MCB 2000 - Introductory MICROBIOLOGY


Course Description and Goals

MCB 2000 is a 3-credit course intended to introduce non-science major students to the principles of biology using microbes; the course is also a requirement for students in Dietetics and Nutrition and Nursing.  The roles played by microbes in the earth, sea, air as well as in humans and other organisms is important.   The course covers "basic concepts of microbes as pathogens, food spoilage and fermentative organisms.  Microbial relationships to immunology, sanitation, pollution and geochemical cycling" will be covered.  This course is not applicable for majors in Biological Sciences.

The goals of the course include developing in the student a MASTERY of microbiology which includes being able to apply scientific principles and theories to problem solving, ability to scientifically evaluate microbiological situations (pathologies, using microbes in foods, production of microbial products such as antibiotics, etc.) and after leaving the course being able to incorporate new microbiological knowledge.  Students should be able to use scientific theories to test microbiological hypotheses.  That is students should be able to do microbiology.


Prerequisites

None.
Required Text

Bauman,  2006,  Microbiology - Alternate Edition by Body System.   Pearson, Benjiamin Cummings.

New and used copies of the textbook are available at the University Bookstore in the Graham Center for the highest price possible, or you can buy new and used books through e-bay at www.half.com.   You can also get International Editions from websites such as amazon.co.uk.  These are usually paperback rather than hardbound at substantially lower prices, usually half the price but the content is exactly the same.

Course Policies
1. Exams

There will be 3 exams over the course of the semester - each consisting of 40 multiple choice questions and each worth 40 course points. Exam #3, though scheduled during the week of finals, will not be cumulative.  PLEASE PREPPARE:  EACH EXAM IS a FINAL EXAM.

Exams will be multiple choice with sense-mark (Scantron) answer sheets. Previous exams are NOT HELPFUL.  We have found that students studying previous exams do poorly, the questions are not repeated.  The BEST STRATEGY for a GOOD GRADE is to know the material.  Period.  PLEASE study so that you actually know all material covered in Lecture - all exam questions come directly from Lecture and Problem Sets...see Study Strategies on How to Get a Good Grade.

Wearing brimmed hats or baseball caps during exams is not permitted.

Make-Up Exams will be given only to students providing valid documentation of a medical or other serious problem.  Make-Up Exams are not multiple choice questions; they will be written (short answer essay, diagrams, problems, etc.).
2. Exam Grading

Answers to the exams will be posted on the course website in a timely fashion.

If you miss an exam, please contact the instructor within 24 hours of the exam, if possible.  Missed exams may result in a score of zero if the instructor is not notified in a timely fashion.  Alternatives to a score of zero for the exam may be discussed with the instructor.

If you foresee that an unavoidable prior commitment will prevent you from attending an exam, contact the instructor at least 48 hours prior to the scheduled exam time to discuss alternatives.

We will Regrade contested questions when accompanied by a written statement indicating how your answer matches the answer found in an authoritative source (not the internet). The source must be referenced; preferably, a photocopy of the pertinent material can be attached to your written statement. Regrades will be accepted for two weeks after the exam with the contested question. Regrades will not be considered once final grades are submitted at the end of the semester.

3. Final Grade and Grade Distributions

Your final course grade will be determined by the total number of points earned on the 3 exam scores (total of 120 points possible):  all scores below 50% will be eliminated from the grade distribution.  Be sure you understand that the class average could be lower than a C.  The letter grade will be based on a class curve with the lowest C possible pushed down no further than 50%.  But, if a regular grade distribution occurs, the the standard grading scale (90%-100% = A, 80%-90% = B, 70%-80% = C, 60%-70% = D, <60% = F will be used.  Thus:

4. Cheating

CHEATING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!!!
Students caught cheating during an examination will be ejected from the exam and given an "F" for the course.

5. Incomplete Grades

The FIU policy on incomplete grades is as follows: An incomplete grade is a temporary symbol given at the discretion of the instructor for work not completed because of serious interruption not caused by the student's own negligence. An incomplete grade must be made up as quickly as possible but no later than two semesters or it will automatically default to the grade that the student earned in the course. There is no extension to the two semester deadline. The student must not register again for the course to make up the incomplete.

Incomplete grade will require written documentation (doctor's note, accident report, etc.) of the underlying condition that impedes student progress. A form will need to be signed by the student detailing the procedure and agenda for completing course-work.

Students who receive an incomplete grade and have applied for graduation at the end of that term, must complete the incomplete grade by the end of the fourth week of the following term. Failure to do so will result in a cancellation of graduation. That student will need to reapply for graduation.