BIOL 2420: MICROBIOLOGY

Course Description:

• Study of microorganisms including morphology, metabolism, taxonomy, culture techniques, microbial genetics, immunology, bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology, and diseases.  Core Curriculum Course.

Required Material:

• Textbook: Foundation in Microbiology. Kathleen Park Talaro--5th ed.
• Lab manual: Microbiology: Lab Manual for Microbiology 2420. HCCS 4^th edition, Peritrichous Flagella
• Both books can be purchased in the HCCS Stafford center bookstore.

Evaluation and Grading:

• An average of three exams, a Lab Report and a Final Exam will determine final grade. Each Term Exam will be given equal weight 20%, the Lab Report will be counted as 10% and the Final will weight 30%.

Examination:

• All Term Exams given will be multiple choice, 50-75 questions. Keep in mind that the exams will cover both lecture and lab materials. The Final will be comprehensive and consist of 100 questions. The Final will cover Ch 1-17 and all lab assignments covered during the semester. 
• Students are responsible for bringing their own scantrons and #2 pencils.
• Students have an average of one hour to complete each exam and two hours for the final.
• No breaks are allowed during exams, and cell phones must be turned off.
• NO MAKE-UPS ON ANY EXAM OR FINAL (unless acceptable documented excuse is provided), failure to take an exam will result in a zero “0”.

Laboratory

• Students are responsible for keeping up with a compass notebook for each lab done in class. Which will consist of the following:
• Objective, Introduction, procedure, results, observation, questions and answers.
• This needs to be in your own words. Students caught plagiarizing will fail the lab section of the course. The report will be picked up and graded at the end of the term for a total of 10% of the final grade. (Instructor may request reports any time during the semester for a mid –point review).
• Labs missed will result in an automatic 10-point deduction. The maximum points that can be earned are 100.
• NO MAKEUP FOR LABS! Therefore, it is very important to attend class.

Homework and Student Responsibility

• Attend all lectures
• Read the assigned material before it is covered in class so that you are generally familiar with the ideas as the instructor discusses them.
• Take careful class notes on what is said and written on the board/overhead.
• Do the assigned exercises at the end of the chapter.

Attendance:

• Regular attendance is required; more than four class absences (12 hours) may result in an automatic withdrawal of student. Habitual tardiness will not be tolerated. Students are expected to be in attendance for the entirety of the scheduled class.

• While attendance does not count for a percentage of your grade, it is strongly recommended if you wish to pass the course. If you miss a class, get the notes from another student. Attendance is taken at the end of the lecture period.
• Anyone who is tardy more than 10 minutes will be counted as absent; any one who leaves early will be counted as absent.

Withdrawals:

• Withdrawal from class is the responsibility of the student and must be done by the   withdrawal day. No automatic withdrawals of students after deadlines have passed. Deadlines are four weeks before long semesters end, and one week before summer sessions end. Check course schedules for exact dates.
• If a student just stops coming to class and does not drop the course, he/she will get an “F” for the course.

Students with disabilities:

• HCCS is committed to compliance with the American with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (section 504). If you have any special needs or disabilities which may affect your ability to succeed in college classes or participate in college programs/activities, please contact the office of disability support services at the college. Upon consolation and documentation, you will be provided with reasonable accommodations and/or modifications. Please contact the DSS office as soon as you begin the term. HCC-Southwest: Dr. Becky Hauri 713-718-7909.           

Academic Honesty:

• Students are responsible for conducting themselves with honor and integrity in fulfilling course requirements. Disciplinary proceedings may be initiated by the college system against a student accused of scholastic dishonesty. Penalties can include a grade of "0" or "F" on the particular assignment, failure in the course, academic probation, or even dismissal from the college. Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on a test, plagiarism, and collusion.

New Institutional Policy:

• Students who repeat a course for a third or more times may soon face significant tuition/fee increases at HCC and other Texas public colleges and universities.  Please ask your instructor/counselor about opportunities for tutoring/other assistance prior to considering course withdrawal or if you are not receiving passing grades.

International Students:

•  Receiving a W in a course may affect the status of your student Visa.  Once a W is given for a course, it will not be changed to an F because of the visa consideration.  Please contact the International Student Office at 713-718-8520 if you have any questions about your visa status and other transfer issues.

Course Calendar