Course Syllabus
Course: BIOL 2205
Division: Natural Science and Math
Department: Biology
Title: General Microbiology Laboratory
Semester Approved: Fall 2022
Five-Year Review Semester: Summer 2027
End Semester: Summer 2028
Catalog Description: The laboratory component will involve hands-on experience in microscopy, staining methods, aseptic technique, media preparation, sterilization, maintenance of cultures, microbial identification, molecular biology and enumeration methods. The lab must be taken concurrently with BIOL 2200. (Lab fee required.)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Credit/Time Requirement: Credit: 2; Lecture: 0; Lab: 4
Prerequisites: CHEM 1210 or CHEM 1110 and BIOL 1610 or BIOL 2420, or instructor
Corequisites: BIOL 2200
Justification: The course will advance the students understanding of the biology of microorganisms, and microbial and molecular genetics. The course follows the recommendations for a laboratory course of the American Society for Microbiology and will serve as a core course for microbiology majors. In addition, it will serve as a support course for other Biology and Pre-professional majors. Many pharmacy schools and Veterinary Medicine schools now require a general microbiology with a lab before students can be accepted. Clinical Laboratory Science majors also need a science major's microbiology lab course. Similar courses are taught at other USHE institutions.
Student Learning Outcomes:
Students will learn how to apply the scientific method in the collection and analysis of data and demonstrate an understanding of some scientific hypotheses and theories as explanations for natural phenomena. Short answer and essay questions, problem-solving exercises in lab reports, quizzes, and the lab final exam will offer students opportunities to display concept mastery.
Students will learn about the diversity of the microbial world, our own normal flora, and how microbes contribute to food other things around us. Students will demonstrate their awareness as to how such concepts lead to the development of solutions to these problems through essay questions, problem-solving exercises, and lab reports and quizzes.
Students will learn how to analyze data and information from lab experiments. Short answer and essay questions, written report, lab reports and quizzes and the lab final exam will offer opportunities for students to analyze the realities of gaining knowledge by experimentation.
Students will learn how to culture and manipulate microorganisms in an aseptic and safe manner. Students will demonstrate this in written reports, in lab reports, quizzes and the final lab exam.
Content:
In this course the following topics will be developed through laboratory experiments: Laboratory safety, aseptic techniques, microscopy, diversity of microorganisms, staining techniques, pure culture techniques and media preparation, enumeration of bacterial, microbial growth and control, media preparation and care of stock cultures, and tests to determine an unknown bacterium. In addition, the bacteriological examination of water and food microbiology will be examined. And finally, the microbial contribution of food and alcohol production, and genetic engineering will be addressed. 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 socio-economic backgrounds and overall general health.
Key Performance Indicators:
Lab reports (10-20%). 40 to 60%
Quizzes 20 to 30%
Written report(s) 5 to 15%
Comprehensive final exam 10 to 20%
Representative Text and/or Supplies:
Microbiological Applications: Laboratory Manual in General Microbiology. Benson. WCB/McGraw-Hill Publishers (current edition) or General Microbiology Lab Manual. Sorensen. Self-published.
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 lectures with the labs 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: 12
