BIOL 2117 Syllabus

Subject Code

BIOL

Course Number

2117

Course Title

Introductory Microbiology

Prerequisites

BIOL 2113 with a grade of C or higher and BIOL 2113L with a grade of C or higher or BIOL 1111 with a grade of C or higher and BIOL 1111L with a grade of C or higher

Corequisites

BIOL 2117L

Terms Offered

Offered every semester

Credit Hours

(3-0-3)

Course Description

This course provides students with a foundation in basic microbiology with emphasis on infectious diseases. Topics include microbial diversity, microbial cell biology, microbial genetics, interactions and impact of microorganisms and humans, microorganisms, and human diseases.

Course Outcomes

Microbial Diversity

  • Explain characterization of organisms, including viruses, bacteria, prions, fungi, and protozoa.
  • Classify organisms.
  • Use staining techniques to classify specific organisms.

Microbial Cell Biology

  • Summarize the morphology of bacteria.
  • Explain the fine structure of bacteria.
  • Identify common gram negative and gram positive bacteria.
  • Describe bacteria with unusual properties and complex morphology.
  • Execute various staining techniques in order to study the morphology of microorganisms.
  • Describe bacterial growth.
  • Explain the replication of bacteria.
  • Explain the replication of viruses.
  • Estimate the number of microbes in a culture medium by both direct and indirect methods.
  • Use appropriate microbiological media and test systems.
  • Cultivate specific microorganisms in various media.
  • Describe the various types of energy production.
  • Understand the metabolic diversity of microbes.

Microbial Genetics

  • Describe the cause, consequences and uses of mutations.
  • Explain genetic transfer and recombination.
  • Identify applications of biotechnology.

Interactions and Impact of Microorganisms and Humans

  • Describe factors that affect the ability of the host to resist infection.
  • Describe host innate or natural defense mechanisms.
  • Discuss innate host defenses that offer resistance to microorganism establishment.
  • Discuss adaptive host defenses that offer resistance to microorganism establishment, including antibody formation, active and passive immunity, and natural and acquired immunity.
  • Differentiate between innate and acquired immunity.
  • Discuss the disorders of the immune system.
  • Discuss principles of epidemiology.
  • Explain portals of entry for pathogenic agents.
  • Describe the evasion mechanisms of the pathogen.
  • Describe indirect and direct disease transmission methods.
  • Discuss the effects of immunosuppressive drug therapy, concurrent disease, and aging on the host-parasite relationship.
  • Discuss the methods by which various antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents affect microorganisms.
  • Discuss practical applications of various disinfection and sterilization procedures.
  • Determine antibiotic sensitivity.
  • Determine the impact of various disinfectants and antiseptics on microorganisms.
  • Evaluate sterility testing procedures.
  • Properly use aseptic techniques.

Microorganisms and Human Disease

  • Identify the causative agents for the major microbial diseases for each of the following body systems:  respiratory, digestive, genitourinary, integumentary, cardiovascular, nervous, and lymphatic.
  • Describe the symptoms and treatment for the major microbial diseases for each of the body systems
  • Perform tests for detecting microbial infections.
  • Discuss methods of control and prevention of disease.
  • Discuss and describe emerging infectious diseases and their ramifications on human health.