Explore online education in Tennessee

BIOL 2230 Syllabus

Course Syllabus

BIOL 2230 - Introduction to Microbiology with Lab

4 Credit Hours

Course Information

Course Description:

This combination laboratory and lecture course consists of a survey of microorganisms with emphasis on morphology, growth and pathogenesis of bacteria, fungi and viruses. Human defense mechanisms against disease are emphasized.  Laboratory exercises are designed to demonstrate the distribution, isolation, cultivation, identification, and control of microorganisms.  The use of microorganisms in biotechnology will be examined.

Course Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Identify the activities and persons contributing to the development of microbiology.
  2. Identify the physical and chemical requirements for microbial growth and control.
  3. Describe viral replication, classification and laboratory culture methods.
  4. Compare and contrast methods and benefits of biotechnology, genetic modification and recombinant DNA.
  5. Identify classification criteria and cell structure associated with prokaryotes, eukaryotes and nonliving infectious agents.
  6. Define metabolism and compare anabolic, catabolic, fermentative and enzymatic activities in microorganism.
  7. Identify the causative agent, symptoms, transmission and treatment of various infectious diseases involving human body systems. 
Prerequisites & Co-requisites:

BIOL 2230 has no prerequisites, and it can be taken concurrently with BIOL 2010 or BIOL 2020. It is strongly recommended that students take only one of these courses (BIOL 2010, BIOL 2020 or BIOL 2230) in a semester because of the demanding workload. 

Course Topics:
  • The Microbial World and You
  • Observing Microorganisms
  • Functional Anatomy
  • Growth
  • Control of Growth
  • Classification
  • The Prokaryotes
  • Fungi, Protozoa, and Multicellular Parasites
  • Viruses
  • Principles of Disease
  • Pathogenicity
  • Nonspecific Defense
  • Specific Defense
  • Antimicrobial Drugs
  • Diseases of Skin and Eyes
  • Diseases of Nervous System
  • Disease of Cardiovascular and Lymphatic Systems
  • Diseases of Respiratory System 
  • Diseases of Digestive System, Urinary and Reproductive Systems 
Specific Course Requirements:

McGraw-Hill Connect Microbiology with LearnSmart Labs external resource required. Microbiology: Systems Approach (Connect Access) Edition: 6th ISBN: 9781260451245 Author: Cowan Publisher: McGraw-Hill

Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements

Required Textbooks:

Please visit the Virtual Bookstore to obtain textbook information for this course. Move your cursor over the "Books" link in the navigation bar and select "Textbooks & Course Materials." Select your Program, Term, Department, and Course; then select "Submit."

Supplementary Materials:

None

Hardware and Software Requirements:

Minimum hardware requirements can be found here.

Minimum software requirements can be found here.

Common applications you might need:

Web Resources:

Purdue OWL Online Writing Lab (for APA, MLA, or Chicago style)

The Writing Center Online Writer's Handbook

Student Resources:
  • Technical support information can be found on the TN eCampus Help Desk page.
  • Smarthinking virtual tutoring is available FREE of charge. to access Smarthinking, visit the course homepage and select Smarthinking under Course Resources. You also view sample sessions to see what Smarthinking offers and how it works.
  • Information on other student issues or concerns can be located on the TN eCampus Student Resources page.

Instructor Information

Please see "Instructor Information" in the Getting Started Module for instructor contact information, virtual office hours, and other communication information. You can expect to receive a response from the instructor within 24-48 hours unless notified of extenuating circumstances.

Participation, Assessments, & Grading

Grading Procedures:
Grading Scale:

Letter grades for this course will be assigned based on the following scale.

Point RangeAssigned Grade
1642-1825 PointsA
1460-1641 PointsB
1277-1459 Points
1095-1276 Points
under 1095 Points

 

Assignments and Projects:

Students will complete McGraw-Hill Connect assignments, a class discussion, a summary and reflection drop-box assignment, and a lecture exam for each of seven modules. Additionally, there will be a Proctored Midterm Laboratory Test A over the first three modules and a non-proctored Laboratory Test B over the last four modules. The Proctored Final Exam is cumulative. Proctoring will require use of Respondus Lockdown Browser Monitor with a webcam and microphone. Optional extra credit assignments include Bonus Analysis Questions covering critical thinking clinical topics in each module and a cumulative review McGraw-Hill Connect quiz. 

Graded Assignments

Assignment name Number of Assignments Points
Module Tests7 @ 100 pts. ea.700
Open Book Test1 @ 100 pts. ea.100
Connect Assignments32 @ 10 pts; 7 @ 5 pts. 320
Proctored Midterm Laboratory Test A 1 @ 200 pts.200
Laboratory Test B1 @ 200 pts200
Proctored Final Exam1@ 200 pts.200 
Discussion Questions7 @ 10 pts.70
Summary & Reflection Questions7 @ 5 pts.35
Total Points 1825
   
Possible Total Bonus Points: 105
Connect Quiz1 @ 70 pts.70
Bonus Analysis Questions7 @ 5 pts.35

 

Class Participation:

You are expected to participate in all interactive aspects of the course. For example, you must communicate with other students via emails and discussion board exchanges. You are expected to communicate with your instructor on a regular basis and check the course frequently for announcements. You must actively participate in threaded discussion events. Students are expected to work at a pace conducive to collaborative learning - that is, don't work too far ahead or too far behind the group. The class is designed to support student interaction. You will be responsible for meeting all deadlines. 

Late Policy:

ALL exams are to be taken at times scheduled by the instructor. Exact dates for each assignment are posted on the course calendar. It is essential that you do all assignments, quizzes, tests, etc. in a timely manner. Late assignments will lose 10 points per calendar day that they are overdue. No make ups of Connect assignments are allowed.

  • No make ups of proctored exams are allowed. The only exceptions allowed would be illness involving hospitalization or jury duty.
  • The midterm and final exam will be proctored online through Respondus Lockdown Browser Monitor. A webcam with microphone is required for testing.
  • Makeup exams will be given for excused absences only (documentation required). Excused absences include illness (medical excuse required), death in the immediate family, and military or jury duty. Should a make up be allowed, the test must be taken before the next scheduled test.
  • If you fail to make up a test before the next scheduled test, you must obtain permission from the course instructor and course developer in order to make up the test.
  • No makeup tests may be taken or assignments submitted after the last day of class.

Course Ground Rules

The following two statements (1., 2.) were derived from the TBR System-wide Student Rules document, released January 2012:

RULES OF THE TENNESSEE BOARD OF REGENTS STATE UNIVERSITY AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM OF TENNESSEE SYSTEMWIDE STUDENT RULES CHAPTER 0240-02-03 STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINARY SANCTIONS

Read the document in its entirety here.

1. Standards of Conduct:

  • Students are required to adhere to the same professional, legal and ethical standards of conduct online as on campus. In addition, students should conform to generally accepted standards of "netiquette" while sending e-mail, posting comments to the discussion board, and while participating in other means of communicating online. Specifically, students should refrain from inappropriate and/or offensive language, comments and actions.

2. Review the TN eCampus Academic Integrity/Academic Honesty Policy:

  • In their academic activities, students are expected to maintain high standards of honesty and integrity. Academic dishonesty is prohibited.

Such conduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • an attempt by one or more students to use unauthorized information in the taking of an exam
  • to submit as one's own work, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, computer programs, or other products prepared by another person,
  • or to knowingly assist another student in obtaining or using unauthorized materials.

Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited.

Students guilty of academic misconduct, either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance, are subject to disciplinary action through the regular procedures of the student’s home institution.  Refer to the student handbook provided by your home institution to review the student conduct policy.

In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions that may be imposed, the instructor has the authority to assign an "F" or zero for an activity or to assign an "F" for the course.

Other Course Rules:

Students are expected to:

  • Participate in all aspects of the course
  • Communicate with other students
  • Learn how to navigate in Brightspace
  • Keep abreast of course announcements
  • Use the assigned course management (Brightspace) email address rather than a personal email address
  • Address technical problems immediately:
  • Observe course netiquette at all times.

Guidelines for Communications

Email:

  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members

Discussions:

  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Try to maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be cooperative with group leaders in completing assigned tasks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in TN eCampus programs and courses. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading will be included within the course modules. To access the Virtual Library, go to the course homepage and select the Virtual Library link under Course Resources.

Students with Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes both by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course bulletin board.

Disclaimer

The information contained in this syllabus is for general information purposes only. While we endeavor to keep this information up-to-date and accurate, there may be some discrepancies between this syllabus and the one found in your online course. The syllabus of record is the one found in your online course. Please make sure you read the syllabus in your course at the beginning of the semester. Questions regarding course content should be directed to your instructor.


Last Revised on July 12, 2021