Professor: Dr. John Flaspohler
Phone: 299-3808
Office: 160S Jones Science Center
email: flaspohl@cord.edu
OFFICE HOURS: M, W: 12:30-2:00 PM
T, TH: 2:45-3:15 PM
Other times available by making an appointment or just drop in.
*Lecture notes will be made available on the web,
go to my web page under Biology Dept.
OBJECTIVES: This course is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals
of Microbiology. Following completion of Biology 407 you will understand
basic bacterial and viral structure and function as well as host-microbe
interactions and mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis. Specific examples
of human pathogens will also be given particular attention. You will
also be introduced to microbial genetic principles and recombinant DNA techniques.
The laboratory portion of the course will acquaint you with basic microbiological
laboratory investigative techniques (i.e. microscope use, growth, culturing
and identification of microbes, scientific methods, etc.).
COURSE MATERIALS:
Required text: Microbiology, Principles and
Explorations, 5th edition, by Jacquelyn G. Black
Text web site: http://www.prenhall.com/black
Required for laboratory: Experiments in Microbiology,
Carlton Paulson (+ 3-ring binder)
GRADING: The final course grade will be based on total points earned
during the semester divided by the total number of points possible.
This percentage will be used to determine a final grade according to the
following conversion table:
Example of approximate point distribution:
Exams (3x100 pts.)
= 35%
Laboratory (~35% of course grade) = 35%
Quizzes, homework, in-class work =
15%
Final Exam
= 15%
100%
Grade Percentage
A
95-100
A-
91-94
B+
88-90
B
85-87
B-
81-84
C+
78-80
C
75-77
C-
71-74
D+
68-70
D
65-67
D-
61-64
F
60 or below
You may estimate your “letter grade” for the course at any time by calculating
your “percentage” and using the above table.
EXAMS: Exams will be given during class on the indicated dates.
Exams will be a combination of multiple choice/true-false/vocabulary fill-ins/short
essays and will mainly test material covered during lecture but laboratory
material may also be included. You are expected to take the exams
at the scheduled times. Arrangements to take an exam at a different
time must be made BEFORE (well in advance, except under emergency circumstances)
the scheduled date. A make-up exam may be possible but not guaranteed.
A pretest will be the likely format for a change in the test schedule.
Should a make-up test be required, it can take the format of both written
and oral components and be administered on a Saturday. All exams will
be turned in to me once you have had a chance to look them over. You
are welcome to look over your exam by arranging to meet me at my office.
The final exam will be approximately 1/3rd comprehensive and will be given
on Tuesday, December 16th from 8:30 AM–10:30 PM (MWF section) or Thursday,
December 18th from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM (TH section).
QUIZZES: Several quizzes will be given during the first
5-10 minutes of selected lecture class periods and will cover material since
the most recent quiz or exam. Quizzes will generally be announced
during the previous lecture period and will be multiple choice/True-False/short
answer. If you are not in class when quiz is given out you may not
be allowed to take the quiz. Only excused absences agreed to in advance will
be allowed to reschedule quizzes, the quizzes must be made-up within one
day of the scheduled quiz.
HOMEWORK/IN-CLASS WORK: Homework assignments may consist
of summaries/reviews of selected scientifically relevant literature, media
articles and in-class case studies. Assignments are expected to be
submitted by the end of class on the announced due date and late assignments
will be penalized 10% each late day. A day is a 24-hour period, (i.e.
not a Tuesday to Thursday). Seminars and presentations given on campus
may also be assigned. More information on this will follow.
ATTENDANCE: I look forward to seeing all students in class
and laboratory and expect you to be in attendance. Exams are based primarily
on lecture material and it will help you greatly to be in class participating,
taking notes and asking questions. I will not be taking a formal attendance
at each lecture but I will be following your attendance. In case of
illness or other emergency, please try to contact me prior to class.
Laboratory absence negatively affects others in the class and several unexcused
absences from lecture/lab may result in a referral to Student Affairs.
CHEATING: Academic integrity is critical in science as well
as the learning process. Cheating is not expected and will not be
tolerated. Detailed descriptions of academic integrity and violations
are found in the booklet “Academic Integrity at Concordia College”, in particular
pp. 6-18. Be familiar with these guidelines as everyone is expected
to adhere to them. A zero will be given on any exam where cheating
has occurred, with possible expulsion from the class, accompanied by a failing
grade. The same policy applies to the laboratory. Students will
be asked to consider an integrity pledge on each test that reads as follows:
“ I affirm that I have adhered to the college’s expectations for integrity
and neither committed nor witnessed a violation of academic integrity in
the completion of this examination.”
Signed _________________________
While this statement may not appear on quizzes and assignments given
throughout the course, academic integrity will be expected in these situations
as well.
FERPA: Concordia’s statement of compliance with the 1974 Federal
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act states: “Grades should not
be distributed nor posted in any fashion that permits identification of the
student by anyone other than the student.” You have the option of picking
up your graded assignments, quizzes and exams at the end of class. Scores
will never be placed on the front of any work, but rather on the back of
the assignment. I will ask that each of you sign a form either granting
or denying permission hand these materials back in a group folder where other
students could conceivably see your scores. If permission is denied,
I will hold all materials until they are picked up from me personally.
IMPORTANT DATES:
September 10
Last day to add full semester
October 17-21
Midsemester recess (No classes)
October 29
Last day to drop, tuition/fees reduction for semester
November 26-Nov. 30 Thanksgiving recess (No classes)
December 16th
Final Exam 8:30-10:30 AM (MWF Section)
December 18th
Final Exam 11:00 AM-1:00 PM (TH Section)