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Introductory Microbiology (MICRB 201): Fall 2007
Introductory Microbiology (MICRB 201)
Fall 2007
Lecture Room 106 MCB T, R 1:30 – 2:45 p.m.
Instructor: Matthew P. Hoch, Ph.D. E-mail:
Assistant Professor of Biology
Campus Phone: 4016 Website: 2www.yk.psu.edu/~mph13/
Office/Lab: Office Rm 131 MCB / Biology Lab Rm 124 MCB
Office Hours: T, R 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., or by appointment.
Required Textbook: Willey, J.M., Sherwood, L.M., and Woolverton, C.J., 2007. Prescott, Harley, and Klein’s Microbiology, 7th edition. McGraw Hill.
Course Perspective:
Microorganisms are continuously evolving to more successfully cope with selective pressures in their environment. Cellular structures, metabolic capacity, regulatory functions, and genetic exchange mechanisms observed in contemporary microbes are the product of over three billion years of evolution. Many microbes have even changed during our own lives, partly due to new selective pressures created by man (e.g., antibiotic resistance, xenobiotic degradation pathways, and host-pathogen coevolution). Darwinian principles of evolution and the diversity of microbial life will be underlying themes throughout the course as we specifically learn about microbial cell biology and genetics, applications of microbes in biotechnology and industry, the roles of microbial communities in the environment, host defenses, and infectious disease.
Prerequisite: CHEM 110.
Microbiology Laboratory (MICRB 202) Recommendation:
Learning a life science requires mastery of much new vocabulary and concepts; these elements are the main focus of lecture courses. Learning a science also requires development of technical and research skills, which are the hands-on elements of a laboratory course. The lab experience is designed to put vocabulary into action and apply concepts within an experimental context, thus linking lecture and lab component of a life science course. Microbiology at Penn State distinguishes lecture and laboratory components with separate course numbers, MICRB 201 and MICRB 202, respectively. The lab course serves as the primary hand-on, active and collaborative learning activity for the lecture course. More opportunities for learning styles are available for the student enrolled in both MICRB 201 and MICRB 202. Furthermore, the course laboratory experience is often a student’s first opportunity to develop the research skills vital to career success in life sciences. For these reasons, I’d prefer that you enroll in MICRB 202 this semester.
Course Goals and Objectives:
v Appreciate the major contributions to microbiology throughout history.
Ø Students will correctly match scientists and their major contribution(s).
v Learn basic prokaryotic cell biology terminology and concepts.
Ø Students will master the form and function of prokaryotic cell structures to the molecular level.
Ø Given environmental conditions, student will correctly predict the degree of growth for particular physiological categories of prokaryotes.
Ø Students will correctly list, in order, metabolic pathways used for energy yield and cell growth for a bacterium fed particular substrates in the presence of absence of oxygen.
Ø Student will determine the regulation and flow of genetic information within and between prokaryotic cells at the molecular level.
v Understand basic concepts in virology
Ø Students will correctly distinguish between prokaryotic and eukaryotic viral replication cycles based on viral particle structure, information storage molecules, and unique viral enzymes.
v To become familiar with the phylogenetic and physiological diversity of prokaryotes.
Ø Students will offer accurate examples of how microbes are used by man for industrial and biotechnical applications.
Ø Based on the current system of prokaryotic taxonomy, student will provide characteristics (structural, biochemical, and genetic) and techniques used to identify bacteria.
Ø Using knowledge of microbial physiology, students will correctly determine the microbes involved in the biogeochemical cycling of major elements in different natural communities.
v Understand terminology and unifying concepts of host defenses and infectious disease.
Ø Students will accurately determine mechanisms of non-specific host defenses.
Ø Student will correctly differentiate between humeral and cellular immunity and how they relate to each other in there role of containing and stopping microbial infections.
Ø Using principles of epidemiology, student will make predictions on the spread and prevention of infectious disease.
Ø Given details of pathogenicity and host symptoms and signs, students will correctly identify specific microbial infections.
Student Evaluation:
The majority (65%) of your course evaluation will be based on exam performance, and the remainder of the evaluation will be on a in-class participation, presentation, homework and quizzes. Your presentation, “Bad Bug” Talk, is an opportunity for you to independently learn about a particular pathogenic microorganism of
Participation / 5 %Quizzes/Homework / 15 %
Exam I / 15 %
Exam II / 15 %
Exam III / 15 %
“Bad Bug” Talk / 15 %
Final Exam / 15 %
Best of 4 exams weighted to 20 % / 5 %
Total = / 100 %
Participation: (5 %) If you do all of the following you should expect full evaluation marks: show up, stay attentive, ask and answer questions, and follow all course requirements and class guidelines (see more below). Disruptive behavior infers a lack of attentiveness and will diminish your grade.
Quizzes/Homework): (15 %) There is at least one in-class quiz prior to each exam during the semester. Quizzes are on any Tuesdays at the start of class. You need to keep up on the textbook reading and review notes on a weekly bases for success in the course, and the intent of Tuesday quizzes is to help you keep up with course materials. A Tuesday quiz is based on the previous week’s content. Content covered on a quiz does not influence the content of the next exam, i.e. question content on a quiz could appear on the exam or it may not. Other homework may be assigned at any time.
Exams: (65 %) Course content for each exam is given in the syllabus (above). Questions are largely derived from lecture material, but may include content covered in assigned chapter readings. Exams 1 & 2 will be administered during the normal scheduled lecture period and location. Students are provided a minimum of 70 minutes for each of these exam. Date, time and location of the Final Exam will be scheduled for sometime during finals week. For the final exam, you are expected to have mastered core concepts and vocabulary presented earlier in the course, as these are required to understand later content. To this latter point, it is advised that you review your weak areas from earlier course content before the final exam. Of the three exams, your best performance will be increased from 20 % to 25 % of the course grade.
“Bad Bug” (Pathogen) Talk: (15 %) Pairs of students will give a 15 minute presentation on a specific pathogen covered in the assigned readings from the textbook during the "Medical Microbiology" lecture series. Dates for each student will be scheduled prior to the third exam. Refer to the assignment handout on the website. The evaluation for this talk will include preparation assignments: including a ranked list of topic, an outline with annotations on who worked on which components, an advanced draft of the PowerPoint presentation, and reference list. Timely preparation is weighted at 5 % and the actual oral presentation is 10% of the grade.
Lecture Topic Syllabus and Reading Assignments*:
1 / T, Aug 28th / Introduction to the Discipline / 1 (Micro History)
2 / R, Aug 30th / Structure & Function of Prokaryotes I / 3
3 / T, Sept 4th / Structure & Function of Prokaryotes II / 3; 4 (Eukaryote)
4 / R, Sept 6th / Famous Microbiologists & Jeopardy / Jeopardy Q & A
5 / T, Sept 11th / Growth & Cultivation / 6
6 / R, Sept 13th / Environmental Controls / 6
7 / T, Sept 18th / Nutritional Types & Nutrient Acquisition / 5
EXAM 1 / T, Sept 20th / Covers content through Lecture 7, Tuesday, Sept 18th
8 / T, Sept 25th / Principles of Metabolism & Enzymology / 8
9 / R, Sept 27th / Pathways & Catabolism / 9
10 / T, Oct 2th / Oxidative Phosphorylation / Make It – Break It; 10
11 / R, Oct 4th / Chemolithotrophy / 10
12 / T, Oct 9th / Phototrophy / 10
13 / R, Oct 11th / DNA Replication / 11
14 / T, Oct 16th / Transcription & Translation / 11
EXAM 2 / R, Oct 18th / Covers content through Lecture 14, Tuesday, Oct 16th
15 / T, Oct 23rd / Prokaryote Gene Expression / 12
16 / R, Oct 25th / Prokaryote Genetic Exchange / 13
17 / T, Oct 30th / Prokaryotic Viruses / Part 16; 17
18 / R, Nov 1st / Eukaryotic Viruses / 18
19 / T, Nov 6th / Microbial Taxonomy / 19
20 / R, Nov 8th / Microbial Ecol. / parts of 28
21 / T, Nov 13th / Environ. Microbiol. / parts of 30
EXAM 3 / R, Nov 15th / Covers content through Lecture 21, Tuesday, Nov 13th
NO CLASS / T, Nov 20th / Thanksgiving Break
NO CLASS
NO CLASS / R, Nov 22rd
22 / T, Nov 27th / Nonspecific Host Resistance / 31
23 / R, Nov 29th / Specific Immunity I / 32
24 / T, Dec 4th / Specific Immunity II / 32
25 / R, Dec 6th / Epidemiology / 34
26 / T, Dec 11th / Bad Bug Talks
27 / R, Dec 13th / Bad Bug Talks
FINAL EXAM / To Be Scheduled / Covers content through Lecture 27, Thursday, Dec 13th
* NOTE: Topics for particular lecture dates are tentative; although, we will try to keep to this schedule, they are subject to change. Any change to the syllabus will be presented electronically on the website.
“Make-Up" and Testing Policy:
Missed exams, quizzes, labs, or assignments can only be made-up, or waived, by prior arrangement and with proof of an excusable absence (e.g., documented medical reason, sanctioned University function). A different set of questions may be used for any make-up assignments or exams.
Exams and quizzes will be administered at the beginning of class on their scheduled dates. Late arrival to class on a quiz or exam day is extremely disruptive and inconsiderate to your other classmates. You also run the risk of not being allowed to take the exam. If any student completes and submits the exam prior to your arrival in class, you will not be permitted to take the quiz or exam, and you will forfeit your grade (receive a 0%). Please show up on time!
Grades:
Letter grades are based on the total percentage of course marks accumulated as indicated below. Plus (+) or minus (-) designations will be assigned only at final grade submission, and will be based on the distribution of marks, i.e. "the curve", within each posted letter grade range. [E.g.: total course marks equal to or above 89, the A-range, will always be either an A-, A, or A+; which +/- designation received within the A-range will depend on the distribution and number of students within the A-range. A safe rule of thumb is that the lower 4% points in a letter range will be a ‘minus’ grade and the upper 2% points within a letter range will receive a ‘plus’.
A / 89 - 100 %B / 77 - 88 %
C / 65 - 76 %
D / 53 - 64 %
F / < 52 %
Course Requirements:
1. Bring a very positive and respectful attitude to class.
2. A PSU Access Account. Go to IST Rm 106 and make the request for your user-ID and password. It will take about 24 hours for activation, at which time I recommend you change your password.
3. A single Email address. I will send all course announcements and notes to your PSU user-ID address. This is also the easiest address for other PSU students to use in reaching you, as it is on the PSU Directory. I suggest you use the PSU Webmail.
4. You will keep in touch with me and other students in the class by Email. Check your Email frequently (i.e. daily) so you don’t miss important announcements.
5. The ability to save computer work to permanent space on the network, a diskette, CD, or zip-disk. You will have to supply the disc or CD.
Class Guidelines:
I would like everyone to participate in making our class times a nice comfortable place to learn throughout the next fifteen weeks. To this end, please, let us all adopt the following guidelines on appropriate and considerate behavior.
· Unless you are waiting for an organ transplant, or a birth is imminent, please turn off all electronic devices (e.g. cell phones, pagers, etc) that could generate distracting noises prior to entering class.
· There will be classes when computers are used, but at other class times please refrain from typing Emails or chat applications on your personal or lab computers, PDAs, and the like.. The excess “click-clack” of a keyboard is distracting to others and the instructor.
· I encourage you to fill the room with questions and discussion on the topic at hand. Please ask questions freely, and if not in class then out of class, either verbally or via Email. When others ask, or answer, questions in class, please give them your full attention and respect.
· If you have a comment or complaint regarding any aspect of the course other than the course topic or activity being discussed, please wait to speak with me until after class, outside of class, or by Email. This saves valuable class time and is much more discrete, particular on issues of grade disputes or any other potential misunderstanding.