BIMD 202L 02: Introduction to Medical Microbiology Laboratory

BIMD 202L - Introduction to Medical Microbiology Laboratory

2023 Fall Syllabus, Section 02, CRN 2418

Course Information

You are responsible for knowing this material, so please read carefully. Any changes will be announced in a Blackboard Announcement. You will be responsible for any changes. Your continued enrollment in this course is your implicit agreement to abide by the requirements of this class.

Times and Location

Asynchronous/Online

Instructor Information

Monica Norby, Dr.

Instructor of Record

Email: Monica.Norby@und.edu

2023 Fall Office Hours:
Office Hours: By appointment only — Please use Starfish Appointment Scheduler
Columbia Hall B700, SMHS W128, or Zoom Personal Meeting Room: 2673599431

Office Phone: 701-777-4970


Course Description

An introductory laboratory course in the isolation and identification of all types of microorganisms with an emphasis on those that cause disease. Four hours laboratory per week.

Related Sections

  • BIMD 202 01 - Introduction to Medical Microbiology Lecture: Does Not Meet, Monica Norby
  • BIMD 202 02 - Introduction to Medical Microbiology Lecture: MWF 11:15am-12:05pm, Monica Norby

Learning Outcomes

A student successfully completing BIMD 202L will:

1.Goal #1 - Demonstrate proficiency in microbiology laboratory techniques.

  • correctly use a brightfield microscope to view and interpret slides
  • properly prepare slides of microbial examination
  • properly use aseptic techniques for the transfer and handling of microorganisms
  • correctly use standard microbiology laboratory equipment

2.Goal #2 – Demonstrate laboratory reasoning skills.

  • accurately interpret growth on microbiological media
  • plan and carry out experiments to accurately identify microorganisms
  • analyze results from test systems to accurately identify microorganisms

Course Materials

Required Access

McGraw-Hill Connect 

You can register for Connect access by going through an assignment on Blackboard. If you have already purchased Connect access for lecture you do not need to purchase it again. Make sure you are connected to the Connect Lab course for this sections. See this short video: https://www.mheducation.com/highered/support/connect/first-day-of-class/ia-blackboard.html 

Connect technical support can be accessed through McGraw-Hill Higher Education Digital Technical Support at https://mhedu.force.com/CXG/s/StudentResources?dc=Student_Resources.  

Course Logistics

Course Overview

Prior to the start of the first week you should have reviewed the syllabus and completed the orientation resources on Connect. Every Monday your previous week's materials are due before 8:00 am and your new lab materials will open after 8:00 am. 

The BIMD 202 Lab Experience

Pre-lab completed on Connect prior to beginning a week's labs. You have two chances for getting the correct answer with the pre-lab. Late pre-labs will not be accepted and will result in a zero unless approved by instructor PRIOR to due date. Follow the course schedule and Connect closely to avoid missed pre-labs. 

Lab Experience completed on Connect as a virtual lab. Each week will have a series of virtual labs for you to complete. These virtual labs will take you step-by-step through each lab experience just as though you were in person in a lab. Late labs will not be accepted and will result in a zero unless approved by instructor PRIOR to due date. Follow the course schedule and Connect closely to avoid missed labs. 

Post-lab completed on Connect. Post-labs reflect on the lab experience by asking questions that aim to assess your understanding of the concepts.  You have two chances for getting the correct answer with the post-lab. Late post-labs will not be accepted and will result in a zero unless approved by instructor PRIOR to due date. Follow the course schedule and Top Hat closely to avoid missed post-labs. 

Communication

Email is the best method of contact. If you are sending an email to Dr. Norby please use your UND email account and indicate your class/section. (For example BIMD 202L/ONLINE).

Emails will be responded to within 24 hours during the work week (Monday-Friday). Emails sent on the weekend will be responded to by 5:00 pm on Monday. 

Assessments

Pre-Lab (13%)

Connect Pre-lab Assignments75

There are 15 prelab assignments; each is 5 points. These will provide background on the concepts and procedures that will be covered in lab. Due before 8:00 am each Monday. 

Lab Exercises (40%)

Connect Lab Exercises230

There are 46 Laboratory simulations with with 2-5 assigned each week; each is 5 points. These will walk you through the normal steps in a laboratory to complete these procedures. Due before 8:00 am each Monday. 

Post Lab (39%)

Connect Post-lab Assessments225

There are 15 Post Lab assignments; each is 15 points. These will assess understanding of concepts covered in lab. Due before 8:00 am each Monday. 

Lab Practical (9%)

Lab Practical50

This will assess understanding of concepts covered in lab through the semester. The lab practical will be open book and administered on Connect as a timed exam. You will be able to start the exam at any time, but you will have a set time to complete it once started. 

Assessment Summary

Assignment Points
Pre-Lab Assignments (15)  75
Laboratory Simulation Exercises (46)

 230

Post-Lab Assessments (15)

  225

Lab Practical

  50

Total

580

Final Grade Scale

90-100% A

80-89% B

70-79% C

60-69% D

< 59% F

Total points will be carried out to the tenths place value and rounded up to the nearest whole number for the final grade (≥5 is rounded up). For example, if your final grade is 79.4%, that would round to a 79% and you would have a C. If your final grade is 79.6%, that would round to an 80% and you will have a B. No exceptions will be made to this rounding.

Any suspected errors in grading must be called to my attention via e-mail.

Schedule of Topics and Assignments

Week of Reading(s): Agenda/Topic: Due:
8/21 Syllabus & Lab Saftey
All assignments Due 8/28 @ 8:00 am
Week 1 Prelab
Virtual Labs Tutorial
Personal Safety
Hand Washing Procedure
Week 1 Post Lab
8/28 Ubiquity of Microorganisms & Media Transfer Procedures All assignments Due 9/4 @ 8:00 am
Week 2 Prelab
Broth to Agar plate
Broth to Broth
Slant to Slant
Sampling
Week 2 Post Lab
9/4 Microscopy All assignments Due 9/11 @ 8:00 am
Week 3 Prelab
Brightfield
Oil Immersion
Wet Mount
Diversity of Microorganisms
Post Lab
9/11 Smear Preparation & Gram staining All assignments Due 9/18 @ 8:00 am
Week 4 Prelab
Smear preparation
Gram staining
Week 4 Post lab
9/18 Special stains All assignments Due 9/25 @ 8:00 am
Week 5 Prelab
Acid-Fast staining
Capsule staining
Spore staining
Week 5 Post lab
9/25 Bacterial isolation methods 1 All assignments Due 10/2 @ 8:00 am
Week 6 Prelab
Pour plating
Streak Plating
Subculturing
Week 6 Post lab
10/2 Bacterial isolation methods 2 All assignments Due 10/9 @ 8:00 am
Week 7 Prelab
Optical Density
Colony Counting
Quantitative Dilution
Week 7 Post lab
10/9 Microbial growth 1 All assignments Due 10/16 @ 8:00 am
Week 8 Prelab
Osmotic Pressure Effects
pH Effects
Temperature Effects
Week 8 Post lab
10/16 Microbial growth 2 All assignments Due 10/23 @ 8:00 am
Week 9 Prelab
Anaerobic Jar
Thioglycolate Tubes
Yeast Fermentation
Week 9 Post Lab
10/23 Transport All assignments Due 10/30 @ 8:00 am
Week 10 Prelab
Osmosis
Active/Passive Transport
Week 10 Post lab
10/30 Microbial control 1 All assignments Due 11/6 @ 8:00 am
Week 11 Prelab
Antiseptics & Disinfectants Effects
Ultraviolet Light Effects
Week 11 Post Lab
11/6 Microbial control 2 All assignments Due 11/13 @ 8:00 am
Week 12 Prelab
Antimicrobic Testing
Antibiotic Resistant
Week 12 Post lab
11/13 Genetics 1 All assignments Due 11/20 @ 8:00 am
Week 13 Prelab
Bacterial Transformation
Transcription, Translation, Mutation
Week 13 Post Lab
11/20 Genetics 2 All assignments Due 11/27 @ 8:00 am
Week 14 Prelab
DNA Profiling
PCR
Rapid Testing
Week 14 Post lab
11/27 Bacterial Unknown Identification 1 All assignments Due 12/4 @ 8:00 am
Week 15 Prelab
Unknown Identification Samples 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5
Week 15 Post lab
12/4 Bacterial Unknown Identification 2 All assignments Due 12/11 @ 8:00 am
Week 16 Prelab
Unknown Identification Samples 6, 7, 8, 9, & 10
Week 16 Post lab
12/11 Final Comprehensive Final
Final Due 12/14 @ 5:00 pm

Appendix

This is a place to add things like resources, rubrics, etc.

Course Policies

Completion Policies

It is expected that you complete all pre-labs, lab simulations, and post-labs on Connect as outlined in the course. Points will be awarded on successful completion of each assignment.

Watch the due dates listed in Connect. All items will be due before 8:00 am on the due date with the exception of the lab final. The lab final has a different due time and day of the week as listed in course material and Connect.

All late submissions must be approved by the instructor PRIOR to the due date. No late submissions without PRIOR approval will be accepted. 

University of North Dakota Policies & Resources

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a serious matter, and any deviations from appropriate behavior will be dealt with strongly. At the discretion of the professor, situations of concern may be dealt with as a scholastic matter or a disciplinary matter.

As a scholastic matter, the professor has the discretion to determine appropriate penalties for the student’s workload or grade, but the situation may be resolved without involving many individuals. An alternative is to treat the situation as a disciplinary matter, which can result in suspension from the University, or have lesser penalties. Be aware that I view this as a very serious matter and will have little tolerance and/or sympathy for questionable practices. A student who attempts to obtain credit for work that is not their own (whether that be on a paper, quiz, homework assignment, exam, etc.) will likely receive a failing grade for that item of work, and at the professor’s discretion, may also receive a failing grade in the course. For more information read the Code of Student Life.

Access and Opportunity, Disability Support, & Medical Services

The University of North Dakota is committed to providing equal access to students with documented disabilities. To ensure access to this class and your program, please contact Disability Services for Students (DSS) to engage in a confidential discussion about accommodations for the classroom and clinical settings. Accommodations are not provided retroactively. Students are encouraged to register with DSS at the start of their program. More information can be obtained by email UND.dss@UND.edu or by phone at 701.777.2664.

COVID-19

UND is committed to maintaining a safe learning environment while providing quality learning experiences for our students. COVID-19’s continued presence within our UND community may necessitate changes in classroom management as the academic year progresses. As such, UND asks students and instructors to be flexible when necessary to promote a safe environment for learning. Please do not attend an in-person class or lab if you are feeling ill, particularly if you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have been directed by health professionals to quarantine or isolate. If you are not able to attend class or lab, please notify your instructor as soon as possible and discuss options for making up any missed work in order to ensure your ability to succeed in the course. If you will have an extended absence due to serious illness or other uncontrollable circumstances, you may request an absence notification through the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. Similarly, if your instructor is ill they may need to cancel class or temporarily move your course to online delivery to ensure that you are able to complete the course successfully.  Instructors may require students to wear masks in the classroom or in the laboratory as a preventative measure designed to facilitate uninterrupted classroom engagement and to facilitate health and safety in the classroom.   If your instructor does require masks in class or in a laboratory, you are expected to comply with that request.

UND also strongly encourages all members of the University community, including students, to get vaccinated, seek out testing when needed, and model positive behavior both on- and off-campus to foster a healthy and safe learning environment for all students. Individuals who would like to discuss disability accommodations regarding masks should contact the Disability Services for Students (DSS) office at 701.777.2664 or UND.dss@UND.edu. Individuals who are unable to wear a mask due to a sincerely held religious belief should contact the UND Equal Opportunity and Title IX Office at 701.777.4171 or UND.EO.TitleIX@UND.edu.

Religious Accommodations

UND offers religious accommodations, which are reasonable changes in the academic environment that enable a student to practice or observe a sincerely held religious belief without undue hardship on the University. Examples include time for prayer or the ability to attend religious events or observe a religious holiday. To request an accommodation, complete the student religious accommodation request form. If you have any questions, you may contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office.

Pregnancy Accommodations

Students who need assistance with academic adjustments related to pregnancy or childbirth may contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office or Academic Affairs to learn about your options. Additional information and services may be found at Pregnancy Resources.

Notice of Nondiscrimination

It is the policy of the University of North Dakota that no person shall be discriminated against because of race, religion, age, color, gender, disability, national origin, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, veteran’s status, or political belief or affiliation and the equal opportunity and access to facilities shall be available to all. Concerns regarding Title IX, Title VI, Title VII, ADA, and Section 504 may be addressed to Donna Smith, Assistant Vice President for Equal Opportunity & Title IX and Title IX/ADA Coordinator, 102 Twamley Hall, 701.777.4171, UND.EO.TitleIX@UND.edu or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Dept. of Education, 230 S. Dearborn St., 37th Floor, Chicago, IL 60604 or any other federal agency.

Reporting of Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct

If you or a friend has experienced sexual misconduct, such as sexual harassment, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, or stalking, please contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX Office or UND’s Title IX Coordinator, Donna Smith, for assistance: 701.777.4171; donna.smith@UND.edu; or visit the Title IX webpage. You may also contact the Equal Opportunity & Title IX office if you or a friend has experienced discrimination or harassment based on a protected class, such as race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, pregnancy, marital or parental status, veteran's status, or political belief or affiliation.

Faculty Reporting Obligations Regarding Discrimination, Harassment, or Sexual Misconduct

It is important for students to understand that faculty are required to share with UND’s Title IX Coordinator any incidents of sexual misconduct or of discrimination or harassment based on a protected class that they become aware of, even if those incidents occurred in the past or are disclosed as part of a class assignment. This does not mean an investigation will occur if the student does not want that, but it does allow UND to provide resources to help the student continue to be successful at UND. If you have been impacted by discrimination, harassment, or sexual misconduct, you can find information about confidential support services on the Equal Opportunity & Title IX webpage..

UND Cares Program

How to Seek Help When in Distress

We know that while college is a wonderful time for most students, however, some students may struggle or have issues that arise. You may experience students in distress on campus, in your classroom, in your home, and within residence halls. Distressed students may initially seek assistance from faculty, staff members, their parents, and other students. In addition to the support we can provide to each other, there are also professional support services available to students through the Dean of Students and University Counseling Center. Both staffs are available to consult with you about getting help or providing a friend with the help that he or she may need. For more additional information, please visit the UND Cares Program Webpage.

How to Recognize When a Student is in Distress

The term “distressed” can mean any of the following:

  • Student has significant changes in eating, sleeping, grooming, spending, or other daily activities.
  • Student has cut off or minimized contact with family or friends.
  • Student has significant changes in performance or involvement in academics, sports, extracurricular, or social activities.
  • Student describes problems (missing class, not remembering, destructive behavior) that result from experiences with drinking or drugs.
  • Student is acting withdrawn, volatile, tearful, etc.
  • Student is acting out of character or different than usual.
  • Student is talking explicitly about hopelessness or suicide.
  • Student has difficulty concentrating or difficulty carrying on a normal conversation.
  • Student has excessive dependence on others for company or support.
  • Student reports feeling out of control of one’s emotions, thoughts, or behaviors.

Land Acknowledgement Statement

Today, the University of North Dakota rests on the ancestral lands of the Pembina and Red Lake Bands of Ojibwe and the Dakota Oyate - presently existing as composite parts of the Red Lake, Turtle Mountain, White Earth Bands, and the Dakota Tribes of Minnesota and North Dakota. We acknowledge the people who resided here for generations and recognize that the spirit of the Ojibwe and Oyate people permeate this land. As a university community, we will continue to build upon our relations with the First Nations of the State of North Dakota - the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate Nation, Spirit Lake Nation, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, and Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.

Additional Resources

It is my goal to foster an environment of mutual respect in which everyone feels comfortable voicing their opinions, sharing their stories, and learning about potentially heavy or personally relevant material. If, at any point, you feel like the information covered in this class elicits thoughts, feelings, or concerns that you would like to discuss further, don’t hesitate to reach out to me, or the UND Counseling Center (701-777-2127).

Further, if you experience extenuating circumstances, sexual violence, identity-based harm, or any other personal crisis during the semester, don’t hesitate to reach out to me so we can provide academic assistance and help you in this course, and put you in contact with the appropriate resources and services (if needed).