BIOL 3250- Introductory Microbiology
Course Syllabus - Spring 2010

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 214, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@clayton.edu.

Course Description:

Number and Title:

BIOL 3250 (CRN 24440)
Introductory Microbiology

Credit Hours:

3.0 Semester credit hours

Catalog Description:

Single celled organisms have always been the most populous form of life. This course explores the complex lives of these simple organisms. Students will examine biochemical, genetic and pathological aspects of microbiology. Industrial, ecological, and cultural aspects of human microbiology will be addressed.

Course prerequisite and co-requisite:

Prerequisites: BIOL 1108; CHEM 2412
Corequisite: BIOL 3250L

Note: Due to the corequisite nature of BIOL 3250 and BIOL 3250L, if you withdraw from one of these two courses, you must withdraw from the other also.

Computer Requirement:

Each CSU student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.  For further information on CSU's Official Notebook Computer Policy, please go to http://itpchoice.clayton.edu/policy.htm .

Computer Skill Prerequisites:

·         Able to use the Windows operating system

·         Able to use Microsoft Word

·         Able to send and receive e-mail from their CSU mail account.

·         Able to attach and retrieve attached files via email

·         Able to use a Web browser.

·         Able to use the student tutorial CD that accompanies the text.

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

Student notebook computers may be used in the classroom in this course for class assignments. Computers will be required to access course materials, work on assignments outside of class, and to communicate with your instructor.  Students may be permitted to use computers in class for general use at the instructor's discretion.  Instructor's may deny permission to use a computer during class time.  In addition, instructors reserve the right to forbid computer use to particular students if those students are found using them for purposes not related to the course (e.g., web surfing, email, instant messaging, etc.).  This same limitations apply to the use of other electronic devices in class (including, but not limited to cell phones, personal digital assistants, etc.). 

Course Objectives:

• Microbial physiology: To understand how microorganisms utilize nutrients to create new biomass and survive in natural and laboratory ecosystems.
• Microbial genetics: To understand the genetic machinery of prokaryotic microorganisms
• Pathogenesis: To understand the mechanisms microorganisms use to cause disease in a variety of different hosts, and to be introduced to host responses to these invaders (immunology).
• Microbial ecology: To understand how microorganisms live in a variety of different habitats and how they interact in those environments.
• Microbial structure and biochemistry: To understand the composition of microorganisms (enzymes, structures, and various biochemical reactions).
• Microbial diversity: To understand methods used to assess diversity and to learn how such immense diversity affects our every day lives.
• Applications:  You must be able to use your critical thinking skills to apply your knowledge to realistic problems.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Applied Biology Outcomes

BIOL 3250 supports outcomes 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the biology major:

• Outcome 1:  Effectively demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of major fields of biology.
• Outcome 4:  Communicate scientific information in a clear and concise manner both orally and in writing .
• Outcome 5:  Demonstrate the ability to collect, evaluate and interpret scientific data, and employ critical thinking to solve problems in biological science and supporting fields.
• Outcome 6:  Collaborate effectively on team-oriented projects.
• Outcome 7:  Demonstrate the ability to identify and describe the impact of biological and physical sciences on the environment and society. 

Term:

Spring Semester 2009

Instructor:

Dr. Fran Norflus  (CRN 24440)
Office: Faculty Hall, A-23B
Phone: (678) 466-4852
Email: fnorflus@clayton.edu
Internet:http://a-s.clayton.edu/fnorflus
Office hours:
Monday 11:30 am – 1:30 pm, Tuesday and Thursday 10:15 am – 12:15 pm
office hours will be in room A23B, C21 or C28

Class Meetings:

Classroom: Lecture Hall B-12

Class Times: T/R 2:10 p.m. - 3:25 p.m.

Text Information:

Biology of Microorganisms, (12th edition), by Madigan, Martinko, Dunlap, & Clark
Chapters covered 1-2, 4-7, 9-11, 27, 28, and 33

Evaluation:

Each student's grade will be calculated as follows:  

 There may be assignments given throughout the semester.  Any points for these assignments will be part of the next examination.  For example, if there is a 10 point assignment, the following test will only be worth 90 points.

You will also be asked to participate in an educational study examining the effectiveness of different animations and tutorials in teaching microbiology.  Your participation is voluntary.  There will be 5 quizzes given but your grades on these quizzes will not count as part of your grade for the class.

Grading:

Mid-term Progress Report

The mid-term grade in this course which will be issued before the midterm, reflects approximately 20% of the entire course grade.  Based on this grade, students may choose to withdraw from the course and receive a grade of "W."  Students pursuing this option must fill out an official withdrawal form, available in the Office of the Registrar, by mid-term, which occurs on March 5th.

Course Policies

Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook, and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities.

Students must read course policies as stated below on first day of class.

University Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend and participate in every class meeting. Instructors establish specific policies relating to absences in their courses and communicate these policies to the students through the course syllabi. Individual instructors, based upon the nature of the course, determine what effect excused and unexcused absences have in determining grades and upon students’ ability to remain enrolled in their courses. The university reserves the right to determine that excessive absences, whether justified or not, are sufficient cause for institutional withdrawals or failing grades.

Course Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend class and will perform better in this class if they do.  However, I will not be taking attendance. I do NOT need to know your excuse if you do not attend class when there is no exam on that day.  Please do not e-mail me.  Instead, please get the notes from another STUDENT for the material that you missed.  If I gave out handouts that day, it is your responsibility to get the material from another STUDENT.  I will not be keeping copies waiting for you to return.

Missed Work

If you miss a scheduled exam, you must provide an original copy of a valid excuse (including the dates that you need to be excused, not handwritten) from a competent authority (doctor, judge, etc).  You must provide this excuse immediately upon returning to school or you will receive a grade of zero.  If you do not provide an excuse, you will also get a grade of zero.    If a valid excuse is provided  your grade on the final exam will count twice. NO MAKEUP ASSIGNMENTS OR EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN FOR THE THREE TESTS!!  If the final exam is missed without a proper excuse then a grade of 0 will be given for the final. If you miss the final exam with a proper excuse, there will be a makeup final exam.  You are only permitted one excused absence from class exams.  If you miss more than one with an excuse, you will need to seek a hardship withdrawal as the exams are the majority of the points in the class.  In addition, excuses will not be accepted for routine procedures (checkups, teeth cleanings, eye exams, etc).  Students should not schedule such appointments for class times.

For other class assignments, unless otherwise specified, all work must be submitted through Georgia View by the due date.  After the due date, the system will lock and you will not be able to submit the assignment and you will get a grade of 0. If you cannot use Georgia View or you have problems with your computer, you will get a grade of 0.  You will need to plan ahead.  If you are sick, you are expected to submit these assignments from home. If you do not, you will get a grade of 0. Do not leave the assignment until the last minute so if problems arise, you will still be able to get credit for the assignment.

Academic Dishonesty 

Cheating is defined as copying anything that is not your own and turning it in as your own work.  Be sure to hand in your own work. Cheating will not be accepted for any of the following violations:

    a. If you work on an assignment with a classmate and you write your answers with the same wording as your classmate then you will be accused of cheating (and so will your fellow classmate).  

    b. If you copy ANYTHING out of a book or off of a web page then you will be accused of cheating.  

    c. If you copy answers off of another person's paper during a test then you will be accused of cheating.  

    d. If you are caught with an inappropriate device on your desk during an exam

Cheating in any form will result in a minimum of zero on the assignment and academic misconduct forms will be filed with the Office of Judicial Affairs for any violation.  Judicial procedures are described at http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.

Disruption of the Learning Environment

Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not tolerated.  While a variety of behaviors can be disruptive in a classroom setting, more serious examples include belligerent, abusive, profane, and/or threatening behavior.  A student who fails to respond to reasonable faculty direction regarding classroom behavior and/or behavior while participating in classroom activities may be dismissed from class.  A student who is dismissed is entitled to due process and will be afforded such rights as soon as possible following dismissal.  If found in violation, a student may be administratively withdrawn and may receive a grade of WF.

A more detailed description of examples of disruptive behavior and appeal procedures is provided at: 

http://a-s.clayton.edu/DisruptiveClassroomBehavior.htm

Other Policies

Each student must turn off all cell phones before class begins, especially before an exam. Failure to do so will result in deduction of 10 points on the next exam (if during class) or 10 points on the current exam, if the infraction takes place during  the exam.

No smoking is permitted at any time in the classroom.

Each student must activate his/her e-mail account at Clayton State University. The class list serve will be the only method for communicating with the class by email.  Important announcements will be sent to the class on the class list serve.  You should also check my web page regularly for new postings. Visitors (friends, children, etc.) are strictly prohibited from attending class without the permission of the instructor.

Tentative Schedule