Course Prerequisite:

One of the following, with minimum grade of C (or equivalent with lab): BIOL 2404 (Into to A&P), BIOL 2401 (A&P I), BIOL 2304/BIOL 2101 (Human Anatomy), or BIOL 1406 (Cellular and Molecular Biology).

Skills Requirements: Reading, writing, and mathematics proficiency as determined by the COMPASS or ASSET test, or by the statewide THEA test, or by providing an official transcript from another college.

Managing the Prerequisite Course Load:

Many ACC Health Sciences programs require BIOL 2401, BIOL 2402, and BIOL 2420 as prerequisites. Due to the rigorous nature of each of these courses, it is not recommended to take two of them in one semester. The Biology department recommends taking these courses in the following sequence in order to balance the course load:

Semester 1: BIOL 2401 – A&P I 
Semester 2: BIOL 2402 – A&P II
Semester 3: BIOL 2420 – Microbiology for the Health Sciences

TRANSFERABILITY: Biol 2420 is designed for students in ACC health science programs and may not transfer to other schools. Instead, you may need Biol 2421 Microbiology. Check with other institutions to make sure this course transfers!

Textbooks and Materials:

1. Required: Microbiology with Diseases by Body System - Modified Mastering Access, Fifth Edition by Robert W. Bauman. ISBN: 8220117005626

This course has First Day access which means that when you enrolled, you paid for access to the online textbook and additional study materials.  These materials are included in your course and will be available digitally when your course begins. To open the first day materials, you will go into the course page in Blackboard and click on “First Day Course Materials”.  You may be asked to opt-in or opt-out.  You will click on opt-in, then “Launch Courseware”.  You will select “Open My Lab and Mastering”.  If prompted read and accept the User License agreement.  You may create a Pearson account if prompted. You will go to “Go to my courses”.

2. BIOL 2420 Lab Content, available through Blackboard in the weekly lab folders. 

3. Blackboard: It's under development, but it will include course materials, including lecture and lab notes, homework assignments, homework answers, your grades, announcements, etc. will be posted on this site. The most up-to-date course information will be posted on Blackboard. Students may access Blackboard by selecting the “Blackboard Login” link on ACC’s homepage at http://www.austincc.edu/blackboard You will need to activate your ACC eID before you can log into Blackboard (see ACC’s homepage for a link).

All course materials, including lecture and lab notes, homework assignments, grades, announcements, etc. will be posted on this site. The most up-to-date course information will be posted on Blackboard. Check this site on a daily basis. Posted Blackboard announcements will also be sent out to students as an email (see ACC e-mail below).

4. All assessments (Lecture Exams and Lab Exams) will have a time limit. Each exam will be available through DE proctoring and must be completed by the posted due date on the schedule in the syllabus. REQUIREMENTS: DE Proctoring is available on Windows and Mac PCs/laptops and Chromebooks with web camera (internal or external) & microphone, and stable high-speed internet. Please note that DE proctoring is not available 24/7 and requires advanced scheduling. DE Proctoring is NOT available on iPads, tablets, or smartphones.

If you do not have the required technology or do not want to complete testing online only, contact DE Proctoring for alternative on-campus testing. You may also contact Student Technology services for computer loan programs and Wi-Fi hotspots.

Photo ID Required. Students must present a photo ID to complete exams. You may come to campus to secure a student ID if you do not have a Texas State ID.

Exams using DE Proctoring services are closed-book independent work. Assistance of any kind is not permitted. This means no notes, books, other people, electronics, or scratch paper. Please do not hide electronics or notes under your keyboard or around your desk to sneak them out during the exam. This is very easy to spot, and students will be withdrawn from the course if caught cheating.

No Breaks are permitted during test taking. Breaks and extended time are permitted only through Student Accessibility Services. Please contact your SAS advocate for more information. I readily accept all SAS-approved accommodations.

Scheduling & Guidelines

Please read the DE Testing and Proctoring Overview.

Complete this Scheduling Request form at least three days before the due date. Let me know if you have any issues scheduling an exam before the due date. You may schedule up to 3 weeks before the deadline. There are no same or next-day appointments. Schedule early to get the date/time you need.

You will receive a Student Appt Confirmation Email. The information in the email is VERY IMPORTANT. Read it immediately. DE testing requires advanced technology preparation and practice sessions. If you have never used DE proctoring, please complete a practice session.

Ensure you are in Chrome browser and log in 10 minutes before your appointment to ensure your technology works, and you make the appointment window.

There is no late admittance. If you arrive even one minute late, you will be left in the waiting room and not admitted. Log-in time is documented.

Need Assistance? Call (512) 512-223-1372. If you are unable to access your appointment, call DE proctoring immediately during your log-in window. Please capture a screenshot of the technical issue to assist with troubleshooting. Do not email the proctor personally. Only DE proctoring can assist you. If they are unable to assist you, please contact me and let me know.

DE Proctoring Hours of operation (All times are Central (CST/CDT)

Monday – Thursday: 9 am to 10:00 pm

Friday: 9 am to 4:30 pm *Note the early close time on Fridays.

Saturday: 9 am to 7 pm

Sunday: 10 am to 5:30 pm

DE Proctoring Closures. Anytime ACC is closed.

Troubleshooting Tips

Contact DE Proctoring immediately by calling (512) 512-223-1372. Please take a screenshot of the technical issue to assist with troubleshooting. If you do not get an immediate response, email me.

Proctors cannot assist with troubleshooting. Please, refrain from emailing them personally or being upset with them, they are unable to assist you.

You must use a computer with the most recent version of Chrome installed, a working camera, a microphone, and high-speed internet. You cannot complete exams using a smartphone, tablet, or iPad. If using a Mac, it requires special screen-sharing software. Follow the instructions in the confirmation email.

If you are late for the exam, even one minute late for any reason, you will receive this email with instructions— Late Student Not Admitted.

If you skip your appointment, you will receive a No-Show Student email. If you have a technical issue, call them immediately or you will receive a no-show zero.

If you leave before the proctor releases you, you will receive the Student Unexpectedly Left Testing Session email. When you leave is time-stamped. Be aware that the exam will be voided if any time passes without proctoring.

If you have technical issues during the exam you will be removed from proctoring and receive this email with instructions - Student Removed from Testing Session. If this happens, call DE directly to troubleshoot the technical issue.

Testing Center Access. If you have a technical issue, students may request to complete the test on campus at the ACC Testing Center. Bring your ID and come to any ACC campus testing center to complete your exam on time.

For student help not related to DE Proctoring. If you get locked out of your eID or ACC Gmail account and need assistance, contact the ACC Student Help Desk.

In the event of technical difficulties during an exam, you must report the issue to DE proctoring immediately by calling DE Proctoring. If you don’t get an immediate response, email them and cc me with the details. If the technical issue cannot be resolved before the due date, come to campus and complete the exam in the testing center that day. Failure to act promptly may result in the inability to submit your exam on time, leading to late penalties.

Open the following link for information on DE proctoring: https://programs.austincc.edu/acc-online/acc-online-testing/

If you choose to take the optional final lecture test, you will be required to use Respondus Monitor and Lockdown browser.  Before you are allowed to take the final lecture exam, you will have to pass a Respondus quiz that will demonstrate that you understand how to use this system.

Respondus Requirements: Windows (7,8,10), Mac (OS X 10.10 or higher), iPad (iOS 10.0+) with compatible LMS integration, web camera (internal or external) & microphone, and broadband internet connection. Instructions for how to use Lockdown Browser and Respondus Monitor are available on the ACC website. 

Open the following link for access to an instructional PDF: https://de.austincc.edu/bbsupport/students/respondus-lockdown-browser-quick-start-guide/.

Open the following link to download Respondus Monitor and Lockdown Browser for PC, Apple and iPads: https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=999134577

Open the following link to download Respondus Monitor and Lockdown Browser for Chromebooks: https://instruction.austincc.edu/students/article/installing-lockdown-browser-for-chromebook/

5. e-mail: All College e-mail communication to students will be sent solely to the student’s ACCmail account, with the expectation that such communications will be read in a timely fashion. ACC will send important information and will notify you of any college related emergencies using this account.  Students should only expect to receive email communication from their instructor using this account.  Likewise, students should use their ACCmail account when communicating with instructors and staff.  Instructions for activating an ACCmail account can be found at http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/activation-and-login-assistance

I recommend you check your ACC e-mail on a daily basis.

Instructional Methodology:  This course is taught through asynchronous lecture and lab videos that you will follow on your own using Blackboard.

If you are new to distance education to review the ACC Distance Education General Information available at https://online.austincc.edu/faq/

This is not a self-paced course.  New Blackboard folders will open every week.

This is a fully ONLINE version of BIOL 2420. 

Lecture: All course instruction, including testing, is online. Students will watch the narrated lectures located in the lecture course content in Blackboard. Lecture topics are presented with the help of PowerPoint files. Reading quizzes and homework is posted in Blackboard. Group work online will be done in Blackboard using the Wikis under the Tools

Lecture topics are presented with the help of PowerPoint slides as narrated videos that you can watch on your own time.  These slides are posted on Blackboard as a PowerPoint file that you can download. Not everything that I will say in the narrated lectures will appear written on the slides.  Some information has been purposely left out for you to fill in while you watch to the lectures.  It is important that you take notes.

You have access to additional written material by opening the PowerPoint documents and opening the notes that appear at the bottom of slides.  If you need access to a free Microsoft Office Suite that includes Word, PowerPoint and Excel go to: https://sites.austincc.edu/newsroom/2014/12/05/microsoft-office-365-offered-free-to-acc-students-employees/

Lab: All lab materials are posted on Blackboard for you to read and watch videos of lab exercises.

Lab exercises include a PowerPoint file, video (s), pictures of results and you will collect results from the pictures provided and interpret these results on your own.

STUDENT TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT

Austin Community College provides free Wi-Fi to students and employees in all campus locations. Additional details are available at https://www.austincc.edu/sts.  Follow this link on how to access the Wi-Fi: https://students.austincc.edu/help/wireless-connection-instructions/

Students who do not have the necessary technology to complete their ACC courses can request to borrow devices from Student Technology Services. Available devices include iPads, webcams, headsets, calculators, etc. Students must be registered for a credit course, Adult Education, or Continuing Education course to be eligible. For more information, including how to request a device, visit https://students.austincc.edu/student-technology-access/borrow-technology-for-the-semester/

Student Technology Services offers phone, live-chat, and email-based technical support for students and can provide support on topics such as password resets, accessing or using Blackboard, access to technology, etc. To view hours of operation and ways to request support, visit http://www.austincc.edu/sts.

Grading system: All due dates are posted in the lecture and lab schedules. 

Due to ACC policies concerning the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), instructors cannot post grades or call or e-mail students with information about their grades.

Grade Scale:  

 1000 - 895 = A, 894 – 795 = B, 794 – 695 = C, 694 – 595 = D, < 595 = F

Evaluation: Lecture points (700 points) + Lab points (300 points) = course grade

 Lecture:    

Lecture exams                                      500 (5 at 100 points each-see class schedule for dates)

Homework                                            100 (HW #1-5 are 15 points each, HW #6 is 25 points-see class schedule for due dates)

Case Studies/Group Work in Wikis         50 (see class schedule for dates- 10 points each- there is one extra so that the lowest score can be dropped)

Reading Quizzes                                   50 (posted and graded through BB) (Reading quizzes are worth 5 points each-there may be more than 10 quizzes and if there are more than 10 then only the top 10 quizzes will count towards your grade)

Laboratory: 

Lab Tests                                             80 (2 at 40 points each-see lab schedule for dates)

Virtual bacterial unknowns                     90 (Unknown #1: 20 points, Unknown #2: 70 points, see lab schedule for start and due dates)

Lab Assessments/Quizzes                     130

Total Points                                           1000

Curves/Extra Credit: Grades are NOT curved! No exam retakes are given under any circumstances. Extra credit will be provided at the discretion of the professor and it will not be listed in the schedule. 

Extra credit already included in the course:

• Orientation quiz
• Ch. 1 practice reading quiz
• Selected questions of the practice question for each lecture chapter in the First Day Material link in Blackboard that takes you to Pearson’s “My Lab and Mastering”. 
• To learn about additional extra credit opportunities the student must read their ACC e-mail and read Blackboard.

Format for “My Lab and Mastering” practice questions: These may include multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, short problems and short answer questions. See the schedule for due dates.

Determining the Final Grade: Students often have an inaccurate understanding of the point system. Consider the following example: A student has earned a total number of 880 points and think they are only 2 points away from an A. Unfortunately, they are considering the 100 points system instead of the 1000 points system (88 out of 100 instead of 880 out of 1000). This student is actually 15 points away from an A, as 895 points are needed to earn an A. Please keep this in mind when you are evaluating your grade at the end of the semester.

Posting/Discussing Grades: Grades will be posted on Blackboard as soon grading is completed. Due to ACC policies concerning the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), I cannot call or email students concerning their grades.

Lecture Exam Format: Lecture exams may include multiple choice, matching, true/false, fill in the blank, short answer and essay questions. Lecture exams 1-4 will be taken online using DE proctoring. No exam make-ups are given unless you have extenuating circumstances. You will be required to show proof of the extenuating circumstances. Please plan ahead and give yourself plenty of time to take each lecture test.  All lecture tests are created so that it should take the student 1 minute per multiple choice question, matching, true/false, fill in the blank and 3-5 minutes per short answer or essay question.  The total testing time is 75 minutes.  See the schedule for test due dates.

Lecture Test #5 is an open book test that will be available to students on 7/5/2024 in BB. It is DUE: 7/19/2024 by 11:59 PM.

You can also choose to take a comprehensive final to replace a low lecture test grade if you are a few points short of your desired grade.  The optional comprehensive final includes material from Unit 1-4 only.

Lab Test Format: All lab tests will be a fill in the blank format, short answer or multiple choice. You will have at least 1 minute to answer each question and you cannot go back to the questions again. The total testing time is 40 minutes. Lab exams will be taken online using DE proctoring. See the schedule for test due dates.

Homework format: Individual Homework/Activity Format: Homework activities are given out throughout the semester to reinforce ideas discussed in lecture.  These activities may include multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, short problems and short answer questions.  All activities will be posted in Blackboard, you will download a document that you will save with the answers at home and then upload into Blackboard.  You must save the document that you want to upload into BB by adding your name and last name to the name of the file. 

You will type your answers in that document and then upload into Blackboard.  You must save the document that you want to upload into BB by adding your name and last name to the name of the file. The only acceptable formats for these documents in BB are .pdf, .docx, .doc, .rtf, .txt and .xls.  I will not accept any form of image files of assignments as these are often unreadable.  BB cannot open any “pages” documents so if you are an Apple user make sure that you save the document in one of the accepted formats.  See the schedule for due dates. 

Case studies/group work format: Case study questions on the material may include multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, graphing and short answer questions. These are small group activities of up to 4 students per group. Group activities may include multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, short problems and short answer questions.  The case studies/group work activities will be posted in Blackboard, you will upload answers into Blackboard and will be graded in Blackboard. You will go into the BB Tools and click on Wikis where you will find your Group Wiki.  No posting after the unit assignment due dates will be accepted. To answer questions, click the "Edit Wiki Content" button and type your answer. MAKE SURE TO COLOR CODE YOUR ANSWER AND TO CONTINUE TO USE THE SAME COLOR FOR THE REST OF THE SEMESTER. Answering in a unique text color makes it easier to see everyone's answers for commenting and follow-ups.  You will not highlight your typed test, just change the color of the font.  You will not respond by creating a comment.  It is OK to agree with a previous comment or answer, but explain why.  It is also OK to disagree with the rest of the group. Click submit when you are finished and your edits will be saved and time stamped.  The point accumulation is based on: following the submission instructions above, your reasoning, completion by the deadline and if the answer was correct. See the schedule for due dates. 

Lecture Quiz Format: All lecture reading quizzes will be posted and answered in Blackboard. The lecture reading quizzes may include multiple choice, true/false, fill in the blank, short problems and short answer questions. All lecture reading quizzes are timed for 10 minutes.

These quizzes are graded after you submit the answers.  See the schedule for due dates.

Lab Quiz/Assessment Format: Students answer questions on the mateial in each unit which may include multiple choice, true/false and matching. These quizzes are due as a submission in Blackboard only. See the schedule for due dates.

Unknowns: Unknowns will be discussed in lab prior to the beginning of each project.   Organization of project and lab test selection while identifying an unknown bacterial culture will be evaluated during these projects.  These are due as submissions into Blackboard. A rubric will be provided for this work. See the schedule for due dates.

Optional Comprehensive Final Exam: A comprehensive final exam will be offered. Students must declare their intentions to take the exam, in writing by e-mail, one week prior to the final examination date. All exams are timed and will be graded in Blackboard.  See the schedule for test due date.  You will need to use Respondus Monitor and Lockdown browser to take this test.

COURSE POLICIES

Expectations & Class Participation: Regular and timely class participation in discussions and completion of work is expected of all students.  If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

Exam and grading policies

• Exams will be graded within a week from the last day to take the test.
• You will be able to see exam feedback in BB. 
• All scores will be posted on Blackboard within a week from when exams or assignments are due.  This allows you to calculate your current grade at any time and to check that my records are correct. 
• Resolve all grading questions within one week from grade post.  After one week, the score will stand.  If you dispute a graded question, you must submit to me your question and the reason that you think your answer is the best (not just right, but the best of the answer choices) in writing.

Attendance/ Participation

• Regular and timely class participation in discussions and completion of work is expected of all students.  If compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

• The student is responsible for communicating with their professor and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor.
• You should expect to spend a minimum of 3 hours outside of viewing the lectures for class if you want a grade of C. More time may be needed to achieve a higher grade. Of course, study time depends on your previous courses and experience and how you study.

Missed or Late Work

Late Work: The student is responsible for communicating with their professor and completing any assignments or other activities designated by their professor by the deadlines in the schedule.

Lecture Exams:  Students are not allowed make-up exams. No exam retakes are given unless you have extenuating circumstances.  You will be required to show proof of the extenuating circumstances. If an exam is missed without any extenuating circumstances then the student can take the comprehensive final to replace the missed exam grade. The final exam grade can be substituted for no more than one missed exam. These cannot be made up or taken past the deadline.

Case studies/Group Work: These cannot be made up.

Lab Tests: Lab tests cannot be made up. No lab exam retakes are given unless you have extenuating circumstances.  You will be required to show proof of the extenuating circumstances. If an exam is missed without any extenuating circumstances then the student can take advantage of an alternative lab test. This test will be offered at the end of the semester that will substitute for ONLY one missed lab test grade. Lab tests taken past the deadline.

Homework, Lab or Lecture Quizzes: These cannot be made up. You have up to 7 chances in the semester to submit any of these late (up to 7 days not go past the end of semester) and still get full credit.  You should not expect assignments submitted after the deadline to be graded until later in the semester. 

Unknown organism projects: These cannot be made up or turned in past the deadline.

Attendance/Withdrawal Policy:  It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that his or her name is removed from the rolls should they decide to withdraw from the class.  The instructor does, however, reserve the right to drop a student should he or she feel it is necessary.  The last day to withdraw without a W in the transcript is June 4, 2024.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date.  The Final Withdrawal Date for this semester is July 15, 2024. The student is also strongly encouraged to keep any paperwork in case a problem arises.

Students are responsible for understanding the impact that withdrawal from a course may have on their financial aid, veterans’ benefits, and international student status.  Per state law, students enrolling for the first time in Fall 2007 or later at any public Texas college or university may not withdraw (receive a “W”) from more than six courses during their undergraduate college education. Some exemptions for good cause could allow a student to withdraw from a course without having it count toward this limit. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when making decisions about course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals.

You are responsible for withdrawing yourself from the course if you don’t intend to or cannot complete the course requirements. If you forget to withdraw by the deadline, you will receive a grade of “F” on your transcript. Keep your copy of the withdrawal form. 

You should be aware of Texas law before you decide to drop:

Rule of Three: Students are charged a higher tuition rate for courses they repeat for the third or more time.  This is generally referred to as the “Rule of Three”.  Information about this rule is located at:  http://www.austincc.edu/tuition-and-financial-aid/tuition-and-fees/repeating-a-class-third-course-attempt

Six Drop Rule:  Texas Education Code Section 51.907 mandates that all students who enroll as first-time freshmen at a Texas public institution of higher education in Fall 2007 or later may not drop more than six courses during their academic career.  Information about this rule is located at:  http://www.austincc.edu/admrule/1.04.010.htm

Reinstatement: In order to be reinstated in the class, the student must have been enrolled in the course on the state reporting date, as demonstrated by the twelfth-day class roll, must have been withdrawn from the course in error, must show evidence of being capable of passing the course within the time remaining in the semester, and the instructor must have documentation that the student is eligible to be reinstated in the course. 

Incomplete Grades: An incomplete (grade of "I") will only be given for extenuating circumstances.  What constitutes “extenuating circumstances” is left to the instructor’s discretion.  If a grade of I is given, the remaining course work must be completed by a date set by the student and professor.  This date may not be later than two weeks prior to the end of the following semester.  A grade of I also requires completion and submission of the Incomplete Grade form, to be signed by the faculty member (and student if possible) and submitted to the department chair.

Students may request an Incomplete from their faculty member if they believe circumstances warrant.  The faculty member will determine whether the Incomplete is appropriate to award or not.  The following processes must be followed when awarding a student an I grade.

1.      Prior to the end of the semester in which the “I” is to be awarded, the student must meet with the instructor to determine the assignments and exams that must be completed prior to the deadline date.  This meeting can occur virtually or in person.  The instructor should complete the Report of Incomplete Grade form.

2.      The faculty member will complete the form, including all requirements to complete the course and the due date, sign (by typing in name) and then email it to the student.  The student will then complete his/her section, sign (by typing in name), and return the completed form to the faculty member to complete the agreement.  A copy of the fully completed form can then be emailed by the faculty member to the student and the department chair for each grade of Incomplete that the faculty member submits at the end of the semester.  

3.      The student must complete all remaining work by the date specified on the form above.  This date is determined by the instructor in collaboration with the student, but it may not be later than the final withdrawal deadline in the subsequent long semester. 

4.      Students will retain access to the course Blackboard page through the subsequent semester in order to submit work and complete the course. Students will be able to log on to Blackboard and have access to the course section materials, assignments, and grades from the course and semester in which the Incomplete was awarded. 

5.      When the student completes the required work by the incomplete deadline, the instructor will submit an electronic Grade Change Form to change the student’s performance grade from an “I” to the earned grade of A, B, C, D, or F.

If an Incomplete is not resolved by the deadline, the grade automatically converts to an “F.”  Approval to carry an Incomplete for longer than the following semester or session deadline is not frequently granted.”

A grade of incomplete (“I”) is rarely given and will only be considered if you have done all of the following:

• A valid reason (decided by the instructor) with written documentation

• Requested a grade of “I” in writing

• Completed all of the course work scheduled before the ACC withdrawal deadline

• Completed more than 50% of the coursework

• Have at least a 70% average for completed coursework

BIOL 2420

Summer 2024 Lecture Schedule

Please note that schedule changes may occur during the semester.  Any changes will be announced in class and posted as a Blackboard Announcement.

BIOL 2420: Introduction to Microbiology - Distance Learning Course (Valle-Rivera)

Summer 2024

Week 1               ......................... Lab Familiarization & Safety Guidelines

                          ........................................... Ubiquity of Microorganisms             

                          .............................. Introduction to the Light Microscope              

                          .......... Microscopic Examination of Freshwater Microbes             

                          ......................................................... Aseptic Transfers             

                          .................................... Streak Plate Method of Isolation             

Lab Assessment #1 Part 1 and Part 2 due Monday 6/3/2024 at 11:59 PM

Week 2               ...................................................... Colony Morphology             

                          ............................................................... Simple Stains             

                          ............................................................. Negative Stain                          ...................................................................................                           Gram Stain..................................................................                           ...................................................................................               Capsule Stain..........................................................................                           ...................................................................................               Acid-Fast Stain........................................................................                           ...................................................................................               Endospore Stain......................................................................                           ...................................................................................               Begin Morphological Unknown Project..................................

Lab Assessment #2 due Friday 6/7/2024at 11:59 PM

Week 3               ..................................................... Motility Test Medium             

                          .............................................................. Catalase Test             

                          .......................... Gram Stain of Morphological Unknown             

                          Selective and Differential Media for G- Organisms

                          ................................ Eosin Methylene Blue Agar (EMB)             

                          ............................................ Hektoen Enteric Agar (HE)             

                          ............................................... MacConkey Agar (MAC)             

                          ......................................................... Phenol Red Broth             

                          ................................. Triple Sugar Iron/Kligler Iron Agar             

Lab Assessment #3 due Friday 6/14/2024 at 11:59 PM

Week 4               ........................ Methyl Red and Voges-Proskauer Tests             

                          .................................................................. Citrate Test             

                          ................................................................ SIM Medium             

                          ............................................................... Oxidase Test             

                          ...................................... Finish Morphological Unknown

Lab Assessment #4 due Friday 6/21/2024 at 11:59 PM

Morphological Unknown Project Due Monday 6/24/2024 at 11:59 PM

Lab Test I – available from Saturday 6/22/2024 – Tuesday 6/25/2024

Week 5               .................................................... Decarboxylation Test             

                          .................................................. Nitrate Reduction Test             

                          ................................................ Urea Hydrolysis (Broth)             

                          .................................................... DNA Hydrolysis Test             

                          ................................................. Gelatin Hydrolysis Test             

                          ..................................... Phenylalanine Deaminase Test             

                          Begin Mixed Unknown Project

Lab Assessment #5 due Friday 6/28/2024 at 11:59 PM

Week 6               Selective and Differential Media for G+ Organisms

                          ............................................................................ CNA             

                          .......................................................... Bile Esculin Test             

                          ............................................................ 6.5% Salt Broth             

                          .................. Bacitracin and Optochin Susceptibility Tests             

                          ....................... Blood Agar and Novobiocin susceptibility             

                          ............................................. Mannitol Salt Agar (MSA)             

                          ............................................................ Coagulase Test             

Lab Assessment #6 due Friday 7/5/2024 at 11:59 PM

Week 7               ... Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test (Kirby-Bauer Method)             

                          ....... Chemical Germicides: Disinfectants and Antiseptics             

                          ........................ The Fungi—Common Yeasts and Molds              

                          ............................. Examination of Common Protozoans              

                          ............................................. Continue Mixed Unknown

Lab Assessment #7 due Friday 7/12/2024 at 11:59 PM

Week 8               Helminth Parasites, Nematode Parasites, Hookworms...

                          .................................................. Finish Mixed Unknown

Lab Assessment #8 d due Friday 7/19/2024 at 11:59 PM

Mixed Unknown Project Due Friday 7/19/2024 at 11:59 PM

Lab Test II – available from Thursday 7/18/2024 – Sunday 7/21/2024

Student Learning Outcomes:

Course-Level: Specific skills and competencies are expected of students who successfully complete this course, including the ability to:

• Explain microbiological processes in detail and on an appropriate level, including cell theory, metabolism, genetics, control, and interactions between humans and microbes, including the disease process and defense/immune responses
• Correctly perform microbiologic lab skills such as use of a Bunsen burner, use of the microscope, aseptic technique, streaking for isolation, establishing pure cultures, and isolation and determination of unknowns using differential stains and differential/selective media
• Display a habit of safe lab practices including aseptic technique and disposal of biohazard waste

General Education: As a Core Curriculum course, students completing this course will demonstrate competence in:

• Critical Thinking - Gathering, analyzing, synthesizing, evaluating and applying information. 
• Interpersonal Skills - Interacting collaboratively to achieve common goals.
• Quantitative and Empirical Reasoning - Applying mathematical, logical and scientific principles and methods.
• Written, Oral and Visual Communication - Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience, and medium.

Departmental Common Course Objectives: The ACC Biology Department has specified the content for this course in the departmental common course objectives. The departmental objectives are located at http://www.austincc.edu/biology/ccobjectives. 

Learning Objectives: In the BIOL 2420 lecture, students will learn to (students will be tested in all objectives):

1. Discuss the germ theory of disease and its development.

2. Discuss aseptic procedures for the preparation of media and materials for the culturing and growth of microbes.

3. Enumerate and differentiate among the different groups of organisms included for study in microbiology.

4. Discuss and distinguish between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell types.

5. Discuss energy acquisition and utilization by microbes and the function of enzymes in cellular activities.

6. Discuss microbial metabolism, including anabolic pathways and glycolytic, fermentative and respiratory catabolic pathways.

7. Discuss fundamental nucleic acid chemistry regarding the principle of complementarity, DNA replication, the genetic code, protein synthesis, metabolic regulation, and cellular reproduction.

8. Discuss microbial genetics including, but not restricted to sexual versus asexual means of reproduction, and transformation, transduction and conjugation in bacteria.

9. Discuss methods utilized in biotechnology as applied to microbes, including the role of microbes and biotechnology in industrial microbiology, the pharmaceutical and food industries, and systematic and diagnostic microbiology.

10. Discuss symbiotic relationships, including commensal, mutualistic, and parasitic relationships among hosts and microbes.

11. Discuss disease processes, the cellular structures, metabolic and genetic activities, and biological and chemical agents employed by microbes in colonizing, infecting, invading, and causing diseases in hosts.

12. Discuss the processes, both nonspecific and specific, employed by hosts in resisting the onslaught of infectious diseases.

13. Discuss the principles and methods of diagnosing diseases, identifying disease-causing agents, and tracking and enumerating diseases around the world.

14. Discuss the signs, symptoms, etiology, course, prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment for the most common infectious diseases of all organ systems of the human.

Laboratory Learning Objectives: In the microbiology laboratory, students will learn to:

1. Recognize and comply with the “Biology Laboratory Safety Policies for Students, Staff and Faculty.”

2. Recognize and comply with generally accepted rules for microbiology laboratory health and safety, clean-up, decontamination, disinfection, and disposal of hazardous materials.

3. Utilize aseptic technique for all laboratory work.

4. Satisfactorily perform aseptic transfers; streaking for isolated colonies; growth of pure cultures; identification of colony characteristics; simple and differential staining; serologic, metabolic and chemical tests for bacteria and other appropriate microorganisms.

5. Observe growth characteristics and environmental factors affecting growth of microbes.

6. Observe and differentiate among eukaryotic and prokaryotic organisms using both wet mounts of living organisms and stained smears of organisms of both cell types with light microscopy.

7. Observe and differentiate among bacterial cell types and arrangements using simple and differentially stained smears. 

8. Satisfactorily identify unknown microorganisms, using procedures learned in the course.