Fundamentals of Microbiology Laboratory

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Reinforce the concepts learned in lecture.
• Gain training in aseptic scientific techniques needed to work safely with microorganisms in the laboratory.
• Perform and explain the significance of laboratory tests needed to identify most human pathogens.
• Understand more fully the scientific method, analysis of results, developing conclusions based on evidence, and the importance of microorganisms in understanding the natural world.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Three lab tests (written and practical portions)	60%
Pre-lab video quiz assignments	20%
Three unknown culture identifications	20%

Letter grades are assigned on a 10-point scale with pluses for anyone within two points of the next letter grade. Grades round up (e.g. 79.5-87.4 is a B, but 87.5-89.4 is a B+). Bonus points on lab tests will be earned ahead of time through unannounced lab manual page take-up or pop quizzes. Makeup lab tests, if approved with valid excuse, will be essay format.

Attendance/Participation:

ATTENDANCE IN LAB IS MANDATORY!! Three unexcused absences will result in the loss of 10 points from your final lab average (with 5 additional points deducted for each absence after the first three). Arriving in lab more than 10 minutes late is recorded as an absence, as is leaving lab before all work is completed. THERE ARE NO MAKEUP LABS!!!

If you know in advance that you cannot attend your normal lab, you may be able to attend the other lab, at the discretion of the instructor, which will not count as an absence. Please ask your lab instructor about this possibility as soon as you realize the need to switch. Your lab instructor will have to confirm with the lab instructor of the lab you want to attend that there is space.

One grace violation is allowed for dress code infractions (long pants and closed-toe shoes required; lab coats and safety glasses mandatory). After this, each infraction will result in a reduction of the student's final lab average by one point.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Microbiology Lab Exercises; 9th edition, Maxwell (with Achieve on-line access code)