20806273University Medical Microbiology
Course Information
Description
University Medical Microbiology addresses pathogenic and normal flora microbes (bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses), their structure and function, metabolism, nutrition, genetics, growth and their relationship to humans and the environment. This course examines human infectious disease including general diagnosis and treatment, transmission, host defense mechanisms, and processes used to control the growth and spread of infectious agents. This course includes an introduction to standard techniques and procedures used in the microbiology laboratory.
Total Credits
5
Course Competencies
  1. Explore the history and scope of the field of microbiology
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written product
    by accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency on one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout the course
    Criteria
    written product includes a description of the range of organisms studied by microbiologists
    written product includes relating historical events to the current understanding of microbiology
    written product includes an evaluation of the relationship between humans and microbes
    written product includes a summary of a current event article related to microbiology
    written product includes correct writing conventions for binomial nomenclature
    written product includes a description of class methods used for grouping organs emphasizing the five-kingdom approach
    written product includes the role of microbes in nutrient cycling
    written product includes associating laboratory tools and techniques of microbiology with their use in studying microorganism

  2. Use safe laboratory practices
    Assessment Strategies
    skill demonstration in the laboratory
    Criteria
    you identify hazards and safety equipment in the microbiology lab
    you wear personal protective equipment appropriate to the hazard
    you never eat or drink in the laboratory
    you routinely wash your hands before and after laboratory activities and at any time contamination is suspected
    you disinfect lab surfaces and work areas before and after use
    you use approved techniques for cleaning up spills
    you report or correct unsafe conditions observed in the classroom
    you report or correct unsafe conditions observed in the lab
    you use Standard Precautions with blood and other body fluids
    you abide by the requirements of the O.S.H.A. Blood-Borne Pathogens Standard
    you use appropriate pipetting devices
    you dispose of waste in assigned containers
    you locate emergency equipment
    you report all injuries and accidents to instructor
    you follow lab protocols for responding to spills or emergencies
    you follow the Good Laboratory Practices expectations of the college

  3. Perform microbiological laboratory procedures according to appropriate safety standards
    Assessment Strategies
    skill demonstration in the laboratory
    Criteria
    you prepare slides for microbiological examination
    you prepare smears from cultures
    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 pipettes and pipetting devices
    you spread diluted samples for counting
    you estimate dilutions
    you perform calculations associated with cultures for standard population count

  4. Use a bright-field microscope to examine microbial cells
    Assessment Strategies
    skill demonstration 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 explain why oil is used when using the oil immersion objective of the microscope
    you calculate total magnification when given ocular and objective magnifications
    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
    skill demonstration in the laboratory
    through a written product
    by accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency on one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout the course
    Criteria
    written product or examination includes the identification of components of prokaryotic cells
    written product or examination the identification of components of eukaryotic cells
    written product or examination a description of the functions of cellular components
    written product or examination includes contrasting cellular structure and functions of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
    written product or examination includes contrasting the size and morphology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells
    you use a bright-field microscope to examine microbial cells
    you perform microbiological laboratory procedures and techniques according to appropriate safety standards
    you use safe laboratory practices

  6. Explain microbial growth requirements and key microbial metabolic processes
    Assessment Strategies
    skill demonstration in the laboratory
    through a written product
    by accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency on one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout the course
    Criteria
    written product or examination includes a description of the phases of microbial growth
    written product or examination includes an estimation of culture density
    written product or examination includes a description of factors which affect microbial growth
    written product or examination includes a description of microbial growth characteristics on various media including enriched, selective, and differential media
    written product or examination includes a description of the role of enzymes in living organisms
    written product or examination includes differentiating among organisms on the basis of their ability to metabolize different substances
    written product or examination includes a definition the role and output of glycolysis, fermentation, aerobic and anaerobic respiration in organism metabolism
    written product or examination includes a definition of aerobic, anaerobic, capnophilic, microaerphilic and facultatively anaerobic
    you participate in the lab activities
    you use a bright-field microscope to examine microbial cells
    you use safe laboratory practices
    you perform microbiological laboratory procedures and techniques according to appropriate safety standards

  7. Classify microorganisms based on differentiating characteristics
    Assessment Strategies
    skill demonstration in the laboratory
    through a written product
    by accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency on one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout the course
    Criteria
    you perform differential stain techniques
    you evaluate the results of differential stain techniques
    you identify classified bacteria based on cell shape
    you evaluate the growth of organisms on enriched, selective and differential media
    you recognize environments necessary for growth
    you describe the use of differential tests in identifying bacteria
    you assign bacteria to taxonomic groups based on characteristics
    written product or examination includes a comparison of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structures and their functions
    written product or examination includes an explanation of microbial growth requirements and metabolic processes
    you participate in the lab activities
    you use safe laboratory practices
    you perform microbiological laboratory procedures and techniques according to appropriate safety standards
    you use a bright-field microscope to examine microbial cells

  8. Explore the modern approaches to recombinant technologies and their implementation to diagnostics
    Assessment Strategies
    skill demonstration in the laboratory
    through a written product
    by accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency on one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout the course
    Criteria
    written product or examination includes an overview of principles at the basis of genetic engineering
    written product or examination includes a description of basic methods of DNA analysis such as the principles of gene cloning, vectors,  and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
    written product or examination includes a description of real-time PCR technique and its role in routine microbial diagnostics
    written product or examination includes an overview of basic steps in recombinant DNA technology and recombinant products
    written product or examination includes a comparison of genetically modified bacteria and animals
    written product or examination includes analysis of biosafety and bioethics of recombinant DNA research and development
    you participate in the lab activities
    you use safe laboratory practices
    you perform microbiological laboratory procedures and techniques according to appropriate safety standards

  9. Assess the impact of microbial genetics on humans and the environment
    Assessment Strategies
    skill demonstration in the laboratory
    through a written product
    by accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency on one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout the course
    Criteria
    written product or examination includes an overview of the processes of DNA replication, transcription and translation
    written product or examination includes an overview of the regulation of gene expression and operon model
    written product or examination includes an overview of the processes of DNA replication, transcription and translation
    written product or examination includes differentiating among types of mutation and their impact
    written product or examination includes a description of how bacteria can acquire new genetic information
    written product or examination includes a description of the role of microbial genetics in biotechnology and diagnostics
    written product or examination includes an explanation of the impact of gene transfer on the spread of antibiotic resistance
    you participate in the lab activities
    you use safe laboratory practices
    you perform microbiological laboratory procedures and techniques according to appropriate safety standards

  10. Evaluate processes to control the growth of microbes in the body and in the environment
    Assessment Strategies
    skill demonstration in the laboratory
    through a written product
    by accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency on one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout the course
    Criteria
    written product or examination includes differentiating between disinfection and sterilization
    written product or examination includes a comparison of methods of disinfection and sterilization
    written product or examination includes a description of modes of action of antibacterial agents
    written product or examination includes differentiating between broad-spectrum and narrow-spectrum agents
    written product or examination includes a description of mechanisms of antibiotic resistance
    written product or examination includes an identification of issues to consider in administering antimicrobial therapies
    written product or examination includes an interpretation of the results of susceptibility testing procedures
    you participate in the lab activities
    you use safe laboratory practices
    you perform microbiological laboratory procedures and techniques according to appropriate safety standards

  11. Summarize pathogenic and non-pathogenic host-microbe interactions
    Assessment Strategies
    skill demonstration in the laboratory
    through a written product
    by accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency on one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout the course
    Criteria
    written product or examination includes an examination of symbiotic relationships between humans and microbes
    written product or examination includes an identification of mechanisms by which microbes cause disease
    written product or examination includes an identification of the stages of an infectious disease
    written product or examination includes an identification of the causes of nosocomial infections
    written product or examination includes a description of the methods of infection control in clinical settings
    written product or examination includes a description of the ubiquity of microorganisms
    written product or examination includes an examination of the role of opportunists in human disease
    written product or examination includes differentiating among terms used to explain characteristics of infectious disease
    you participate in the lab activities
    you use safe laboratory practices
    you perform microbiological laboratory procedures and techniques according to appropriate safety standards

  12. Analyze patterns of microbial disease transmission using principles of epidemiology
    Assessment Strategies
    skill demonstration in the laboratory
    through a written product
    by accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency on one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout the course
    Criteria
    written product or examination includes a comparison of communicable and noncommunicable diseases
    written product or examination includes an identification of possible reservoirs of infection
    written product or examination includes an examination of various modes of disease transmission
    written product or examination includes differentiating between endemic epidemic and pandemic conditions
    written product or examination includes an evaluation of the effect of herd immunity on disease transmission
    written product or examination includes a description of methods of controlling disease outbreaks
    written product or examination includes an exploration of new and re-emerging infectious disease agents
    you participate in the lab activities
    you perform microbiological laboratory procedures and techniques according to appropriate safety standards
    you use safe laboratory practices

  13. Summarize host defense mechanisms
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written product
    by accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency on one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout the course
    Criteria
    written product or examination includes distinguishing between specific and non-specific host defenses (including the inflammatory response)
    written product or examination includes the identification of non-specific host defense mechanisms
    written product or examination includes the identification of the processes of natural, artificial, passive, and active immunity
    written product or examination includes a description of antibody-antigen interactions
    written product or examination includes differentiating between humoral and cell-mediated immunity
    written product or examination includes an explanation of the role of memory cells in lasting immunity

  14. Evaluate immunopathology and immunological applications
    Assessment Strategies
    skill demonstration in the laboratory
    through a written product
    by accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency on one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout the course
    Criteria
    written product or examination includes a description of use of vaccines and immune globulins to confer specific immunity
    written product or examination includes differentiating among the types of hypersensitivity
    written product or examination includes an explanation of the health consequences of immune hypersensitivity
    written product or examination includes a description of the consequences of immune system dysfunction
    written product or examination includes an identification of immunological methods of diagnosing infectious disease
    written product or examination includes correlating abnormal values on a complete blood count (CBC) to a probable infectious agent
    written product or examination includes correlating abnormal values in a blood differential to a probable infectious agent
    you participate in lab activities
    you use safe laboratory practices
    you perform microbiological laboratory procedures and techniques according to appropriate safety standards

  15. Correlate select bacteria with human infectious disease
    Assessment Strategies
    skill demonstration in the laboratory
    through a written product
    by accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency on one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout the course
    Criteria
    written product or examination includes a description of microbial characteristics for select organisms
    written product or examination includes a description of disease signs and symptoms for select organisms
    written product or examination includes a description of disease transmission, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention for select organisms
    you participate in lab activities
    you use safe laboratory practices
    you perform microbiological laboratory procedures and techniques according to appropriate safety standards

  16. Correlate select fungi and parasites with human infectious disease
    Assessment Strategies
    skill demonstration in the laboratory
    through a written product
    by accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency on one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout the course
    Criteria
    written product or examination includes the definition of eukaryotic parasites
    written product or examination includes a description of characteristics of select fungi
    written product or examination includes a description of characteristics of select protists and helminths
    written product or examination includes a description of disease signs and symptoms for select organisms
    written product or examination includes a description of disease transmission, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of select organisms
    you participate in lab activities
    you use safe laboratory practices
    you perform microbiological laboratory procedures and techniques according to appropriate safety standards

  17. Correlate select viruses and prions with human infectious disease
    Assessment Strategies
    through a written product
    by accurately answering questions about the concepts that support this competency on one or more written exams to be scheduled by your instructor at various points throughout the course
    Criteria
    written product or examination includes a description of viral morphology and the processes of viral replication
    written product or examination includes an analysis of the impact of viruses on a host organism
    written product or examination includes a description of disease signs and symptoms for select viruses
    written product or examination includes a description of disease transmission, diagnosis, treatment and prevention for select viruses
    written product or examination includes a description of prions and associated diseases