Syllabus

Master of Biomedical Science

MBS 656: Applied Microbiology (Fall A 2025)

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

Textbooks

Murray PR, Rosenthal KS, Pfaller MA. Medical Microbiology : Pbk. 9th ed. Elsevier; 2021. (UNE Library Access)

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Course Outcomes:

By the end of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Describe the biology, classification, and pathogenic mechanisms of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites relevant to human diseases.
  2. Apply diagnostic microbiology techniques to identify pathogens from clinical samples, including culturing, staining, molecular methods, and susceptibility testing.
    Explain the immune system’s response to microbial infections and how pathogens evade immune defenses.
  3. Assess the mechanisms of action of antimicrobial agents, recognize patterns of antimicrobial resistance, and discuss strategies for managing drug-resistant infections.
  4. Demonstrate an understanding of infection control measures, including sterilization, disinfection, and practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections.
  5. Analyze epidemiological trends in infectious diseases and apply public health strategies to control outbreaks and emerging infections.
  6. Integrate microbiological concepts with clinical case studies to diagnose infectious diseases and propose evidence-based treatment options.
  7. Describe 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. Students are permitted to use one handwritten notes sheet (front and back) for this exam, and will be taken 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. The first attempt of the midterm must be taken by the due date, while second attempt may be taken at any time before the end of the course. However, it is encouraged to take the second attempt soon after the first, as this material is fundamental to the remaining units.

Case Study

In Weeks 1 through 5, you will submit case study prep assignments. These 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. You will submit an article summary in Weeks 1, 5, and 7. 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

CategoryPointsPercentage
Academic Integrity Agreement202%
Introduction Discussion202%
Quizzes (5 @ 30 points each)15015%
Video Assignment: Paper Summary (3 @ 50 points each)15015%
Video Assignments: Specific Topics (3 @ 50 points each)15015%
Case Study Prep ( 5 @ 12 points each)606%
Case Study15015%
Midterm Exam15015%
Final Exam15015%
TOTAL1000100%

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 Schedule:

Fall A Session: August 27 – October 12

Week 1: Wednesday – Sunday
Week 2: Monday – Sunday
Week 3: Monday – Sunday
Week 4: Monday – Sunday
Week 5: Monday – Sunday
Week 6: Monday – Sunday
Week 7: Monday – Sunday

WEEK TOPICS ASSESSMENTS DUE
1

What to Bring to the Table

Origins of Disease

Human Microbiome

Microbiome and the Human Health

  • Week 1 Discussion: Introductions
  • Week 1 Case Study Prep: Select Pathogen
  • Week 1 Article Summary: Impact of Antibiotics on the Human Microbiome and Consequences for Host Health
  • Week 1 Quiz
  • Discussion – Initial post by Friday, responses by Sunday
  • Week 1 Assignments due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Quiz due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
2

 

Immune Review

Biofilms

Bacteriology

Antibacterial Agents and Novel Control Strategies

 

  • Week 2 Case Study Prep: Initial Research
  • Week 2 Video Topic: Biofilms – Strategies to Combat Bacterial Biofilm Formation
  • Week 2 Quiz
  • Week 2 Assignments due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Quiz due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
3

Gram + Bacteria

Oral Heath

The Overlooked Bacterial Pandemic

The Resistome of the Food Chain

Host-Pathogen Interactions and Immune Evasion

Accidental Virulence I

The Plastisphere and AMR

  • Week 3 Case Study Prep: Epidemiology
  • Week 3 Quiz
  • Week 3 Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Quiz due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
4

Vaccine Durability

Engineering Antiviral Vaccines and Novel Vaccine Design

  • Week 4 Case Study Prep: Pathogenesis and Virulence Factors
  • Week 4 Video Topic: Vaccine Longevity
  • Midterm Exam
  • Week 4 Assignments due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Midterm Exam due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
5

Viruses

Emerging Viruses and Climate Change

Zoonotic Spillovers

AI and Virus Discovery

Microplastics and Viruses

Systems and Translational Virology

  • Week 5 Case Study Prep: Detection and Diagnosis
  • Week 5 Article Summary: Reconsidering the Need for Gain-of-Function Research on Enhanced Potential Pandemic Pathogens in the Post-Covid-19 Era
  • Week 5 Quiz
  • Week 5 Assignments due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Quiz due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
6

Fungi

Fungal Pathogens and Mycroses

Impact of Climate Change on Fungal Infections

Accidental Virulence II

  • Week 6 Case Study
  • Week 6 Video Topic: Disaster Microbiology/Mycology
  • Week 6 Quiz
  • Week 6 Video Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Case Study due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Quiz due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
7

Parasites

Emerging Parasitic Threats

Evolution of Vector-Borne Diseases

Parasite-Based Therapeutics

 

  • Week 7 Article Summary: Parasites and Microbiota – Dual Interactions and Therapeutic Perspectives
  • Final Exam
  • Week 7 Video Assignment due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET
  • Final Exam due Sunday at 11:59 PM ET

 

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:

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

Use of Artificial Intelligence

Generative AI (GenAI) applications (e.g., ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, and similar tools) are increasingly used in academic and professional environments. In the MBS program, AI tools may be used in limited and transparent ways that support learning. They may not substitute for independent scientific reasoning, writing, analysis, or demonstration of mastery of course learning outcomes.

The use of AI in academic work falls under the MBS Academic Integrity Agreement and must align with our commitment to honest, responsible, and professional scholarship. Students should always be able to demonstrate the originality of submitted work if improper use of AI is suspected.

In situations where AI tools are used as a resource, students must:

  • Ensure that all submitted academic work demonstrates their own learning and mastery of course objectives.
  • Acknowledge every instance of AI use in-text at the point where it was used. AI use should not be listed in the References section.
  • Include a brief description of how the AI tool was used, followed by the AI tool name, model/version (if available), manufacturer/owner, and date used in parentheses. Students should consult the AI citation section of the AMA style guide for additional details.
  • Take full responsibility for the accuracy, interpretation, and conclusions presented in their work.
  • Critically evaluate AI output for errors, bias, and potential risks to vulnerable or underrepresented populations.
  • Follow any additional course or assignment-specific AI restrictions provided in assignment instructions.

Failure to acknowledge AI use in submitted work constitutes a violation of academic integrity and will be treated as plagiarism under the MBS Academic Integrity Policy and Student Handbook.

Penalties for AI misuse will follow the MBS program's academic integrity escalation structure. A first offense will result in a zero on the assignment with no opportunity for resubmission. Additional or severe violations may result in course failure and/or referral for program-level review, which may include dismissal from the program.

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 AMA 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

6- to 8-week courses: 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.

10+ -week courses: 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 Online Student Handbook

UNE Course Withdrawal

Please contact your Enrollment and Retention Counselor if you are considering dropping or withdrawing from a course. Tuition charges may still apply. Students are strongly urged to consult with Student Financial Services, as course withdrawals may affect financial aid or Veterans benefits.

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:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submissions of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. 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.