BISC300
Introduction to Microbiology
Spring, 2007
1. Dr. D. W. Smith
Office: 237 Wolf Hall
Phone: 831-2275
e-mail:
dwsmith@udel.edu
Office Hours: M 1-2, R 1-2. Scheduling ahead strongly advised.
2. Textbook: Microbiology
By Willey, Sherwood, and Wolverton (2007)
3. The attached outline of
proposed lectures is provided as a guideline, but is subject
to variation. In addition the assigned readings may change. Any changes will be
announced as far in advance as possible. Examination dates will not
change.
There are three topics for which students are responsible, although there will be no regular classroom lectures. The first of these is basic molecular biology, covered by the textbook in Chapters 11 and 12. These chapters are much more detailed than is necessary for this course and a study guide type of summary will be provided on the web page to clarify what students are expected to know in this area. The second topic is microbial energy metabolism, primarily fermentation and respiration. This material is covered in Chapters 8 and 9, parts of which are assigned, but there will also be required supplementary material. This supplement consists of videotaped lectures which will be available in three ways:
a) video tape available in
reserve in the library;
b) presentation on UDTV at times to be announced;
c) through the course web page, details to be provided.
In addition there will be a detailed summary on the web page. The third topic is epidemiology, which is covered in Chapter 37. A summary will be on the course web page.
Note that these presentations on molecular biology, energy metabolism, and epidemiology are not optional. Students are responsible for the material exactly as though lectures had been presented in the regular class time slot.
4. Grades: BISC 300 is a 4-credit course. Laboratory performance will comprise 30% of the total course grade (laboratory requirements are detailed separately). The remaining 70% of the grade will be determined by three examinations (two midterms and a final). Each midterm covers the immediately preceding one third of the course. The final exam is comprehensive with heavier weight given to the last third of the course; two-thirds of the points on the final come from the last third of the course with the other one-third of the points split evenly between the first two thirds of the course. The final counts for half of the 70% and the two midterms are each worth one fourth of the 70%.
The contribution of exams will be based on accumulation of points, not letter grades of individual exams. All exams will consist of multiple choice questions plus five short answer questions on each exam. Last year's exams, with answers, will be posted on the course web page.
Make-up examinations. If you are unable to attend a scheduled examination, you must contact the instructor before the exam. If the excuse is acceptable , a make-up will be given on the following Friday or Monday (for Tuesday or Thursday exams, respectively). All makeup exams will be of the short-answer essay type. No additional make-ups will be given. There will be no make-up for the final.
Course grading will be on a strict percentage basis, combining lecture and laboratory performance.
The grade divisions for this course will be:
A 93-100
A- 90-92
B+ 87- 89
B 83-86
B- 80-82
C+ 77- 79
C 73-76
C- 70-72
D+ 67- 69
D 63-66
D- 60-62
F 0- 59
5. Academic Honesty: Students are responsible for understanding the appropriate sections of the Student Guide to Policies . Every effort will be taken to enforce these policies and all suspected cases of academic dishonesty will be prosecuted through the Student Judicial System. Standards of academic honesty apply not only to lecture examinations, but also to laboratory quizzes and laboratory reports. See Laboratory handout for further details.