| The
study of microorganisms today is much more complex
than it was even a decade ago. Historically, the
emphasis has been on microbial morphology and the
isolation and identification of organisms in the
laboratory on the basis of morphology, staining
properties, etc. While these considerations are
important, the major approach to the study of microbiology
today is a biochemical one. Accordingly, I assume
that all of you have met the prescribed prerequisites
for this course (Biology 220 and either Biology
210 or Biology 213), and for each of the topics
presented, we will attempt to understand the underlying
biochemical mechanisms.
The new edition (7th) of the textbook by Tortora
et al. is an excellent one, and I hope we will get
through almost all of it during the course of the
semester. The reading assignments are noted on the
accompanying outline; while the exams will not lean
heavily on material from the reading not presented
in class, I can virtually guarantee that those of
you who have done the reading faithfully will fare
better than the rest.
Since we meet often in the laboratory, it is important
that you develop proper laboratory techniques. Before
beginning experiments that will investigate the
physiology and ecology of microorganisms, we will
do a preliminary set of exercises designed to acquaint
you with basic microbial procedures and equipment.
No laboratory reports are required. However, I do
expect that each of you will maintain a laboratory
notebook where you will record all procedures, observations,
and conclusions that relate to your experimental
work. I will collect and grade your laboratory notebooks
twice during the semester.
The course requirements are as follows: l) three
midterm exams; 2) an oral presentation in class,
about 15 minutes in length and to be delivered with
a partner, describing the characteristics and peculiarities
of one or more of the specific groups of bacteria
(this assignment will be described more completely
in class); 3) as one member of a group of three
or four, you will help to develop an independent
research proposition that your group has designed
to answer a particular question or problem that
you have determined to be of interest to you; all
research proposals will be presented in a formal
poster format (this assignment will also be described
more completely in class); 4) your group will have
the opportunity to orally defend your proposal against
any questions or criticisms I or other students
might have at our research proposal symposium in
the laboratory during the week of December 2; and
5) completion of the laboratory component of the
course. Your grade will be determined as follows:
| Requirement
|
% of Grade |
| Midterm Exams (3) |
40 |
| Oral Presentation |
10 |
| Group Research Proposal Poster |
20 |
| Oral Presentation and Defense at Symposium |
10 |
| My evaluation of your performance in laboratory |
20 |
| Total |
100 |
|
