BIOL 3250- Introductory Microbiology
Course Syllabus- Fall 2008

Individuals with disabilities who need to request accommodations should contact the Disability Services Coordinator, Student Center 255, 678-466-5445, disabilityservices@clayton.edu.

Course Description:

Number and Title:

BIOL 3250 (CRN 87087)
Introductory Microbiology

Credit Hours:

3.0 Semester credit hours (3-0-3)

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 CCSU 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 CCSU'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 CCSU 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 periodically in the classroom in this lecture course and the student will be expected to use their notebook computer to complete classroom assignments and to communicate with the instructor via email.

Course Learning Outcomes:

Upon completing BIOL 3250 the student should be able to...
 

• describe how microorganisms utilize nutrients to create new biomass and survive in natural and laboratory ecosystems.
• explain the genetic machinery of prokaryotic microorganisms.
• solve growth calculations and describe microbial growth in the laboratory.
• describe the structure, diversity and replication strategies of viruses
• explain some mechanisms pathogens use to cause disease in a variety of different hosts and some mechanisms used by hosts to defend themselves from pathogens.
• describe the composition of microorganisms (enzymes, structures, and various biochemical reactions).
• describe methods used to assess diversity and to learn how such immense diversity affects human daily lives.
• be able to use his/her critical thinking skills to apply his/her knowledge to realistic microbiology problems.

Program Learning Outcomes:

• Biology Outcomes

  BIOL 3250 is a required course in the B.S. degree program in Biology.  It supports outcomes 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the biology major.

  • Outcome 1:  Knowledge of the basic principles of major fields of biology.
  • Outcome 4:  Ability to communicate orally and in writing in a clear, concise manner.

  • Outcome 5: Ability to collect, evaluate and interpret scientific data, and employ critical thinking to solve problems in biological science and supporting fields.

  • Outcome 6:  Ability to function effectively on team-oriented projects.

  • Outcome 7:  Appreciation for the impact of biological and physical science on the environment and society. 

Term:

Fall Semester 2008

Instructor:

Dr. Michelle Furlong
Office: A-28-A
phone: (678) 466-4778
e-mail: MichelleFurlong@mail.clayton.edu
internet: http://a-s.clayton.edu/Furlong/FurlongHome1.htm

Office hours: T and W 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and R 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. and by appointment. 

Class Meetings:

Classroom: University Center U-265

Class Times: T/R 8:25 a.m. -9:40 a.m.

Text Information:

Biology of Microorganisms, (12th edition), by Madigan, Martinko & Parker
Chapters covered 1-2, 4-10, 18-21

Evaluation:

	Percentage of Grade
3 In-Class Exams	60%
Comprehensive Final Exam	15%
Quizzes	5%
Assignments	20%
Total	100%

Grading:

Grade	Points
A	90-100%
B	80-89%
C	70-79%
D	60-69%
F	below 60%

The mid-term grade in this course, which will be issued by Oct. 7, reflects approximately 25% 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 October 10.

Course policies:

• Students must abide by policies in the Clayton State University Student Handbook (adminservices.clayton.edu/studentaffairs/StudentHandbook/foreword.htm), and the Basic Undergraduate Student Responsibilities (http://a-s.clayton.edu/BasicUndergraduateStudentResponsibilities.htm ).

• 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:  Attendance is expected for all class periods.  Attendance is required for examination periods.   Any absence must be accompanied by a written excuse from a doctor or other competent authority. 

  •  Without excuse, a grade of zero points will be assigned for any  missed work, INCLUDING EXAMS.
  • If a valid excuse is provided you will be excused from the exam and your final exam will count double (i.e. 35% instead of 15%). A MAKE UP EXAM WILL NOT BE GIVEN UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.   If you miss the final exam without a proper excuse you will receive a 0 on the exam you missed and on the final.  
  • If you miss more than one exam with excused absences, then you will be given a zero on each subsequent exam you missed after the first (you should probably drop or consider a hardship withdrawal if you qualify for one (see academic catalog).  
  • There are no make-up quizzes.  Only 5 quizzes will count.  You will be allowed to drop any quiz in excess of five. 
• Assignments are due on time.  10% will be deducted each day from any assignment turned in late.  If an assignment is up to 24 hours late then you lost 10%.  If an assignment is 25-48 hours late then you lost 20%.  If an assignment is over 48 hours late then it will NOT BE ACCEPTED and you will receive a zero.  Assignments can be emailed if you cannot make it to campus.  
• Any type of activity that is considered dishonest by reasonable standards may constitute academic misconduct. The most common forms of academic misconduct are cheating and plagiarism.  All instances of academic dishonesty will result in a grade of zero for the work involved.  All instances of academic dishonesty will be reported to the Office of Student Life/Judicial Affairs.   Judicial procedures are described at
  http://adminservices.clayton.edu/judicial/.  
  • Specific examples of academic dishonesty:
    • Copying a classmates work on exams or assignments (even if you change a couple of words).
    • Copying things directly out of the book, a website, an article (even if you change a couple of words).  Copying a person's thoughts word-for-word is dishonest EVEN if you include a citation.  PUtting quotes around the thought does not make it OKAY.  Paraphrase it!
    • Turning somebody else's work in as your own work.  
    • Using electronic devices (examples:  cell phones, Blackberries, Palm Pilots, computers of any sort) or notes that are not approved by the instructor on exams or quizzes. 

• Disruption of the Learning Environment:  Behavior which disrupts the teaching–learning process during class activities will not be 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 

Important Dates:

EXAM DATES:  Tentative Dates are set in the schedule.  Please see TENTATIVE schedule.  These are subject to change.

MIDTERM (LAST DAY TO DROP WITHOUT ACADEMIC PENALTY): October 10

FINAL:  TBA

Link to Course Schedule and course presentations