BIOL 3250L- Introductory Microbiology Lab

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@mail.clayton.edu. 

Course Description:

Number and Title:

BIOL 3250L (CRN 24439)
Introductory Microbiology Lab

Credit Hours:

1.0 Semester credit hours

Catalog Description:

Laboratory experiences which address topics including, sterile technique, microscopy, identification of microorganisms, microbial metabolism, and microbial genetics. Molecular and culture techniques will be taught.

Course prerequisite and co-requisite:

Corequisite: BIOL 3250

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 ^TM operating system

·         Able to use Microsoft Word ^TM

·         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.

In-class Use of Student Notebook Computers:

·         Student notebook computers will not be used in the classroom in this course. Computers will be required to access course materials and to communicate with your instructor. Use of notebook computers will not be allowed. Any other uses of notebook computers such as checking email, surfing the internet, and instant messaging will result in loss of points.

Course Learning Outcomes:

• Learn how to identify microorganisms using culture and serological methods.
• Understand the physiology and growth requirements of common bacteria.
• Learn to identify organisms based on their growth properties and morphology.
• Learn how to use a microscope to observe microorganisms.
• Learn the aseptic technique and how to apply it to a variety of laboratory techniques.
• Learn how to obtain a pure culture of bacteria.
• Learn how to control the growth of bacteria.

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Applied Biology Outcomes:

1.    Effectively demonstrate knowledge of the basic principles of major fields of biology.

2.    Demonstrate a mastery of a broad range of basic lab and technology skills applicable to biology.

3.    Apply knowledge of physical sciences, mathematics, and statistics to biological concepts.

4.    Communicate scientific information in a clear and concise manner both orally and in writing.

5.    Demonstrate the ability to collect, evaluate and interpret scientific data, and employ critical thinking to solve problems in biological science and supporting fields.

6.    Collaborate effectively on team-oriented projects.

7.    Demonstrate the ability to identify and describe the impact of biological and physical sciences on the environment and society.

Term:

Spring 2010

Instructor Information:

Class Meetings:

Classroom: Business Health Sciences C-21

Class Times: 

Text Information:

Techniques in Microbiology, John M. Lammert, Pearson Benjamin Cummings, 2007.

Evaluation:

Attendance is expected at all class meetings.  The main purpose of this class is to learn how to perform the laboratories.  If you are not in class, then you cannot learn the laboratories.  I will take attendance at the beginning of the class.  If you arrive late (after I begin explaining the lab), then you will not receive the attendance points for the class.

I will NOT accept excuses for why you missed class or arrived late.  If you miss class or arrive late, you will get a 0 on attendance for that day. If you attend the majority of the classes, your grade will not be affected if you miss 1 class.

At the end of the semester, I will calculate the number of classes you attended and divide it by the total number of classes that I took attendance at and then multiply this number by 100.

Grading:

Mid-term Progress Report

Due to the relatively small number of laboratory grades that will have been returned by mid-term, no mid-term grade will be reported for this course.  Students making unsatisfactory progress will be contacted individually by the instructor before mid-term.

The last day to withdraw without academic accountability is Friday March 5, 2010. It is each student's responsibility to keep up with their academic progress in this laboratory. If you have any questions as to whether or not you are making satisfactory progress, contact your instructor BEFORE March 5, 2010.

Instructions for Withdrawing are provided at this link.

Course Policies:

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

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

Laboratories begin at the time listed in the Schedule of Classes; Students must be present at the beginning of the lab.  You are expected to attend all class meetings and be on time. 

Students must read ALL course policies as stated below on the first day of lab class. FAILURE TO SHOW UP TO LAB ON JJANUARY 14 FOR LABORATORY SAFETY WILL RESULT IN AUTOMATIC WITHDRAWAL FROM LAB CLASS (AND HENCE LECTURE CLASS AS WELL)!

Attendance is expected for all class periods.  At the beginning of each class, an attendance sheet is placed on instructor's bench for students to sign to record attendance. Students are responsible for making sure they sign the attendance sheet each class period.

Missed Work

If you miss a part of a laboratory that is part of the identification of the unknown project (that you will write a lab report on), you can arrange with the instructor for a different time to complete this work.  If you miss any other laboratory exercises, you will not be allowed to makeup these laboratories.

Absences from lab practicals:

• If you miss a practical or skills test, a proper excuse (i.e. severe illness, court obligations, etc.) with written documentation (i.e. doctor's note or subpoena or jury-duty letter) is needed the next class period when student returns to class (not 2 weeks later). A note from your mother is not a proper excuse. If you miss the practical or skills test without a proper excuse you will receive a zero.
• If you have a valid excuse and miss the skills test but take practical 1, then your score on practical 1 will be divided by 80 and then multiplied by 100.  This score will be used as your grade for both practical 1 and the skills test.
• If you have a valid excuse and take the skills test but miss practical 1, then you score on practical 2 will count once for practical 2 and this same score will be multiplied by 0.8 and will also count for the 80 points for practical 1.
• If you have a valid excuse and missed practical 2 then your combined grade on practical 1 + the skills test will count twice.
• If you have a valid excuse for the lab practical or skills test but do not bring it to class the day that you returned to lab, you will receive a grade of 0 on the lab practical or skills test.  It is your responsibility to bring me the note.  I will not be asking you for it.

·       If you have a valid excuse, you may miss the skills test only, practical 1 only, the skills test and practical 1 or practical 2.  You may not miss both lab practicals or the skills test and practical 2.  If you do, you will be asked to apply for a hardship withdrawal.  If this is not approved, then you will be given a grade of zero on the assignment.  It does not matter if you have an excuse. Missing all or parts of both lab practicals is excessive and you will have missed too much material in the class.

DO NOT UNDER ANY OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES ASK TO TAKE YOUR PRACTICAL AT ANY OTHER TIME FOR ANY OTHER REASON. Excuses will not be accepted for routine procedures (checkups, teeth cleanings, eye exams, etc).  ALL REQUESTS WILL BE DENIED.

Submission of assignments through GA View

All assignments are required to be submitted through GA View.  If you cannot use GA View or your computer is broken, you will receive a grade of 0 on the assignment.  All assignments are due by the due date which will be at 12:35 PM on the day that it is due.  If you try to enter it after that time, the system will be locked and you will not be able to submit it.  You will receive a grade of 0.  You will need to learn how to use GA View to pass this class.  If you do not know how to use it or have problems with the program, GO TO THE HUB.  I will not accept excuses.

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

• Visitors (friends, children, etc.) are strictly prohibited from attending labs.
• No smoking, eating or drinking is permitted at any time in the lab. DO NOT even bring food or beverages into lab.
• In most laboratories you will be working as part of a lab group.  You are expected to collaborate freely and participate in the work of the group.  You may discuss any aspect of the lab with other members of your lab group or of the lab section. You are encouraged to compare results with your lab partners and to discuss possible sources of error.  However, the laboratory report is INDIVIDUAL work.  You may not copy the work of any other person.  You may not copy files, diagrams or text from any other person.

Important Dates:

Midterm:  March 5 (Last day to drop without academic penalty)

Practicals: March 4 and April 29

Skills Test: March 2 -4