GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY (BIOL3401)
LABORATORY SYLLABUS
FALL 2008

 

INSTRUCTORS

Dr. Luis Materon, laboratory manager and coordinator
lmateron@utpa.edu; office at SCIE 1.344

Mr. Camilo Gonzalez.
camilo_gnzlz@yahoo.com
Teaching assistant for Lab Session A (Mondays at 1:45 pm)

Mr. Marco Lopez
Teaching assistant for Lab Session B (Tuesdays at 9:10 am)

Mr. Marshall Gillette
mgillette@broncs.utpa.edu
Teaching assistant for Lab Session C (Tuedays at 1:10 pm)

All laboratory sessions are conducted at the Teaching Laboratory of Microbiology located at SCIE 2.214. 

OBJECTIVES

You are expected to become familiar with (1) observation and manipulation of microorganisms, (2) preparation of media and culturing, (3) the utilization of stains to observe microbial structures and other tests for microbial identification, and (4) develop independence on research skills and sources of scientific information.

LABORATORY MANUALS

“Symbiosis - Laboratory Manual for General Microbiology. Pearson Publishing Company.” IBSN 0536784566. It has a yellow cover (not red!). We also recommend the book entitled: “A Photographic Atlas for the Microbiology Laboratory” by Leboffe and Pierce (Morton Publishing Company). You are requested to bring these manuals to each laboratory session.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

(1) The biology graduate knows the role of the cell in life and living systems, and understands the inter-relationships between sub-cellular structures that contribute to its functioning as a unit.
(2) The biology graduate understands the role of DNA in inheritance and can explain how environmental conditions influence natural selection processes and contribute to adaptation.
(3) The biology graduate is aware of the diversity of life, and understands inter-relationships among organs and organ systems within an organism, and inter-relationships between an organism and its environment.
(4) The biology graduate is familiar with the tremendous diversity in structure (organellar, cellular, organismal) and how that relates to the organismal niche or habitat.
(5) The biology graduate understands how the organization of a specific structure within an organism is related to a specific function, and how this function contributes to survival of the organism.
(6) The biology graduate understands the Scientific Method, is able to analyze and interpret data, and communicate research findings in both oral and written form.
(7) The biology graduate is prepared to accept employment in a variety of environmental and health related professions, enter medical and dental schools, pursue graduate degrees in the biological sciences, or teach in public or private schools.

ATTENDANCE TO LABS IS COMPULSORY (please read carefully)

Attendance is a STRICT requirement. Failure to attend will automatically translate in a zero for the corresponding quiz and lab report. If absent, you must contact your corresponding teaching assistant by person or e-mail 24 hours before or after the lab session otherwise a zero will be administered, and an absence recorded.

PARTICIPATION

Every student is expected to participate in all exercises during all lab sessions. Adherence to our regulations will count towards a grade component called "effort and participation" (a component that will reflect your performance).

GRADING*

The laboratory for BIOL3401 represents 20% of your final course grade. The final lab grade will be based on the following components:

 

Lab Activities

Value (%)

Quizzes

25

Reports

20

Project

10

Mid-term exam

20

Final exam

20

Effort-Participation

5

Total

100

 *Lab Instructors may split values of each of these lab grade components without altering the total percent value.

Important Note: Binders with required laboratory written material must be submitted to the laboratory TA's BEFORE the final exam is taken. If this is not done, then the final exam can not be taken.

QUIZZES



Announced short quizzes will be given at the beginning of lab sessions. The quiz will cover the material corresponding to that date's lab session procedures, and results of the previous session. About 5-10 minutes will be allocated for the quiz. If you are late, no extension of time will be given. Please be on time for the lab sessions. If absent for the quiz then your grade will be zero. No exceptions will be made.

REPORTS

For each laboratory or research project you are required to turn in a report. It is assumed that junior and senior students already have acquired the skill to write technical reports. The report should be written in scientific format and must be typed. Microscopic fields should be drawn using a compass. Color pens for illustrations are highly recommended. Technical names must ALWAYS be written properly either underlined or in italics. (examples: Escherichia coli, E. coli or Escherichia coli, E. coli.

The report should be neat and well presented. Use clean paper and type in regular font size. Reports must be stapled. Plastic covers are not necessary. Plagiarism will not be accepted and will be referred to class instructor for a corresponding penalty according to UTPA procedures.

Reports are due at the beginning of the next lab session immediately after quizzes have been submitted. No reports will be accepted late. Reports submitted via e-mail or deposited in the mail box will NOT be accepted.

Each report should include:

Cover page: Title, name, section, and date. Pages must be 8.5 x 11".

Introduction: A review of literature on the topic with literature sources cited (author, year). At least three sources (e.g. textbook, lab manual and web page) must be cited in the introduction. This section serves to describe the mechanisms behind the procedure and why the procedure is usually done. A statement of the expected results should be included.

Objectives: Main reasons or justifications for the session.

Materials: List all materials used for the experiment.

Methods: Clearly describe the methodology or procedures adopted.

Results: Describe results presented in tables, drawings, figures, etc. Digital camera images of your own work are accepted. Be sure that all pictures are in color with the proper name of the organism and magnification used.

Conclusions: Verbally describe your results, what do your results mean?, how do you interpret your results?, compare your results with the expected results, state if the objectives were met.

Bibliography: Citations of consulted literature. Citations from internet addresses go separate from books, journals or magazines. ==> Include printed copies of relevant articles and staple them at the end of the report.

Please note that if your report does not include all the above guidelines points will be deducted.

Be aware that any attempt of plagiarism will not be tolerated and could mean a drop fail for the whole course. Please avoid problems.

PROPER LAB COAT

Students with no lab coat or lab apron will NOT be admitted into any lab session in which microorganisms and/or chemicals are handled. Inform the instructor before class if you could not get a lab coat. This is an official regulation designed for your own protection and your safety. Please be informed that there will be no exceptions to this rule. If you are not admitted into the lab then an absence will be recorded with the corresponding zero for quiz and report. Please make sure not to forget to wear a clean lab coat for every session!! Keep all bags, books, etc. inside the provided cover and NOT on the floor or top of bench. All caps must be turn backwards. Floor and bench surfaces might be contaminated (same as hospitals and health offices): prevention of an infection is the best medicine.

SOME TENTATIVE TOPICS

Use and care of the microscope.
Examination of living microorganisms.
Preparation of smears and simple stain.
Negative staining.
Gram staining.
Acid-fast staining.
Endospore staining.
Microbes in the environment.
Transformation of bacteria.
Serial dilutions.
Special media.
Carbohydrate catabolism and fermentation.
Rapid identification methods.
Oxigen and the growth of bacteria.
Effectiveness of hand scrubbing.
Microbes in water.
Microbes in food.

The order or titles of the above topics is subject to change depending on availability of cultures and materials.

==> It is strictly prohibited to remove any microbial culture or chemical agent from the laboratory without approval from the instructor. Failure to adhere to this policy will result in disciplinary action by UTPA authorities.

GENERAL SAFETY TO ABIDE TO

Wear a laboratory coat, smock, or lab apron when working in the laboratory. This will protect clothing from contamination or accidental discoloration by staining solutions.
Students should wash their hands before and after the lab sessions, using a disinfectant soap if possible.
Benches must be disinfected (5% Lysol) before and after sessions.
Avoid contamination of the benches, floor, and wastebaskets.
Do not place anything in your mouth and eyes while in the laboratory.
Flame wire loops and needles before and immediately after transfer of cultures.
Do not move through the lab with a loop or pipette containing infectious material.
Tie long hair back and up. Restrain fluffy or flyaway hair with a scarf, cap, headband, or other covering.
Do not wear shoes with leather soles, if possible.
Return all reagents, cultures, glassware, microscopes to their proper places.
Erase ink marks from tubes with ethanol at end of session.
Eating, drinking, and smoking are forbidden at all times in the lab.
Report all accidents and spills to your Instructor.
Do not take living cultures out of the laboratory.
Place all property inside covers not on the floor or on the bench.
Read posters on display on the walls of the lab.

Note ==> Failure to keep your bench clean and/or mishandling of the assigned microscope (example, not removing oil from objectives, leaving a slide on the stage, etc.) will result in a 20-point reduction from your REPORT grade. Laboratory bench and sink should be left as found: clean and neatly organized.

LABORATORY BENCHES AND SURROUNDING AREAS MUST BE LEFT CLEAN, WELL ORGANIZED AND DISINFECTED AT THE END OF EACH LABORATORY SESSION. BEFORE LEAVING WASH WELL YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

If you have a documented disability which will make it difficult for you to carry out the work as outlined in the syllabus and / or if you need special accommodation / assistance due to a disability, please contact the Office of Services for Persons with Disabilities (OSPD), Emilia Ramirez-Schunior All, Room 1.101 immediately, or to Maureen McClean, the OSPD Associate Director, at maureen@utpa.edu, 316-7005. Appropriate arrangements / accommodation can be arranged.

Verification of disability and processing of special service required, such as note takers, extended test time, separate accommodations for testing, will be determined by the OSPD. Please do not assume adjustments / accommodations are impossible. Please consult with the OSPD at 316-7005

Things you must do during the first week:

1) Read this syllabus
2) Sign lab safety sheet
3) Learn where safety items are located in the lab