BIO 208 MICROBIOLOGY - Extra Credit Options and Schedule

Students wishing to make up for poorer than expected exams, or to boost scores, can do extra credit options to earn a maximum of 30 points added to the total course points, if the work is acceptable and meets the appropriate deadlines. Additional extra credit options must be turned in to your TA according to the schedule listed below. No more than 5 attempted extra credit points may be turned in per week. Include your name and lab section number on each submission. Extra credit opportunities that you seek out for yourself are generally worth more points than extra credit opportunities presented to you by the teaching staff.

Essays - You may write short (1-2 pages, double-spaced) essays on microbiology related topics at any time during the semester. Essays should include at least two citations to literature, not textbooks or internet sources (although you may access articles online). Each paper submitted on time will earn up to 2 points added to the course grade, as follows:

·         4 points - good work, appropriate references, Fun tips

·         2 points - basically acceptable content but marred by mechanical problems such as incorrect spelling or grammar, or lack of clarity in explaining the topic, lack of or inappropriate references,

·         0 points - unacceptable or plagiarized.

**Any evidence of plagiarism will result in zero points for all students involved and denial of any extra credit points otherwise earned in the course.

Seminar attendance - Department seminars on microbiology related topics might be presented during this semester. If so they will be posted on the schedule below and can be used for extra credit as follows:

·         2 points - attendance and a written 1 page summary of the seminar

·         0 points - display of behavior unbecoming to a professional microbiologist (and/or embarrassing to your instructor!).

Meeting attendance -The 2008 Spring Meeting of the Michigan Branch of the American Society for Microbiology, will be held right here at CMU Saturday April 12.

·         5 points - attendance and a written 1 paragraph summary of each of the 2 primary talks,

·         3 points - attendance only,

·         0 points - display of behavior unbecoming to a professional microbiologist (and/or embarrassing to your instructor!).

Newspaper/magazine articles - There are frequently articles concerning microbiology in newspapers and magazines, which can be used for extra credit during any week. Each submission should include an appropriate reference to the newspaper (Ex. "Area Woman Dies of Mad Cow-like Disease" Detroit Free Press, February 23, 2001) or magazine (Ex. "Why Antibiotics Fail" Parent Magazine, February 2001).

·         2 points - a written 1 paragraph summary of the article, appropriately cited.

Television programs - Often there are news segments or entire tv programs concerning microorganisms that can be used for extra credit during any week. Each submission should include a complete reference to the program (Ex. (and these are made up) "Antibiotic Resistance" Dateline March 16, 2001 or "In Search of Viruses" NOVA April 2, 2001).

·         3 points - a written 1 page summary of a TV program devoted to a microbiology related topic, appropriately cited

·         2 points - a written 1 paragraph summary of a news segment on a microbiology related topic, appropriately cited

Movies – Feature length movies with a microbiological theme can be used for extra credit. Each submission should include the title of the movie (Ex. “Outbreak”) and should discuss the microbiology presented in the movie. (Potential movies include “Outbreak”, “Mrs Evers’ Boys”, “The Andromeda Strain”, any SAM hosted movie)

·         3 points - a written 1 page summary of the microbiology

·         4 points – a written 2 page summary of the microbiology

Book reports - Visit this link for a list of books that have a heavy microbial theme.

·         5 points - good work,

·         3 points - basically acceptable content but marred by mechanical problems such as incorrect spelling or grammar, or lack of clarity in explaining the topic,

·         0 points - unacceptable or plagiarized.

**Any evidence of plagiarism will result in zero points for all students involved and denial of any extra credit points otherwise earned in the course.

Other - Additional Options other than those listed above may be made available during the semester and will be listed on the chart below. Additional Options are due to your TA by the date listed.

 

Week of

 

Additional Extra Credit Options

Maximum of 30 points for the semester  - No more than 5 points may be attempted in any one week

Due by

noon Friday

1/7

Scavenger Hunt - 2 points

 

View video presented during the Friday January 11 study session "The Microbial Universe", answer and turn in accompanying questions - 2 points.

1/18

1/14

View video presented during Friday January 18 study session "Microbial Evolution", answer and turn in accompanying questions - 2 points.

 

1 page summary on life & accomplishments of Dr. Carl Woese - 2 points.

 

Resolving Power Problems from Exercise # 3, Biology 208 Microbiology Laboratory Manual - 1 point.

1/25

1/21

1 page summary on life & accomplishments of Dr. Lynn Margulis - 2 points.

2/1

1/28

Dilution Problems from Exercise #7, Biology 208 Microbiology Laboratory Manual - 1 point

2/8

2/4

Bacteria generation time problem - 1 point – for Dr. Alm’s lecture section - will be passed out during lecture.

 

View video presented during Friday February 8 study session "Microbial Control", answer and turn in accompanying questions - 2 points.

 

Control of Microbial Growth - 2 points.

2/15

2/11

 

2/22

2/18

View video presented during Friday February 22 study session "Metabolism", answer and turn in accompanying questions - 2 points.

 

Caves movie write-up (for 3pts)

2/29

2/25

.

3/7

3/3

Spring Break week

 

3/10

View video presented during Friday March 14 study session "Reading the Code of Life", answer and turn in accompanying questions - 2 points.

 

View the video at this link (click on “play again”) and using the description given in your textbook pp. 258-260 to provide a good scientific background to this video (1 page).

3/21

3/17

View video presented during Friday March 21 study session "Genetic Transfer", answer and turn in accompanying questions - 2 points

3/28

3/24

View video presented during Friday March 28 study session “Viruses”, answer and turn in accompanying questions – 2 points.

4/4

3/31

 

4/11

4/7

Attend the master’s seminar given by 208 TA Erica Clark “Rapid Detection of Avian Influenza Virus in Michigan Environmental Samples” – Tuesday April 8 at 4pm in BR 176 – see points above for seminar attendance.

 

View SAM sponsored movie “Killer on Campus” Wednesday April 9 from 8-9pm in BR 203 or 7-8pm Thursday April 10 in BR 176 – see points above for movie credit.

 

View video presented during Friday April 11 study session "Human Defenses", answer and turn in accompanying questions - 2 points.

 

Disease Transmission – 2 points.

 

Attend the spring meeting of the Michigan Branch of the American Society for Microbiology – "Small Solution to a Big Problem: Microbes and Alternative Energy" – Bovee Center Auditorium. Central Michigan University. Saturday April 12. -- 3 points for attendance, 5 points for attendance + a 1 paragraph summary of the 2 primary talks (Dr. Jeffries and Dr. Bond).

4/18

4/14

View SAM sponsored movie “Influenza 1918” Monday April 14 from 6-7pm in BR 176 or 8:30-9:30pm Tuesday April 15 in BR 176.

 

View video presented during Friday April 18 study session "Microbes and Human Diseases", answer and turn in accompanying questions - 2 points.

4/25

4/21

Attend the master’s seminar given by microbiology graduate student Mike Pressler - Tuesday April 22 at 4pm in BR 176 – see points above for seminar attendance.

4/25

 

All extra credit must be turned in to your TA by Friday April 25 by noon.