab!
• Your grade in the course depends to a great extent upon your ability to communicate. 
• You must be able to read directions and/or questions correctly and then respond, follow directions, and communicate answers in a way that makes it clear to me that you really understand the material.  If you do not understand directions, it is important that you ask about them.  Ask if you do not understand a word or term that is used in a question or direction.  I might not tell you if it is something I think you should know as a part of the course -- if it isn't I'll be glad to define a word.  If you are reading or reviewing your notes or text and you don't understand a word, look it up.  Your text has an excellent glossary. It might be a good idea to start a glossary of your own. 
• Before exams try sitting down and answering the sample essays. Trade essays with a classmate and "grade" each other's answers.
• When you answer an essay question or write a report for this class pretend that you are teaching the subject to a student who is not taking the course.
• Be sure that you answer the question that is asked.  On essay questions I have in mind the key points that I expect you to make, and each is worth a certain number of points. For example I might ask you to list the Five Kingdoms and briefly describe them.  I might give one point for each one listed correctly and two for each description for a total of 15 points.
• For written assignments, such as your unknown reports, I expect that, if you have difficulty with writing,  you will get help.  There is an excellent writing center that can help you. Get someone to read your paper over to see if it makes sense and that your English usage is correct.
• Use lecture wisely.  You have the opportunity to purchase the outline of notes for each and every lecture.    Pay attention and fill in information on the outline you are given.  It is important to take good notes and to organize those notes outside of class.
• It isn't possible to listen to lecture if you are talking to your neighbor.  Not only is talking in class rude to the instructor or student who may be speaking, but it is disruptive to the class as a whole.  Please don't talk during lecture, or go in and out of the lecture hall. If you take notes, abbreviate and then copy your notes over later. It is an excellent way to refresh what went on in lecture.
• Form a study group.  For some students study groups are the key to success.  Frankly, teaching a subject is the best way to learn.  If you can explain something to someone else so that it makes sense to you and to the other person, you are a lot of the way toward learning the material.  [I learned a lot of biology I know through teaching it.]
• Use the materials that you have.  Use the web pages -- on-line study guide that goes with the text, for example.  Read the lab book, and the text.  Try doing the sample questions at the end of the chapters.
• Don't wait to get help.  Come see me if you are having difficulty.  Sign up for tutoring.  Form a study group.
• Laboratory is a great experience -- make the most of it.  Microbiology is a genuine "hands-on" experience.  You can learn a lot in lab that connects directly to lecture material.  There are no examinations in lab but you are expected to learn skills that are tested by doing projects such as your unknowns.  Some students have a lot of laboratory experience and others do not.  Some are better at the microscope than others.  If you have more experience, help out those who don't.  And if you have difficulty be persistent.  Success often comes after trying over and over.  Try not to get discouraged!  The microbes do seem to get larger as the semester goes on.
• Hand in assignments.  Grades of zero on assignments that aren't handed in, really hurt your average. It is your job to find out what assignments may have been given on a day on which you were absent.

General Microbiology Lecture Schedule Spring 2008

The following schedule is a guide or plan for the course. Dates of quizzes, exams, and material covered may change as needed. REMEMBER: If you miss an exam you must have a written excuse that is acceptable to the instructor and you must make up the exam within a week of the scheduled date and time. Make-up exams may be entirely essays.