Microbiology for Non-Science Majors (BIOL-2420) - Course Overview

Course Description

This course provides an introduction to the morphology, physiology, and taxonomy of pathogenic and nonpathogenic microorganisms. It also covers food microbes, public health, and immunology, making it highly relevant to the foundational chapters of a college-level Microbiology course.

• Microbiology: The study of microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and protozoa.

• Importance: Microbiology is essential for understanding evolution, genetics, medicine, environmental science, and biotechnology.

Core Objectives

Upon completion, students will be evaluated on:

• Communication: Expressing ideas through written, oral, and visual means.

• Critical Thinking: Analyzing and synthesizing information.

• Quantitative/Empirical Reasoning: Manipulating and analyzing numerical data or observable facts.

• Teamwork: Collaborating effectively with others.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Describe characteristics and growth requirements of prokaryotic vs. eukaryotic organisms.

• Explain the impact of microorganisms on agriculture, environment, energy, and human health.

• Distinguish mechanisms of physical and chemical control of microbial populations.

• Explain bacterial metabolism and genetics.

• Describe evidence for evolution of cells and organelles.

• Compare characteristics and replication of viruses, prions, prokaryotes, and eukaryotes.

• Describe host defenses and immunizations.

• Explain transmission and virulence mechanisms.

Lab Outcomes

• Use laboratory safety rules and universal precautions.

• Demonstrate use of a compound light microscope.

• Prepare stains and wet mounts for microorganism identification.

• Perform aseptic techniques for transfer, isolation, and observation of bacteria.

• Use culture media for growth and identification.

• Estimate microorganism numbers using direct counts, plate counts, or spectrophotometry.

• Identify fungi and parasites microscopically.

Broad Course Objectives

Key Topics and Concepts

• Microbial World: Definitions, importance, and examples of sporadic, endemic, epidemic, and pandemic diseases.

• Bacterial Structure: Drawing and naming functions of bacterial structures.

• Antigenic Shift/Drift: Definitions and examples.

• Scientific Method: Steps and applications.

• Robert Koch: Contributions to microbiology.

• Bacterial Cell Wall: Structure, Gram staining, and antibiotic action.

• Koch’s Postulates: Steps and significance.

• Normal Microbial Flora: Definition and importance.

• Antibiotic Resistance: Development and significance.

• Pathogenicity: What makes a microorganism pathogenic.

• Host Defenses: Mechanisms against infection.

• Transcription and Translation: Processes in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.

• Sterilization Methods: Overview and applications.

• Genetic Code: DNA structure and protein synthesis.

• DNA vs. RNA: Key differences.

• Food-borne Pathogens: Examples and diseases caused.

• Bacterial Isolation and Cultivation: Methods and storage.

• Aseptic Technique: Demonstration and importance.

• Experimental Design: Forming hypotheses and testing.

• Plasmids, Phage, Transposons: Definitions and importance.

• Epidemiology: Definition and significance.

• Microscopy: Identification and use of oil immersion.

• Microscope Care: Proper use and function of parts.

• Vaccines: Types, production, and diseases prevented.

• Anaerobic vs. Aerobic Respiration: Comparison.

• Emerging Pathogens: Definition and examples.

• Unknown Bacterial Sample Identification: Protocols.

• Bacterial Counts: Methods and calculations.

Course Schedule

Weekly Topics

• Week 1: Introduction & Chapter 1: Microbial World and You; Chapter 2: Chemical Principles

• Week 2: Chapter 2: Chemical Principles; Chapter 4: Functional Anatomy

• Week 3: Chapter 4: Functional Anatomy; Chapter 3: Observing Microorganisms; Chapter 5: Microbial Metabolism

• Week 5: Chapter 5: Microbial Metabolism; Chapter 6: Microbial Growth

• Week 6: Chapter 8: Microbial Genetics; Chapter 9: Biotechnology

• Week 7: Chapter 9: Biotechnology and DNA Technology; Chapter 13: Viruses, Viroids, and Prions

• Week 8: Chapter 15: Microbial Mechanisms of Pathogenicity

• Week 9: Chapter 16: Innate Immunity

• Week 10: Chapter 17: Adaptive Immunity

• Week 11: Chapter 19: Disorders Associated with the Immune System

• Week 13: Chapter 18: Practical Applications of Immunology; Chapter 20: Antimicrobial Drugs

• Week 14-15: Selected Infectious Diseases from Chapters 21-26

Grade Computation

Grade Scale

Course Policies

• Attendance: Required; non-attendance may result in being dropped from the course.

• Examinations: Four lecture exams; comprehensive final for valid missed exam.

• Academic Integrity: Cheating, plagiarism, and collusion are strictly prohibited.

• Cell Phone Policy: Phones must be off during class and exams.

• ADA Accommodations: Available for students with documented disabilities.

Instructional Materials

• Textbook: Microbiology: An Introduction, Tortora, Case, et al., Pearson, 14th Edition

• Lab Manual: Required for co-requisite lab course

Support Services

• Academic advising, tutoring, library services, and technical support are available to all students.

Additional info: The course schedule and objectives closely match the standard topics in a college-level Microbiology curriculum, including microbial structure, metabolism, genetics, immunology, and infectious diseases.