Course Syllabus

BIOL 2060 Introductory Microbiology

Course Description

Introductory Microbiology surveys the fundamental biological processes observed in bacteria and microorganisms with emphasis placed on their beneficial and harmful activities related to humans and other organisms. Molecular genetics and biotechnology are introduced. It must be taken concurrently with BIOL 2065.

Justification

This course is an introductory microbiology course designed to make students aware of the ubiquitous character of microorganisms and their beneficial and harmful activities related to humans and other life forms. It will fulfill the Biology General Education (GE) requirement. Many nursing and health care programs require a basic or introductory microbiology course as a prerequisite. This course will fill this requirement.

General Education Outcomes

1. A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Students are presented with information that teaches them about the world of microbes such as bacteria, fungi, algae and viruses and how these microorganisms interact with other living organisms including humans, and the environment. Students demonstrate comprehension of topics through tests and the final exams including essay questions, written assignments and a library project.
2. A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students complete at least one library research project on "The Microbiology of Infectious Disease" which may be a poster, brochure, abstract, etc. This requires that they collect and present information from various sources including textbooks, scholarly journal articles, etc. found on the internet, in the library, lab or classroom, etc. They are also required to present the project in a defined format. Library projects are assessed for content, understanding, clarity, and neatness/format, etc.
3. A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Students will learn how microorganisms influence our daily lives. Microbes influence political policies, social behaviors, industrial practices, manufacturing, and even our daily health. Student's will be assessed through quizzes, tests, written assignments, homework and/or exams.
4. A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. Students will be introduced to the scientific method as a method of learning. Students will learn the steps scientists use to find answers to problems including hypothesis formation, experimentation, data analysis and critical thinking for drawing conclusions. Students will demonstrate their understanding through quizzes, tests, written assignments, homework and/or exams.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes

1. Students will learn how microbes have influenced human and world history and that microbes are all around us and influence our daily lives. Students will demonstrate their understanding through quizzes, tests, written assignments, homework and/or exams. Students will learn how microbes have influenced human and world history and that microbes are all around us and influence our daily lives. Students will demonstrate their understanding through quizzes, tests, written assignments, homework and/or exams.
2. Demonstrate basic understanding of how organisms live, grow, respond to their environment, and reproduce.  Students will learn cellular structures of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. They will also learn about nutritional requirements of different organisms and how they grow. Students will be accessed through quizzes, tests, written assignments,homework and/or exams..
3. Discuss the organization and flow of matter and energy through biological systems.  Students will learn how energy is metabolically extracted from molecules by organisms and how energy is used to make molecules in living systems using microbes as models. In addition, they will learn how microbes function in and influence ecosystems. Students will be accessed through quizzes, tests, written assignments, homework and/or exams..
4. Explain from evidence patterns of inheritance, structural unity, adaptation, and diversity of life on Earth.  Students will learn how diverse living organisms are with a focus on microorganisms. Patterns of inheritance will be looked at at the molecular biology level as they apply to microbes. They will learn how microorganisms evolve. Students will be accessed through quizzes, tests, written assignments, homework and/or exams..
5. Describe how the Life Sciences have shaped and been shaped by historical, ethical, and social contexts. Students will learn how the scope of microbiology has influenced history, social interactions, and world politics through studying infectious diseases. Students will be accessed through quizzes, tests, written assignments, homework and/or exams.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Microorganisms will be used as a model to study the basic biological principles listed above. Students will also investigate the role of microorganisms in molecular biology and genetic engineering and appreciate the advances of biological and medical sciences. Students will be presented information through lectures and reading the textbook, etc.
2. Students will study the processes by which microorganisms function either as beneficial or harmful agents to either humans or other life forms. Students will also be presented with information about the importance of personal hygiene, proper food handling, waste treatment and disposal, water treatment, immunization, and other health-preserving practices in maintaining their personal well-being.
3. Not all information available on the internet, or in written form, or spoken, is of equal validity. Peer-reviewed journals as well as constant questioning and research remain the dependable process for evaluating the usefulness or credibility of scientific information. Students will read and discuss key scientific literature found in the textbook or from peer-reviewed journals to gain skills necessary to discern the
   credibility of sources of scientific information. Examples may include concerns about vaccinations, antibiotic resistance, dispersal of infectious agents, etc.
4. Students will be asked to report on a topic that has captured their imagination during this course which includes basic information about the topic and why it interests them so much.

Course Content

Through a combination of lecture, homework and class discussion, the course will cover the following topics: Brief History of microbiology and the scientific method; Principles of microscopy; Biological diversity of life with particular emphasis on microorganisms; Cell chemistry and metabolism; Nutrition and cultivation of microorganisms; Microbial growth and control; Environmental microbiology; Microbiology of water and wastewater; Food microbiology; Agriculture microbiology; Industrial microbiology; Public health microbiology; Microbial ecology; Infectious diseases (bacterial, fungal, protozoal, and viral diseases); Immunology; Principles of microbial genetics, molecular biology and genetic engineering; Evolution of microorganisms and speciation.

The diversity of the microbial world will be discussed. In addition, there will be discussions on how microbes affect humans in regard to age, race, other social-economic backgrounds and overall general health.