Course Syllabus

Course Description:

The course includes the study of selected evolutionary, ecological, morphological, physiological, and biochemical aspects of representative micro-organisms. The laboratory includes staining, microscopic examination and identification of microbes, prokaryotic ecology, aseptic technique and isolation of microbes, microbial growth media, control of microbial growth including antibiotic sensitivity testing, metabolism, genetics, taxonomy, protists, fungi, helminths, and arthropod vectors. This course is intended for students in allied health majors.

Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • survey important "milestones" in the history of microbiology.
  • compare and contrast the structures and functions of macromolecules found as components of microbial agents/microorganisms.
  • compare and contrast different types of metabolism/metabolic pathways employed by different types of microbes.
  • compare and contrast different types of microbial agents and microorganisms with respect to morphology, physiology, and phylogeny.
  • integrate concepts of gene expression, natural selection, and evolution in the context of microbiological organisms.
  • demonstrate and operate a microscope to examine microscopic life including bacteria, protozoa, algae, fungi, helminths, and arthropod vectors.
  • differentiate bacterial cultures by using staining techniques.
  • compare the use of different types of microbial media for isolation and identification of bacteria and fungi.
  • classify unknown bacteria by performing metabolic tests.
  • incorporate aseptic/sterile techniques in all laboratory experiments.
  • compare and explain the effects of physical and chemical factors in controlling microbial growth and perform antibiotic sensitivity tests.
  • explain the role of bacteria in biofilm formation and nitrogen cycling as important aspects of prokaryotic ecology.
  • explain aspects of host non-specific and specific defenses against microbial pathogens.

American Society for Microbiology course and learner outcomes will be used to assess mastery:

A. Evolution 
1. Cells, organelles (e.g., mitochondria and chloroplasts) and all major metabolic pathways evolved from early prokaryotic cells. 
2. Mutations and horizontal gene transfer, with the immense variety of microenvironments, have selected for a huge diversity of microorganisms. 
3. Human impact on the environment influences the evolution of microorganisms (e.g., emerging diseases and the selection of antibiotic resistance). 
4. The traditional concept of species is not readily applicable to microbes due to asexual reproduction and the frequent occurrence of horizontal gene transfer. 
5. The evolutionary relatedness of organisms is best reflected in phylogenetic trees. 
B. Cell Structure and Function 
6. The structure and function of microorganisms have been revealed by the use of microscopy (including bright field, phase contrast, fluorescent, and electron). 
7. Bacteria have unique cell structures that can be targets for antibiotics, immunity and phage infection. 
8. Bacteria and Archaea have specialized structures (e.g., flagella, endospores, and pili) that often confer critical capabilities. 
9. While microscopic eukaryotes (for example, fungi, protozoa and algae) carry out some of the same processes as bacteria, many of the cellular properties are fundamentally different. 
10. The replication cycles of viruses (lytic and lysogenic) differ among viruses and are determined by their unique structures and genomes. 
C. Metabolic Pathways 
11. Bacteria and Archaea exhibit extensive, and often unique, metabolic diversity (e.g., nitrogen fixation, methane production, anoxygenic photosynthesis). 
12. The interactions of microorganisms among themselves and with their environment are determined by their metabolic abilities (e.g., quorum sensing, oxygen consumption, nitrogen transformations). 
13. The survival and growth of any microorganism in a given environment depends on its metabolic characteristics. 
14. The growth of microorganisms can be controlled by physical, chemical, mechanical, or biological means. 
D. Information Flow and Genetics 
15. Genetic variations can impact microbial functions (e.g., in biofilm formation, pathogenicity and drug resistance). 
16. Although the central dogma is universal in all cells, the processes of replication, transcription, and translation differ in Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryotes. 
17. The regulation of gene expression is influenced by external and internal molecular cues and/or signals 
18. The synthesis of viral genetic material and proteins is dependent on host cells. 
19. Cell genomes can be manipulated to alter cell function. 
E. Microbial Systems 
20. Microorganisms are ubiquitous and live in diverse and dynamic ecosystems. 
21. Most bacteria in nature live in biofilm communities.
22. Microorganisms and their environment interact with and modify each other. 
23. Microorganisms, cellular and viral, can interact with both human and nonhuman hosts in beneficial, neutral or detrimental ways. 
F. Impact of Microorganisms 
24. Microbes are essential for life as we know it and the processes that support life (e.g., in biogeochemical cycles and plant and/or animal microbiota). 
25. Microorganisms provide essential models that give us fundamental knowledge about life processes. 
26. Humans utilize and harness microorganisms and their products. 
27.  Because the true diversity of microbial life is largely unknown, its effects and potential benefits have not been fully explored. 
Part 2: Competencies and Skills 

A. Scientific Thinking 
28. Ability to apply the process of science 
28.a. Demonstrate an ability to formulate hypotheses and design experiments based on the scientific method. 
28.b. Analyze and interpret results from a variety of microbiological methods and apply these methods to analogous situations. 
29. Ability to use quantitative reasoning 
29.a. Use mathematical reasoning and graphing skills to solve problems in microbiology. 
30. Ability to communicate and collaborate with other disciplines 
30.a. Effectively communicate fundamental concepts of microbiology in written and oral format. 
30.b. Identify credible scientific sources and interpret and evaluate the information therein. 
31. Ability to understand the relationship between science and society 
31.a. Identify and discuss ethical issues in microbiology. 
G. Microbiology Laboratory Skills 
32. Properly prepare and view specimens for examination using microscopy (bright field and, if possible, phase contrast). 
33. Use pure culture and selective techniques to enrich for and isolate microorganisms. 
34. Use appropriate methods to identify microorganisms (media-based, molecular and serological). 
35. Estimate the number of microorganisms in a sample (using, for example, direct count, viable plate count, and spectrophotometric methods). 
36. Use appropriate microbiological and molecular lab equipment and methods. 
37. Practice safe microbiology, using appropriate protective and emergency procedures. 
38. Document and report on experimental protocols, results and conclusions. 

Course Content:

  • History and relevance of microbiology: early discoveries, impact on contemporary world
  • Review of general chemistry: atoms, molecules, chemical bonds, water, pH
  • Biological chemistry: organic molecules, functional groups, biological polymers
  • Biological membranes: structure and function
  • Eukaryotic cells: generalized structure and function
  • Prokaryotic cells: specific structural features and their functions
  • Taxonomy: outlines of taxonomic systems, modern bacterial taxonomy
  • Metabolism: enzyme function, general features of metabolic pathways, bacterial metabolism
  • Growth and control: mechanics and measurement of growth, environmental influences on growth, control of growth by physical and chemical agents.
  • Fungi: life cycles, reproductive patterns, taxonomy; common diseases caused by fungi
  • Protists: life cycles, taxonomy, common diseases caused by protists
  • Viruses: structural features, genomic features, replicative cycle, lysogenic mode
  • Genetics: structure and function of DNA, protein synthesis, regulation of gene expression, bacterial genetic recombination
  • Genetic engineering: introduction to, rational for, and techniques of genetic engineering
  • Health and disease: normal body microbiota, epidemiology, and etiology of communicable disease; history, identification, and treatment of selected communicable diseases
  • Immunology: evolution and features of body defenses against disease, passive defenses, phagocytosis, antibody mediated immunity, cell mediated immunity
  • Antimicrobial drugs: principles of antimicrobial pharmodynamics, mechanisms and usefulness of drug types
  • Microbes in the environment: environmental impact of microbial activity; bioremediation
  • Evolution: early cell types, relationships of bacteria and archaea to eukaryotic cells
  • Use of microscopes
  • Microscopic examination of bacteria: preparation of bacterial smears, staining
  • Isolation of bacterial species
  • Scientific measurements, the metric system and concepts of microbial size
  • Eukaryotic microbes (protozoa, algae), fungi, helminths, and arthropod vectors
  • Microbial metabolism: selected metabolic tests
  • Microbial identification: taxonomy of unknown organisms
  • Mechanisms of action of antibiotics/antimicrobials and antibiotic sensitivity testing
  • Use of disinfectants, antiseptics, and UV irradiation for control of microbial growth
  • Prokaryotic ecology including biofilms, nitrogen fixation, and the nitrogen cycle

Textbook:

Tortora, Funke, and Case. 2016, Microbiology, An Introduction, 12th edition, Addison Wesley Publishers.


Microbiology from OpenStax, ISBN 1-947172-23-9

You have several options to obtain this book:

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You can use whichever formats you want. Web view is recommended -- the responsive design works seamlessly on any device.

Software:  Access may require students to register using PWCS or GMU email addresses.

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BIOL 246 Spring 2021.pdf