10-806-197Microbiology
Course Information
Description
Examines microbial structure, metabolism, genetics, growth and the relationship between humans and microbes. Addresses disease production, epidemiology, host defense mechanisms and the medical impact of microbes. Presents the role of microbes in the environment, industry, and biotechnology.
Total Credits
4
Course Competencies
  1. Explore the history and scope of the field of microbiology
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written, graphic or oral assessment strategy, including at least one or more instructor-provided written exams at various points throughout the course
    in a laboratory or classroom setting
    Criteria
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes the range of organisms studied by microbiologists
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy relates historical events to the current understanding of microbiology
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy evaluates the relationship between humans and microbes
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes the scope of microbes within industrial and environmental applications
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy uses correct writing conventions of binomial nomenclature
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes classification methods used for grouping organisms
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy recognizes the role of microbes in nutrient cycling
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy associates laboratory tools and techniques of microbiology with their use in studying microbes

  2. Use safe laboratory practices
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory
    Criteria
    you identify hazards and safety equipment in the microbiology lab
    you select personal protective equipment appropriate to the hazard
    you follow all laboratory practice expectations of the college
    you abide by the O.S.H.A. Guidelines, including Blood-Borne Pathogens Standards

  3. Perform microbiological laboratory procedures according to appropriate safety standards
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory
    Criteria
    you perform wet-mount and/or hanging-drop slide preparations
    you perform Gram stains
    you perform aseptic transfers
    you obtain microbial samples for culture
    you isolate colonies and/or plaques
    you recognize pure and mixed cultures
    you use biochemical test media or other means of organism identification
    you accurately record observations and test results
    you correctly use appropriate laboratory equipment
    you use enumeration methods to calculate population density

  4. Use a bright-field microscope to examine microbial cells
    Assessment Strategies
    in the laboratory
    Criteria
    you identify parts of the microscope and their functions
    you adjust microscope for optimal viewing
    you focus on a prepared slide sample using the low, high, and oil immersion lenses
    you interpret microscopic observations
    you demonstrate care and clean-up of microscopes
    you contrast other types of microscopy with bright-field microscopy
    you use safe laboratory practices
    you perform microbiological laboratory procedures and techniques according to appropriate safety standards

  5. Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures and their functions
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written, graphic or oral assessment strategy, including at least one or more instructor-provided written exams at various points throughout the course
    in a laboratory or classroom setting
    Criteria
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy identifies components of prokaryotic cells
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy identifies components of eukaryotic cells
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes the functions of cellular components
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy contrasts cellular structure and functions of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy contrasts the size and morphology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

  6. Explain microbial growth requirements and key microbial metabolic processes
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written, graphic or oral assessment strategy, including at least one or more instructor-provided written exams at various points throughout the course
    in a laboratory or classroom setting
    Criteria
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes the phases of microbial growth
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes factors which affect microbial growth
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes microbial growth characteristics on various media including enriched, selective, and differential media
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes the role of enzymes in living organisms
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy differentiates among organisms on the basis of their ability to metabolize different substances
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategydefines the role and output of glycolysis, fermentation, aerobic and anaerobic respiration in organism metabolism
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy defines aerobic, anaerobic, capnophilic, microaerphilic and facultatively anaerobic

  7. Classify bacteria based on differentiating characteristics
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written, graphic or oral assessment strategy, including at least one or more instructor-provided written exams at various points throughout the course
    in a laboratory or classroom setting
    Criteria
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy evaluates the results of differential stain techniques
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes bacteria based on microscopic and macroscopic morphology
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy evaluates the growth of organisms on enriched, selective and differential media
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy recognizes environments necessary for growth
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes the use of differential tests in identifying bacteria
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy assigns bacteria to taxonomic groups based on characteristics

  8. Assess the impact of microbial genetics on humans and the environment
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written, graphic or oral assessment strategy, including at least one or more instructor-provided written exams at various points throughout the course
    in a laboratory or classroom setting
    Criteria
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy outlines the processes of DNA replication, transcription and translation
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy differentiates among types of mutation and their impact
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes how bacteria can acquire new genetic information
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes the role of microbial genetics in biotechnology and molecular diagnostics
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy explains the impact of gene transfer on the spread of antibiotic resistance

  9. Evaluate processes to control the growth of microbes in the body and in the environment
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written, graphic or oral assessment strategy, including at least one or more instructor-provided written exams at various points throughout the course
    in a laboratory or classroom setting
    Criteria
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy differentiates between disinfection and sterilization
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy compares methods of disinfection and sterilization
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes modes of action of antibacterial agents
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy differentiates between broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum agents
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes mechanisms of antibiotic resistance
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy identifies issues to consider in administering antimicrobial therapies
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy interprets the results of susceptibility testing procedures

  10. Summarize pathogenic and non-pathogenic host-microbe interactions
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written, graphic or oral assessment strategy, including at least one or more instructor-provided written exams at various points throughout the course
    in a laboratory or classroom setting
    Criteria
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy examines symbiotic relationships between humans and microbes
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy identifies mechanisms by which microbes cause disease
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy identifies the stages of an infectious disease
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy identifies the causes of hospital-acquired infections
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes the methods of infection control in clinical settings
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes the ubiquity of microbes
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy examines the role of opportunists in human disease
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy differentiates among terms used to explain characteristics of infectious disease

  11. Analyze patterns of microbial disease transmission using principles of epidemiology
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written, graphic or oral assessment strategy, including at least one or more instructor-provided written exams at various points throughout the course
    in a laboratory or classroom setting
    Criteria
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy compares communicable and noncommunicable diseases
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy identifies possible reservoirs of infection
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy examines various modes of disease transmission
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy differentiates between sporadic, endemic, epidemic, and pandemic conditions
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy evaluates the effect of herd immunity on disease transmission
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes methods of controlling disease outbreaks
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy explores new and re-emerging infectious disease agents

  12. Summarize host defense mechanisms
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written, graphic or oral assessment strategy, including at least one or more instructor-provided written exams at various points throughout the course
    in a laboratory or classroom setting
    Criteria
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy distinguishes between specific and non-specific host defenses
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy identifies non-specific host defense mechanisms
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy identifies the processes of natural, artificial, passive, and active immunity
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes antigen-antibody interactions
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy differentiates between humoral and cell-mediated immunity
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy explains the role of memory cells in lasting immunity

  13. Evaluate immunopathology and immunological applications
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written, graphic or oral assessment strategy, including at least one or more instructor-provided written exams at various points throughout the course
    in the laboratory or classroom setting
    Criteria
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes use of vaccines and immune globulins to confer specific immunity
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy differentiates among the types of hypersensitivity
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy explains the health consequences of immune hypersensitivity
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes the consequences of immune system dysfunction
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy identifies immunological methods of diagnosing infectious disease

  14. Correlate select bacteria with human infectious disease
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written, graphic or oral assessment strategy, including at least one or more instructor-provided written exams at various points throughout the course
    in a laboratory or classroom setting
    Criteria
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes microbial characteristics for select organisms
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes disease signs and symptoms for select organisms
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes disease transmission, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention for select organisms

  15. Correlate select fungi and parasites with human infectious disease
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written, graphic or oral assessment strategy, including at least one or more instructor-provided written exams at various points throughout the course
    in a laboratory or classroom setting
    Criteria
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy defines eukaryotic parasites
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes characteristics of select fungi
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes characteristics of select protists and helminths
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes disease signs and symptoms for select organisms
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes disease transmission, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of select organisms

  16. Correlate select viruses and prions with human infectious disease
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written, graphic or oral assessment strategy, including at least one or more instructor-provided written exams at various points throughout the course
    Criteria
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes viral morphology and the processes of viral replication
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy analyzes the impact of viruses on a host organism
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes disease signs and symptoms for select viruses
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes disease transmission, diagnosis, treatment and prevention for select viruses
    written, graphic or oral assessment strategy describes prions and associated diseases