Microbiology & Immunology: Syllabus and Topic Overview

Course Overview

MICR-J210 Microbiology & Immunology is a 4-credit undergraduate course designed for students in nursing and allied health sciences. The course focuses on human infectious diseases, microbial pathogenesis, host immune responses, and prevention strategies. Prerequisites include a course in human anatomy or equivalent.

Course Structure

• Lectures: Mondays and Wednesdays, 8:10–9:40 AM (NU103)

• Practicals (Labs): Mondays or Wednesdays, 10:00 AM–12:00 PM (MS106)

• Attendance: Mandatory for both lectures and practicals; tracked via Top Hat

• Course Materials: OpenStax Microbiology textbook, lecture slides, practical manual, Kaltura lecture recordings, Canvas for communication and assessments

Assessment and Grading

• Exams: 5 exams (including a practical exam), each worth 100 points

• Attendance & Participation: Up to 50 points (20 for lecture attendance, 30 for practical participation)

• Total Points: 550 (all exams, participation, and bonus points)

• Grading Scale: Standard IUPUI scale (A+ ≥ 97%, A 93–96%, A- 90–92%, etc.)

• Exam Policy: Exams are held at the SL070 Testing Center; practical exam is cumulative; lecture exams are not cumulative

• Makeup Policy: Strict deadlines; makeup exams only under exceptional, documented circumstances

Lecture Topics

The course is organized into four main lecture blocks, each culminating in an exam. Below is a structured overview of the topics covered, mapped to standard microbiology curriculum chapters.

Block 1: Introduction to Microbiology and Pathogenesis

• Introduction / History of Microbiology / Scientific Method Overview of the development of microbiology as a science, key historical figures, and the scientific method as applied to microbiological research.

• Prokaryotes / Eukaryotes Comparison of cell types, structural and functional differences, and classification.

• Bacterial Cell Structure / Gram Stain Detailed study of bacterial morphology, cell wall composition, and the Gram staining technique for bacterial classification.

• Bacterial Growth and Metabolism Mechanisms of bacterial reproduction, growth phases, and metabolic pathways.

• Bacterial Genetics / Antibiotics Genetic mechanisms in bacteria (mutation, transformation, conjugation, transduction) and principles of antibiotic action and resistance.

• Classification and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases, Normal Flora, Nosocomial Infections Principles of disease classification, epidemiological methods, the role of normal microbiota, and hospital-acquired infections.

Block 2: Host Responses (Immunology)

• Organization of the Immune System Structure and function of immune organs and cells.

• Innate Immunity First-line defenses, phagocytosis, inflammation, and complement system.

• Formation of B & T Cell Repertoires Development and selection of lymphocytes, antigen recognition.

• Humoral and Cell-Mediated Immunity Antibody-mediated and T-cell-mediated immune responses.

• Vaccination and Serology Principles of immunization, types of vaccines, and serological testing.

• Immune Disorders Autoimmunity, hypersensitivity, and immunodeficiency diseases.

Block 3: Bacterial & Fungal Pathogenesis

• Staphylococci Pathogenic species, virulence factors, and clinical significance.

• Streptococci Classification, diseases caused, and laboratory identification.

• Bacterial Pneumonia Etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of bacterial pneumonia.

• Enteric Bacteria Major genera, diseases, and diagnostic methods.

• Meningitis & Additional Bacterial Vaccines Causes of bacterial meningitis and available vaccines.

• Bacterial STD & Atypical Bacterial Diseases Overview of sexually transmitted and less common bacterial infections.

Block 4: Eukaryotic Parasites, Fungal & Viral Pathogens

• Fungal Pathogens Medically important fungi, mycoses, and antifungal therapy.

• Eukaryotic Parasites Protozoa and helminths of clinical relevance.

• Introduction to Viral Pathogenesis and Host Responses Basic virology, viral replication, and host defense mechanisms.

• DNA Viruses Major families, diseases, and diagnostic approaches.

• RNA Viruses (Parts 1 & 2) Classification, pathogenesis, and clinical features.

• Hepatitis Viruses, Tumor Viruses, Prion Disease Viral hepatitis, oncogenic viruses, and prion-related diseases.

Practical (Lab) Topics

Laboratory sessions are designed to reinforce lecture material and develop hands-on skills in microbiological techniques and immunological assays.

• Sources of Microorganisms Sampling and identification from various environments.

• Pure Culture Methods Streak plate, pour plate, and isolation techniques.

• Microscopy Use of light microscopes, staining, and observation of microbial morphology.

• Differentiation and Characterization of Bacteria Biochemical and morphological tests.

• Morphology of Microbes Observation and classification based on shape and arrangement.

• Serology (Agglutination and ELISA) Macroscopic tube agglutination, latex agglutination, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for antigen-antibody reactions.

• Blood Group Typing (ABO) Principles and procedures for determining blood types.

• Composition of Human Blood (Blood Smear) Microscopic examination of blood cells.

• Hemolytic Disease of the Newborn / Coombs Test Detection of antibodies against red blood cells.

• Allergy and Anaphylaxis Mechanisms and clinical testing.

• Antibiotic Resistance (Kirby-Bauer Test) Disc diffusion method for assessing bacterial susceptibility.

• Control of Infection (Handwashing) Importance and techniques of hand hygiene in clinical settings.

• Sterilization & Disinfection Methods and principles for eliminating or reducing microbial contamination.

• Phenotypic Analysis of Neisseria Species Identification based on observable traits.

• Genotypic Identification of MRSA (PCR) Polymerase chain reaction for detecting methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Additional Information

• Disability Accommodations: Provided through Accessible Educational Services (AES).

• Student Conduct: Governed by campus-wide policies; academic integrity is emphasized.

• Legal Notice: Course materials are for personal academic use only; unauthorized sharing is prohibited.

Summary Table: Major Course Topics and Corresponding Standard Chapters

Course Topic	Standard Microbiology Chapter(s)
Introduction / History / Scientific Method	Ch. 1
Prokaryotes / Eukaryotes	Ch. 3, 4, 5
Bacterial Cell Structure / Gram Stain	Ch. 3, 4
Bacterial Growth and Metabolism	Ch. 8, 9
Bacterial Genetics / Antibiotics	Ch. 10, 11, 14
Classification, Epidemiology, Normal Flora	Ch. 6, 16, 21–26
Immunology (Organization, Innate/Adaptive, Disorders)	Ch. 17–20
Bacterial, Fungal, Viral, Parasitic Pathogenesis	Ch. 15, 19, 21–26
Laboratory Techniques (Microscopy, Culture, Serology, PCR)	Ch. 2, 7, 12, 13

Additional info: This syllabus provides a comprehensive overview of the course structure, assessment, and detailed topic list, closely aligned with standard undergraduate microbiology curricula. Students are encouraged to use the OpenStax Microbiology textbook as a supplementary resource and to actively participate in both lectures and practicals for optimal learning outcomes.