• Define microbiota/microbiome. Explain how the human microbiome composition is characterized. 
• Explain how Koch’s Postulates help us understand infectious disease. Describes cases in which Koch’s Postulates cannot be satisfied. 
• Describe experimental approaches to defining and characterizing virulence factors of bacteria. 
• Describe bacterial cell structures and relate these structures to function, particularly those related to pathogenesis. 
• Describe the mechanisms by which bacteria can acquire virulence traits through genetic modification and exchange and how expression of these traits is regulated. 
• Explain how these virulence factors cause disease (damage to the host). 
• Describe mechanisms by which antibacterial agents (chemicals, viruses) act and how bacteria protect themselves from these agents 
• Describe strategies used by bacteria to colonize and survive within the host, including ways they evade the host immune response. 
• Research and critically evaluate scientific literature to answer or address a question 
• Communicate fundamental concepts of microbiology, both in written and in oral formats 

Texts:

Bacterial Pathogenesis: A Molecular Approach by Wilson, WInkler & Ho. 4th Ed. ASM Press, 2019. ISBN: 9781555819408

For lab: Each student is required to have a lab coat (knee length) and a composition book to serve as a laboratory notebook. Safety glasses and gloves for lab use will be provided.

Each student is required to complete all exams, and lecture and lab assignments.

Each student is required to complete three reading/research assignments taken from the primary literature

Students are required to understand and follow all laboratory safety guidelines and policies.

Students are expected to attend all meetings of the classes in which they are enrolled. Although in general students are graded on intellectual effort and performance rather than attendance, absences may lower the student’s grade where class attendance and class participation are deemed essential by the faculty member. In those classes where attendance is considered as part of the grade, the instructor should inform students of the specifics in writing at the beginning of the semester in a syllabus or separate attendance policy statement. An instructor who has an attendance policy must keep records daily. The instructor 

must give the student a verbal or written warning prior to being dropped from the class. Instructor’s records will stand as evidence of absences. A student with excessive absences may be dropped from a course by the instructor. Any individual faculty member or college has the authority to establish an attendance policy, providing the policy is in accordance with the General University Policies. [MSU Student Handbook, p. 61] 

Absences will be excused for: 

1. Death of an immediate family member.  An immediate family member is a grandparent, parent, sibling, spouse, in-law, aunt, uncle, or child. 
2. Summons to appear in court or jury duty. A copy of the summons is required. 
3. Call to military service.  A copy of your orders to report is required. 
4. University sponsored event. Members of athletic teams, college bowl participants, etc. will be excused with proper notification. 
5. Debilitating illness or disability. Illnesses will be addressed on an individual basis. If a student is affected by an illness that is not debilitating, (i.e., flu, virus infection) which may result in the student missing one or more consecutive class sessions, that student will be marked as unexcused for the number of days missed unless a doctor’s note is provided. 

ROUTINE APPOINTMENTS, medical or otherwise, AND VACATION TRAVEL ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE reasons for excused absences. 

Students who feel ill (esp. with fever or symptoms of COVID-19) should stay home and isolate themselves. Notify the instructor immediately. 

It is the responsibility of the student to obtain notes or other information covered in class during an absence. 

Note: You may not submit a paper for a grade in this class that already has been (or will be) submitted for a grade in another course, unless you obtain the explicit written permission of me and the other instructor involved in advance.

Plagiarism is the use of someone else's thoughts, words, ideas, or lines of argument in your own work without appropriate documentation (a parenthetical citation at the end and a listing in "Works Cited")-whether you use that material in a quote, paraphrase, or summary. It is a theft of intellectual property and will not be tolerated, whether intentional or not.

Student Honor Creed

As an MSU Student, I pledge not to lie, cheat, steal, or help anyone else do so."

As students at MSU, we recognize that any great society must be composed of empowered, responsible citizens. We also recognize universities play an important role in helping mold these responsible citizens. We believe students themselves play an important part in developing responsible citizenship by maintaining a community where integrity and honorable character are the norm, not the exception.

Thus, We, the Students of Midwestern State University, resolve to uphold the honor of the University by affirming our commitment to complete academic honesty. We resolve not only to be honest but also to hold our peers accountable for complete honesty in all university matters.

We consider it dishonest to ask for, give, or receive help in examinations or quizzes, to use any unauthorized material in examinations, or to present, as one's own, work or ideas which are not entirely one's own. We recognize that any instructor has the right to expect that all student work is honest, original work. We accept and acknowledge that responsibility for lying, cheating, stealing, plagiarism, and other forms of academic dishonesty fundamentally rests within each individual student.

We expect of ourselves academic integrity, personal professionalism, and ethical character. We appreciate steps taken by University officials to protect the honor of the University against any who would disgrace the MSU student body by violating the spirit of this creed.

Written and adopted by the 2002-2003 MSU Student Senate.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the Disability Support Services in Room 168 of the Clark Student Center, (940) 397-4140.

The professor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being - regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, religious affiliation, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, or ability. Additionally, diversity of thought is appreciated and encouraged, provided you can agree to disagree. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.

All instructors in the Department have voicemail in their offices and MSUTexas e-mail addresses. Make sure you add your instructor's phone number and e-mail address to both email and cell phone lists of contacts.

All students seeking a Bachelor's degree from Midwestern State University must satisfy a writing proficiency requirement once they've 1) passed the 6 hours of Communication Core and 2) earned 60 hours. Students may meet this requirement in one of three ways: by passing the Writing Proficiency Exam, passing two Writing Intensive Courses (only one can be in the core), or passing English 2113. If you have any questions about the exam, visit the Writing Proficiency Office website at https://msutexas.edu/academics/wpr, or call 397-4131.

Senate Bill 11 passed by the 84th Texas Legislature allows licensed handgun holders to carry concealed handguns on campus, effective August 1, 2016. Areas excluded from concealed carry are appropriately marked, in accordance with state law. For more information regarding campus carry, please refer to the University’s webpage at https://msutexas.edu/campus-carry/rules-policies.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact MSU Chief of Police at police@msutexas.edu.