Faculty Syllabus
BIOL-2420 Microbiology for the Allied Health Sciences
Celeste Warnke
Credit Spring 2026
Section(s)
BIOL-2420-025 (15626)
LEC TuTh 4:30pm - 5:50pm RRC RRC3 3323.00
LAB TuTh 6:00pm - 7:20pm RRC RRC3 3320.00
Course Requirements
COURSE DESCRIPTION: An introduction to the microbial world including the basic characteristics of fungi, algae, bacteria, and viruses. Special emphasis is placed on applications to humans. Skills: G, Course Type: T
Credit Hours: 4, Classroom Contact Hours per week: 3, Laboratory Contact Hours per week: 3
COURSE PREREQUISITES: You must have completed ONE of the following with a minimum grade of C: BIOL 2404 (Intro to A&P) OR BIOL 2304/BIOL 2101 (Human Anatomy) or BIOL 2401 (A&P I) OR BIOL 1406 (Cellular & Molecular Biology). This policy is strictly enforced – no exceptions! You will be dropped from the class if you do not have the required prerequisites! I will check your online transcripts before the semester starts. If you took your course outside of ACC, I may not be able to see your transcript. If this occurs, I will contact you by email and ask for proof in the form of an official/unofficial transcript or grade report with your name. You will be withdrawn from the class if you have not provided proof by Friday of the first week of class
Readings
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
This course is designated First Day. The text assigned to this class is automatically charged with your enrollment. This feature can be opted out of for a refund, though it must be done early on in the semester! Watch this video to see how: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbblnCvGvVA
More information on First Day can be found here: https://www.austincc.edu/academic-and-career-programs/first-day-classes/
If you wish to keep the First Day text, you can use that as a reference for lecture.
That being said, all course materials for lecture and lab will be posted on Blackboard.
Blackboard: All other course materials and assignments are accessed and submitted through Blackboard
eID is required to access Blackboard: http://www.austincc.edu/acceid/
Email: Students must communicate with instructors using ACC email only: http://www.austincc.edu/accmail/
For help setting up your ACC eID, ACC Gmail, or ACC Blackboard, contact the ACC Help Desk at https://www.austincc.edu/help
Required Technology & Support Services: Students in this course must have access to a computer or iPad compatible with Respondus Monitor: Technical requirements include 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. If you do not have access to this type of computer equipment and software at home, please request this equipment through ACC resources. Technology (laptop) Request: https://www.austincc.edu/coronavirus/remote-student-support
You must be able to access course materials (lecture notes, PowerPoints, assignments, lab objectives) from Blackboard. It is often beneficial to be able to print materials. Students who do not have access to a printer can print on campus in the library, learning lab, or computer center. Color printing is not available to students on campus. For lab, you will need permanent markers (like Sharpie markers), closed-toed shoes and safety goggles/glasses.
For lab you will need safety goggles/glasses and closed-toed shoes.
Course Subjects
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Unit 1 – Introduction to Micro, Prokaryotes: Structure, Function & Classification, Bacterial Genetics, Viruses |
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Dates |
Material |
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1/20 T |
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1/22 Th |
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1/23 F |
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1/27 T |
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1/29 Th |
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2/3 T |
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2/4 W |
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2/5 Th |
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2/10 T |
Lec Ex 1: Intro Micro, Prokaryotes: Structure & Function, Prokaryotes: Classification, Bacterial |
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Unit 2 - Microbial Metabolism, Growth, & Drugs, & Control |
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Dates |
Material |
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2/12 Th |
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2/17 T |
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2/19 Th |
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2/24 T |
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2/26 Th |
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3/3 T |
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3/5 Th |
Lec Exam 2: Bacterial Metabolism, Enzyme Review, Bacterial Growth, and Antimicrobial Drugs |
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Unit 3 - The Disease Process: Interactions Between Microbe & Host |
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Dates |
Material |
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3/10 T |
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3/12 Th |
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3/16-3/22 |
Spring Break Holiday – No Class |
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3/24 T |
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3/26 Th |
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3/31 T |
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Unit 4 - Bacterial & Viral Diseases of Humans |
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Dates |
Material |
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4/2 Th |
Lec Ex. 3: Epidemiology, Nonspecific & Specific Defenses, and Vaccines [Mechanisms of Pathogenicity and Diagnostic Testing chapters will not be covered on this exam] |
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4/7 T |
Quiz: Diagnostic Testing due by start of class In-class practice case studies |
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4/9 Th |
In-class practice case studies |
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4/14 T |
In-class practice case studies |
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4/16 Th |
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4/21 T |
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4/23 Th |
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4/27 M |
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4/28 T |
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4/30 Th |
Lec Exam 4 Case Study Exam – over bacterial & viral diseases
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Unit 5 - Parasitic Eukaryotic Organisms: Protistans, Fungi, & Helminths |
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Dates |
Material |
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5/5 T |
Lec: Eukaryotes (Helminths, Protista, Fungi) |
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5/7 Th |
Lec: Eukaryotes (Helminths, Protista, Fungi) |
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5/12 T |
Lec: Eukaryotes (Helminths, Protista, Fungi) |
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5/14 Th |
Protista, Fungi, Helminths Quizzes taken online with Respondus Monitor/Lockdown Browser |
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DATES |
LAB EXERCISE & TOPICS |
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1/20 T |
Introduction, Safety Training & Video, How to light a Bunsen burner In-class Safety Training must be completed in the first week of class Ubiquity |
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1/22 Th |
Aseptic Transfers, Colony Morphology In-class Safety Training must be completed in the first week of class |
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1/23 F |
Micro Lab Safety Quiz due by Friday, 1/23 at 5:00pm – don’t take quiz until you’ve been trained! |
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1/27 T |
Streak Plating Anaerobic Jars Fluid Thioglycolate Broth Colony Morphology cont. |
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1/29 Th |
Introduction to Microscope, Eukaryotic Wet Mounts |
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2/3 T |
Simple Stains Negative Stain |
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2/5 Th |
Gram Stain Catalase Test Motility Test Begin Unknown #1 |
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2/10 T |
Lab Practical 1 Gram Stain cont. Continue working on Unknown #1 |
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2/12 Th |
Acid-fast Stain Continue working on Unknown #1 |
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2/17 T |
Capsule Stain Endospore Stain Continue working on Unknown #1 |
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2/19 Th |
Unknown Due at Beginning of Lab! Phenol Red Broth Gelatin Hydrolysis Test |
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2/24 T |
Read results from Previous Lab and Review for Lab Practical 2 |
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2/26 Th |
Lab Practical 2 Selective and differential Media for G- Methyl Red and Vogues-Proskauer Citrate Test SIM (Sulfur, Indole, Motility) |
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3/3 T
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Read results from Previous Lab Nitrate Reduction Decarboxylation DNA Hydrolysis |
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3/5 Th |
Read results from Previous Lab Urea Broth TSI (Triple Sugar Iron)/Kligler Iron Agar Phenylalanine Deaminase Test |
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3/10 T |
Read results from Previous Lab and Review for Lab Practical 3 |
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3/12 Th |
Lab Practical 3 |
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3/16-3/22 |
Spring Break Holiday – No Class |
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3/24 T |
Selective and differential Media for G- EMB (Eosin Methylene Blue) HE (Hektoen Enteric Agar) MAC (MacConkey Agar) Oxidase test |
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3/26 Th |
Selective and differential Media for G+ Novobiosin Sensitivity/Susceptibility MSA (Mannitol Salt Agar) Coagulase Demo |
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3/31 T |
(BEA) Bile Esculin Agar Blood Agar Columbia CNA with 5% Sheep blood 6.5% NaCl |
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4/2 Th |
Kirby Bauer Test Chemical Germicides |
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4/7 T |
Begin Unknown #2 Review for Lab Practical 4 |
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4/9 Th |
Lab Practical 4 |
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4/14 T |
Continue Unknown |
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4/16 Th |
Continue Unknown |
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4/21 T |
Common Fungi Continue Unknown |
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4/23 Th |
Common Protozoans Continue Unknown |
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4/27 M |
Last day to withdraw from 16-wk classes and receive a “W” is 4/28 |
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4/28 T |
Helminths, Nematodes, Hookworms Continue Unknown |
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4/30 Th |
Helminths, Nematodes, Hookworms cont. Continue Unknown Review for Lab Practical 5 |
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5/5 T |
Unknown Due at Beginning of Lab! Review for Lab Practical 5 |
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5/7 Th |
Lab Practical 5 |
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5/12 T |
Last day to collect your lab safety glasses/goggles! |
Student Learning Outcomes/Learning Objectives
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Course-Level: Specific skills/competencies are expected of students who successfully complete this course, including:
- 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/Visual Communication – Communicating effectively, adapting to purpose, structure, audience, & medium
Office Hours
M 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM RRC 3341
NOTEPublished: 01/17/2026 09:13:37