Microbiology lecture syllabus; chet fornari, instructor

Biology Department

DePauw University

Spring 2010

BIO 250

INTRODUCTION to MICROBIOLOGY

With a focus on microbial evolution & bioinformatics , microbial genetics, virology, applied fermentations, antibiotics and basic microbial techniques

Lecture/Lab: MW, 2:20-3:50 OLIN 205
Lab: 8:30-11:20 OLIN 224

Instructor: Chet Fornari
My Office: 232 Olin bldg.
My phone: 658-4781
my e-mail: cfornari@depauw.edu

Course Objectives
Rationale for Course Design & Organization
Tips for Success
Attendance & Grading Policies
Lecture Topics and CRAaP
Lab syllabus

Links to Microbiology and Molecular Biology sites
Class Pictures
my HomePage

Bio 250
Microbe World Is Your Gateway to the World of Microbes

Text: Biology of Microorganisms, by M.T. Madigan, J.M. Martinko, and J. Parker. 11th ed., (2006), Prentice-Hall publisher (ISBN: 0-13-144329-1). See text description at Barnes & Noble book site or Peason-Prentice Hall or for a web-site (cheaper price) version of this text, see: SafariX eTextbooks

See Companion Website at: Brock Biology of Microorganisms for Chapter Reviews and other helpful information, reviews, and exercises

COURSE OBJECTIVES to learn and understand the conceptual and experimental basics of microbiology; to continue to develop a scientific attitude towards problem-solving and the creation and testing of hypotheses; to gain a greater appreciation for the beauty, logic and interconnectedness of the general principles and concepts underlying the biological sciences.

*RATIONALE for course design and organization* The content of biology courses typically spans atoms to ecosystems; the topics covered and the sheer amount of information, details and data may seem overwhelming. This apparent burden is a reflection of the great and exciting diversity of the biological world. Basic principles, or "unifying themes" underlie this diversity, and serve to organize the biological world into a coherent science with all its concepts, laws and theories. Although biology courses have different names and emphasize different subfields, biological science is based on a set of common (mainly genetic, evolutionary, and chemical/physical) principles. You should pay close attention to these "unifying themes" of biology and concentrate on making broad connections among the various subfields. Doing so will enable you to get out from under the mass of information, and make some sense of it all; then and only then will you come to appreciate the overall unity lurking within a wonderful diversity.

BIO 250 is designed to emphasize general biological themes and principles within the contexts of the molecular, microbial, and evolutionary worlds. So it is both an Introduction to molecular evolution and micro-biology. In addition, Bio 250 includes topics in virology, applied fermentations, microbial genetics and genomics, and biochemical basis of antibiotics.

*Tips for Success in Bio 250* or How to not only survive Bio 250 but also thrive and do well (i.e. learn more biology and accomplish the course objectives):

1. Know your syllabus: Use it to keep track of the topics as we discuss them in the indicated sequence. Refer to the text to read the assigned pages preferably BEFORE coming to the lecture (the reading assignments will be announced in class and summarized on the Web-site syllabus, or WSS, and on the first slide of each slide set . See especially the CRAaP page for assignments. Other reading assignments from Scientific American articles will also be posted on the WSS.

2. Prepare for class: Check the WSS or slide set for reading assignments before coming to class, and read the assigned text pages and/or articles. Do not expect to fully understand a reading assignment or lecture the first time you read/hear it; in other words, do not expect instant comprehension of all the topics read/discussed all the tme. Think about the content, and learn to take effective notes. My task is to help you learn "how to learn" by challenging you to think about new knowledge and ideas; my task is to help you understand and apply new concepts and knowledge through the use of relevant discussions, examples and problems.

To summarize, effective class preparation includes reading the assigned pages, reviewing your previous notes, adding new notes from your text, and then reviewing the revised notes. Do this on a regular, daily basis. Be sure to ask questions whenever you do not understand the material.

*Attendance and Grading policies* Attendance in laboratory is mandatory; attendance in lecture periods is highly recommended, but not monitored. No make-up exams will be scheduled. If you are unable to attend an exam because of an emergency or other disaster, then you must inform Prof. Fornari and the Student Affairs Office before the scheduled exam. Any make-up exams will be different in content and format from that taken by the rest of the class.

Grades will be based on the following:

2 exams: (80%) #1- March 16th;, #2- May 11th;, #3 - Final Project due: May 17th;
lab work and final report-----20%
(see lab syllabus)

Office Hours for discussing course-related issues with me:
Always contact me by e-mail to arrange a mutually compatible time for a meeting. I check my e-mail often and normally should be able to arrange a meeting within one or two days. In your e-mail briefly state the problem and propose a time for our meeting. Sometimes we can resolve problems or questions by an e-mail exchange only, so contact me anytime with concerns or questions.
cfornari@depauw.edu

Topics and Reading Assignments*
*I will post the reading assignments each week on this Web-site syllabus at the CRAaP page.

Part I: (A) Historical Perspective, Scientific Method, Microbial Science and its 4 basic Methods
(B) Application of the basic methods; Cell Morphology and Microscopy