Summer 2025 BIO 2924 Outline

Course Outline

BIO 2924 - Microbiology Dr. Gates Holmes Community College

Course & Instructor Info

Course Materials

Assignments & Grading

Find out how long you'll be in class and how you can contact me.

Read about the book needed for the course and other supplies to be prepared for class.

Learn about the assignments you'll complete and how you can earn your desired grade.

Class Policies

Helpful Links

Class Schedule

Get a list of important links to college information.

Figure out what is allowed and discouraged in class.

Click to see which class meetings will be test days.

Course & Instructor Info

Summer 2025

Instructor's Contact Information

Course Number, Title, Description, and Credit

District Syllabus

Classroom Locations

Form of Communication

Class Modes and Times

Course Materials

Recommended/ Optional

Required

Assignments & Grading

* Required assignments submitted in Canvas are ”due by” a certain date and time. However, they can still be submitted late with no penalties until the “available by” time. The student assumes the risk of having technical issues not resolved after the “due by” date and time.

bonus

grading scale

midterm vs. final grade

Class Schedule

To be successful in this class, you are stronly encouraged to follow a routine to be most prepared for each class meeting:

Get an idea of the overall plan for each class meeting:

Before Class

 Read and take notes from next meeting's reading assignment (lecture and lab).  Respond to Guiding Questions for reading assignment.  Watch lecture video.  Complete Holmeswork assignment(s) and Lecture Prep Questionnaire.

1st

first two weeks

last Two weeks

2nd

During Class

 Participate in class activities and discussions.  Ask questions to clarify notes.  Conduct lab investigations.

3rd

After Class

 Complete Post-Lecture quiz prior to the next lecture meeting. Submit other assignments as requested and by their due dates.  Study for quizzes and exams.

Tentative Class Schedule

grading scale

Assignments & Grading

Last two weeks

Tentative Class Schedule

*At least one assessment this semester will be administered as an online, take-home assessment.

grading scale

Assignments & Grading

first two weeks

Class Policies

All policies, expectations, and procedures found in the Policy and Procedures Guide and Bulletin of Holmes Community College will be followed. College policies regarding widespread school cancellations can be found on the Canvas course home page.

Demonstrate respect at all times.

Attend class, listen actively, and participate.

Decorum | Electronic Devices | Integrity

Absences | Participation & Preparation

+1m

Be safe in lab.

+1m

Do the work.

Handle your business.

Assignment Submission Exam Protocol

Communication | Grade Review | Make-up Work Rigor of Exams | Withdrawal & Audit

Lab Safety | Expectations

Lab Policies & Materials

Review these lab policies and regulations to create a safe lab environment:

Lab Supplies and Resources

dr. gates' policies

HOlmes regulations

Helpful Links

Holmes Resources

Educational Resources

Attend class, listen actively, and participate.

Students will be marked as present for any lecture, lab, or scheduled meeting only if they demonstrate physical and mental presence as well as accountability for assigned preparatory work. Physical presence means the student is in the assigned location for the duration of the meeting. This includes arriving on time and remaining in the space unless permitted to leave for valid reasons (e.g., life-threatening emergencies). Failure to meet physical presence requirements will always result in an absence. Mental presence refers to active engagement and upholding proper decorum during the meeting, characterized by • Interacting with the instructor, peers, or the task at hand, which includes refraining from using electronic devices for non-educational purposes or engaging in behaviors that disrupt their own or others’ learning (e.g., texting, side conversations, sleeping). • Participating in class respectfully and appropriately such as taking notes, responding to questions, engaging in discussions, or completing in-class activities and/or experiments. • Respecting the learning environment and all individuals involved by reducing distractions (e.g., exiting and re-entering class) and maintaining respectful communication in oral and written forms. Students must also come to class prepared by completing assigned readings, homework, or other required preparatory work prior to the meeting. In particular, students are expected to complete and submit work outside of class on a consistent basis. Missing three or more consecutive due dates will be treated as an absence. Students who fail to meet any of these criteria (physical presence, mental presence, or assignment preparedness) will also be addressed individually in Canvas. Repeated non-compliance, per Policy 3 and the Attendance policy, pg. 23 in the HCC Bulletin, may result in an administrative withdrawal from class. This course allows three (3) unexcused absences (lecture and lab combined) before being administratively withdrawn. Absences can only be excused through submitting documentation to the Office of Academic Programs upon request for reinstatement into the course. Submission of documentation to an instructor does not excuse an absence. Valid documentation for a missed class should be uploaded in Canvas within 24 hours of the absence. The hard copy should be kept in the event it is needed for reinstatement into the course. Students can see their number of absences in My Holmes and as a non-calculated grade in Canvas as Attendance and Decorum by clicking on the Engagement button on the home page. Multi-modal flexibility may be implemented at a certain point of semester to provide diverse means for attendance and completion of assignments. To elect into either modality, students would complete a contract form in Canvas along with meeting the requirements for each component.

Official Form of Communication

The official mode of communication at Holmes Community College is via email through My Holmes and Canvas. Students are responsible for checking their Holmes email and Canvas for announcements, assignments, and changes in class meetings, topics, etc. Revisions to emails are only seen in Canvas.

Bonus Opportunities

There are several opportunities provided to students to earn additional points in this course. Points will be deducted from your total bonus points due to incurring unexcused absences (and tardies). Aside from completing assignments and miscellaneous tasks found in the Bonus Opportunities module, bonus points can also be earned in these ways:

1. Attending assigned campus/ college events
2. 10% of points earned from dropped assignments
3. Adhering to lecture and lab policies/ expectations
4. Spinning the bonus wheel

Handle your business.

a. Communication: The official mode of communication is via Holmes email. Students should check their email and Canvas regularly for class updates. Students should email me concerning personal matters such as grades and makeup work via Holmes or Canvas email. Although virtual office hours may be honored, an appointment is necessary to prepare for the Web conference. If absent, it is the student’s responsibility to stay informed. Students should review the Assignment Calendar and class announcements as well as contact the instructor (preferably) or a classmate to be informed or to gain clarity of any material or information covered during their absence. All deadlines, updates, class notes, and in-class discussions remain the student’s responsibility — whether present or not. Absence does not exempt students from course expectations or requirements. Likewise, forgetting or not knowing does not negate consequences of actions. b. Grade Review: Students should notify me within 24 hours of a grade being posted in Canvas to inquire about the graded assignment or to review an assessment. Grades can be viewed in the Class Information and Documents module or by clicking on the “Grades” button on the Canvas home page. c. Make-up Work: If a student is unable to provide documentation for an absence, the missed assignment may be dropped. Assignments and assessments (tests or quizzes) can be made up if a student provides a valid documentation for the missed class date and time. For assignments completed or submitted online, excuses must cover the assignment's entire availability period. To ensure a smooth make-up process, students should follow these steps: • Submit Documentation: Students should upload valid documentation to the “Excuses” button in Canvas (or in the Class Information and Documents module) within 24 hours of the missed assignment. Valid documentations include sickness, death in the family, legal obligations, military duty, and school-related business. o Notes:  Completing proctored exams for online classes does not qualify as school business.  Any falsification of excuses will be referred to the Office of Academic Programs or the Dean. • Schedule the Makeup: After documentation is submitted, an appointment should be booked using the link on Canvas (home page) to make up the assignment within 24 hours of the missed assignment’s deadline. If the documentation is not valid or the appointment is scheduled beyond this timeframe, the appointment will be canceled. Students have the responsibility to adjust their schedules to make up work within the 24-hour window. (For lab classes, the makeup lab investigation assignment is accessible in the Lab module in Canvas.) d. Rigor of Exams: Assessments are partly application-based. Students are encouraged to attend office hours or study sessions (if provided) for practice or to discuss strategies for answering these questions. e. Withdrawal/ Audit: Students can withdraw themselves or audit from this course with a fee (per course) during a specified time period of the semester. Refer to the Holmes Academic Calendar (bottom of front page of website). Students who are habitually tardy after the last day to withdraw/ audit may not be allowed to enter class.

Grading Scale

The level of mastery as outlined by the student handbook:

A = 895 + (89.5 -100)B = 795 - 894 (79.5 - 89.4)C = 695 - 794 (69.5 - 79.4) D = 595 - 694 (59.5 - 69.4) F = 0 – 594 (0 - 59.4)

Antoine Gates, PhD

STEM Division Chair, Biology Instructor, and Pre-Health Professions Advisor

Office Hours

• Times
• Monday - Wednesdays: 1-2pm (F2F or virtually)
• Thursdays: 8-9am (virtually only, by appointment)
• Weekdays: Email
• Book an appointment here by clicking or scanning this QR code:

• Email: agates@holmescc.edu
• Office Location: SBE 136
• Phone Number: (601) 605-3328

Demonstrate respect at all times.

a. Decorum: The expectations of students in this course are presented in Policy 1. The consequence for not adhering to them depends on the action/ violation: Adhering to each expectation for the day will result in two (2) bonus points. Being tardy or absent will result in a deduction of one (1) bonus point per lecture or lab for that day. Repeated non-compliance may result in an absence. Students are responsible for checking Canvas messages regarding non-compliance details. b. Electronics Devices: The use of electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, tablets, and “lay-flat” laptops) during lecture is only allowed if the device remains flat on the desk during lecture as well as is muted, used solely for educational purposes, and not a distraction to peers and/or the instructor. For the scope of this course, educational purposes include accessing the eBook and class handouts, taking notes for this class, and submitting lab investigations. Last, earphones/AirPods should not be kept in students’ ears throughout lecture. c. Integrity: Academic dishonesty (e.g., cheating or plagiarism) will result in failure of the assignment/ assessment.

Lecture

Science Building East 126

Lab

Science Building West 110

Required Text

Tortora, G., Funke, B., Case, C., Weber, D., & Blair, W. (2018). Microbiology An Introduction (13th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson/ Benjamin Cummings. (This course includes the eText of this book in Canvas. If you desire a hard copy, you can purchase it via Canvas or the book store.)

BIO 2924

Microbiology

A combined lecture and laboratory course providing a comprehensive study of microbial agents to include taxonomy, metabolism, physiology and genetics, concepts of pathogenesis and immunity. Labs in this course provide experiments that reinforce principles introduced in the lecture to include fundamental laboratory techniques in lab safety, microscopy, culturing and identification of microbes, and effectiveness of antimicrobial agents. Three lectures. Two hours laboratory. Four hours credit.

Posted Grades

Midterm vs. Final Grade

Each assignment has its own value toward your final grade. The midterm grade will be the average of assignments and assessments scored by the midpoint of the semester whereas the final grade will be the summation of all points acquired throughout the course. Each student is required to take the Comprehensive Final Exam. Due to the weight of the final exam, a student’s final grade can be greatly affected based on his/her score on this exam.

Dr. Gates' Lab Policies

1. Students are responsible for reviewing and adhering to the Holmes Community College Departmental Laboratory Safety Regulations in addition to the instructor’s policies below. Students should only enter lab after becoming familiar with all lab regulations and procedures. Entering the lab signifies understanding and willingness to abide by all lab safety regulations. Students who repeatedly put themselves or others in danger cannot return to lab. 2. Students cannot conduct labs involving chemicals, dissections, or flames without proper eye protection (e.g., safety glasses or goggles). Sunglasses or other tinted glasses are not acceptable in lab. Depending on the nature of the lab, students may be dismissed for their safety. Being dismissed from class constitutes an absence. Wearing a lab apron or jacket is suggested to protect underlying clothing and skin. 3. Food or drinks are not allowed in lab; they should not be visible at any time. Students observed with food or drinks will not receive a bonus point for lab that day. 4. Students are not to plagiarize another classmate’s work, which includes phrasing responses verbatim and submitting their classmates’ pictures or answers as their own. 5. Students are expected to exhibit problem solving in lab. Before asking the instructor for assistance, students are encouraged to re-read the instructions and apply the appropriate reasoning skills needed for the problem. 6. Students are responsible for preparing for lab according to the instructor’s request, especially by reading the assigned lab topics in provided handouts or the lab manual and by bringing necessary supplies to lab to complete the assignments. Maintaining a lab notebook of notes from each lab, its data, and summaries/ reflections is recommended for preparation of and use during lab assessments (exams or quizzes). 7. Hands-on work for a missed lab is difficult and often impossible to make up; thus a generic makeup assignment for labs is available in Canvas for students who have valid documentation for their absence. It is the student’s responsibility to adhere to the makeup policy to make up the lab within the time provided as well as meet with the instructor during office hours for assistance (if needed). Information covered and data analyzed during physical labs could appear on lab assessments. Also, there is a specified number of lab assignments that will be dropped this semester. A virtual lab may substitute a physical lab due to an unexpected campus closure, instructor absence, or unexpected change in schedule. 8. Lab Investigation/ Analysis assignments are due in Canvas by 8pm after the lab was completed in class. 9. Students are responsible for reviewing the information written on the dry erase board(s) in the lab to be reminded or informed of upcoming lab assessments, materials needed for future labs, lab deadlines, etc.

Lab Safety Regulations

13. Note the explosive and flammability characteristics of any lab materials and maintain an adequate distance between flammable materials and flames or sparks. 14. Avoid possible contamination of chemicals by only removing the amounts needed and never return excess, unused chemicals to stock bottles. 15. Dispose of waste chemicals and biological specimen as described in the laboratory procedures or as described by the instructor. 16. If you make contact with any hazardous materials, notify the instructor immediately and follow one of these procedures:

• Use the eye wash station to remove contaminant from face and eye area.
• Use either the safety shower or laboratory faucets to flood the contaminated area with copious amounts of water.

17. In case of a fire, use the safety shower or “drop and roll.” Small fires at labs stations can often be controlled by covering the burning container with a book or larger piece of lab equipment. For larger fires, use the fire extinguisher located on the lab wall. 18. Know the location of all exits. If the laboratory must be evacuated, exit in an orderly, controlled manner. 19. Students should not expose themselves to significant danger. In case of a large chemical spill, fire, and/ or microbial spill, vacate the premises through the nearest exit and leave containment and control of the situation to the instructor or other qualified personnel. 20. Before leaving lab, return all chemicals to the proper location, store all supplies, clean countertops, and wash hands.

1. Read all safety precautions that are given by the instructor and/ or contained in the laboratory procedures that are specific to given experiment. 2. Remember that the laboratory is a place for serious work; no pranks or horseplay will be allowed. 3. No unauthorized experiments are allowed. 4. Always wear appropriate safety equipment. Safety glasses should be worn at all times. 5. Inform your instructor if you have a medical condition that may require specific attention and/ or working conditions. 6. Report all accidents, no matter how minor, to your laboratory instructor. 7. Do not eat, drink, store food, use tobacco products, or apply cosmetics in the laboratory. 8. Long hair must be pulled back and secured when using burners and/ or chemicals. 9. Maintain a clean, uncluttered work area. Bring only required items to lab (lab notebook, safety glasses, calculator, etc.). 10. Clean up and dispose of any spills and broken glassware as described in the laboratory guide and/ or as prescribed by the instructor. 11. Use extreme care when using any electrically powered equipment. Be sure hands are dry and remove plugs from outlets by firmly gripping the plug. Do not remove plugs by pulling on the cord. 12. Observe extreme caution when using laboratory burners (natural gas is used in most labs). Before lighting, making sure all gas valves are closed. Open the valves only enough to allow for lighting. After the burner is lit, adjust the flame as needed. Be sure all gas valves are closed before leaving the lab.

Optional Text

Leboffe, M. & Pierce, B. (2016). Microbiology: Laboratory Theory and Application, brief (3rd ed.). Englewood, CO: Morton Publishing Company.

Optional Text

Leboffe, M. & Pierce, B. (2016). Microbiology: Laboratory Theory and Application, brief (3rd ed.). Englewood, CO: Morton Publishing Company.

Grading Scale

The level of mastery as outlined by the student handbook:

A = 895 + (89.5 -100)B = 795 - 894 (79.5 - 89.4)C = 695 - 794 (69.5 - 79.4) D = 595 - 694 (59.5 - 69.4) F = 0 – 594 (0 - 59.4)

Do the work.

a. Assignment Submission: Students should submit assignments as requested by their due dates (soft deadlines). However, assignments that must be submitted in Canvas can be accepted until the hard deadlines (also known as the “available by” dates) with no late penalties. After the hard deadlines, no submissions will be accepted. Bonus and makeup work will not be accepted after their due dates (soft deadlines). If students encounter technical issues and are unable to submit or complete an electronic assignment, they should notify the proper help desk (i.e., Canvas or Connect) immediately to allow ample time to rectify the issue prior to the deadline. After contacting the help desk, students should email the instructor with a case number for follow-up if the issue has not been resolved. Students should refer to the Technical Support page in Canvas for details. b. Exam Protocol: Electronic devices (especially phones) should be silent and not visible during the duration of the exam. Students are not allowed to exit the testing site and return to complete the exam. Students should use the restroom, gather materials for an illness, and retrieve materials needed for the test prior to class. Students should bring a #2 pencil to class and mark answers on the scantron properly. Any errors made should be clearly erased, and all answers must be marked within the given time. In the event of a take-home/ online exam, students should follow instructions and complete the assessment by its deadline.

Hybrid Class

July 7th - July 31st | Mondays - Wednesdays

Traditional Schedule:

• In-person: 8:30am - 12:40pm (Mondays - Wednesdays)
• Asynchronous Online: when not meeting in-person

Final Exam Schedule: July 31st, 8:30 -10:30am

Grading Scale

The level of mastery as outlined by the student handbook:

A = 895 + (89.5 -100)B = 795 - 894 (79.5 - 89.4)C = 695 - 794 (69.5 - 79.4) D = 595 - 694 (59.5 - 69.4) F = 0 – 594 (0 - 59.4)