Fall 2023 Course Syllabus
Course: BIOL-2320 (Section: 01, CRN: 92670)
Microbiology
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Instructor Information
Instructor Dr. Percy Jordan
Email jordanpj@lamarpa.edu
Phone (409) 984-6335
Office Student Center - Room: 412
Office Hours M 9:00am-12:00pm; T 11am-2pm; W 9:00am-12:00 pm; R 1:00pm-2:00 pm
Additional Contact Information Email me with questions. I will normally reply to an email within 24 hours.
Course Information
Description This course covers basic microbiology and immunology and is primarily directed at pre-nursing, pre-allied health, and non-science majors. It provides an introduction to historical concepts of the nature of microorganisms, microbial diversity, the importance of microorganisms and acellular agents in the biosphere, and their roles in human and animal diseases. Major topics include bacterial structure as well as growth, physiology, genetics, and biochemistry of microorganisms. Emphasis is on medica
Required Textbooks Textbook Purchasing Statement: A student attending Lamar State College Port Arthur is not under any obligation to purchase a textbook from the college-affiliated bookstore. The same textbook may also be available from an independent retailer, including an online retailer.

Microbiology with Diseases By Body Systems (5th ed.) by Robert Bauman. ISBN: 9780134607900. Publisher is Pearson.

This textbook will contain an access code for Pearson Mastering Microbiology. Please only purchase the textbook from the Lamar State College Bookstore or directly from the Publisher in order to receive the correct access code.

You will only purchase one access code for lecture and lab. The same access code will work for both lecture and lab.
Additional Materials/Resources A functioning computer with a webcam and internet access is required to take all online exams and quizzes.  It is the student's responsibility to have both. Alternatively, exams may be taken at one of the computer labs on the LSCPA campus.
Corequisites/Prerequisites Corequisite(s): BIOL 2120. Prerequisite(s): TSI complete in reading Basic skills and competency in reading, writing, and math.
Learning Outcomes Upon successful completion of this course, students will:
Describe distinctive characteristics and diverse growth requirements of prokaryotic organisms compared to eukaryotic organisms.
Provide examples of the impact of microorganisms on agriculture, environment, ecosystem, energy, and human health, including biofilms.
Distinguish between mechanisms of physical and chemical agents to control microbial populations.
Explain the unique characteristics of bacterial metabolism and bacterial genetics.
Describe evidence for the evolution of cells, organelles, and major metabolic pathways from early prokaryotes and how phylogenetic trees reflect evolutionary relationships.
Compare characteristics and replication of acellular infectious agents (viruses and prions) with characteristics and reproduction of cellular infectious agents (prokaryotes and eukaryotes).
Describe functions of host defenses and the immune system in combating infectious diseases and explain how immunizations protect against specific diseases.
Explain transmission and virulence mechanisms of cellular and acellular infectious agents
Core Objectives
  • Communication skills: Students will demonstrate effective written, oral and visual communication.
  • Critical Thinking Skills: Students will engage in creative and/or innovative thinking, and/or inquiry, analysis, evaluation, synthesis of information, organizing concepts and constructing solutions.
  • Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Students will demonstrate applications of scientific and mathematical concepts.
  • Teamwork: Students will demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal and consider different points of view.
Lecture Topics Outline A Brief History of Microbiology
Cell Structure and Function
Microscopy, Staining, and Classification
Microbial Metabolism
Microbial Nutrition and Growth
Microbial Genetics
Recombinant DNA Technology
Controlling Microbial Growth in the Environment
Controlling Microbial Growth in the Body: Antimicrobial Drugs
Characterizing and Classifying Prokaryotes
Characterizing and Classifying Eukaryotes
Characterizing and Classifying Viruses, Viroids, and Prions
Infection, Infectious Diseases, and Epidemiology
Innate Immunity
Adaptive Immunity
Immunization and Immune Testing
Microbial Diseases of the Skin and Wounds
Microbial Diseases of the Nervous System and Eyes
Microbial Cardiovascular and Systemic Diseases
Microbial Diseases of the Respiratory System
Microbial Diseases of the Digestive System
Microbial Diseases of the Urinary and Reproductive Systems
Microbial Ecology and Microbiomes
Major Assignments Schedule

Exam #1 Availability begins: 12:01am on Monday, 10/2/23 and ends at 11:59pm on Wednesday, 10/4/23.  

Exam #2 Availability begins: 12:01am on Monday, 10/23/23 and ends at 11:59pm on Wednesday, 10/25/23.  

Exam #3 Availability begins: 12:01am on Monday, 11/13/23 and ends at 11:59pm on Wednesday, 11/15/23.  

Exam #4  (Final) Availability begins: 12:01am on Saturday, 12/9/23 and ends at 11:59pm on Tuesday, 12/12/23. 

Final Exam Date December 9, 2023 - 12:01 AM   Through  December 12, 2023 - 11:59 PM
Grading Scale 90 - 100=A
80 - 89=B
70 - 79=C
60 - 69=D
59 -   0= F
Determination of
Final Grade

Calculating your Lecture Average: 

Daily Quiz Points:  "Daily" quizzes may be given at the beginning of each class period.  They will be short (no more than 2-3 questions) and will cover the BASICS from the material of the previous lecture.

Extra Credit (maximum of 16 total points) = Group Project (10 points) + Daily Quiz Average (6 points)

Lecture Average = (Ex1 + Ex2 + Ex3 + Final + Extra Credit) / 4

Course Policies
Instructor Policies It is imperative that you check your email 2-3 times per week. Please check your spam or trash folder regularly.

Exams #1-#3 will be re-opened for 1 days after their availability period with a time penalty (20% time reduction) assessed.  The Final Exam (Exam 4) must be taken before it ends at 11:59 pm on December 12, 2023.  Exams not taken will receive a grade of 0. No grades are dropped

All exams will be given online. It is NOT possible to take exams on a cell phone. It is the responsibility of the student to have a functioning computer and internet in order to take exams during the scheduled period of availability for each exam. Computers in LSCPA computer labs and Student Success Center are available for use for exams.
Attendance Policy Absences, Tardiness, and Make-ups: Attendance is required, and punctuality is expected. You are responsible for all materials covered in class. If you quit coming to class and do not officially drop, your grades will be averaged, and you will receive the grade represented by this average. The administrative details are your responsibility (You must officially drop the course).

If you miss an exam because of an excused absence, your lowest lab exam score will be used as the score for the exam that you missed. Excused absences include medical and family emergencies and are determined at the instructor's discretion. You can only miss one exam with an excused absence (excluding the final). Poor preparation or conflict with other scheduled exams is not a valid excuse for missing an exam.

This is an online lab and it is the responsibility of each student to have a RELIABLE computer AND Internet access for the duration of the course. Computer labs at LSCPA are available for use.

Please note that some course material may not be accessible using a cell phone and/or tablet device. In this online class there are no scheduled class "meeting times" and it is your responsibility to manage your schedule to include completion of course requirements as scheduled.

Handouts for all labs are posted on the course website. These contain information about the lab topic, indicate the sections of the lab workbook assigned for that lab, references to images posted on the course website, as well as questions over lab content. These lab handouts are designed to provide you guidance on what to study. They are not submitted for grading.
Additional Information October 2, 2023 - Final day to drop a course or withdraw without academic penalty.
November 27, 2023 - Final day to drop a course or withdraw with academic penalty.

I will not discuss grades over the phone. You may request your grades by e-mail from your Lamar State College-Port Arthur e-mail account (for example, doeja@lamarpa.edu) or by student-instructor conference.
Institutional Policies
MyLSCPA Be sure to check your campus email and Course Homepage using MyLSCPA campus web portal. You can also access your grades, transcripts, academic advisors, degree progress, and other services through MyLSCPA.
Academic Honesty Academic honesty is expected from all students, and dishonesty in any form will not be tolerated. Please consult the LSCPA policies (Academic Dishonesty section in the Student Handbook) for consequences of academic dishonesty.
ADA Considerations The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the the Office for Disability Services Coordinator, Room 231, in the Madison Monroe Building. The phone number is (409) 984-6241.
COVID 19 Information The Lamar State College Port Arthur (LSCPA) Student Code of Conduct COVID 19 Policy requires students who have been diagnosed with COVID 19 to report their condition directly to their local health department. Students should also contact their course faculty to report their quarantine status. In addition, this policy requires all students to wear face coverings when directly exposed to COVID 19 in compliance with the criteria included in the policy. For more information please refer to the COVID 19 link on the LSCPA website.
Facility Policies No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. Use of electronic devices is prohibited.
HB 2504 This syllabus is part of LSCPA's efforts to comply with Texas House Bill 2504.
Mandatory Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect As per Texas law and LSCPA policy, all LSCPA employees, including faculty, are required to report allegations or disclosures of child abuse or neglect to the designated authorities, which may include a local or state law enforcement agency or the Texas Department of Family Protective Services. For more information about mandatory reporting requirements, see LSCPA's Policy and Procedure Manual.
Title IX and Sexual Misconduct LSCPA is committed to establishing and maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination, including sexual harassment, sexual violence, and other forms of sexual misconduct. All LSCPA employees, including faculty, have the responsibility to report disclosures of sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment, sexual assault (including rape and acquaintance rape), domestic violence, dating violence, relationship violence, or stalking, to LSCPA's Title IX Coordinator, whose role is to coordinate the college's response to sexual misconduct. For more information about Title IX protections, faculty reporting responsibilities, options for confidential reporting, and the resources available for support visit LSCPA's Title IX website.
Clery Act Crime Reporting For more information about the Clery Act and crime reporting, see the Annual Security & Fire Safety Report and the Campus Security website.

Grievance / Complaint / Concern If you have a grievance, complaint, or concern about this course that has not been resolved through discussion with the Instructor, please consult the Department Chair.
Department Information
General Education and Developmental Studies
Chair:Steven Zani
Email:zanisj@lamarpa.edu
Phone:(409) 984-6431