Syllabus
Master of Biomedical Science
MBS 656: Applied Microbiology
Credits - 3
Description
This course provides an in-depth exploration of microbiological principles as they apply to human health and disease. Emphasis is placed on the clinical significance of microorganisms, including their role in infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, immunology, and the function of microbes in maintaining health. Rapidly evolving topics of emerging and re-emerging infections, antimicrobial stewardship, the role of vaccines, and novel therapies in disease treatment are also addressed. The course will provide students with the practical and theoretical knowledge necessary for careers in healthcare, public health, clinical diagnostics, and microbiology research.
Materials
Learning Objectives and Outcomes
Course Outcomes:
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Understand Microbial Pathogenesis: Describe the biology, classification, and pathogenic mechanisms of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites relevant to human diseases.
- Diagnose Infectious Diseases: Apply diagnostic microbiology techniques to identify pathogens from clinical samples, including culturing, staining, molecular methods, and susceptibility testing.
- Analyze Host-Pathogen Interactions: Explain the immune system’s response to microbial infections and how pathogens evade immune defenses.
- Evaluate Antimicrobial Therapies: Assess the mechanisms of action of antimicrobial agents, recognize patterns of antimicrobial resistance, and discuss strategies for managing drug-resistant infections.
- Implement Infection Control Practices: Demonstrate an understanding of infection control measures, including sterilization, disinfection, and practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections.
- Interpret Epidemiological Data: Analyze epidemiological trends in infectious diseases and apply public health strategies to control outbreaks and emerging infections.
- Develop Problem-Solving Skills in Clinical Microbiology: Integrate microbiological concepts with clinical case studies to diagnose infectious diseases and propose evidence-based treatment options.
- Understand the Human Microbiome: Describe and understand the role of microorganisms in maintaining human health.
These outcomes will prepare students for careers in clinical microbiology, research, healthcare, and public health.
Assignments
For assessments and learning activities, see Brightspace for the full assignment descriptions and instructions. Read the prompts carefully and use the rubrics to confirm how assignments will be graded.
Quizzes and Exams
Weekly Quizzes
With the exception of Weeks 4 and 7, each week has an end-of-week evaluation in the form of a multiple-choice quiz. These quizzes are timed, closed book, and closed notes. You will have 30 minutes to complete each quiz. Taking these practice evaluations seriously and doing well on the quizzes will prepare you for the Midterm and Final Exam. You can take the weekly quizzes twice; these assessments can be reviewed through Class Progress after completion.
Midterm and Final Exams
The midterm will cover content from Weeks 1 through 4, and the final exam will cover content from Weeks 5 through 7. Each exam will consist of 30 multiple-choice, matching, and essay questions. It will be taken closed notes, closed books, and in accordance with the academic integrity agreement. You will have 2 hours to complete the exam; once started, you must complete the assessment.
You will have two attempts for the Midterm and Final Exams. We strongly encourage students who score below 50% on the midterm to retake the assessment, as this background is fundamental to the other two units.
Case Study
In Week 3, you will submit a Preliminary Summary that includes a summary of your selected pathogen, highlighting its key features and initial findings. This will serve as a foundation for your case study and provide an opportunity to receive feedback from your instructor.
For the final Case Study assignment, due in Week 6, you will apply epidemiological methods to analyze a real-world infectious disease scenario. The case study will focus on a microbial pathogen, and you will use various epidemiological tools to investigate the pathogen’s characteristics, clinical implications, transmission patterns, and public health impact. By gathering and interpreting relevant data, you will propose evidence-based interventions for controlling and managing the infection.
Video Assignments
In this course, you will complete a total of six video presentation assignments. In Weeks 1, 5, and 7, you will submit a paper summary. These video assignments will require you to summarize a topical and recent peer-reviewed research article in a brief presentation. In Weeks 2, 4, and 6, you will focus on a specific topic for that week and respond to prompt questions related to that topic.
Grading Policy
Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:
Grade Breakdown
| Category | Points | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Integrity Agreement | 20 | 2% |
| Introduction Discussion | 20 | 2% |
| Quizzes (5 @ 30 points each) | 150 | 15% |
| Video Assignment: Paper Summary (3 @ 50 points each) | 150 | 15% |
| Video Assignments: Specific Topics (3 @ 50 points each) | 150 | 15% |
| Preliminary Case Study | 60 | 6% |
| Case Study | 150 | 15% |
| Midterm Exam | 150 | 15% |
| Final Exam | 150 | 15% |
| TOTAL | 1000 | 100% |
Grade Scale
| Grade | Points Grade | Point Average (GPA) |
| A | 94 – 100% | 4.00 |
| A- | 90 – 93% | 3.75 |
| B+ | 87 – 89% | 3.50 |
| B | 84 – 86% | 3.00 |
| B- | 80 – 83% | 2.75 |
| C+ | 77 – 79% | 2.50 |
| C | 74 – 76% | 2.00 |
| C- | 70 – 73% | 1.75 |
| D | 64 – 69% | 1.00 |
| F | 00 – 63% | 0.00 |
Schedule
Course Dates
Week 1: Jan 15 – Jan 19
Week 2: Jan 20 – Jan 26
Week 3: Jan 27 – Feb 2
Week 4: Feb 3 – Feb 9
Week 5: Feb 10 – Feb 16
Week 6: Feb 17 – Feb 23
Week 7: Feb 24 – Mar 2
Week 8: Mar 3 – Mar 9
| WEEK | TOPICS | ASSESSMENTS | DUE |
| 1 |
What to Bring to the Table Origins of Disease Human Microbiome Microbiome and the Human Health Disease Diagnosis |
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| 2 |
Immune Review Biofilms Bacteriology Antibacterial Agents and Novel Control Strategies
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| 3 |
Gram + Bacteria Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immune Evasion Pathogens in Water Toxin-Mediated Pathogenesis |
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| 4 |
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| 5 |
Viruses Viral Pathogenesis and Emerging Viruses |
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| 6 |
Fungi Fungal Pathogens and Mycroses |
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| 7 |
Parasites Emerging Diseases Pathogenesis of Neglected Tropical Diseases |
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Student Resources
Online Student Support
Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies.
UNE Libraries:
- Library Access for all students: Your library login ID and password are the same as the ones you use to log into Brightspace.
- UNE Library
- Library Questions: Ask a librarian or phone library staff at (207) 602-2361 or (207) 221-4330.
UNE Student Academic Success Center
UNE's Student Academic Success Center (SASC) offers a range of free online services to support your academic achievement. Writing support, ESOL support, study strategy and learning style consultations, as well as downloadable resources, are available to all matriculating students. To make an appointment for any of these services, go to une.tutortrac.com. For more information and to view and download writing and studying resources, please visit:
Accommodations
Any student who would like to request, or ask any questions regarding, academic adjustments or accommodations must contact the Student Access Center at (207) 221-4438 or pcstudentaccess@une.edu. Student Access Center staff will evaluate the student's documentation and determine eligibility of accommodation(s) through the Student Access Center registration procedure.
Online Peer Support
Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.
Information Technology Services (ITS)
Students should notify their Student Support Specialist and instructor in the event of a problem relating to a course. This notification should occur promptly and proactively to support timely resolution.
ITS Contact: Toll-Free Help Desk 24 hours/7 days per week at 1-877-518-4673.
Career Ready Program
The College of Professional Studies supports its online students and alumni in their career journey!
The Career Ready Program provides tools and resources to help students explore and hone in on their career goals, search for jobs, create and improve professional documents, build professional network, learn interview skills, grow as a professional, and more. Come back often, at any time, as you move through your journey from career readiness as a student to career growth, satisfaction, and success as alumni.
Policies
AMA Writing Style Statement
The American Medical Association Manual (AMA) of Style, 11th edition is the required writing format for this program. Additional support for academic writing and AMA format is provided throughout the coursework as well as at the UNE Portal for Online Students.
Online resources: AMA Style Guide
Turnitin Originality Check and Plagiarism Detection Tool
The College of Professional Studies uses Turnitin to help deter plagiarism and to foster the proper attribution of sources. Turnitin provides comparative reports for submitted assignments that reflect similarities in other written works. This can include, but is not limited to, previously submitted assignments, internet articles, research journals, and academic databases.
Make sure to cite your sources appropriately as well as use your own words in synthesizing information from published literature. Webinars and workshops, included early in your coursework, will help guide best practices in APA citation and academic writing.
You can learn more about Turnitin in the guide on how to navigate your Similarity Report.
Technology Requirements
Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Graduate Programs: Technical Requirements
Course Evaluation Policy
Course surveys are one of the most important tools that University of New England uses for evaluating the quality of your education, and for providing meaningful feedback to instructors on their teaching. In order to assure that the feedback is both comprehensive and precise, we need to receive it from each student for each course. Evaluation access is distributed via UNE email at the beginning of the last week of the course.
Late Policy
Assignments: Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted.
Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded.
Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor and your student support specialist if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.
Attendance Policy
8 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Sunday at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
16 week: Students taking online graduate courses through the College of Professional Studies will be administratively dropped for non-participation if a graded assignment/discussion post is not submitted before Friday at 11:59 pm ET of the second week of the term. Reinstatement is at the purview of the Dean's Office.
Student Handbook Online - Policies and Procedures
The policies contained within this document apply to all students in the College of Professional Studies. It is each student's responsibility to know the contents of this handbook.
UNE Course Withdrawal
Please contact your student support specialist if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. The last day to drop for 100% tuition refund is the 2nd day of the course. Financial Aid charges may still apply. Students using Financial Aid should contact the Financial Aid Office prior to withdrawing from a course.
Academic Integrity
The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable. For information about plagiarism and academic misconduct, please visit UNE Plagiarism Policies.
Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:
- Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
- Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
- Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
- Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
- Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.
Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.