Faculty Syllabus

• Campus: RRC
• Lecture: Room #3323 T/TH, 1:30-2:50am
• Lab: Room #3320 TTH, 3:00pm-4:20pm
• Section number: 018
• Synonym number: 15623

Instructor Contact Information

• Pejmon Afshar, Associate Professor of Biology
• Email: pafsharg@austincc.edu, Office Phone: 512-223-0319
• Office Hours: In person during the following hours. If you're unable to attend in person, we can also meet via Zoom. For Zoom meetings, please email me in advance to confirm your 1:1 appointment.
  • • Tuesday and Thursday: 9:00-10:30am
    • Wednesday: 9:00-10:30am

• Office location: I’ll be available at RRC office, #3333, during the above-mentioned hours. Other times by appointment only.  

Biology Department Contact Information

Course Description:

Credit hours: 4

An introduction to the microbial world including the basic characteristics of fungi, algae, bacteria, and viruses. Special emphasis is placed on applications to humans. This course will not count as credit toward the Associate of Science degree in 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.

Course Prerequisite:

One of the following, with minimum grade of C (or equivalent with lab):

BIOL 2404 (Intro to A&P), BIOL 2401 (A&P I), BIOL 2304/BIOL 2101 (Human Anatomy), or BIOL 1406

(Cellular and Molecular Biology).                                                        

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

Course Rationale:

This course provides a survey of microorganisms, their environments, and their interactions with multicellular organisms, especially humans, and it concentrates on the microbes that are pathogenic to humans. The goal of Introduction to Microbiology is to adequately prepare students for the health science programs at ACC.

Transferability: This course (BIOL-2420) is designed for students in ACC Health Science programs and it may not transfer to other schools. Instead, you may need to take BIOL-2421. Check with other institutions to make sure this course transfers!

Student Learning Outcomes & General Education competencies

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.

Instructional Methodology: 

Lecture:

All lectures will take place in the lecture room. You may wish to download or print material that has been placed onto your blackboard course. A PowerPoint presentation is posted on blackboard for each chapter. Lecture review questions/Lecture outlines are also provided on blackboard for each topic.

Lab:

• All labs will take place in the lab room
• Lab Outlines/Worksheets: Pejmon Afshar [Posted on Blackboard]
• Students are required to have the following lab manual
  • • Title: Microbiology: Laboratory Theory and Application, 5e, Custom for Austin Community College
    • ISBN: 9781834030562
  • For some experiments, PowerPoints/narrated slides will be provided for further clarification on the subject(s)
• Read over lab activities outlined in lab schedule prior to each lab. Complete and submit pre-lab activities prior to the start of each lab. Pre-lab activities include:
  • Read the lab contents in TopHat using the outline provided for each lab.
  • Answer the embedded questions in TopHat.
  • Summarize the procedure in either a flowchart or bullet-point format.
• For certain lab experiments, post-lab activities will be completed during the scheduled lab period. For others, you will be required to complete them outside of lab hours. Specific instructions will be provided for each experiment. Always ensure you bring your lab materials to every session!                                           

Note:

Students are expected to attend lecture and lab sessions to progress satisfactorily toward completion of course objectives.  The student is responsible for all materials, activities, assignments, or announcements covered in class and posted on blackboard. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class. If you miss more than three lecture or lab periods during the semester or 2 consecutive lecture or lab periods, you will be asked to withdraw from the course.  If you do not withdraw from the class, you will receive a failing grade for the course at the end of the semester.

TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT SERVICES

Austin Community College provides free, secure drive-up WiFi to students and employees in the parking lots of all campus locations. WiFi can be accessed seven days a week, 7 am to 11 pm. Additional details are available at https://www.austincc.edu/sts.

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 http://www.austincc.edu/sts.

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.

Open Lab Policies:

There are no open labs scheduled for Spring 2026

Open lab is not required in microbiology as in the Human Anatomy course. It is available if you need to check on culture, look at slides under the microscope, etc.

Exam Format:

Lecture exams will be on campus (Room # 3323)

Units I, II, III and IV: Exams may be a combination of the Multiple choice, Matching, Short Answer, Fill-In-The-Blank, Diagrams and Essay type.  More details will be provided prior to each exam.

Note:

• Unit V exam format is all Multiple-choice questions.

Lab: 

Lab practical exams will be on campus (Room # 3320)

All Lab practical exams may be a combination of fill in the blank, multiple choice, short answer, matching or diagrams.

Note:

• No lecture exam/practical retakes are given under any circumstances. 
• All lecture exams/practical exams are timed.
  • All lecture tests have a time limit of 1 minute per multiple choice question, matching, true/false, fill in the blank and 3-5 minutes per short answer and 10-15 minutes for essay questions.
  • All Lab practical exams have a time limit of 1 minute per fill in the blank, multiple choice, short answer matching or diagrams.

Lab:

Laboratory is an important and integral part of your education in microbiology. During laboratory, you will learn microbiological techniques, collect data, and apply these techniques and data collection procedures to identify unknowns and design experiments. Some techniques are unique to microbiology, as staining procedures and microscopic techniques. However, most of the techniques are useful throughout biology and in biotechnology. 

Laboratory exercises are done to solidify an understanding of the lecture topics. You are responsible for reading the lab exercises ahead of time to help you understand the practical importance of the exercises.

Laboratory grading is done in many small parts. There are three grading categories:

1. Laboratory grading is done in many small parts. There are three grading categories:

    

2. Pre-lab activities: To ensure the understanding of objectives for each module and preparedness for the scheduled experiments. Late submissions will not receive credit.
3. Post-lab activities: To ensure the understanding of objectives for each lab and preparedness for the lab practical exams.
   1. For certain lab experiments, post-lab activities will be completed during the scheduled lab period. For others, you will be required to complete them outside of lab hours. Specific instructions will be provided for each experiment.
   2. If you are absent, you will not receive credit.
   3. Always ensure you bring your lab materials to every session!
4. Lab Practical exams which are used to assess your mastery of the materials presented in lab sessions. Lab Practical exams cannot be made up. 

If you miss a practical, you will receive a “0” for that practical.  Each practical will cover the material according to the syllabus.  Further details will be outlined during the laboratory prior to each practical. 

Lab practical exams may be a combination of fill in the blank, multiple choice, matching or diagrams. You will have 1 minute to answer each question.

Unknown Project(s) which are used to assess your application of knowledge acquired through materials presented and activities performed in lab.  “Unknowns” will be discussed prior to the beginning of each project.  These projects will require a formal lab report.

1. Course Schedule:  See lecture and lab schedules.

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

Exam dates:

Refer to Lecture/Lab schedule for the exam dates.

Missed or Late Work:

• No late works are accepted.

• Expected completion dates for all activities and assessments are listed on the course schedule and calendar.

Make-up examinations:

Except under extreme circumstances, there will be NO make-up exams due to the nature of the evaluation process.  The instructor reserves the right to grant make-up in certain extreme circumstances.  The students are required to contact me as soon as possible after missing an exam.  The exam will consist of all essay questions covering the required material and will be set at the convenience of the instructor. I may use ACC’s testing center for the make-up exams.

Late submissions (via blackboard):

Please refer to the course schedule and blackboard for due dates. Submission(s) after the relevant deadline(s) are NOT accepted. Submissions via email are NOT accepted.

Evaluation:

Note the followings:

• Discussion forums: There will be a total of 5 discussion forums available for this session.

[Refer to BlackboardàDiscussion Board for instructions]

Case studies: There will be a total of 5 case studies for this session.

[Refer to Blackboardà Assignment folder for instructions]

• Lecture quizzes may be given during class periods, while some may be provided on Blackboard. Please note that if you miss a class quiz, no makeup will be offered
• Lecture Review Sheets/Worksheets: Students may complete any of the lecture review sheets/worksheets to receive some bonus points. Each review sheet/worksheet is worth 1 point. No credit will be awarded for partially completed review sheets.

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-point system instead of the 1000-point system (88 out of 100 instead of 880 out of 1000). This student is 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.

Optional Comprehensive Final Exam (Units 1-5):

You can also choose to take the comprehensive final to replace a low lecture test grade if you are a few points short of your desired grade. Students must declare their intention to take the exam, in writing by e-mail, 48 hours prior to the final examination date.

Note: If the zero grade was due to an academic integrity violation, the comprehensive exam will not replace it.

COURSE POLICIES

Attendance/Class Participation
Attendance is taken for each lecture and lab session. If attendance or compliance with other course policies is unsatisfactory, the instructor may withdraw students from the class.

I expect you to be prepared for each lecture and lab class and to participate in all class activities. You should expect to spend at least 3-4 hours outside of class for every hour spent in class to pass the course. This means 18 to 24 hours a week just to pass the course. Most students need more.

Withdrawals: 

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.  If a student decides to withdraw, he or she should also verify that the withdrawal is recorded before the Final Withdrawal Date. 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.

• Please refer to the following link:

https://offices.austincc.edu/admissions-and-enrollment/attendance-certification-requirements-grade-submission-deadlines/

Student-initiated withdrawal:

• 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, you may receive a grade of "F" on your transcript.
• Keep your copy of the withdrawal form!

Instructor-initiated withdrawal:

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.

Reinstatement: 

If you withdraw from my class for any reason, you will not be reinstated.  If I withdraw you from my class for any reason you will not be reinstated.

Incompletes: 

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.”

Course outline/Calendar

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

Academic Integrity

All online exams must be treated the same way as in-person exams conducted in classrooms or testing centers. During exams, you may not wear headphones or smartwatches, and you must clear your desk of all external materials not permitted—books, papers, notes, and other devices.

Actions constituting scholastic dishonesty include, but are not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, falsifying documents, sharing exam questions, and posting questions online. Plagiarism is defined as using the words and ideas of another writer without acknowledging the source. It can take many forms, including the failure to include the necessary in-text citation, failure to place quotation marks around direct or modified content from another source, or having another person write the essay for the student. Avoid using quotations unless absolutely necessary. You’ll learn best when you write in your own words. In this course, APA format is required. Refer to this link to learn more about it.

It is of utmost importance for students to understand that in academic and professional life, plagiarism of any kind is absolutely unacceptable. Therefore, acts of plagiarism, whether major or minor, may have serious repercussions, including a failing grade, expulsion from the class, and/or disciplinary action by the College.

Students may use AI, such as ChatGPT, to help study, research, and prepare for exams. However, students may not submit AI-generated content as their own. All work submitted, including assignment answers and lab reports, must be written in your own words. Read ACC's academic policy carefully.

College Policies

Refer to the link on blackboard and/or below:

https://offices.austincc.edu/institutional-effectiveness-and-grant-development/master-syllabi-college-policies/

Lecture:

• Optional
• It is okay for students to use a comparable biology book or an earlier edition of the text.
• Microbiology with Diseases by Body System, by Bauman, Robert (Digital or Hard Copy)

Laboratory: 

• Required!
• Title: Microbiology: Laboratory Theory and Application, 5e, Custom for Austin Community College
• ISBN: 9781834030562
• Other Materials (lab): Safety glasses and sharpie

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://sites.austincc.edu/biology/common-course-objectives/

IN THE BIO 2420 LECTURE, students will learn to:

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

2. Discuss the cell theory and its development.

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

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

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

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

activities.

7. Discuss microbial metabolism, including anabolic pathways and glycolytic, fermentative and

respiratory catabolic pathways.

8. Discuss fundamental nucleic acid chemistry regarding the principle of complementarity, DNA

replication, the genetic code, protein synthesis, metabolic regulation, and cellular reproduction.

9. Discuss microbial genetics including, but not restricted to sexual versus asexual means of

reproduction, and transformation, transduction and conjugation in bacteria.

10. 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.

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

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

13. Discuss immunology, including the following: (Note: This is now an optional topic in Biol

2402 A&PII, so 2420 common course objectives must be strictly followed.)

a. Describe the types and functions of immune cells, including lymphocytes, phagocytes (neutrophils, macrophages), natural killer cells, mast cells, and antigen presenting cells (dendritic cells, macrophages).

b. Describe the roles, origin, maturation and migration of B and T lymphocytes.

c. Compare the innate (nonspecific) and adaptive (specific) immune mechanisms.

d. Describe the innate mechanisms:

1. inflammation
2. interferon
3. the complement system
4. external defenses (physical and chemical barriers)

e. Describe the adaptive immune mechanisms:

1. antibody-mediated response
2. primary and secondary responses
3. cell mediated response

f. Compare active and passive immunity

g. Explain how the immune system develops tolerance.

h. Describe the genetic basis for class I and class II self-antigens (MHC molecules) and their role in the immune response.

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

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

IN THE BIO 2420 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.