This course covers basic microbiology and immunology and is primarily directed at pre-nursing, pre-allied health, and non-science majors. It provides an introduction to historical concepts of the nature of microorganisms, microbial diversity, the importance of microorganisms and acellular agents in the biosphere, and their roles in human and animal diseases. Major topics include bacterial structure as well as growth, physiology, genetics, and biochemistry of microorganisms. Emphasis is on medical microbiology, infectious diseases, and public health. Laboratory exercises involve basics of culture and identification of bacteria and microbial ecology. This course includes both lecture and laboratory components in an integrated format.
Course Learning Objectives
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Describe distinctive characteristics and diverse growth requirements of prokaryotic organisms compared to eukaryotic organisms.
- Provide examples of the impact of microorganisms on agriculture, environment, ecosystem, energy, and human health, including biofilms.
- Distinguish between mechanisms of physical and chemical agents to control microbial populations.
- Explain the unique characteristics of bacterial metabolism and bacterial genetics.
- Describe evidence for the evolution of cells, organelles, and major metabolic pathways from early prokaryotes and how phylogenetic trees reflect evolutionary relationships.
- Compare characteristics and replication of acellular infectious agents (viruses and prions) with characteristics and reproduction of cellular infectious agents (prokaryotes and eukaryotes).
- Describe functions of host defenses and the immune system in combating infectious diseases and explain how immunizations protect against specific diseases.
- Use and comply with laboratory safety rules, procedures, and universal precautions.
- Demonstrate proficient use of a compound light microscope.
- Describe and prepare widely used stains and wet mounts, and discuss their significance in identification of microorganisms.
- Perform basic microbiology procedures using aseptic techniques for transfer, isolation and observation of commonly encountered, clinically significant bacteria.
- Use different types of bacterial culture media to grow, isolate, and identify microorganisms.
- Perform basic bacterial identification procedures using biochemical tests.
- Estimate the number of microorganisms in a sample using methods such as direct counts, viable plate counts, or spectrophotometric measurements.
- Demonstrate basic identification protocols based on microscopic morphology of some common fungi and parasites.
Lab Fee
$24
Required Textbooks
Cowan, Marjorie Kelly; Microbiology Fundamen Clinical Approach, 4th edition, McGraw-Hill, 2021
Online Tutorial: McGraw-Hill Connect / LearnSmart™ (access code required – includes e-book version of the required textbook)
Evaluation Standards
The final course grade will be based on the following criteria:
- Performance on incremental exams covering specified lecture topics, and a comprehensive final exam covering all topics included in the lecture component of the course. (60%)
- Performance on online tutorial assignments. (10%)
- Performance of hands-on laboratory exercises and completion of post-lab quizzes. (10%)
- Performance on laboratory exams covering specified lab topics. (10%)
- Completion of a research project, group project, or other special assignment related to a specific infectious disease. (5%)
- Identification of an unknown bacterial sample using lab tests and procedures previously learned during various lab exercises. (5%)
A = 90 – 100%
B = 80 – 89%
C = 70 – 79%
D = 60 – 69%
F = 0 – 59%
Required Institutional Core Learning Outcomes
Communication (COM), Critical Thinking (CT), Empirical and Quantitative Reasoning (EQR), and Teamwork (TW)
Disabilities
ADA Statement:
Any student with a documented disability (e.g. learning, psychiatric, vision, hearing, etc.) may contact the Office on the Weatherford College Weatherford Campus to request reasonable accommodations. Phone: 817-598-6350 Office Location: Office Number 118 in the Student Services Building, upper floor. Physical Address: Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive Weatherford, TX.
Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is fundamental to the educational mission of Weatherford College, and the College expects its students to maintain high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Academic dishonesty of any kind will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on an examination or other academic work, plagiarism, collusion, and the abuse of resource materials including unauthorized use of Generative AI. Departments may adopt discipline specific guidelines on Generative AI usage approved by the instructional dean. Any student who is demonstrated to have engaged in any of these activities will be subject to immediate disciplinary action in accordance with institutional procedures.
Hope Statement
Any student who faces challenges securing basic resources such as food, clothing, or housing and believes this may affect their performance in their course of study is urged to contact the Director of Student Resources, Dr. Deborah Cregger, for support at (817) 598-6444. Her office is on the first floor of Student Services. If the student prefers, they may contact their instructor, who can reach out on their behalf. Weatherford College also provides the Coyote Pantry. The Pantry maintains boxed and canned foods for students in need. The location of the Coyote Pantry is two blocks west of the Weatherford campus at the Baptist Student Ministry (118 E. Park Ave., Weatherford). Pantry hours are Mon-Thurs. 8:30 am-4:30 pm and Fri. 8.30 am-12:00 pm (817-599-6586).
Revised
Fall 2021
Last Modified
Friday, August 27, 2021, 8:25 AM