BIOLOGY 4501 FALL 1999
INSTRUCTOR: Randall E. Hicks
303 Life Science
726-8134
rhicks@d.umn.edu (Note: this is the easiest way to reach me)
OFFICE HOURS: Monday 11:15 am - 12:00 pm
Wednesday 11:15 am - 12:00 pm
or By appointment
LAB INSTRUCTOR: M. Raj Karim
rkarim@d.umn.edu
Office: 205 LSci (726-7250)
Hours: MW 9:00 am - 10:00 am, 1:30-2:30 pm
Brendan Keough
bkeough@d.umn.edu
Office: 303 LSci (726-8134)
CLASS PERIODS: M W 10:15 am - 11:05 pm MWAH 191
T Th (Secs. 2, 3, 4) LSci 250
TEXTBOOK:
Atlas, R. M. 1997. Principles of Microbiology. Wm. C. Brown Publishers.
Dubuque, IA. 1298 p. [This is an excellent and comprehensive text.
You should consider keeping it as a reference.]
LABORATORY MANUAL:
Colome, J. S., R. J. Cano, A. M. Kubinski, and D. V. Grady. 1986.
Laboratory Exercises in Microbiology. West Publishing Co., St.
Paul, MN.
CLASS WEB PAGE: http://www.d.umn.edu/~rhicks1/micro/index.html
REQUIRED READING (on reserve in library):
Purcell, E. M. 1977. Life at low Reynolds number. Am. J. Phys.
45:3-11.
COURSE GOALS and OBJECTIVES:
The 1999-2001 UMD Bulletin describes Biology 5403 as:
Morphology of microorganisms; growth; environmental and physiological
types; physical and chemical control; taxonomy; viruses; genetics
of bacteria; practical applications including medical, water,
soil and food microbiology.
In addition, this course strives to meet these goals:
· provide an introduction to the field of microbiology
· develop observational and critical thinking skills
· stimulate and encourage your intellectual interest in this topic
· prepare you for leadership and social responsibility
· provide a small group cooperative learning experienceBy completing this course you will:
· become aware of the diversity of microorganisms and their functions
· understand what genetic engineering is and ask if it should be developed
· know disease-causing microorganisms and how they are controlled
· understand how microbes influence your daily life and the health of the earth
· know basic microbiological research skills
· improve your problem solving ability
COURSE FORMAT:
Points
Lectures and Discussions (27)
Midterm Exam (20%) 100
Final Exam - Take Home (10%) 50
Final Exam - In Class (20%) 100
Laboratory Exercises
Quizzes (25%) 125
Group Research Project Report (20%) 100
Class and Group Participation (5%) 25
TOTAL POINTS 500
· Students are required to discuss arrangements for taking a make-up exam prior to the scheduled exam date. The policy is that makeup exams are available only to students who have a legitimate excuse for missing an exam. Bring documentation to support your anticipated absence. If you miss an examination and did not make prior arrangements, you will be given a grade of 50% of the total points possible or one point less than the lowest class score, which ever is lower. If you miss an exam unexpectedly due to last-minute illness or an accident, then contact Dr. Hicks when you return to campus and bring documentation of your situation.
· There will be no opportunity to make up labs you missed. You should make every effort to attend all labs. Read the assigned lab exercises before coming to lab. No make-up quizzes will be given in the laboratory.
· All students in the same research group will be given the same grade on the research project report.
· Participation points will be given for completing lecture tasks Dr. Hicks assigns and your participation within your research group. The points you receive for research group participation will be determined by peer grading.
· Letter grades will be assigned at the end of the quarter based on the total points you accumulated during the term (1000 points possible). Usually, 450-500 = A, 400-449 = B, 350-399 = C, 300-349 = D, 299 or less = F.
· Drs. Hicks and Karim will be glad to show you the points you have accumulated and discuss your potential grade anytime during the course.
· Drs. Hicks and Karim will be happy to reply to any concern or answer your questions about lecture notes, laboratory exercises, or group research projects. We can be reached more easily by e-mail than telephone usually. Go to the Information Services Help Desk to find out how to obtain and use the World Wide Web and e-mail (available free to all students).
HOW TO SUCCEED IN LECTURE PORTION OF THIS COURSE:
In order to succeed in this course, you should attend all lectures, take careful notes, and allow ample time to read and study the assigned material in lecture. Reading assignments for the textbook are listed on the syllabus. Try to read each assignment before coming to class. Don't fall behind. Reading a textbook is not like reading a novel. Keep a pad of paper handy and use it to make notes, sketches, and record concepts and terms you don't know. Stop frequently to ask yourself "What did I just read"?
Some of you will find that attending the lectures, labs, and reading the text is all the support that you will need. Others will have difficulty with some of the material. I have developed several forms of support to help overcome difficulties you may have.
· Handouts. I will give handouts in class from time to time on important topics. Spend some time with these materials as soon as you can review them -- don't just put them aside until the night before an exam.
· Lecture Outline. I will give you a more detailed outline of the lectures that you can refer to as you are taking notes in class. This should help you organize your notes.
· I will post my notes for the lectures on microbial cell walls. My purpose is to give you a chance to compare your notes with my notes so you can determine if your note taking skills are good or poor, if you have complete notes, and more importantly if you picked up on the emphasis I placed on the most important points in these lectures. This gives you a chance to improve your note taking skills.
· General Microbiology Web Page. I will be posting many class materials on the General Microbiology Web Page and expect every student to check this page at least once a week (http://www.d.umn.edu/ ~rhicks1/micro/index.html). Practice examination questions will be posted on the General Microbiology Web Page prior to scheduled examinations. These practice questions are designed to make you familiar with test formats and assist you in studying. Questions asked on practice exams will not necessarily be asked on scheduled examinations. The Web Page also includes some links to other interesting microbiology sites on the World Wide Web. You will probably want to explore some of these links during the term.
· I am available for individual consultation regarding any aspect of the course. If you have unanswered questions or are in academic trouble, then please see me soon! Immediately after class is a good time to contact me. You will often have to seek me out first because it is difficult for an instructor to determine if a particular person in a large class is having trouble with the material before the instructor grades that student's examination. Please seek me out when you are confused or having troubles. I promise to be helpful and patient in answering your questions and assisting you in resolving your problems or fears.
ACCESS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES:
Individuals who have any disability, either permanent or temporary, which might affect their ability to perform in this class are encouraged to inform me at the start of the quarter. Adaptation of methods, materials, or testing may be made as required to provide for equitable participation.
PROMOTION OF BIAS-FREE INSTRUCTION
The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all of its students shall have equal educational opportunities. The University expressly forbids discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, disability, veteran's status, ethnicity, religion, creed, national origin, or marital status. If you believe that your Biology instructor has not followed this policy, you are invited to bring this to the attention of the Biology Department Head (211 Life Science, 726-7263) or the Associate Dean of the College of Science and Engineering (140 Engineering, 726-7585). Your conference will be kept confidential.