Advanced Topics in Microbiology

Student Learning Outcomes, Goals, Objectives:

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

• Explain mechanisms of microbial pathogenesis, including those relevant to World Health Organization (WHO) priority bacterial ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp.) organisms.
• Describe how pathogens invade the host and evade immune responses.
• Analyze antimicrobial resistance mechanisms and connect resistance profiles to treatment strategies.
• Evaluate diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to control pathogenesis.
• Critically read, interpret, and synthesize primary research literature.
• Apply conceptual understanding of clinical laboratory workflows.
• Collaborate effectively in teams to research and communicate complex microbiological problems effectively.

Course Grading Information:

Activity/Performance Measure	Percentage/Points
Team-Based Pathogen Final Research Project	30%
Homework Assignments	20%
Attendance/ Participation (Tuesday/Thursday)	15%
Midterm	15%
Take-Home Exam	20%

Students may miss up to three class meetings without additional penalty beyond the attendance credit. Beginning with the fourth absence, the student’s attendance/participation grade will be reduced by 5 percentage points for each additional absence. Students with more than six unexcused absences will receive a 0 for the participation/attendance portion of the course grade. Participation is evaluated based on preparation and contribution to discussions, and professionalism- early departure, lack of preparation, or non-participation will affect the participation grade.

Grading Scale

Percentage	Letter Grade
≥ 93.0%	A
90.0-92.9%	A-
87.0-89.9%	B+
83.0-86.9%	B
80.0-82.9%	B-
77.0-79.9%	C+
73.0-76.9%	C
70.0-72.9%	C-
60.0-69.9%	D
<60.0%	F

Attendance/Participation:

Students will be graded based on presence and collaborative participation in scheduled class discussions. Because this is a project-based course, regular attendance and participation are required and together account for 15% of the final course grade: Students that are absent are still held responsible for material, in-class work, and team-based activities missed.

Students may miss up to three class meetings without additional penalty beyond the attendance credit. Beginning with the fourth absence, the student’s attendance/participation grade will be reduced by 5 percentage points for each additional absence.

Students with more than six unexcused absences will receive a 0 for the participation/attendance portion of the course grade.

Participation is evaluated based on preparation and contribution to discussions, and professionalism- early departure, lack of preparation, or non-participation will affect the participation grade.

Course Materials Purchased by the Students:

Title: Brock Biology of Microorganisms (ISBN: 9780135845554; Edition: 16TH 21)