Textbook: Microbiology - Principles and Applications, 6th Ed. 2005
Author: Jacquelyn Black
Lab Manual: There is no lab manual for this class.
Write your name in your book !!!
Write your advisor's name or my name also !!!
This is a college level course. At times it will seem easy and at times very difficult. My aim in this class is to cover as much material as possible and keep you interested. There will be some material that I will pass over or leave out completely; this material will not be tested on. My underlying goal in this course is to get you thinking about microbes and the fascinating role they play in our lives. I'm hoping you'll find it as interesting as I do. Who knows, microbiology may become one of your careers!
Much of the material for this class, including this syllabus, will be available on my website. Items such as homework, lecture notes, review sheets and extra credit will be available to you whenever you need it. This work must be downloaded on your own and be in your possession when it is needed or due. Please don’t rely on downloading at Mercy 5 minutes before class. This has not worked very well in the past and has caused nightmares for the Media Center staff and the Technology Department. Failure to have lecture notes on the first day of lecture, for instance, will make more work for you. My website can be reached through Mercy’s website. Mercy’s site is “mercyhsmi.org.” To get to my site from here, click on “Curriculum” in the left column then choose “Faculty Pages”. Click on my name. To get to my site from Mercy's Intranet, click on "Teacher Sites" in the upper right
Note taking is mandatory. Reading of chapter material is required. Please ask questions if you are not sure about something we are covering. There may be test questions from the book, not covered in class (rarely.)
With reference to the text:
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- Pay attention to figures, tables and charts. |
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- Pay attention to boxes labeled “Public Health”, “Applications”, “Biotechnology”, “Close-up” and "Technology." |
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Some test questions come from these. |
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- Read all of the little yellow "factoids". Some of these will show up on tests. |
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- The chapter summary page, “Retracing Our Steps”, is a very good outline of information. |
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- “Explorations on the web” is the Author’s internet site specifically for this text. It is a great place to quiz yourself, review, |
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or just find out other interesting information related to the chapter’s topics. It is loaded with hypertext links. |
Grading: As listed in your agenda book.
There will be a test after each chapter. Tests will be composed of multiple choice, matching, short answer and essays. Tests will always be worth 100 points (except for each final, which will be worth 200 points).
Work to be handed in for this class does not have to be typed but it does have to be neat. Work that is typed really, really, really impresses me. I may even, unconsciously, grade it more favorably.
Laboratory work will be done on lab handouts or on loose leaf and handed in to be graded. Lab reports can be handed in for full credit at the beginning of class on the day they are due. Assignments turned in later than this will be marked down accordingly or not accepted. Work on labs is to be your own. Even though you will be working with a partner, your turned-in work must be your own. Copied work will receive a severely lowered grade or no credit. Questions from laboratories will also be on the chapter tests. This makes it very important that laboratory work be your own. Labs will be worth a variety of points, usually 25 to 40 points. Laboratory work will be discussed at a later time.
Homework will only be accepted at the beginning of class on the day it is due. If it is not turned in at this time, you will receive a zero. You cannot make this up! Homework will be worth a variety of points, usually 10 to 20.
It is really dumb not to do homework! You will get some credit just for doing it.
Lecture/Discussion will make up most of this class' time. You are expected to come to class ready to take notes. This means with a notebook and a pen or a pencil. Coming unprepared may mean a loss of points. Coming in on a test day without a pencil will result in loss of points on that test. If you need a pencil on test day, don' t let me know!
Since lecture will make up most of this class, your test average will make up about 65% of your grade. Laboratory work, homework, quizzes and worksheets will make up the remaining 35%. These numbers are approximate.
My grading is done on the computer so you should always know what your average is in my class. I strongly suggest that you keep tabs on your own grade as I sometimes make mistakes. Your grade will be of interest to you as the quarter progresses.
*** As you know, Mercy teachers are posting student grades on PowerSchool allowing access for you and your parents. Teachers will be updating grades constantly. This will allow you, and your parents, an opportunity to monitor your progress and will surface concerns timely enough to allow for corrective measures. To access your grades, simply go to powerschool.mhsmi.org and log in. Information about your "username" and "password" have come to you through Mercy mailings.
*** I will not discuss your grade with you during class time. If there is a question you should see me outside of class.
*** You are always welcome to look at your grades in my grade book as long as I am with you.
*** My grade book is off limits when I am not around.
*** Please do not ask for a friends grade. I will only show you your own.
Attendance: You are responsible for any work missed due to absence from class. If you miss a test, you will make up that test on the day you return to school. Any other work missed is your responsibility. Your first obligation when you return is to ask, "What did we do while I was absent?” You come to me! I won't chase you. This is what off cycle days are for.
If you skip a class, you take a zero for any work done that day. (Including tests!)
Tardiness to class is defined as arriving to class after official starting time (on my watch). Three tardies equals one skip and you get two jugs. Please don't drop off your books and leave. When I take attendance, you have to be there. Check handbook under "TRUANCY".
Chapters and Topics to be Covered
Chapter 1 Scope and History of Microbiology
Chapter 2 Fundamentals of Chemistry
Chapter 3 Microscopy and Staining
Chapter 4 Characteristics of Prokaryotic and Eucaryotic Cells
Chapter 5 Essential Concepts of Metabolism
Chapter 6 Growth and Culturing of Bacteria
** Chapter 7 Microbial Genetics
** Chapter 8 Gene Transfer and Genetic Engineering
Chapter 10 Viruses
Chapter 11 Eucaryotic Microorganisms and Parasites
Chapter 12 Sterilization and Disinfection
Chapter 13 Antimicrobial Therapy
Chapter 14 Host-Microbe Relationships and Disease Processes
Chapter 15 Epidemiology and Nosocomial Infection
Chapter 16 Nonspecific Host Defenses and Host Systems
** Chapter 17 Immunology I: Basic Principles of Specific Immunity and Immunization
** Chapter 18 Immunology II: Immunological Disorders and Tests
*** Chapter 19 Diseases of the Skin and Eyes; Wounds and Bites
*** Chapter 20 Urogenital and Sexually Transmitted Diseases
*** Chapter 21 Diseases of the Respiratory System
*** Chapter 22 Oral and Gastrointestinal Diseases
*** Chapter 23 Cardiovascular, Lymphatic, and Systemic Diseases
** Only parts of these chapters will be covered if we have time.
*** These chapters will be covered through internet research and project presentation.
My office is located in the back of room N-10. Please come to see me if you need help, just want to talk or just want to say hello. If I'm not in my office just leave me a note and I'll get back to you. My schedule is hanging in the front of room N-10 and outside both of my classroom doors if you need to set up a time to see me.
I hope you enjoy this class and learn from it. Have a good year.