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We meet each MWF at 8 am for discussions in SC107. Lab activities begin in SC202 at 10 am or 1 pm on Thursdays and continue at other times as needed to learn about and experiment with living microorganisms.
Success in this course will depend heavily on the acquisition
of knowledge from a variety of sources. Students will be expected
to acquire much of this knowledge individually or as groups using
their own initiative in a self-directed manner.
1. The world wide web: Students will be expected to use
the resources of the WWW and will be examined on material acquired
from this source. A Microbiology Web Page will be maintained to
provide links to microbiology resources
on the web. Some class and lab time during the first week
will be devoted to explaining the WWW and how to use it for learning.
2. In-class activities: It's your education and you are
paying for it. Those who attend classes will, on average, earn
higher final grades than those who do not. Discussions include
quiz and concept map opportunities to earn points. We also have
student reports on pathogenic microbes from which test questions
will be taken. Furthermore, we have a series of hands-on laboratory
activities using microorganisms. Each session builds on the
previous ones and it is very difficult to makeup missed activities.
So do not schedule other events that will cause you to miss
laboratories. YOU ARE EXPECTED TO READ THE LAB INSTRUCTIONS
IN ADVANCE. Come to each lab knowing what to expect. We will have
a short explanation and some demonstrations at the beginning of
each session.
3. The textbook: Ingram and Ingram, "Introduction
to Microbiology", 3nd ed, Wadsworth, 2004, is a text well
suited to this course. Make every effort to understand the
assigned readings from this text prior to our class discussion.
Even if this information is not covered in the discussions, it
will be covered on the quizzes, tests, and exam. Your questions
about each chapter will be ta part of our class discussions. Quiz
and test questions will be similar to tohse at the end of each
chapter. You likely would benefit from using these questions in
your study.
4. The Muddiest Point: Everyone will need an E-mail address
and will be expected to participate by asking questions. As you
PREPARE FOR EACH DISCUSSION BY READING THE TEXT please let me
know The Middiest Point in the background material. If
I get your message at least 2 hours prior to class, I can the
discussion include an expkanation. In any case, we need to
know your questions on the topic for discussion.
5. People: You should also participate in an intentional
study group where everyone takes responsibility for asking
questions and explaining key concepts, characteristics, interactions,
functions, and structures related to microbiology.
6. The library: Books, journals, and popular print media
relevant to the course material are spread over several different
sections of the library, including basic biology and clinical
medicine. Familarize yourself with these locations. Several relevant
print materials may be put on a reserve list at the main desk.
I will announce in class when readings are assigned from these
sources.
7. Pathogenic Microbe Project: In groups of 3 or 4 you will will be assigned a pathogenic microbe that is responsible for a disease discussed in our text.
8. Project individually or in groups to prepare one of several options described.
1. Understand the fundamentals of microbiology along with their
clinical and epidemiological applications via reading (text, library,
popular media, and web resources) and discussions (in-class and
in groups).
2. Develop via laboratory activities the skills needed to perform
procedures used for the isolation, growth, identification, disinfection,
and sterilization of infectious agents. These skills will be demonstrated
by keeping a lab notebook documenting the goals, procedures, results,
and conclusions of weekly activities and projects, plus the isolation
and identification of unknown organisms in a mixed sample.
3. Demonstrate via successful completion of labs, quizzes, tests,
project, and a standardized final exam an adequate background
knowledge and preparation for professional training.
It has been conclusively demonstrated that students succeed more often in class if they actively participate in their own learning. It is difficult to accurately evaluate participation. Participation includes being in class on time and regularly. It seems obvious that direct experience in all class activities is necessary to make a high evaluation possible. So, participation will be evaluated by monitoring student attendence at class meetings, contribution to laboratory activities, and input into the in-class discussions. Therefore, it is in the best interest of all students to actively participate in all discussions and activities. I will monitor student participation each week by noting the names of students who have been absent and who have made notable contributions to in-class discussions or lab activities.
NOTE 1: Being late for laboratory sessions causes you to miss essential information and instructions given at the beginning. So please make being in laboratory on time a high priority.
NOTE 2: ALL CELL PHONES, PAGERS, OR OTHER COMMUNICATION DEVICES NEED TO BE "OFF" or silenced so class activities are not disrupted by audible signals. SOME OF US ARE EASILY DISTRACTED BY SUCH SOUNDS.
Skills, knowledge, and preparation Final grades Quiz scores (best 20) 10% 90% = A Tests (3) 30% 80% = B Lab book & unknowns 25% 70% = C Project 10% 60% = D Exam 15% <60% = F Pathogenic Microbe Project 5% Participation 5%
NOTE: Goshen College wants to help all students be as academically successful as possible. If you have a disability and require accommodations, please contact the instructor early in the semester so that your learning needs may be appropriately met. In order to receive accommodations, documentation concerning your disability must be on file with the Academic Support Center, KU004, x 7576, margotmz@goshen.edu. All information will be held in the strictest confidence.