MCB 3020 - Microbiology

College of Natural Sciences

Credit(s): 3
Contact Hours: 47
Effective Term Spring 2019 (555)

Requisites

((Prerequisite BSC 2010 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite BSC 2010L with a minimum grade of C) or
Prerequisite BSC 2010CH with a minimum grade of C) and
(Prerequisite CHM 2210 with a minimum grade of C and
Prerequisite CHM 2210L with a minimum grade of C) and
Pre- or Co-requisite MCB 3020L with a minimum grade of C

Course Description

Microbiology is the study of organisms and agents too small to be seen clearly by the unaided eye. Topics will include microbial metabolism, nutrition, growth and control, molecular biology and microbial genetics, diversity of the microbial world, microbial ecology, microbial diseases and host defenses. (Note: Credit is only given for (MCB 3020C) or (MCB 3020/MCB 3020L)).

Learning Outcomes and Objectives

  1. The student will explain and evaluate core principles of microbiology by:
    1. discussing key historical events in microbiology and immunology.
    2. differentiating between the major groups of microorganisms and viruses.
    3. correlating the structural differences in cell walls to Gram positive and Gram negative stains in bacteria.
  2. The student will evaluate microbial nutrition, microbial growth, and microbial metabolism by:
    1. classifying microorganisms based on their nutritional requirements.
    2. describing the major chemical and physical growth factors that affect microbial growth.
    3. illustrating an in-depth knowledge of photosynthesis, cellular respiration and the electron transport chain.
  3. The student will demonstrate an understanding of microbial molecular biology, bacterial genetics, biotechnology, medical microbiology and immunology by:
    1. discriminating between DNA replication, RNA transcription, and protein translation.
    2. comparing and contrasting regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes.
    3. analyzing gene sequences to determine if mutations have occurred, and if so to discuss what effects these mutations may cause.
    4. discussing the impact of genetic engineering on human health and the environment.
  4. The student will illustrate the diversity of the microbial world, describe microbial ecology, and evaluate microorganisms in various environmental situations by:
    1. describing taxonomy and the phenetic system.
    2. explaining how microorganisms are classified based on cell type, morphology, metabolism, and reproduction.
    3. identifying differences in the domains: Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukarya.
    4. comparing and contrasting multiplication of bacteriophages and plant and animal viruses.
    5. discussing the ecological niches of microbes and their symbiotic relationships.
    6. recognizing differences in microorganisms in aquatic and terrestrial environments.
    7. comparing oxygen requirements of selected microorganisms.
  5. The student will recognize microbial diseases, identify methods of microbial control and discriminate between environmental and chemical control of microbial growth by:
    1. evaluating methods to detect viral and bacterial infections.
    2. describing factors involved in disease.
    3. discussing major routes of transmission of human diseases.
    4. comparing and contrasting nonspecific and specific defenses of the host.
    5. identifying mechanisms by which viruses and bacteria evade host defenses.
    6. characterizing the modes of action of antimicrobial drugs from a molecular and biochemical perspective.
    7. examining published data on newly emerging microbial and viral diseases and their impact on society.
    8. explaining Koch’s postulates.
    9. explaining the effects of UV irradiation on microbial growth.

Criteria Performance Standard

Upon successful completion of the course the student will, with a minimum of 70% accuracy, demonstrate mastery of the above stated objectives through measurements developed by individual course instructors.

History of Changes

C&I Approval: 05/16/2014, BOT Approval: 10/21/2014, Effective Term: Spring 2015 (495).
C&I Approval: 07/26/2018, BOT Approval: 09/18/2018, Effective Term: Spring 2019 (555)

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