Biology 1913L Microbiology Laboratory Syllabus

Biology 1913L - Microbiology Laboratory Syllabus

Georgia Perimeter College - Dunwoody Campus

Term: Section #:

Instructor

Name: Phone:

Office #: Office Hours:

E-mail / web page:

Class meeting location: Class meeting day and time:

Prerequisites:

Exit with a C or better from BIOL 1612 lecture and lab

Corequisite:

BIOL 1913 lecture. You must be registered for both lab and lecture at the same time. Withdrawal from either lecture or lab will result in automatic withdrawal from both. It is strongly suggested that you take a lecture and a lab that are on the same schedule (half term or full term).

Course description:

This is a laboratory with experiments in microbial culture and staining techniques, cell metabolism, disinfection, and sterilization. Isolation of some normal flora and a survey of parasites are included.

Course objectives:

As a result of completing this course, the student will be able to:

1. Practice aseptic technique and demonstrate an understanding of all laboratory safety rules.
2. Demonstrate the ability to use efficiently all powers of magnification of the compound light microscope.
3. Demonstrate the ability to perform bacteriologic stains and prepare slides for viewing under the compound light microscope.
4. Interpret stained microscope slides to evaluate microorganism morphology, arrangement and structures to determine certain characteristics of these organisms.
5. Understand the ubiquity of microorganisms and techniques to isolate and grow these organisms.
6. Use and interpret biochemical test to help identify bacteria and bacterial metabolism.
7. practice various techniques of microbial control including sterilization, disinfection, antimicrobial therapy, and stressing aseptic technique.
8. Recognize and understand the medical importance of certain fungal, protozoan, and parasitic worm pathogens.
9. Recognize pathogenic organisms and relate them to signs and symptoms of the diseases they cause.

Required text:

Microbiology Laboratory Manual Course pack, S15-Su15 edition (required)

Photographic Atlas for the Microbiology Laboratory Michael Leboffe & Burton E. Pierce (optional)

Grade determination:

The final letter grade will be determined in the following manner:

Test I and II will be practical format and will include identification and short answer questions. Test I will cover material through the midpoint of the semester and may include microscope skills, stains and streak plate results. Test II will cover material from the midpoint through the end of the semester and will include isolation of unknown organisms. Test II will not be comprehensive.

In addition to this syllabus, a lab schedule will also be distributed on the first day of lab. This schedule will outline the specific dates for each lab exercise, as well as major tests. While every effort will be made to adhere to the lab schedule, deviations may be necessary due to inclement weather or unforeseen emergencies. Your instructor may also distribute an addendum that will outline their specific policy on lab notebooks or grading.

Performance Alert for Student Success (PASS):

Academic success is a top priority at GPC. Research has shown that early notification of poor academic performance in a course tends to improve a student’s liklihood of successfully completing the course. Specific short activities or quizzes will be given periodically throughout the semester to measure your understanding of certain core concepts. If you score below 70% on a core concept activity or quiz, you will receive a Performance Alert for Student Success (PASS) notification by email and text message. If you receive a PASS notification, you should contact your instructor to discuss your performance in the course and discuss ways to improve it. Additional information on the specific type of activity or quiz that your instructor will use to determine your progress on core concepts will be outlined in their course addendum.

Notebooks:

1. It is easier if you keep the Notebook “up to date”. Do not fall behind. You are supposed to be developing your “professionalism”.
2. Take good notes in lab. Be DETAILED in your observations.
3. Each experiment should have:
   1. Purpose, brief introduction, materials & methods
   2. Results (Tables, drawings, charts, and/or graphs, photos)
   3. Brief Discussion of results (what worked, what did it demonstrate, what failed, why?)
4. You may use a digital camera to record experimental results if you like; it enhances your presentations.
5. Parasite Drawings must be done by hand - no photographs can substitute; but they can be added for enhancement.
6. Example Notebooks are in the Lab for observation.

Attendance policy

1. Students who miss lab exercises perform very poorly in this course. The primary objective of any lab course is to provide the student with a “hands-on” experience that will support and illustrate the concepts covered in the lecture portion of the course. Lab is about seeing and doing. Therefore, consistent and timely attendance to lab is a must for success in this course!
2. There will be no make-up lab exercises. Due to logistical and safety concerns, “wet labs” (labs requiring the use of equipment, chemicals, solutions, etc) cannot be made up. Any grades collected during the missed class, such as quizzes, cannot be made up and will be recorded as a zero. If a student misses a laboratory exercise, the exercise cannot be used for a laboratory report. Students are responsible for any information covered in their absence. Open lab time may be available on Fridays (8:00am-12:00pm) for review of slides, models, and some living specimens only.
3. Lab will start promptly at the scheduled time. Important introductory and safety information will be given at the beginning of each lab. Late arrival to lab will affect your understanding of the entire lab exercise and may pose a safety hazard to you and other students. If a quiz is given at the beginning of the lab, a student arriving late will not be allowed to take the quiz.
4. The "practical" format of lab exams makes "make-up exams" difficult to arrange and administer; each student should make every effort possible to be on time for lab exams. However, in the event of a verifiable illness or emergency students should contact the instructor by the date of the exam.
5. Students must be on time for their scheduled exams. Students entering after the exam has begun may not be allowed to finish.
6. A student who officially withdraws by the midpoint () of the course will receive a grade of "W". It is the student’s responsibility to withdraw from lab. Your instructor will NOT withdraw you for lack of attendance or other reasons. Withdrawals without penalty will not be permitted after the midpoint of the semester. Students who withdraw after the midpoint of the semester will receive a "WF".
7. A grade of "I" is assigned only when the student, for non-academic reasons beyond his or her control, has not been able to complete some specific part of the work required. The grade is given only when the work already done has been of a quality acceptable to the instructor, i.e. a passing average in the course. The grade of "I" will not be given for missing a final exam unless the student contacts the instructor and presents a verifiable reason for missing the test

Academic honesty policy

Cheating includes any attempt to defraud, deceive, or mislead the instructor in arriving at an honest grade assessment. Plagiarism is a form cheating that involves presenting the ideas or work of another as your own. Cheating includes, but is not limited to:

1. On a test or quiz: looking at or copying from another student’s work, allowing another student to copy your work, exchanging written or oral communication, using notes, or opening a text book.
2. On out-of-class assignments (including lab reports): copying from another student or printed source without citation, having another person do your work, or allowing another student to use your work as his/her own.
3. Providing false documentation in order to be allowed to make up a missed test or assignment or to document an excused absence.

A first offense violation of the cheating policy will result in a grade of zero for the assignment in question. A second offense will result in assignment of an “F” grade for the course and a formal charge of academic dishonesty will be lodged with the Campus Dean for Student Services. Polices have been established by Georgia Perimeter College to insure due process in charges of cheating or plagiarism. A copy of these procedures can be found in the Student Handbook.

Laboratory supplies

• Disposable latex or vinyl gloves (required for procedures using live cultures & these will NOT be provided)
• Pencils & notebook

Laboratory safety policies and procedures

General Lab Safety

1. Only students enrolled in the laboratory course are allowed in the laboratory.
2. No one is allowed to eat, drink, smoke, or apply cosmetics while in the lab.
3. Shoes that completely cover the feet are required for lab. Bare feet, sandals, and open-toed shoes are not allowed.
4. Long hair, dangling jewelry, or loose clothing should be tied back or otherwise confined during lab.
5. Desk areas should be kept uncluttered. The tabletop area is not to be used for materials that are not essential to the experiment (e.g., pocketbooks, lecture text books, etc.).
6. Desktops must be cleaned after each laboratory meeting.
7. Gloves must be worn while working live cultures, hazardous chemicals, or as indicated by your instructor.
8. In the event of any accident, notify the instructor immediately. Do not attempt to clean up broken glass or spilled chemicals yourself.
9. Bandage all cuts on hands.
10. Small sharp objects such as used slides or small pieces of broken glass should be placed in a Sharps container or other container as indicated by your instructor.
11. No lab material of any kind may leave the laboratory.
12. No students are allowed in the laboratory outside regular laboratory class time unless Science Dept. Supervisory Personnel or a faculty member is present.
13. Know the location of emergency equipment, emergency exit locations, and telephone. Report any condition that appears unsafe or hazardous to your instructor.
14. Wash hands before leaving the laboratory.
15. Microscopes are to be put away properly with scanning objective in place, cord wrapped with Velcro, and mechanical stage is centered so that extended arms DO NOT hit into other scopes or walls of the cabinet.

Chemical safety

1. Some chemicals used in this laboratory may be absorbed by contact lenses. It is advisable to remove contacts before lab or wear tight fitting goggles during lab exercises that will involve these chemicals.
2. Dispose of all chemical waste in the proper waste container as indicated by your instructor. NEVER pour any chemical down the sink without permission from your instructor.
3. Do not taste chemicals or pipette solutions by mouth.
4. Wash your hands if you contact any chemical solution. Assume that all reagents are poisonous and act accordingly. Read labels on chemicals for any safety precautions and know the nature of the chemicals you are using.
5. Students with special conditions (pregnancy, nursing mothers, allergies, depression of immune system through such things as disease, chemotherapy, transplants, etc.) should be aware that science laboratories contain materials which, if handled improperly, may have a hazardous effect on them. These students should contact their doctor for advice about continuing in the laboratory. Students who wish to withdraw from a laboratory after consultation with their doctor should submit a letter from the physician within the first two weeks of class indicating that the student should not continue in the laboratory due to a health risk. Information about the chemical compounds used in science laboratories is available from the lab coordinator

Biohazard safety

1. Any biologically contaminated items (toothpicks, sheep blood, swabs, slides) must be placed into the appropriate disposal container as indicated by your instructor.
2. Students must only handle their own cheek cells and bodily fluids.
3. Do not use the microscope if you have an eye infection.
4. Preserved animals that are used over multiple lab periods must be sprayed with preservative, placed in an appropriate storage bag, sealed, and placed in your group’s bin or can at the end of each lab period. Any parts from the animals must be discarded into the biohazard container as indicated by your instructor. Organisms that are used for only one class period must be discarded into the biohazard container as well.

General instructions for microbiology laboratory

In this laboratory course, you will learn the techniques required to safely manipulate, identify, and study these organisms. Most microorganisms used in this laboratory are potential pathogens considering the numbers maintained in the containers or the health status of the individual human participant. Part of your responsibility as a health professional involves the prevention of accidental infection of your patient, the prevention of your infection or fellow worker's infection from careless contact with the potentially infectious patient or clinical material associated with patient care. Always be aware that the possibility of accidental infection can occur in the laboratory or patient care facility. Begin to make aseptic technique a part of your daily activities. Perform all experiments using aseptic technique so that your experimental organism remains in its intended container. Aseptic technique will also prevent the accidental introduction of microorganisms from the environment into your experiment. Treat all surfaces and materials as if they were contaminated with infectious agents unless you have previously disinfected them or have first hand knowledge of their potential to infect you.

1. ALWAYS READ THE LABORATORY INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE COMING TO CLASS. Bring laboratory manual, notebook, and textbook to the laboratory. Be prepared to modify the instructions.
2. Keep your laboratory bench clean and free of extra books, papers, backpacks, coats and purses.
3. LABEL ALL of your experiments with your name, date, lab instructor, and experiment number using colored tape provided by your instructor.
4. Demonstrations will be included in some exercises. Each student should observe the demonstrations and understand their content.
5. Stain and reagent bottles should be returned to their original location. Slides should be disposed of in the proper GLASS DISPOSAL BIN provided. All markings and tape on glassware (test tubes) will be removed before putting glassware into the marked discard trays or racks on “Kill Cart”. Swabs and pipettes should be placed in the appropriate disinfectant beakers on your desk and then emptied into the plastic tubs on the “Kill Cart”. Any disposable plastic-ware should be placed in the plastic tubs on “Kill Cart”.
6. CLEAN UP and DISINFECT your work area before you start and when you are finished. Leave the laboratory clean and organized for the next student. Turn all water and gas jets off. WASH YOUR HANDS WITH SOAP AND WATER before you leave the laboratory.
7. Students should inform the instructor if they are pregnant, are taking immunosuppressive drugs, or have any other medical condition (e.g., diabetes, immunologic defect) that might necessitate special precautions in the laboratory.
8. NEVER use a piece of equipment prior to demonstration or instruction by the instructor.
9. Do not remove any materials from the laboratory without permission from the instructor. Do not bring into the laboratory any biological material from outside of the laboratory (e.g., clinical specimens) unless specifically approved by the instructor.

Accidents

1. If you spill or break something DON'T PANIC, but DON'T IGNORE IT. Spilled cultures should be disinfected before attempting to clean them up. Broken glassware should not be handled with bare hands. NOTIFY YOUR INSTRUCTOR ABOUT THE INCIDENT.
2. If you burn or cut yourself, let your INSTRUCTOR know IMMEDIATELY. Microorganisms love open wounds. Any cuts, scrapes, or burns should be cleansed with water and covered with a sterile dressing. The instructor will advise the student if they should seek further medical care.
3. Be careful of laboratory burners. Do not lean over the lighted burners if you have loose clothing, long hair, or a beard. Long hair should be tied back and loose clothing secured within the laboratory coat. Turn your laboratory burner off when not in use. ALWAYS handle the burner as if it were HOT even when you do not see a flame. Handle the burner with its rubber hose until you determine the temperature of the metal portion of the burner.

Open lab polices

Regular open lab will not be provided for microbiology lab. Almost all of the exercises are wet labs and can’t be done at other times. During the parasite slide exercises (last 2 weeks of lab), open lab might be offered, but only if a specific instructor agrees to supervise. Do not show up on Friday morning expecting open lab unless your instructor has agreed to be there to supervise.

Tobacco and Smoke-Free Campus Policy:

Effective October 1, 2014, Georgia Perimeter prohibits the use of tobacco products on any property owned, leased, or controlled by GPC. All faculty, staff, students, visitors, vendors, contractors, and all others are prohibited from using any tobacco products while on GPC property. “Tobacco Products” is defined as cigarettes, pipes, cigars, all forms of smokeless tobacco, clove cigarettes and other smoking devices that use tobacco such as hookahs or simulate the use of tobacco such as electronic cigarettes. Violations of the smoking policy will be handled under the GPC Student Code of Conduct.

Americans with Disabilities Act statement:

If you are a student who is disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act and requires assistance or support services, please seek assistance through the Center for Disability Services. A CDS Counselor will coordinate those services.

Equal opportunity statement:

No person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, religion, creed, national origin, age, or disability, be excluded from employment or participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity conducted by GPC.

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Georgia Perimeter College adheres to affirmative action policies designed to promote diversity and equal opportunity for all faculty and students.

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