Bio 251: General Microbiology Fall 2005

Course description and prerequisites: An overall survey of microbes important in the environment will be presented. We will examine important processes and/or topics in microbiology including the following: bacterial metabolism and growth; host-microbe interactions; pathogenic microbes; the genetics of prokaryotes; and microbial ecology. A student enrolled in this course should have had a general biology course such as BIO 189 and one college-level chemistry course (i.e. CHE 110 or CHE 115/121 or equivalent). If not, you need to have the consent of the instructor to enroll in this course. 4 credits.

Lectures: Tuesday and Thursday 2:30-3:45 pm;

College of Education Building (CEB) Hendrix Auditorium (HEA)

Instructor: Dr. Brian Hedlund,

Assistant Professor,

Department of Biological Sciences

Email: brian.hedlund@ccmail.nevada.edu

Phone: 895-0809

Office hours: 306A White Hall; Tuesday 9-10 am & 3:45-5:30 pm

If I am not in the office you will find me in my lab (WHI 312)

Course website: http://www.unlv.edu/faculty2/hedlund/Bio251.htm

Lab website: http://www.unlv.edu/staff/wmojica/

Labs: All labs are in 313 White Hall; Check your section for time and day

L01 8:30am-11:20am Tu Bilal Zaatiti

L02 11:30am-2:20pm Tu Rowena Manalang

L03 6:00pm-8:50pm Tu Kylie Siek

L04 8:30am-11:20am We Bilal Zaatiti

L05 11:30am-2:20pm We Katila Varivarm

L06 2:30pm-5:20pm We Rowena Manalang

L07 6:00pm-8:50pm We Dharshani Nanayakkara

L08 8:30am-11:20am Th Dharshani Nanayakkara

L09 11:30am-2:20pm Th Dharshani Nanayakkara

L10 6:00pm-8:50pm Th Katila Varivarm

Lab Coordinators: Shyama Malwane

Email: smalwane@ccmail.nevada.edu

Phone: 895-1147

Office: 317 White Hall

Office hours: Friday 12-1 pm

Nicole Fester

Email: fester@unlv.nevada.edu

Course materials:

Required text: Foundations in Microbiology, 5^th Edition, Talaro. This text has an Online Learning Center (www.mhhe.com/talaro5) for supplementary materials.

Required laboratory book: Laboratory Exercises in Microbiology, 6^th edition, Harley Prescott.

Course website: The course website is http://www.unlv.edu/faculty2/hedlund/Bio251.htm. The course website features an interactive and evolving syllabus. Lecture notes can be downloaded from the syllabus by clicking on the lecture link in the left column. I recommend that you print the lecture notes prior to class and use them as a guideline for taking notes. Lecture notes are not a substitute for attending class! Changes made to the current syllabus will be made in red; syllabus items in bold, including exam dates, will not change.

Grades:

Grades for lecture and lab will be calculated separately and combined at the end of the semester to determine your final grade. 70% of your grade will come from the lecture section. 30% of your grade will come from the lab section. A, 100-90%; B, 90-80%; C, 80-70%; D, 70-60%; and F, <60%.

Lecture: Lecture grades will be determined by your performance on 4 exams, 3 midterms and a comprehensive final exam. Each exam is worth one third of your lecture grade and each student’s worst exam will be dropped from the calculation.

Lab: Lab grades will be based on the following: laboratory reports, lab quizzes, 2 lab practica, and a report on an unknown organism. See the lab syllabus for details: http://www.unlv.edu/staff/wmojica/.

STUDENTS WHO DROP THE COURSE AFTER THE FIRST WEEK WILL RECEIVE A “W” ON THEIR TRANSCRIPT. This does not affect your GPA; however, it will be permanently on your transcript.

Exams: Exams will cover material in assigned readings and material presented in class. The format will be 26 multiple-choice, 10 true/false, and 3 short answer/essays (you pick 2 to answer). More information will be given as the exam dates approach. Attendance at exams is required and an absence will result in a zero for that exam. You must bring your student ID and number 2. Scantron forms will be provided. Previous exams are available on electronic reserve. Go to the UNLV libraries webpage (http://www.library.unlv.edu/.) Click on “Course Reserves”. Click on “Search E-Reserves (all libraries)”. Click on “Electronic Reserves and Reserves Pages”. Click on the right tab “Course Reserves Pages by Instructor”. Choose Hedlund and Bio251.

Grade posting: Exam grades and cumulative grades will be posted as soon as possible after each exam in the password protected section of the website. Grades will be listed according to your four digit number.

Extra credit: Students will be able to obtain up to 15 extra credit points, equivalent to 5% of the final grade. Nine points will come from filling out questionnaires (3 points each) that will be handed out unannounced during lecture. Only students present on days when questionnaires are handed out are eligible for the points for that questionnaire.

Six points are available to students who present a new news article (not a scientific journal article) related to microbiology (bacteria, viruses, archaea, or protists NOT EUKARYOTIC MOLECULAR BIOLOGY OR MEDICINE). Students wishing to receive these 6 points must form a group of 4. The group should sign up to present the article to me during office hours. The sign up sheet is located outside my office (306A White). Since there is only one slot per office hour, it is wise to sign up as soon as possible; however, students who sign up and do not use a slot will not be eligible to receive any extra credit. To be eligible for all 6 points, each student in the group must sign up and significantly participate in the discussion in a way that demonstrates your understanding of the material and related background from the textbook – a typical discussion may last 10 minutes. Each group should bring a photocopy of the article. Each article can only be presented to me once – consult the signup sheet to avoid conflicts.

Religious holidays: If you have a religious holiday that conflicts with any of the exam dates, please inform me by the last day of late registration (Sept. 2^nd) so we can make alternative arrangements.

Official extracurricular activity: Students who represent UNLV in any extracurricular activity shall have the opportunity to make up assignments and exams provided that the student presents official written notification to the instructor no less than one week prior to the missed class(es).

Disability: The UNLV Disability Resource Center (DRC) houses the resources for students with disabilities. If you have a documented disability that may require accommodations, you will need to contact the DRC for the coordination of services. The DRC is located in the Student Services Complex (SSC), Room 137. Their numbers are 702-895-0866/Voice; 702-895-0562/TDD and 702-895-0651/Fax. For additional information please visit http://www.unlv.edu/studentlife/drc. It would also be helpful to notify the professor and lab TA so we can assist you as needed.

Lecture etiquette: During lecture you are expected to behave in a way that is not disruptive to the class. Eating is allowed but students should strive to eat quietly and not make a mess. Cell phones should be turned off.

Other opportunities in microbiology at UNLV:

Bio 485/685 Microbial Genetics (3 credits) taught fall semester

Instructor: Eduardo Robleto (robletoe@unlv.edu)

Bio 492 Undergraduate Research (1-3 credits) offered any time

Instructors: Eduardo Robleto, Helen Wing, Ron Yasbin, or Brian Hedlund

Bio 493/796 Topics in Microbiology (1 credit) taught fall and spring semesters

Instructors: Eduardo Robleto, Helen Wing, and Brian Hedlund

Bio 418/755 Microbial Ecology: (4 credits) taught spring semesters

Instructors: Brian Hedlund and Duane Moser

Bacterial Pathogenesis: (3 or 4 credits) taught fall beginning 2006

Instructor: Helen Wing

Bio 453 Immunology: (3 credits) taught fall semesters

Instructors: Sharon Rogers or Nick Nika

Academic dishonesty: Academic dishonesty defined by UNLV (see page 58 in the undergraduate catalog http://www.unlv.edu/pubs/catalogs/undergraduate/pdf/main/acadpol.pdf) “includes any act that violates the academic processes of the university. These acts include, but are not limited to, cheating on an examination, stealing examination questions, substituting one person for another at examinations, falsifying data, destroying or tampering with or stealing a computer program or file, and plagiarizing (using as one’s own the ideas or writings of another)”. The punishment recommended by UNLV for academic dishonesty may be the following: A failing grade for the course and initiating of disciplinary review as described in the university’s rules and disciplinary procedures for members of the university community. The result of the review may be a warning, probation, suspension, or expulsion.

Academic dishonesty (Copyright issues): The University requires all members of the university community to familiarize themselves and to follow copyright and fair use requirements. YOU ARE INDIVIDUALLY AND SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR VIOLATIONS OF COPYRIGHT AND FAIR USE LAWS. THE UNIVERSITY WILL NEITHER PROTECT NOR DEFEND YOU NOR ASSUME ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR EMPLOYEE OR STUDENT VIOLATIONS OF FAIR USE LAWS. Violations of copyright laws could subject you to federal and state civil penalties and criminal liability as well as disciplinary action under university policies. To help familiarize yourself with copyright and fair use policies, the university encourages you to visit its copyright web page at: http://www.unlv.edu/committees/copyright/.

Click here for access to lectures

Bio 251: General Microbiology (Syllabus subject to change)

Date	Topic	Book Chapters
Aug 30 (Tu)	Syllabus discussion; Scope of microbiology	1
Sept 1 (Th)	Main themes of microbiology Tools of the laboratory	1,3
Sept 6 (Tu)	Prokaryotic profiles: The bacteria and archaea	4
Sept 8 (Th)	Elements of microbial nutrition, ecology, and growth	7
Sept 13 (Tu)	Microbial metabolism: The chemical crossroads of life	8
Sept 15 (Th)	Microbial genetics	9
Sept 20 (Tu)	Continue microbial genetics/make up day	9
Sept 22 (Th)	Continue microbial genetics/make up day	9
Sept 27 (Tu)	Exam 1 (Lectures 1-5); Please bring picture ID to the exam!
Sept 29 (Th)	Continue microbial genetics/make up day	9
Oct 3 (M)	Final date to withdraw from class with 50% refund
Oct 4 (Tu)	Return exam 1; microbial genetics	9
Oct 6 (Th)	Mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis – Guest lecture by Dr. Helen Wing Microbe-human interactions: infection and disease	13, 14
Oct 11 (Tu)	The normal flora	13
Oct 13 (Th)	Non-specific immunity	14
Oct 18 (Tu)	Specific immunity (lecture 10)	15
Oct 20 (Th)	Make up day
Oct 25 (Tu)	Exam 2 (Lectures 5-9); Please bring picture ID to the exam!
Oct 27 (Th)	Go over exam 2
Nov 1 (Tu)	Specific immunity (lecture 10)	15
Nov 3 (Th)	The cocci of medical importance (lecture 11)	18
Nov 4 (W)	Final date to drop a class or change to audit!
Nov 8 (Tu)	The cocci of medical importance (lecture 11)	18
Nov 10 (Th)	The Gram-positive bacilli of medical importance (lecture 12)	19
Nov 15 (Tu)	The Gram-positive bacilli of medical importance (lecture 12)	19
Nov 17 (Th)	The Gram-negative bacilli of medical importance(lecture 13)	20
Nov 22 (Tu)	Food spoilage –Guest lecture by Dr. Jim Jay (lecture 14)	26 (pages 811-825)
Nov 25 (Th)	Thanksgiving Day – no class
Nov 29 (Tu)	Exam 3 (Lectures 10-14); Please bring picture ID to the exam!
Dec 1 (Th)	Go over exam 3	Reading recommended by me
Dec 6 (Tu)	Make up/special topic to be announced	Reading recommended by me
Dec 8 (Th)	Make up/special topic to be announced	Reading recommended by me
Dec 13 (Tu) 3:10-5:10pm	Comprehensive final exam in CEB HEA; Please bring picture ID to the exam!

Biology 251 Academic Integrity Contract

Please read the following and sign below.

Plagiarism and academic dishonesty include but are not limited to:

• Cheating on an examination

• Stealing examination questions

• Substituting one person for another at an examination;

• Submitting a paper that someone else has written;

• Falsifying data

• Using information from the World Wide Web or the Internet without citing the source or sources;

• Having some one else do your work for you;

• Having your work edited to the point that it is no longer your work;

• Buying a paper from any source;

• Submitting anything that is not your own work;

• Submitting the same paper for more than one class without the express permission of the instructors involved;

• Copying another student's answers on a quiz or examination.

• Using a cheat-sheet in any incarnation during an exam or quiz

Anyone guilty of academic dishonesty at any point in the semester will be withdrawn from the class, receive an "F" for the course, and can be referred to the University Judiciary for other disciplinary action. For further information on the consequences of academic dishonesty, refer to page 58 of the undergraduate catalog: http://www.unlv.edu/pubs/catalogs/undergraduate/pdf/main/acadpol.pdf.

I have read the above explanations and understand that if I am guilty of academic dishonesty, I will fail this course. I also understand that my instructor can take further actions, including requesting that I be suspended or expelled from UNLV.

Print your name____________________________________________ Date:________________________

Sign your name_________________________________

Modified from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth: http://www.enl.umassd.edu/InteractiveCourse/assistant/Plagiarism_Contract.htm