·        Compare and contrast the cellular structures of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells

·        Describe how specific cellular structures carry out processes such as motility, nutrient transport, energy production and reproduction

·        Describe how microbial cell structures and processes can be the targets of antimicrobial agents, and explain how these relate to therapeutic decisions

·        Explain the importance of aseptic technique in patient care

·        Explain the impact of human activity on microbial evolution, and describe the mechanisms by which genetic information is modified and transferred between microorganisms

·        Contrast the lifecycles of bacteria, eukaryotic microbes, and viruses

·        Describe the environmental factors that affect microbial growth, and relate these factors to the environment of the human host and growth in laboratory culture

·        Explain the various relationships that exist between microbes and the human host, and how both microbial and host factors influence development of disease

·        Explain the factors important in microscopy and how each is optimized or controlled

• Relate microbial biology to means of identification, classification, and host defense mechanisms
• Describe how microbial genetic information flows and is shared

·        Contrast the prokaryotic and eukaryotic pathways of carbohydrate catabolism

Instructor Expectations and Class Policies

1. Students are expected to be prepared for lecture and lab by 1) reading the text, lab manual or handouts prior to coming to class; 2) having paper and pen at hand.
2. Students are expected to arrive a few minutes early to mentally prepare. If late arrival is unavoidable, the student should enter the class in a manner that creates as little disruption as possible.
3. Student Conduct: Please refer to the Student Handbook for university policies related to student responsibilities, rights, and activities.
4. Analytical and critical thinking skills in both written and oral communication are part of the learning outcomes of this course. Therefore, all writing assignments and classroom discussion responses should be prepared by the student. Developing strong competencies in this area will prepare you for a competitive workplace. Because of this, AI-generated submissions are not permitted and will be treated as plagiarism (Adapted from Texas Tech University statement).
5. Students with disabilities: It is the responsibility of the student to first contact Disability Support Services and then the instructor to decide what accommodations might be provided for a disability. It will be the responsibility of the student to plan to acquire notes. Any requests for accommodation must be made 2 weeks prior to the first exam.
6. The instructor considers this classroom to be a place where you will be treated with respect as a human being. Students will show respect for each other and the instructor. Failure to do so will result in the disrespectful student being asked to leave the classroom or laboratory. Furthermore, guns or other weapons create a coercive environment that is neither safe nor conducive to learning. Therefore, weapons of any kind will not be allowed in my classroom. This includes guns, concealed or otherwise, regardless of licensure. Any student bringing a weapon to class or to lab will be immediately dropped from the course. It is the professor's expectation that ALL students consider the classroom a safe environment.
7. CELL PHONES (and other electronic devices): (READ THIS TWICE, PLEASE) This class, as well as your other classes, requires your engagement, and typical cell phone use serves to detract from that engagement. While in class, your phone should be on “silent” (NOTE: vibrate is NOT silent).
8. Other electronic devices (laptops, tablets and similar devices): These may be used only if you are using them as “electronic paper”. That is, if you are writing on them with a stylus or some type. The ability to take good notes is a skill that university students must be able to master. Further, classroom studies have shown that taking notes by hand increases engagement in the material. Simply transcribing the lecture word-for-word (as you are tempted to do while typing) is not helpful.
9. E-mail: I will respond to e-mail during regular school hours (8:30 am – 5:00 pm M-F). I will make every effort to respond to e-mail sent during the week within 24 hours. Those sent over the weekend will be attended to on Monday. Always include a subject line in your e-mail messages. It would be particularly helpful to include in the subject line the course number & section (i.e., BIOL 2144). Questions about simple matters of class schedule or those that can otherwise be answered from information in this syllabus will be given low priority.
10. The instructor reserves the right to amend these rules as needed throughout the term.

tardiness – and the resulting class disruption due to coming in late – will be considered and may influence your final points awarded. Cell phone use distracts from attention in class. Therefore, students who persist in using their mobile devices during class, except for designated classroom activities, will be marked as absent.

If you feel ill: Stay home and isolate yourself. Inform your instructor of your circumstances.

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.

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.

Obligation to Report Sex Discrimination under State and Federal Law

Midwestern State University is committed to providing and strengthening an educational, working, and living environment where students, faculty, staff, and visitors are free from sex discrimination of any kind. State and federal law require University employees to report sex discrimination and sexual misconduct to the University’s Office of Title IX. As a faculty member, I am required to report to the Title IX Coordinator any allegations, personally observed behavior, or other direct or indirect knowledge of conduct that reasonably may constitute sex discrimination or sexual misconduct, which includes sexual assault, sexual harassment, dating violence, or stalking, involving a student or employee. After a report is made, the office of Title IX will reach out to the affected student or employee in an effort to connect such person(s) with resources and options in addressing the allegations made in the report. You are also encouraged to report any incidents to the office of Title IX. You may do so by contacting:

Laura Hetrick

Title IX Coordinator
Sunwatcher Village Clubhouse
940-397-4213

laura.hetrick@msutexas.edu

You may also file an online report 24/7 at Maxient 

Should you wish to visit with someone about your experience in confidence, you may contact the MSU Counseling Center at 940-397-4618. For more information on the University’s policy on Title IX or sexual misconduct, please visit MSU Texas Title IX

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.

Pregnant and parenting students, faculty, and staff are eligible to receive support and resources from the Student Engagement and Title IX Offices. Support and resources may include early registration, personal financial support, parenting development resources, lactation rooms, and healthcare resources. For more information, visit the  Parenting Students Website or contact the Parenting Liaison Ruby Garret at  ruby.garrett@msutexas.edu or call 940-397-4500.