Instructor: Becky Bell
Office: Holt Hall, Room 212, Email: Becky-Bell@utc.edu, Phone: 423.425.4066
Lecture: 8-9:40 a.m. M,Tu,W,Th,F in Holt 207
Lab: 9:50-11:40 M,W,F in Holt 123
Office hours: Tu, Th 9:40-10:30 a.m. and other times by appointment

Microbiology & Health (BIOL 210) is a 4 hour course that fulfils a general education requirement in the natural science laboratory courses category (Gen Ed Code: SL). Lecture and laboratory are course co-requisites. To satisfy the general education course writing component, a minimum of one fifth of the course grading assessments require answers in gramatically correct complete sentences to express understanding of the course concepts.

Course Objectives
Microbiology and Health (BIOL 210) explores the biology of microorganisms: organisms too small to be seen with the naked eye. The study begins with the development of the microscope and continues with the work of early microbiologists such as Pasteur, Koch, and Semmelweise. Subsequent topics include microbial cell structure, physiology, metabolism, genetics, diversity, and environmental interactions. Disease causing microorganisms are emphasized with particular reference to morphological and physiological characteristics, physical and chemical means used to control growth, the immunological response caused by infection, and bioterrorism. The laboratory component of the course focuses on techniques used to investigate these microbial characteristics.

Prerequisites
Chemistry 121/123 or equivalent with a grade of "C" or better.

Credit
Four hours. This course does not satisfy a category requirement toward a biology or medical technology degree. Biology majors may count the course as elective biology hours. Biology majors, especially pre-professional concentrators or others planning on medical school, should take BIOL 311 instead.

Course Materials
Microbiology: An Introduction (10th edition) by Tortora is recommended but not required.

A computer based e-version of the book is available online. The advantage of an e-book is that you have access to many multimedia resources not available with traditional textbooks.

Laboratory activities are available online and you are required to print the assigned document and bring it to lab. Additionally, students are required to bring a vinyl lab apron to cover street clothes while working in the laboratory and a black permanent pen (e.g.- a Sharpie™).

Course Policies and Procedures
Course materials, assignments, and announcements will be provided via BlackBoard so you must be able to access and use computer resources. If you do not own computer and printer, you may use the UTC Microcomputer Lab in the University Center. Your BlackBoard user name is the same as your UTCID (a mixture of letters and numbers). To enhance student services, your UTC email address (firstname-lastname@utc.edu) will be used for university and class communications. Please check your UTC email on a regular basis. If you have problems accessing your email account or logging in to Blackboard, contact the Help Desk at 425-2676. I will respond to e-mails from your UTC e-mail account only! Additional computer skills are required to perform class assignments. You must be able to prepare a Microsoft Word document using an assigned format and submit the document via an e-mail attachment. If you do not have these skills, workers in the student computer lab can assist you,

There will be no make-up lecture exams, lecture quizzes, or laboratory quizzes. For students with an excuse acceptable to the instructor, the comprehensive final lecture exam will be weighted for one missed lecture exam. An example of an acceptable excuse is illness requiring documented medical attention. There will be no make-up lecture quizzes or attendance check scores. The lowest two scores in this grade category will be dropped. There will be no make-up lab quizzes. The lowest lab quiz score will be dropped. Schedule routine medical care and other appointments at times that do not interfere with class commitments.

Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, private discussions that disrupt the rest of the class, cell phones, eating/drinking in class, late arrivals and early departures. If your cell phone rings while you are in my classroom or laboratory, I will ask you to leave. Disruptive students will be asked to leave and may face disciplinary action. Students caught cheating, or any other incident involving academic dishonesty, will face disciplinary action. By enrolling the university you accept and agree to follow university regulations, including compliance with the honor code. Refer to the Student Handbook for university policies on the honor system.

Microbiology Laboratory
Laboratory attendance is mandatory and each unexcused absence will result in a 2% reduction in the laboratory grade. Because techniques for safe handling of bacteria are taught during each laboratory session, a student who misses two consecutive lab sessions cannot perform further experiments safely, will not be readmitted to the laboratory, and must withdraw from the course. Five percent (5%) of the course average is determined by lab quizzes, assignments, and a formal laboratory report. Ten percent (10%) of the course average is determined by the mid-term laboratory exam score. Ten percent (10%) of the course average is determined by the final laboratory exam score. If you have a verifiable, valid excuse for missing the laboratory mid-term or final (e.g.- illness requiring medical attention) you must contact me by 5:00 p.m. on the day of a missed exam so that exam materials can be retained.

If you have health issues that make you more susceptible to infection or you take medications that suppress your immune system please see me after the first lab so we can make plans to protect your health. For safety reasons fingernail length is limited to fingertip length and artificial nails are strongly discouraged because of an increased risk of infection. If you have artificial nails you must purchase latex or vinyl gloves and wear them during lab. Broken skin must be covered with clothing or a waterproof bandage when you come to lab. No hats or head covering may be worn in lab for safety reasons. All microbiology safety guidelines, enumerated in the first laboratory activity, must be followed.

The laboratory quizzes, assignments, and exams comprise 25% of the total course grade and will be determined as follows:
Lab quizzes and assignments = 5% of the course grade
This grade category is composed of lab quizzes, technique assessments, assignments (announced and un-announced), and a formal laboratory report.
Some technique assessments and assignments are pass/fail, with repetition until mastery is achieved.
Failure to achieve technique mastery or complete a pass/fail assignment will result in a 2% reduction in the lab quiz category for each unacceptable score.
There will be no make-up lab quizzes. The lowest lab quiz score will be dropped. The lab report is mandatory and the report score will not be dropped.
Mid-Term Laboratory Exam = 10% of the course grade
Final Laboratory Exam = 10% of the course grade

Failure to master correct techniques for manipulating live bacteria can cause increased health risks to the student and to others in the laboratory. Observed technique violations will result in loss of points (1% reduction in lab quiz category for each infraction). Students will be informed immediately if a technique infraction is observed. Failure to master and practice correct laboratory techniques will result in suspension of laboratory privileges and necessitate withdrawal from the course.

Course Grade
Lecture Exams = 50%
Lecture quizzes (unannounced) and attendance = 2% of the course grade
Lab quizzes and assignments = 5% of the course grade.
Mid-Term Laboratory Exam = 10% of the course grade. Lab exam may be administered during lecture period.
Final Laboratory Exam = 10% of the course grade. Lab exam may be administered during lecture period.
Final Lecture Exam (Comprehensive) = 23%
Lab quizzes and exams may be administered during the lecture period.

Grade Scale
A = 90-100% B = 80-89% C = 70-79% D = 60-69% F < 60%

Student Services
If you need help, please see me! Appointments for times other than scheduled office hours are available. If you have a certified disability that requires assistance or accommodations, or you have questions related to any accommodations for testing, note takers, readers, or other matters, please speak to me as soon as possible. Students may also contact the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD) at 425-4006. The OSD is located in Frist Hall, room 102.

If you need a tutor, contact Student Support Services (425-5235) for assistance. If you find that personal problems, career indecision, or study and time management difficulties are adversely impacting your academic progress, please contact the Counseling and Career Planning Center at 425-4438.

The course syllabus and schedule are subject to change. Changes may be announced via posting on Blackboard or e-mail to your UTC address.