BIO 208 MICROBIOLOGY - Syllabus and Course Policies 

A. General Information This course is a one-semester survey of microbiology required for Biology majors and minors, dietetics majors, and public health majors.

B. Course Logistics

 Meeting Times and Locations: Lectures meet Mon. and Wed. from 9:00-9:50 in Brooks 176. Labs are scheduled for 2, one hour and fifteen minute periods per week in Brooks 130. Each lab section is limited to 18 students and the course is typically filled to capacity; as a result it is not possible to attend lab sections other than the one for which you have enrolled unless someone drops and you are able to change sections via the registrar’s office.

Instructor: Tom Schultz

email: schul1te@cmich.edu (note: this is the best way to reach me)

Office hours: Tue. 9-11am & Thu. 2 – 4pm in Brooks 132.

Phone: 774-3279

C. Materials Needed

1. Textbook: Tortora, G.J., B.R. Funke, and C.L. Case. 2004. Microbiology. An Introduction. Eighth ed. Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co., Inc. Redwood City, CA. 898p. With CD-Rom. ISBN: 0-8053-7613-5. Alternatively, the Seventh ed. (white cover) is perfectly acceptable too.

2. Laboratory Manual: Course Pack.

3. Access to the World Wide Web and an e-mail account. I will be posting many class materials on the Web, and expect every student to check the Web site for announcements at least once a week. I can be reached more easily by e-mail than by any other method, and will reply to any concern or question you raise if you have an e-mail account.

4. Microscope slides with cover slips*

5. Colored pencils*

6. Sharpie marker (black or blue ink)*

*Note:  There is a possibility of these items being packaged in a "S.A.M. Kit" which may be purchased at a discounted price through the student organization "Students Association for Microbiology"

7. Optional: Alexander, S.K. and D. Strete. 2001. Microbiology A Photographic Atlas for the Laboratory. Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co., Inc. Redwood City, CA. 193p. ISBN: 0-8053-2732-0

D. Reading Assignments

Reading assignments in the text are listed with the topic outline. Readings and lecture will complement each other. I cannot cover every detail in lecture and will expect you to supplement lectures with certain information from the text. Don’t fall behind. Try to read the assignment before each class, or at the very latest on the same day as class. Work with the "Learning Objectives" to focus your attention on the key concepts in each passage and chapter end "Study Questions" to test your reading comprehension. Answers to chapter end study questions can be found here:    www.microbiologyplace.com

E. Tests and Grades

 Three lecture tests will be given. The final exam will cover the final unit of material in the course as well as a cumulative review of important themes from the entire course. The 3 lecture tests will be given during scheduled class times. Be on time! Since there is a class immediately before this one and a class immediately following you will only have the allotted class time to complete the exam.  Makeup tests are available only to students who have a legitimate excuse for missing an exam, such as personal illness or injuries requiring a doctor's visit, sanctioned athletic team event out of town, or death in the immediate family. If you know in advance that you must miss a test, see me in advance and bring documentation to support your anticipated absence. If you miss an exam unexpectedly because of last-minute illness or accident, contact me when you return to campus (or by phone or email if you will be away for some time) with documentation of your situation. MAKE-UP TESTS WILL BE GIVEN ONLY FOR EXCUSED ABSENCES AND ONLY ON FRIDAY MAY 5th AND AT NO OTHER TIME IN THE SEMESTER FOR ANY REASON.

 Schedule for Tests:

Test 1 – Unit 1             Wed 2/1           9:00-9:50         Brooks 176

Test 2 – Unit 2             Wed 3/1           9:00-9:50         Brooks 176

Test 3 – Unit 3             Mon 4/3           9:00-9:50         Brooks 176

Final Exam                   Mon 5/1           8:00-9:50         Brooks 176

 Final Exam Policy This is the University policy on scheduling of final exams: "Students scheduled for more than three examinations on the same day may arrange to have the examination in excess of three [that means the 4th one] rescheduled for another time during the examination week." Since our Final begins at 8 am, I do not anticipate rescheduling a final for anyone.

Grading

Three in class exams                                         450 pts

Final comprehensive exam                                200 pts

Laboratory quizzes                                           100 pts

Laboratory Reports                                            250 pts

Total possible                                                  1000 pts

 Grading Scale

Extra credit

There will be a number of extra credit opportunities in both lecture and lab. You can get up to a maximum of 20 points.  Click on the link below to see extra credit opportunities outside class and the due dates.  "In-lab" opportunities will be announced in your lab section.

F. Laboratory

The separate lab schedule lists exercises to be done. You should come to lab having read the lab exercise beforehand! You are expected to attend the laboratory section for which you have registered. You must contact your lab instructor prior to an absence if you cannot attend a specific lab. You must bring official documentation if you are missing a lab due to illness or other emergency to facilitate our record keeping and aid in our evaluation. Please do not miss a laboratory unless there is a valid emergency. The laboratory requires intensive preparation and it may not be possible for us to set up a missed laboratory for you at a later time. The laboratory instructors may use their own discretion in allowing make-ups. Any missed lab must be "made up" within 1 week of absence. Failure to follow these guidelines will result in a reduction or forfeiture of points for the missed laboratory exercises. Your grade for the lab will be determined from a combination of quizzes and homework/laboratory assignments. In addition, laboratory material will comprise approximately 30 - 40% of each lecture test. You must pass the laboratory portion in order to pass the course. More detail regarding laboratory grading will be given by your TA.

G. University Policies

Students requiring accommodations

CMU provides students with disabilities reasonable accommodation to participate in educational programs, activities or services. Students with disabilities requiring accommodation to participate in class activities or meet course requirements should first register with the office of Student Disability Services (250 Foust Hall, telephone #989-774-3018, TDD #2568), and then contact me as soon as possible.

Policy on academic integrity

In May 2001, the Central Michigan University Academic Senate approved the Policy on Academic Integrity, which applies to all university students. Copies are available on the CMU website at http://academicsenate.cmich.edu/noncurric.htm, and in the Academic Senate Office in room 108 of Bovee University Center. All academic work is expected to be in compliance with this policy.

Classroom civility

Each CMU student is encouraged to help create an environment during class that promotes learning, dignity, and mutual respect for everyone. Students who speak at inappropriate times, sleep in class, display inattention, take frequent breaks, interrupt the class by coming to class late, engage in loud or distracting behaviors, use cell phones or pagers in class, use inappropriate language, are verbally abusive, display defiance or disrespect to others, or behave aggressively toward others could be asked to leave the class and subjected to disciplinary action under the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Disciplinary Procedures.

Detailed Information on this course is available on the course web page at:

http://www.cst.cmich.edu/users/schul1te/

BIO 208 MICROBIOLOGY - Tentative Lecture Schedule

 BIO 208 MICROBIOLOGY - Tentative Laboratory Schedule