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Syllabus

Post Baccalaureate in Pre-Health

BIOL 1020L: Microbiology – Accelerated – 8 weeks

Credits - 4

Description

This course is designed to meet the microbiology prerequisite for students who are applying for admission to health profession programs. Most students taking this course will have an undergraduate degree and will be in the process of a career change. Online Microbiology is a one-semester course.  It will emphasize the concepts that are a necessary groundwork for courses the student will take in his/her professional program.

Topics covered in this course include: the history of microbiology, microbial morphology and physiology, bacterial metabolism, genetics, ecology, and the classification of microorganisms, particularly bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Therapeutic agents used to disrupt and control microbial growth are considered and a body systems approach is utilized in the coverage of diseases.  

Materials

Textbook

  • Nester, E. W., et al. Microbiology: A Human Perspective. 10th edition. McGraw Hill; 2022. ISBN13: 9781260735505

Note : The e-book version of Nester may not be used on any proctored course exam. Textbooks need to be purchased separately and are not part of your registration fee. 

Areas of Prior knowledge

Webcam

UNE Compliant External Webcam and whiteboard* – To be used during proctored exams

You must show your proctor that your whiteboard is clear at the beginning of your testing session, and you must erase your whiteboard in front of the proctor before disconnecting from your session.  If you do not do this, your exam will not be credited.

Laboratory Components

NOTE: The cost of some required course materials (such as laboratory materials, or lab kit; digital platforms, textbooks, etc.) is not included in the course fee; they must be purchased separately. Instructions for purchasing the kit are included within the course.

To complete the laboratory component of this course, students are directed to purchase the following lab materials:

  • Hands on Labs (HOL) Kit
    • The kit must be purchased through HOL and cannot be purchased second hand or from another vendor.
    • Kits can take 5 – 7 business days to arrive.
    • For help ordering your HOL Kit, please follow the “Getting Started with Hands On Labs” guide located on the HOL link in Brightspace.
    • The HOL policy on Returns and Refunds will be viewable prior to completing your order.
    • HOL lab kits: For customer service concerns, please use the HOL dedicated phone line (720-360-4034).
    • The kit must be purchased directly through Hands-on Labs (Science Interactive) and cannot be purchased second-hand or from another vendor.
    • Students must complete both parts of every lab – the assigned experiment and the corresponding assignment online – to earn a grade for the lab.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of the course students will be able to:

  1. Define basic structure/function of microorganisms including prokaryotes, eukaryotes and viruses, with emphasis on their relationships to human disease and treatment modalities
  2. Describe the kinetics and patterns of microbial growth, and environmental factors that alter growth
  3. Describe key features of microbial genetics, including DNA structure and function, as well as mechanisms of DNA replication, transcription and translation
  4. Explain how and why microbial gene expression is regulated, as well as how genetic mutation and DNA transfer mechanisms affect microbial evolution, fitness and pathogenesis
  5. Define and compare beneficial versus pathogenic host-microbial interactions
  6. Explain fundamental stains, basic staining techniques, and corresponding bacterial and fungal morphology
  7. Describe the clinical manifestations associated with common bacterial, viral, fungal, and parasitic diseases
  8. Describe the uses of the various media and metabolic/enzymatic testing protocols
  9. Identify bacterial/fungal toxic and invasive factors and their relationship to the pathogenesis of disease
  10. Classify the mechanisms of antibiotic (antibacterial/antifungal), antiparasitic, and antiviral activity, as well as resistance strategies employed by target microorganisms
  11. Identify the pathogens commonly associated with infections of the skin, eyes, nervous system, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and genitourinary tract in humans, as well as their modes of pathogenesis and risk factors associated with each type of disease
  12. Identify common healthcare-associated (nosocomial) pathogens
  13. Identify disease and likely etiology on the basis of patient signs and symptoms, pertinent history, and lab findings
  14. Create a case study outline.

Assignments

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

Item CategoryPercent of Final Grade
Discussions (2)5
Weekly Quizzes (7)15
Video Assignments (3)15
Lab Exercises (17)30
Lab Report (1)5
Proctored Exams (3)30
Total100

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

HOL/SI: Hands-on-Labs/Science Interactive

(#): number of hours needed to complete lab

Week 1

Textbook Chapters:

  1. Chapter 1: Humans and the Microbial World
  2. Chapter 2: The Molecules of Life (note: there is no lecture or quiz for chapter 2, but you should be familiar with the topics)
  3. Chapter 3: Cells and Methods to Observe Them
  4. Chapter 4: Dynamics of Microbial Growth
  5. Chapter 5: Control of Microbial Growth

Due this week

HOL/SI:

  • Getting Started (3 hrs)
  • Lab Safety (2 hrs)
  • V-Scope (3 hrs)

Brightspace:

  • Introduction Video Discussion
  • Week 1 Quiz

Week 2

Textbook Chapters

  1. Chapter 6: Metabolism: Fueling Cell Growth
  2. Chapter 7: The Blueprint of Life, DNA to Protein
  3. Chapter 8: Bacterial Genetics

Due this week

HOL/SI:

  • Microbiology Lab Preparation (3 hrs)
  • Lab Kit Inventory (30 min)
    • No lab kit is required for the first 2 weeks of the lab to allow for time to receive your shipped kit. Immediately upon receiving it, conduct the Lab Kit Inventory and begin the Ubiquity of Microorganisms lab due next week
  • Bacterial Morphology and Staining Techniques (3 hrs)
  • Ubiquity of Microorganisms (3 hrs + 48-hr incubation)
  • Aseptic Technique and Culturing Microbes (3 hrs + 4 day incubation)

Brightspace:

  • Video Assignment: Biofilms
  • Week 2 Quiz

Week 3

Textbook Chapters

  1. Chapter 9: Biotechnology & CRISPR
  2. Chapter 10: Identifying and Classifying Microorganisms
  3. Chapter 11: The Diversity of Bacteria and Archaea & BIOFILMS
  4. Chapter 12: The Eukaryotic Members of the Microbial World
  5. Chapter 13: Viruses, Viroids, and Prions

Due this week

HOL/SI:

  • Selective and Differential Media Testing (2.5 hrs + 1-2 day incubation)
  • Carbohydrate Fermentation Testing (3 hrs + 2 day incubation)
  • Catalase and Oxidase Testing (3)

Brightspace:

  • Week 3 Quiz

Week 4 – Midterm Exam

Textbook Chapters

  1. Chapter 14: The Innate Immune Response
  2. Chapter 15: The Adaptive Immune Response
  3. Chapter 16: Host-Microbe Interactions
  4. Chapter 17: Applications of Immune Responses

Due this week

HOL/SI:

  • N/A

Brightspace:

  • Midterm Exam (covers Weeks 1-3)
  • Week 4 Quiz

Week 5

Textbook Chapters

  1. Chapter 18: Immunological Disorders
  2. Chapter 19: Epidemiology
  3. Chapter 20: Antimicrobial Medications
  4. Chapter 21: Respiratory System Infections & COVID-19

Due this week

HOL/SI:

  • Salt Tolerance and  pH Testing (3 hrs + 48 hr incubation)
  • Kirby-Bauer Diffusion Testing (3 hrs + 48 hr incubation)

Brightspace:

  • Video Assignment: Vaccines & Immunity
  • Week 5 Quiz

Week 6

Due this week

Textbook Chapters

  1. Chapter 22: Skin Infections
  2. Chapter 23: Wound Infections
  3. Chapter 24: Digestive System Infections
  4. Chapter 25: Blood and Lymphatic Infections
  5. Chapter 26: Nervous System Infections
  6. Chapter 27: Genitourinary Tract Infections

Due this week

HOL/SI:

  • Motility Testing (3 hrs + 48 hr incubation)
  • Identification of an Unknown Microbe (3 – virtual)
  • Fomite Transmission (3 hrs + 48 hr incubation)

Brightspace:

  • Antimicrobial Resistance Discussion
  • Week 6 Quiz

Week 7

Textbook Chapters

  1. Chapter 28: Microbial Ecology
  2. Chapter 29: Environmental Microbiology: Treatment of Water, Wastes, and Polluted Habitats
  3. Chapter 30: Food Microbiology

Due this week

HOL/SI:

  • Food Safety (3 hrs + 5 days + 48 hr incubation)

Brightspace:

  • Video Assignment: Infectious disease and climate change
  • Food Safety Lab Report
  • Week 7 Quiz

Week 8 – Final Exams

Due this week

Brightspace:

  • Final Exam
  • Final Lab Exam

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. Questions? Email: prehealth@une.edu.

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.

Instructor and Support Contact Information

Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.

UNE Libraries

Further Assistance

Your student service advisor monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.

Policies

Attendance Policy

Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance 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 if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Proctored Examinations

Your course may have proctored exams. Please see your course for full details, access, testing requirements, and guidelines.

Students must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited. Please contact your instructor for specific feedback.

Exam Attempts Policy

Students will receive two attempts at all proctored examinations. The higher score of the two attempts will be calculated into the final grade.

All students are encouraged to use a second attempt on their exams in order to improve their overall performance in the course.

Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Length

A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.

Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 8 weeks.

  1. Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar found on the Student Success Portal.
  2. Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.

Withdrawal and Refund Policies

Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact PreHealth@une.edu with any questions.

Grade Policy

Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course. Contact support with any questions.

Transcripts

Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.

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.

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 submission 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.