General Policy

Microbiology

Fall, 2006

Dr. George Shiflet()

This class meets at 10:30 MWF in RMSC 339E. Labs will meet in RMSC 105W at 2:30 pm Tuesdays or at 2:00 pm Wednesdays.

This course will focus on three areas of microbiology:

1 the basic biology of bacteria and viruses and their role in the environment.

2. microorganisms and human disease

3. disease processes and body defenses

General Goals:

  • understanding of functional and evolutionary characteristics of microbes that make them successful in various ecological niches
  • understanding of positive and negative impacts of microbes to human life
  • understanding of how diseases are spread and what factors impact this spread
  • understanding available physical and chemical controls of microbes
  • understanding of the defense mechanisms against pathogens available to human beings
  • understanding the challenges that confront human beings in dealing with disease-causing microbes
  • application of microbiological principles to everyday life
  • learning laboratory techniques for safe handling and characterization of bacteria

Ancillary Goals:

  • to improve your ability to read and analyze written literature related to this course
  • to improve your abilities to design, conduct and analyze scientific experiments
  • to improve presentation skills
  • to improve critiquing skills
  • to improve your professional self-confidence

Desirable Learning Outcomes:

At the end of this course, you should be able to

  • discuss the development of the germ theory of disease.
  • describe the basic cellular structures and their functions for a typical prokaryotic cell.
  • describe the diverse functioning of unique prokaryotic metabolic systems.
  • discuss the factors important in regulating microorganismic growth.
  • discuss basic methods for control of microorganisms, including physical and chemical agents.
  • describe the basic structure of a virus.
  • describe various modes of viral reproduction.
  • describe the major groups of viruses that infect humans.
  • describe the major components of bacterial taxonomy, including Bergey’s Manual, numerical taxonomy, and molecular evolution/taxonomy.
  • describe major pathogenic mechanisms utilized by bacteria and viruses.
  • discuss the principle host defenses.
  • discuss the roles played by inflammation.
  • discuss the cells responsible for and the functions of the specific immune responses, including B- and T-cells, macrophages, immunoglobulins, and major histocompatibility proteins.
  • describe the major microorganisms that cause diseases in humans, including basic bacterial physiology, methods of transmission, symptoms, complications, and treatment regimens.
  • handle bacterial cultures safely and use current methodologies for characterizing representative bacteria.

I. Attendance

Attendance at all lectures, discussions and laboratories is required. No unexcused

absences are expected. Point deductions from your final grade will be made for unexcused absences in excess of two.

II. Grading and Tests

Your final grade in this course will be based on your performance on the following:

Period Exams (4)45%

Laboratory Work 30%

Final Examination25%

Grading will probably be based on a 10 pt. scale.

Period exams will include material from classes or in the reading assignments. The final examination is comprehensive.

If you miss an exam, you must present a written excuse from an appropriate source.

No make-up exams will be given. If the absence is excused, your grade will

be based on the other work you do during the semester.

All graded assignments are to be based on individual effort, unless the instructor specifically indicates that the work is collaborative. If you are unsure, ASK! Specific guidelines are contained in the Wofford Honor Code (see Wofford website). Attached is an excerpt from that document.

III. Texts and Materials

Microbiology: AnIntroduction , 9th ed.- Tortora, Funke and Case

Laboratory Experiments in Microbiology: 8th ed., Johnson, Case

The Colony – John Tayman

IV. Office Hours

I nest in the Biology Suite on the second floor (MSCW 203C). I have set office hours, listed below, but I am here at many other times. I encourage you to seek out help at any time I am not in class or lab. There will be times I will not be available, but I try hard to keep those times to a minimum. My regular office hours are as follows:

MWF - 9:00 - 10:20 am

W - 1:00 - 1:50 pm

Th - 2:30 - 4:00 pm

You may of course make appointments at other times. Please see Mrs. Thomas (4620) in the Biology Office to schedule an appointment. Please leave your phone number, in the event I must change the appointment time. If you are unable to keep an appointment, please call the office to let us know.