Are prerequisites required for this course? Yes! A&P I or Cell biology (BIOL1406) is required and strictly enforced. 

The syllabus states I need at least 15 hours weekly to complete course assignments. This is way beyond the expectation of any other class I've taken. How do you come up with this number? This may seem a significant commitment if you've never taken an accelerated second-level science course with a lab before. This course has two separate credits - a 3 LEH micro lecture credit and a 1 LEH micro lab credit. At most colleges, these are taught as separate courses. Additionally, online courses require the same contact hours as on-campus courses. Everything is the same - the same material, outcomes, hours, and rigor. Lastly, this is an accelerated course; each week, we complete two weeks of a regular 16-week semester. Here's the estimated breakdown of the commitment to this course.

• 3 hours a week for lecture activities (if this were on-campus, this would be 2x1.5hr lectures) for 16-week semester 
• 3 hours a week for lab activities (if this were on-campus, this would be 2x 1.5hr labs) for 16-week semester 
• An additional 2-3 hours a week of out-of-class assignments for each LEH x 4 LEH = 8-12 hours  
• Grand total = 15-18 hours a week

Does this class meet synchronously (in person or virtually)? No. There are no synchronous class meetings for this course. All course activities, outcomes, and assignments are posted and submitted asynchronously through Blackboard. However, the course is not self-paced; there are multiple weekly weekday assignment deadlines.

Are there recorded lectures available? Yes. In each folder, there is a personal module kick-off announcement. The purpose is to give you instructions and tips on completing the assignments. Additionally, recorded lectures from the course textbook are posted inside each module folder. Short topic-driven videos in each folder dial into specific challenging topics. 

How are the labs performed? All labs in this course are virtual animation labs. Students do not have access to on-campus labs. 

Can I use an iPad instead of a computer? Unfortunately, no. Students need a computer with a camera, a microphone, and high-speed, stable internet to access course exams, virtual labs, and other assignments. 

Is there anything I need to purchase for this course? No. This is a first-day course; all course materials are included in the tuition. 

What happens if I go out of town on vacation, work, or for a personal emergency (death in the family)? All course materials are available on Blackboard ahead of time. If you realize you will be out of town when an assignment is due, complete the work in advance. 

What can I do if I miss an assignment deadline? Assignments are not accepted late. However, one lab makeup and one exam makeup are offered at the end of the semester and can be used to replace a missed assignment. 

What if I have questions about an assignment? I am readily available by appointment if you have questions about an assignment, before or after it is graded. 

How can I request an incomplete? If you have a sudden and unexpected emergency near the end of the semester, you may request an incomplete if you have completed 70% of the course and have a 70% score. Incomplete requests may have unintended consequences. Incomplete grades are not resolved until the end of the following semester. Please remember this if you need this course for the following semester. Email me, and I'll gladly walk you through the process. 

Lecture & Lab Activities. (No points associated with this task.) Each module has a variety of activities, including a reading assignment, case studies, practice quizzes, videos and animations, and recorded lectures. These activities replace on-campus lectures, taking approximately 3-6 hours per module, about 12 hours weekly. 

Lab Report. (160 points; 8x20pts each). Each lab has a reading assignment, demonstration videos, 3-8 short virtual labs, and a capstone lab report analysis. Students who skip virtual labs will not receive lab report points. The lab report quiz format is multiple-choice, matching, identifying, and data analysis. Collaboration is expected and strongly encouraged. Students should expect to spend approximately 1-2 hours reading and watching demonstration videos, 1-2 hours performing virtual labs, and 4-6 hours completing lab reports. The top 8 of 9 labs are included in the final grade.

Collaborative Presentation. (50 points). Students will work in groups to complete a research presentation on a microbial topic related to their future careers. Students should expect to spend approximately 18 hours completing this presentation and cannot work independently. 

Case Study Report. (40 points). In Unit 4, students will complete an unknown case study and write a case study report. The format for this assessment includes multiple-choice, identification, matching, and case study analysis. 

Unit Exams. (750 points; 250 pts each). Students will complete three closed-book Unit Exams using ACC’s DE live proctoring services, with high-speed internet and an up-to-date and reliable computer. Each exam will include lecture (80%) and lab (20%) questions. The format comprises approximately 40 T/F, multiple-choice, matching, identification, and 2-3 written questions. Exams are cumulative. Students should spend at least 20 hours studying for the exams. One optional comprehensive final exam can replace a lower unit exam grade. Details on Blackboard.

Grade Summary. A letter grade is awarded as follows. Grades are not curved or rounded up.

Assignment Summary

Table 1: Schedule: Although I do my best to adhere to the published schedule, unavoidable changes may occur and will be announced on Blackboard. This course is not self-paced. Students may not work more than a few weeks ahead or work behind schedule. 

Course Subjects. The course subjects are outlined in the above reading assignment schedule and detailed in the BIOL2420 Common Course Objectives.

1. Introduction to Microbiology & Prerequisite Review
2. Tools of the Microbiology Laboratory
3. Microorganisms: Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes (Fungi, Protists & Helminth) & Microorganisms: Acellular infectious particles
4. Microbial Growth
5. Microbial Metabolism 
6. Microbial Genetics 
7. Microbial Control & Chemotherapy
8. Immune Response 
9. Epidemiology & Clinical Diagnostics
10. Infectious diseases - Prokaryotes, Eukaryotes, and Acellular pathogens (Infectious Diseases Case Studies)

Expected Communication. Students can expect the following:

• I will always be courteous, treat students with dignity and respect, and expect the same.
•  I will post multiple weekly reminders and highlight relevant topics.
•  Weekly office hours are posted, and appointments are available upon request.
• Instructors and students must read and return emails within 48 business hours. 
• Please do not expect email responses at night, on weekends, or when ACC is closed.

Grading Policy. All assessments are graded, and feedback is provided within one week of the due date. Students are encouraged to schedule an appointment if they have questions or concerns about grades. I cannot discuss grades or provide feedback by email.

Attendance and Class Participation. Although this is an online-only course, weekly active participation and collaboration are required to remain enrolled. Students must log in, complete virtual lecture activities and labs, reply to emails from the instructor and classmates, work on a group project, and submit weekly assignments to meet the Texas State attendance requirements for an online-only course. Students who stop participating may be withdrawn or receive an F grade. 

Late and Missed Assignment Policy. Lab reports, case studies, and collaborative course assignments are due on time and are not accepted late. Please work ahead on assignments so emergencies will not impact your assignment submissions. Your privacy is important to me. Please do not email me personal and private information to gain an exception to this policy. Instead, one low lab report grade is dropped, and students may complete an optional makeup lab report. Additionally, one optional comprehensive exam can replace a lower unit exam. 

Missed Exams. Exams must be scheduled through DE Proctoring a week ahead and completed before the published deadline. There are no same-day or next-day appointments - this is ACC’s policy, not mine. DE proctoring prohibits weekend exam deadlines. Exam extensions may be provided for one-time, unexpected, and unusual emergencies. You do not need to provide documentation or details; just let me know before the due date, and I will help you reschedule. One optional comprehensive makeup exam is offered in the last week of the semester, which can replace any lower unit exam grade. Students must complete exams to remain enrolled in the course. 

Withdrawal Policy. Students are responsible for their own withdrawal. However, the instructor reserves the right to remove a student if necessary. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with an advisor when deciding on course selection, course loads, and course withdrawals. Students may be withdrawn for violating ACC policy, lacking prerequisites, not logging into Blackboard or completing weekly assignments, not collaborating, missing an exam, or missing two or more labs. Withdrawal dates are posted on the academic calendar.

Reinstatement Procedures.  Students who believe they were withdrawn due to a system error or misunderstanding should email the instructor immediately. Students withdrawn from the course by the instructor for not making academic progress are rarely reinstated. However, a student may appeal a withdrawal by email to the instructor within five business days. The instructor must respond within five business days. The student may appeal the instructor’s decision within five business days to the department chair and then to the instructional Dean, whose decision is final. Reinstated students are still subject to the same academic progress policies.

Incomplete Award Policy. An instructor might award an incomplete if a student has an emergency preventing them from completing the course. An incomplete is only given in extenuating circumstances and is at the instructor’s discretion. To request an incomplete grade (“I”), students must complete at least 70% of the course with a 70% grade average and email a request to the instructor before the last Friday of the semester. An incomplete grade is not a do-over - it will only offer students additional time to complete outstanding assignments in an emergency. If awarded, the incomplete assignments will be accepted and graded, and the final grade will be submitted during the following semester. Assignments cannot be graded, and grade change forms are not submitted during intersession when faculty are off-contract and on vacation. If the outstanding assignments are not completed by the deadline (the following semester withdrawal deadline), an incomplete will automatically convert to an “F.”

Course Rationale. BIOL2420 is for health science majors. This course surveys microorganisms with a focus on human diseases. This course will assist students in gaining a solid foundation in microbiology and understanding its broader impact on human health and wellness. I will foster a classroom environment that encourages open discussion, critical thinking, research, and applying knowledge using real-world case studies.

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

1. Explain microbiological processes in detail, including cell theory, metabolism, genetics, control, and interactions between humans and microbes, including the disease process and defense/immune responses.
2. Correctly perform microbiologic lab skills such as using a Bunsen burner, the microscope, an aseptic technique, streaking for isolation, establishing pure cultures, and isolating and determining unknowns using differential stains and media.
3. Display a habit of safe lab practices, including aseptic techniques and disposal of biohazardous waste.

Departmental Common Course Objectives. The ACC Biology Dept has specified the content for this course in the BIOL2420 Common Course Objectives.