MEDICAL
MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY (BIOL3403)
Course Syllabus
Spring 2009
INSTRUCTOR
Luis A. Materón, Ph.D.
Office at SCIE1.344
Phone (956) 316-7140
E-mail: lmateron@utpa.edu (anonymous messages will not be replied).
Office hours: MTWF 11:00 - 12:00 p.m. or by appointment at any available time.
Class meets on MWF at 9:45 - 10:35 a.m. in SCIE 2.288.
Laboratory sessions on every Thursday at 9:10 a.m. (Lab A), and at 1:10 p.m.
(Lab B).
Medical consultants and guest lecturers: Oscar Alvarez, MD; Jorge Arango, MD; Roberto Pardo, MD and Dr. Alberto Cepeda.
Cooperator: Dr. D. Pani, UT-Medicine, RAHC.
Course motto: "Strive for excellence"
OBJECTIVES
To provide a broad and general exposure to wide array of concepts in immunology and medical microbiology. To review the mechanisms of defense against microorganisms, pathways and molecular structure of immuno-molecules, and current techniques for detection of microbial pathogens affecting humans. The course includes a comprehensive review of bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens and their interactions with the human system. Topics such as prions and current advances in microbial control will be discussed.
TEXTBOOK
"Selected Chapters from Foundations in Microbiology", K. & A. Talaro (ISBN 978-0-07-721079-3). McGraw-Hill. A version prepared for UTPA. You may find it helpful to bring the textbook to class each day, although you are not required to do so. Reading assignments on special topics to complement class lectures will be posted on the Internet. You are expected to read and be familiar with all material presented to you in class (lecture notes, reading assignments, journal articles and textbook).
COURSE WEB PAGE
http://www.utpa.edu/faculty/materon/3403.
The web site contains valuable links, class and lab syllabi, and a section of messages.
ROLE OF THE INSTRUCTOR
The Instructor is responsible for all material presented in the lectures, and is committed to providing you with an excellent and challenging course. If you have a problem understanding the lectures or getting difficulties in preparing for exams, contact the Instructor right away and NOT at the end of the semester.
ROLE OF STUDENTS IN CLASS
Class will start and finish on time each day, so make every effort to be here at the start of the class. Please do not leave early unless you become ill or have other unavoidable circumstances. If you have an appointment such that you need to leave early, tell the instructor before class and sit in a seat near the back of the classroom that day. If you arrive after class has begun, please try to minimize distracting others while finding your seat.
The instructor will try to facilitate the learning process to maintain your interest alive. You must study to pass this course and gain a good grade. You are requested to read the chapters of the book, analyze tables, figures and illustrations to get clarity on the concepts. Some memorization is required because of the nature of the material. Your questions and comments during the class lectures are welcome and the instructor will make every effort to address them as they are raised. Students are encouraged to ask questions and generate discussion of any topic that is being presented by your instructor.
Food and beverages are not allowed to be consumed in class. Cellular phones must be switched off while in class. If you use a computer please use it to take notes only and not for other purposes as it may distract other students. The instructor reserves the right to lock the doors if late comers distract student and instructor's concentration during the class.
ELIGIBILITY FOR ENROLLING IN BIOL3403
You must have cleared with Administration to attend this course along with its corresponding laboratory session. As per UTPA regulations the pre-requisites for this course are: BIOL3401 (General Microbiology), CHEM 1301, CHEM 1302. Basic biological and chemical knowledge are essential to understand concepts presented in this course. The instructor will drop pass the students who have not taken the prerequisite courses. Consult with your Instructor immediately within the first two days of classes should you have any questions on this requirement. Instructor may ask for a copy of your official transcript during the course. Please note that no exceptions will be made to allow a student to remain in class without having taken and passed the basic pre-requisite courses.
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.
GRADE DETERMINATION
Your grade in this course will be determined by four exams. Exams I, II and III will be administered during regular class time and will consist of either short essay-type questions, multiple-choice questions, fill-in the blank, figure identification, or any combinations of these. The final exam is comprehensive and in multiple choice format. There will be a quiz to be administered immediately after a chapter is finished. The quiz will consist of a short number of essay-type questions regarding the material covered in the chapter.
For your information, the instructor writes new exam questionnaires every semester. All matters regarding exams will be announced in the lecture notes and message sections on our web site.
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Quizzes |
15 |
- |
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One
at the end of each chapter |
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M |
Feb 16 |
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F |
Mar 27 |
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F |
Apr 17 |
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REMEMBER THAT
GRADE CALCULATION
The class final grade is worth 75% and the lab is 25% . The class overall grade is calculated as:
{(ex1)*0.2 + (ex2)*0.2 + (ex3)*0.2 + (exf)*0.25 + (quiz)*0.15} x 0.75
Grade ranges: A (90-100), B (89-80), C (79-70), D (69-60), and F (59 or less)Exams can be seen at the Instructor's office 10 working days after the exam has been graded. The intention is that the student can receive valuable advice, and the instructor will make sure that student understand the concepts behind the missing questions. Graded questionnaires and quizzes will not be returned to the student.
EXAMINATION PROCEDURES
Given the large number of students, it is critical that examination procedures be clearly understood and followed. If the exam administration procedures seem restrictive or confining in any way, please understand that our procedural goals are (1) to minimize confusion and distractions during the exam, and (2) to give you the maximum amount of time possible for completing the examination.
If you choose to wear a cap during exams, please turn it backwards. No audio equipment whatsoever will be allowed in class during examinations. You will not be allowed to take an exam if you arrive after a student has already finished the exam and left the room.
==>Ten points will be deducted from the exam grade to those students who arrive late to the exam once all questionnaires have been distributed.
SCHOLASTIC HONESTY
Cases of apparent scholastic dishonesty will be pursued to the fullest extent allowed by University regulations.
MISSED EXAMINATIONS
Absences from an exam will be excused for these reasons ONLY:
1) Participation in an authorized University activity;
2) Confinement due to illness (a medical certification is required); an evidence of a prescribed medicine may be requested by your instructor.
3) Death in your immediate family; or
4) Participation in legal proceedings that requires your presence.
5) Car accidents (proof required)No excuses regarding traffic or car problems during exam days will be accepted. If you report sickness you MUST bring a medical excuse.
Anyone who does not have a valid reason for missing an exam will receive a zero for that exam. If you have a valid excuse, please make sure to contact your Instructor personally or by phone, fax or by e-mail 24 hours before or 24 hours after missing your exam. Failure to do this will translate into a minimum grade (0). This policy will be strictly enforced (no exceptions).
MAKE-UP EXAMS
If you miss an exam AND have an excused absence, contact your instructor for mutual arrangements. Make-up exams are different to those taken by the students during the official date and can be written in a different format (see section on Grade Determination). Students taking make-up exams have more time to prepare for the exam than those who took it during the official time. Bonus points (if given by the instructor) are granted only to students who take the exams during the official dates. Students taking make-up exams will not be entitled for bonuses.
POST EXAMINATION PROCEDURES
Please note that due to the Family Privacy Act (1974), the Instructor will NOT give or discuss any grades over the telephone or via e-mail. The student must see the instructor to get his/her grade. Students are requested to use the kiosk machines on campus or via the internet through a code number, to get their final course letter grade.
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
Should you need any special assistance to attend this course do not hesitate to contact the instructor as soon as possible.
STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES
If you have a verifiable disability which makes it difficult for you to complete course work as outlined in this syllabus without special accommodations under either the American's with Disabilities Act or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, please inform the instructor as soon as possible. The instructor will be happy to work with you and the UTPA Office of Services for Persons with Disabilities (OSPD) located at Emilia Schunior Ramirez Hall, Room 1.101, phone (956) 316-7005, fax (956) 316-7034. Maureen McClean, Associate Director of OSPD (maureen@utpa.edu), will process accommodation requests, assist you with verification of a disability and will make special arrangements for your participation in the course. Please note that the instructor will make no preferences for any student regarding grades.
The following table presents information about the scheduling of classes, quizzes and exams. Nonetheless, chapters may take longer to cover depending on time invested on questions and discussions in class. The schedule is then TENTATIVE as it may change throughout the semester. The instructor will try to keep exam dates fixed as presented.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF CLASS ACTIVITIES*
| Lecture |
Day |
Date |
Chapter |
Activity |
Topic |
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Basic Immunology Section |
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M |
Jan 12 |
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Chemotherapy |
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W
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Jan 14 |
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F |
Jan 16 |
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M |
Jan 19 |
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W
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Jan 21 |
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F
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Jan 23 |
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M |
Jan 26 |
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W
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Jan 28 |
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F
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Jan 30 |
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M
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Feb 02 |
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The
nature of host defenses |
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W
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Feb 04 |
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F
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Feb 06 |
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M
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Feb 09 |
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W |
Feb 11 |
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F
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Feb 13 |
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M
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Feb 16 |
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W
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Feb 18 |
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Immunizations |
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F
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Feb 20 |
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M
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Feb 23 |
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18 |
W |
Feb 25 |
17 |
Disorders
in immunity |
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| 19
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F
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Feb 27 |
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MEDICAL
MICROBIOLOGY SECTION |
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M
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Mar 02 |
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W |
Mar 04 |
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22 |
F |
Mar 06 |
18 |
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23 |
M |
Mar 09 |
18 |
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24 |
W |
Mar 11 |
19 |
Gram
+ve bacilli |
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F
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Mar
13 |
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Mar 16-21 |
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M
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Mar
23 |
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27 |
W |
Mar 25 |
20 |
Gram
-ve bacilli |
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F
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Mar 27 |
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| 28 |
F |
Mar
27 |
20 |
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M
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Mar
30 |
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30 |
W |
Apr 01 |
20 |
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F
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Apr 03 |
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M
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Apr 06 |
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W
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Apr 08 |
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F
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Apr 10 |
Last
day to DR or W |
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M
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Apr 13 |
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W
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Apr 15 |
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F
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Apr 17 |
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Chapters 20-21-22 |
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M |
Apr 20 |
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W |
Apr 21 |
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| 38 |
F |
Apr 23 |
24/25 |
RNA viruses |
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| 39 |
M |
Apr 26 |
25 |
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| 40 |
W |
Apr 28 |
25 |
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| F |
Apr 30 May 01 |
Study days |
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t.b.a. |
Final Exam | Comprehensive
Exam |
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* Guest Physicians will be arranged and scheduled upon their availability either for class, activity period or lab sessions. Presentations will be announced in advanced.