MICROBIOLOGY (Biology 2400) Spring 2007

 

Semesters offered:        F, S

Prerequisite:                  Bio 1430, 1431, and one semester of chemistry

 

Instructor:      Dr. R.J.C. McLean

                        Phone (512) 245‑3365, FAX (512) 245-8713

                        Office SCI 364, Email McLean@txstate.edu

                        Office hours M-Th 8:20-9:20 am

 

Course description: Principles of microbiology, morphology, anatomy, physiology, and taxonomy of representative groups of organisms.  Laboratory methods stress studies of pure cultures, the use of laboratory apparatus in quantitative determinations, and the detection and identification of microbial populations in the environment.

            This course will focus mainly on bacteria.  My overall goal is that students develop an appreciation and understanding for microorganisms.  I hope that students will not simply memorize facts, but will see the relationship of microorganisms to other forms of life, and to the environment.  [This course has been designed based on material provided from similar courses offered at Cornell University, and the University of Guelph, Canada]

 

Text:   Microbiology, 6th ed. – Prescott, Harley, and Klein 2003.  McGraw-Hill Publishers

 

Laboratory Texts and Course Notes:

Microbiology Course Notes and Laboratory Exercises, 3rd edition, RJC McLean and LJ Smith, McGraw-Hill, New York

 

A Photographic Atlas for the Microbiology Laboratory, M.J. Leboffe and B.E. Pierce, latest edition, Morton Pub. Englewood, CO

 

Additional References: Biology of Microorganisms, Brock.  1997. Prentice‑Hall; Bergey's Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore; also various reference journals. A variety of microbiology web sites can be accessed through the Texas State microbiology web site (http://www.txstate.swt.edu/~micro/micro.html) and Dr. McLean’s web site (http://www.txstate.swt.edu/~micro/mclean/mclean.html)

 

Course evaluation:

Laboratory                   25%

Mid‑term 1                   15%  (Feb 20)

Mid‑term 2                   20%  (Apr 5)

Research Report           10%  (due Monday April 30 at 5:00 pm)

Final Exam                   30%  (Thursday May 3, 8-10:30 am)

 

Grading Policy: As a guide, I use the following grading scheme: [A 90-100%, B 80-89%, C 70-79%, D 60-69%, F < 60%].  In situations where a student's grade is within 2% of the cutoff (e.g. 88-92), the final grade will be based on both the grade achieved, and the lab grade for effort and participation.

 

Grade disputes must be given to Dr. McLean in writing within one week after a test is returned. This will result in the entire test being regraded and the higher or lower grade being used.

 

** Students must achieve a passing grade (at least 60%) in both the lecture (mid-term 1, mid-term 2 and final) and laboratory portions of the course in order to pass.

 

Attendance Policy:  Attendance at all laboratories is mandatory.  Students are allowed one excused absence.  Two or more absences will result in loss of lab points and a drop in the final course letter grade.

 

Withdrawing from the course:  Students who wish to drop Bio 2400 must contact the instructor, otherwise a grade of F will be assigned. In general, students will be allowed to drop Bio 2400 with a grade of W until Feb 28. After that time, students who drop the course will receive a W only if they are passing both the lecture and laboratory portion of the course.

 

Topics covered:                                                                                  approximate number of lectures

 

Introduction, history of microbiology, unusual microorganisms                                                              1

Bacterial structures (comparison of procaryotes and eucaryotes)                                                          3

            (organelles, membranes, cell walls, capsule, RS layer, endospores,

            fimbriae and flagellae) (methods used to study these structures)

Taxonomy and Systematics (groups of bacteria)                                                                                  2

Growth and Nutrition                                                                                                                          2

Control of Microbial Growth                                                                                                               2

          **    Mid term #1 **                                                                                                              1

Microbial Genetics                                                                                                                              2

Eucaryotic microorganisms (algae, protozoa, microfungi, parasites)                                                      1

Viruses                                                                                                                                               1

Microorganisms and Disease

            Resistance to Infection                                                                                                            3

            Disease transmission                                                                                                               1

            Bacterial Pathogenicity                                                                                                            1

Antibiotics                                                                                                                                          1

          **  Mid term #2 ** (covers material from beginning of course)                                                1

Applied and Environmental Microbiology

            Microbial communities                                                                                                            1

            Biogeochemical cycling                                                                                                           1

            Food and Beverage Production                                                                                               1

            Pharmaceutical Industry                                                                                                          1

            Petroleum and Mining Microbiology                                                                                        1

** Final (as scheduled by registrar) ** (covers whole course including labs)

 

                                                                      REPORT

            Students in Biol 2400 are required to write a research report (which is due Monday April 30 at 5:00 pm).  Late reports ARE NOT accepted. The report will consist of a two-paragraph summary of an original, peer-reviewed, microbiology research paper, published since January 2005. In this report, students are required to use their own words and summarize the major findings of the paper, techniques used in the paper and significance of this work. A photocopy of the paper must be appended to the report, and students must include a 2-3 sentence summary on how this paper was found and indicate the source(s) of information used to find and understand this paper.

            Students may choose any paper of interest in the field of microbiology, however only one paper per person.  These papers must be approved by Dr. McLean so be early so that your favorite topic is not "stolen" by someone else.  (Reports with a topic not approved by Dr. McLean will be assigned a grade of 0).