Foundations of Microbiology: Syllabus and Course Structure

Foundations of Microbiology: Syllabus and Course Structure

Course Overview

This course provides an introduction to medically significant microorganisms, their modes of pathogenesis and treatment, and the host's immune response. The course is structured to cover the fundamental areas of microbiology relevant to health sciences, including bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology, immunology, and infectious disease.

• Course Code: BIOL 2260K-02, BIOL 2260L-52

• Credit Hours: 4

• Location: Macon campus

• Instructor: Jeff Wiles

Main Topics Covered

• Bacteriology

• Virology

• Mycology

• Parasitology

• Immunology

• Infectious Disease

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate familiarity with medically significant bacteria, fungi, worms, protists, viruses, and virus-like agents.

• Explain mechanisms of host response to pathogenic organisms.

• Distinguish among various microorganisms, including their structure and growth.

• Demonstrate skill in isolating, cultivating, handling, and identifying bacteria in the laboratory.

• Communicate an understanding of microbial disease and the process of microbial identification in both oral and written forms.

Course Structure and Assessment

Lecture and Laboratory Schedule

The course is divided into lecture and laboratory components, with a tentative schedule covering foundational topics in microbiology. The laboratory component supplements lectures by providing hands-on experience with basic microbiological techniques.

Sample Lecture Topics

• Cellular Structure

• Microbial Metabolism

• Microbial Genetics

• Taxonomy of Prokaryotes

• Viruses and Prions

• Host Defenses (Non-specific and Specific)

• Immune Disorders, Fungi, and Protists

Laboratory Topics

• Bacterial isolation and identification

• Staining techniques

• Quantification and control of microorganisms

• Use of selective and differential media

Assessment Breakdown

Assessment	Percentage
Lecture Exams (2 + Final)	40%
Lab Exams	25%
Quizzes	15%
Disease Paper	10%
Unknown Bacteria Project	10%

Grading Scale:

Grade	Score Range
A	90 - 100
B	80 - 89
C	70 - 79
D	60 - 69
F	0 - 59

Key Assignments

• Disease Paper: Students will research and write a paper on a selected microbial disease, demonstrating understanding of pathogenesis, epidemiology, and treatment.

• Unknown Bacteria Project: Students will identify an unknown bacterial sample using laboratory techniques and submit a report.

Policies and Requirements

Attendance and Participation

• Attendance is mandatory for both lecture and laboratory sessions.

• Quizzes and exams are used to determine attendance and participation.

Academic Honesty

• Strict adherence to the university's academic honesty policy is required.

• Use of unauthorized resources, including AI or language models, is considered plagiarism.

• Assignments are checked for plagiarism using Turnitin.com.

Technology Requirements

• Students must access course materials and quizzes via D2L (Desire2Learn).

• Written assignments must be submitted electronically through Turnitin.com.

Support Services

• Tutoring is available free of charge for enrolled students.

• Students with disabilities should contact the Office of Accessibility Services for accommodations.

Textbook and Materials

• Required Text: Microbiology: An Introduction, 14th edition, by Tortora, Berdell R. Funk, Christine L. Case, Warner B. Ball, Derek Weber. Pearson/Benjamin Cummings Publishers.

• Older editions are acceptable.

Additional Information

• COVID-19 policies and self-reporting requirements are in place for campus safety.

• Late assignments incur a 10% penalty per 24 hours; missing work receives a grade of 0.

• End-of-course evaluations are conducted online and are anonymous.

Example: Microbial Disease Paper

Students may be assigned to research Staphylococcus aureus infections, describing the organism's structure, mechanisms of pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and current treatment options.

Additional info: The syllabus provides a comprehensive overview of course expectations, assessment methods, and support resources, ensuring students are well-prepared for both the theoretical and practical aspects of microbiology.