Course Syllabus

Course: BIOL 2065

Division: Natural Science and Math
Department: Biology
Title: Introductory Microbiology Laboratory

Semester Approved: Fall 2022
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2027
End Semester: Summer 2028

Catalog Description: The laboratory component allows for student application of microbiological principles with an emphasis on investigative learning and collaboration. It must be taken concurrently with BIOL 2060. (Lab fee required)

General Education Requirements: Life Science Lab (LB)
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 1; Lecture: 0; Lab: 2

Corequisites: The laboratory BIOL 2065 must be taken concurrently with the lecture BIOL 2060.


Justification: The Introductory Microbiology Lab satisfies the science laboratory GE requirement for Snow College, nursing, and other health science prerequisites. Some majors at the four-year colleges and universities require the laboratory component.

General Education Outcomes:
1: A student who completes the GE curriculum has a fundamental knowledge of human cultures and the natural world. Students are required to complete lab exercises that teach them about the world of microbes. Lab experiences are designed to allow students hands-on and practical application of techniques and subjects discussed in the concurrent class (BIOL 2060). Students also explore experientially the ubiquity of microbes in the world as well as some common techniques to control the growth of microbes. Students will be assessed through completing written lab assignments, quizzes, and tests.

2: A student who completes the GE curriculum can read and research effectively within disciplines. Students must read and follow prepared laboratory exercises that teach proper techniques for growing, staining, viewing, and identifying microbes. Assignments include questions that require information gathered from sources such as the textbook and the internet, etc. Students will be assessed through completing written lab assignments, quizzes, and tests.

3: A student who completes the GE curriculum can draw from multiple disciplines to address complex problems. Through a series of labs, students will combine multiple disciplines and use the scientific method to generate and analyze data and prepare lab reports. Students will be assessed through completing written lab assignments, quizzes, and tests.

4: A student who completes the GE curriculum can reason analytically, critically, and creatively. As students complete the labs, they will be asked to analyze and solve problems that are close to real life settings. Students will be assessed through completing written lab assignments, quizzes, and tests.

General Education Knowledge Area Outcomes:
1: Students will complete a number of experiments throughout the semester. Results of experiments will be observed, recorded and interpreted. As students complete laboratory reports, set up experiments, collect data, complete quizzes, participate in lab discussions, and complete the final exam, they will gain a deeper understanding of applicable microbiological processes. Students will be assessed through completing written lab assignments, quizzes, and tests. Students will complete a number of experiments throughout the semester. Results of experiments will be observed, recorded and interpreted. As students complete laboratory reports, set up experiments, collect data, complete quizzes, participate in lab discussions, and complete the final exam, they will gain a deeper understanding of applicable microbiological processes. Students will be assessed through completing written lab assignments, quizzes, and tests.


Content:
Through laboratory experiments, the course will reinforce topics discussed in lecture course. The lab will focus specifically on: laboratory safety; the use and care of the compound light microscope; distribution of bacteria; microbial diversity: an investigation of the properties of bacteria, fungi, protists, and algae; staining of bacterial cells using simple, Gram, acid fast, negative, and spore stains; growth and cultivation of bacteria using routine, selective, and differential media; control of microbial growth using antibiotics, antiseptics, disinfectants, and radiation; transformation of bacteria with plasmid DNA; principles of diagnostic microbiology with an emphasis of the normal flora of the human body; enumeration of microorganisms in water, waste water, and milk samples; enumeration of microorganisms in soils.

In connection with the corequisite lecture BIOL 2060, 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.

Key Performance Indicators:
lab reports 40 to 55%

quizzes 15 to 25%

midterm exams 10 to 25%

comprehensive final exam 10 to 20%


Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Blauer C, Sorensen K, Papenfuss J, Parnell G and Breakwell. Current edition. Biology 2065 Laboratory Manual.


Pedagogy Statement:
Many teaching methods will be used to encourage students to be involved when possible. These will include, but not be limited to: traditional lecture with feedback questions, flipping some parts of the class where possible, encouraging group work and study groups outside of class, and aligning the labs with the lectures so cohorts of students can work together as much as possible. Instructors will work to become aware of the unique experiences of all students from diverse backgrounds by creating a positive classroom environment through attitude, expectations, behavior, and learning students' names/backgrounds/identities.

Instructional Mediums:
Lab

Maximum Class Size: 24
Optimum Class Size: 24