BIOL 3250L- Introductory Microbiology Lab
Course Syllabus- Fall 2009

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 87089 and 88143)
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.

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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:

Fall Semester 2009

Instructor Information:

Class Meetings:

Classroom: Business Health Sciences C-21

Class Times: 

CRN	Days	Time	Instructor
87089	TR	9:55 am - 11:20 am	Burran
88143	MW	2:25 pm - 3:50 pm	McFarlane

Text Information:

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

Evaluation:

Assessment	Points
2 practicals (points vary for each)	180 points
Skills test	20 points
5 pop quizzes @ 10 points each (6 will be given and 1 can be dropped)	50 points
Notebook (MUST BE COMPOSITION NOTEBOOK! NO EXCEPTIONS!)	10 points
Project Report	20 points
Totals	280 points

Grading:

Grade	Points	Percentage
A	243-270	90-100
B	216-242	80-89
C	189-215	70-79
D	162-188	60-69
F	Below 162	below 60

Mid-term Progress Report

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 AUGUST 19 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. Attendance is required for ANY assignments and practicals.  Any absence from assignments or exams must be accompanied by a written excuse from a doctor or other competent authority the next class period student returns to class (not 2 weeks later). 

 

Missed Work

Unexcused absences from laboratory result in a grade of zero (0) for any graded work that was assigned that week.  You cannot turn in assignments from a lab you missed.  If you have a written excuse from a competent authority (doctor, judge, etc.), the missed points for the laboratory will not count against you.  A valid excuse is defined as the following: Jury duty, death in the immediate family (defined as follows: mother, father, sibling, spouse, or child), or student is incapacitated to the point where he/she is hospitalized on day of exam. 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.

There are NO MAKE-UP Quizzes.  One quiz will be dropped at the end of the semester so if you miss one you can drop that quiz (you will be assigned a zero, but it won't count). If you miss more than two quizzes you will get a zero on each missed quiz, whether you have a valid excuse or not and it will count in your final grade.  Come to LAB!

There are NO makeups for lab practical exams.  If you have an excused absence for a date when a lab practical was given, then your other practical will count twice. You are only allowed ONE excused absence from a lab practical. If you miss more than one practical with an excused absence, you will be expected to ask for a hardship withdrawal, since the lab practicals count for a majority of the class points.

Late assignments: Lab exercises are due at the beginning of lab on the assigned date.  Any assignment that is not turned in at the beginning of lab period is considered late.  There is a 20% per working day penalty for late lab reports. Lab reports will not be accepted more than one week after they are due. Any questions concerning grades on an assignment must be submitted within one week of the assignment being returned to the student.

 

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

• Attendance is required. Come to every lab prepared. Prepare for the lab by reading the lab manual material that will be discussed in class that day.  Quizzes covering each labs objectives will be given at the beginning of lab during the first day that lab session takes place.  
• 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:  October 9 (Last day to drop without academic penalty)

Practicals: October 5-6 and November 23 - 24

Skills Test: October 7 - 8

Important Links:

Detailed Course Schedule

Lab Review Page