Units

5.0

Course Description

This course will explore the principles of microbiology with a molecular emphasis, as well as extensive laboratory experience. It is appropriate for allied health and biology majors. Topics include microscopy and staining, cell structure and function, cell biochemistry and metabolism, growth and control of microbes (with an emphasis on sterile technique), microbial genetics, biotechnology concepts and applications, classification and identification of microbes, immunology and applications, epidemiology, medical microbiology, and public health microbiology.

Requisites

Prerequisite CHEM107 - Integrated Inorganic, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

OR

Prerequisite CHEM108 - Introductory Chemistry

OR

Prerequisite CHEM109 - Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry

OR

Prerequisite CHEM120 - General College Chemistry I

AND

Advisory

AND

Advisory

AND

Advisory MATH119 - Beginning and Intermediate Algebra

OR

Advisory MATH119SP - Beginning and Intermediate Algebra Self-Paced

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Explain the methods used to study microbes, especially microscopy and staining.
2. Analyze prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and function, as well as virus structure and function.
3. Apply knowledge of cell biochemistry to understand the diversity of microbial metabolic pathways.
4. Describe the growth of microbes, outlining replication cycles of bacteria and bacterial and animal viruses.
5. Explain how to control microbial growth using physical and chemical methods.
6. Apply principles of molecular genetics to microbes, highlighting the mechanisms of microbial change and diversity.
7. Apply knowledge of fundamental biotechnology concepts and techniques, including identification technologies and DNA cloning, to novel situations.
8. Outline how organisms and viruses are classified and identified in the microbial world.
9. Describe the components of the immune system and how they contribute to disease control and prevention.
10. Apply knowledge of the immune system to explain how vaccines work, how immunoassays and immune therapies work, and what happens when the system malfunctions.
11. Explain the epidemiology of diseases, including how microbes cause disease and spread.
12. Describe selected infectious diseases, such as HIV.
13. Perform basic microscopic techniques to visualize microbes and immune cells. (Laboratory)
14. Identify various free-living and pathogenic organisms under the microscope. (Laboratory)
15. Identify unknown organisms using characteristics such as staining and metabolic tests, biotechnology identification technologies, and immunoassays. (Laboratory)
16. Perform routine microbiological tasks aseptically. (Laboratory)
17. Culture bacteria and viruses in various media and growing conditions and investigate methods of microbial control. (Laboratory)
18. Perform an Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) test and graphically analyze results. (Laboratory)
19. Apply biotechnology to create a genetically modified organism and to identify specific prokaryotes using Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). (Laboratory)
20. Examine various medical microbiolgy applications, including throat culture and urine culture (Laboratory)
21. Explore public health microbiology, including water and food testing. (Laboratory)

Units and Hours