Spring 2007    Microbiology    BIOL 238

M/W/F 11:10-12:00 PM        Tomsich Hall 103

Instructor:

Dr. Rob Onyenwoke

Higley Hall 201                                                                                                           

(740) 427-5743

onyenwoker@kenyon.edu                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Office hours:  Mondays and Wednesdays 2:00-4:00 PM or by appointment   

Textbook and Readings:

Brock: Biology of Microorganisms, 11th Edition, Madigan and Martinko

Primary research articles as provided by the instructor.

Prerequisites: A semester of introductory biology or chemistry is required.

Course Description: This course is an introduction to the microbial world and how it affects every living aspect of the earth. Material covered will include a foundation of bacterial cell structure, metabolism, growth conditions and genetics. BIOL 238 surveys the biology, ecology, and applications (industrial and medical) of microbial (bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic) cells. Additionally, current biological techniques employed to investigate microorganisms will be studied.

Grades:


Exams (4, lowest will be dropped)        600 pts

Final     300 pts

Research paper presentation     50 pts

Class attendance and participation         50 pts

Total    1000 pts          

900-1000 pts. A, 800-899 pts. B, 700-799 pts. C, 600-699 pts. D, 599-below F

                                                                                    

Course Expectations:

  1. COME TO CLASS. 100% attendance is expected. Two unexcused absences are permitted. Beyond the first two, each unexcused absence will result in a 5 point loss from your attendance points. There will be material covered in class that is not in the textbook that will appear as test questions.  Thus, it is in your best interest to come to class.
  2. I expect you to be challenged with the course material.  This does not necessarily mean that the material will be difficult.  You will be expected to learn the material and be able to apply what you learned.  If you find yourself getting confused, don’t hesitate to contact me!
  3. Be ready for class.  This means reading the chapter ahead of time or at least skimming through text headings/bold words and being knowledgeable of what will be covered in class.  This makes note-taking easier – you won’t hear terms that are unfamiliar or confusing.
  4. As stated under Kenyon College regulations, you are expected to maintain academic honesty. If dishonesty is discovered, college disciplinary action will be taken.
  5. This course is flexible to the extent of the material covered and the depth at which it is covered. Although a schedule of text to be covered and test dates is provided, there may be a chance things will change.

Tests: There will be 4 one-period long tests (lowest grade, or missed test, will be dropped; 200 points/test Χ 3 tests = 600 points), and 1 two-hour comprehensive final exam (300 points). Each in-class test will be composed of a combination of (1) multiple choice, (2) matching, (3) short answer, and (4) longer discussion-type questions. There are no make-up tests unless warranted by exceptional circumstances, i.e., permitted by the Office of Student Affairs. If a test is missed, the missed test will be your dropped exam.

In class-presentations: Students will present one (1) of the thirteen (13) primary journal papers, as indicated in the class schedule, in groups of two. The presentation should employ visual aides; preferably power point slides. Evaluation (grading) of the paper presentation will take into consideration the appropriateness of the presentation method, breadth of knowledge displayed by the students presenting, and the attention to specific details/guidelines for the presentation given by the instructor (which will be explained in detail by the instructor).

Deadlines and conflicts:  Assignments are expected to be completed on time. Late work will be penalized 1/3 grade per day; e.g., a B+ would become a B. If a conflict exists with scheduled college extracurricular events, you are responsible for informing me of the conflict one week in advance so that the conflict may be resolved. In the case of a test conflict, it is expected the student will arrange to take the test in advance of the scheduled date.

Students with special needs: Students with disabilities who will be taking this course and may need disability related academic accommodations are encouraged to make an appointment to see me as soon as possible to discuss your learning needs. Also, you are required to register for support services with the Office of Disability Services in the Old Bank Building. Please contact Erin Salva at 5453 or e-mail salvae@kenyon.edu.  

 

 

Class schedule:

 

Date                                                                                                    

 

Jan.   15           Ch. 1 – Microbiology: A Historical Perspective, pp. 9-20                                 

17           Ch. 4 – Microscopy, pp. 56-62                                               

19           Ch. 4 – Cell structure and Function, pp. 63-99

Jan.   22           Ch. 2, 11, 12 – Overview of Classification/Diversity, and Microbial Diversification and Taxonomy, pp. 26-35, 300-328, 331-332

24           Continue from Jan. 22, Taxonomy paper        

26           Ch. 5, 6 – Dynamics of Prokaryotic Growth, pp. 101-107, 136-163

Jan.   29           Continue from Jan. 26, Eggplant salad paper

31           TEST 1

Feb.    2           Ch. 20 – Control of Microbial Growth, pp. 669-697

Feb.    5           Ch. 5 – Metabolism pp. 108-127

  7           Ch. 5 – Metabolism, and Photosynthesis, pp. 108-127, 533-546, 548, 557, 571

  9           Ch. 8 – Metabolic Regulation, pp. 206-221     

Feb.  12           Ch. 9 – Viruses of Bacteria, pp. 231-253

14           Ch. 16 – Viruses of Eukaryotes, pp. 513-526

16           Ch. 12 – Prokaryotic Diversity: The Proteobacteria, pp. 332-371

Feb.  19           Ch. 12 – Prokaryotic Diversity: The Firmicutes, pp. 374-390

21           Ch. 13 – Prokaryotic Diversity: The Archaea, pp. 419-444      

23           Ch. 13, Archaea paper

Feb.  26           TEST 2

28           Ch 17 – Metabolic Diversity, pp. 533-575

Mar.   2            Continue from Feb. 28, Metal reduction paper         

Mar.   5-16     SPRING BREAK – NO CLASS      

Mar.  19           Ch. 10 – Bacterial Genetics, pp. 257-294

21           Ch. 10, Recombination paper

23           Ch. 31 – Genetic engineering, pp. 970-989, Genetic engineering paper

Mar. 26            Ch. 15 – Microbial Genomics, pp. 480-498

28           Genome paper

30           The proteome (paper)

Apr.   2            TEST 3

    4           Ch. 18 – Measuring microbial activity in the environment (Culture-dependent and independent), pp. 594-610

 6           Continue from Apr. 4, Culture-independent assessment technique paper  

Apr.    9           Ch. 19 – Microbial Ecology, pp. 614-661

11           Ch. 19, Symbiosis paper

13           Ch. 30 – Industrial Microbiology, pp. 942-955

Apr.  16           Enzyme purification paper

18           Food Microbiology, pp. 958-966

20           Ch. 29 – Food preservation and disease, pp. 924-938

Apr.  23           Food-borne illness paper

25           TEST 4

27           Ch. 22 – Epidemiology, pp. 818-844, AIDS Case Study

Apr.  30           Ch. 26 – Microbial disease transmission and STD’s, pp. 848-875

May    2           Microbial disease transmission paper

           4           Final Exam Review