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MIC 195A

Great Experiments in Microbiology

Welcome to MIC 195A! This Freshman Colloquium is an introduction to the study of microorganisms: bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. You will learn to find information about microbes in the library and on the Internet, culture and observe microbes from your environment, and discuss current issues in microbiology. This site provides resources for MIC195A.

This course is designed as a freshman colloquium for students who have not had a previous microbiology course. The material is introductory and time is spent on familiarizing freshmen with the University of Arizona and learning how to be a successful learner.

Instructor

Dr. Jan Decker
Senior Lecturer, Veterinary Science and Microbiology
Room 235, Vet Sci & Micro; Office Phone: 621-8942
Email: jdecker@u.arizona.edu. (Note! Email messages will be answered promptly, telephone messages may not.)
Office Hours: http://microvet.arizona.edu/Courses/MIC419/mic419instructor.html I also have times available by appointment.

Required Textbooks

Pechenik, J. A. A Short Guide to Writing About Biology. Pearson Longman, New York, 2006.

Resources

Calendar and Assignments for Fall 2006

This calendar is subject to change during the semester.

Grading Policies

This course is offered for a letter grade only. Grades will be based on the following activities:

Attendance: Since this is a Freshman Colloquium, I want you to learn the importance of consistently attending class. Attendance is scored as 0-1 missed class = 50 points; 2 missed classes = 40 points; 3 missed classes = 30 points; 4 missed classes = 20 points; 5 missed classes = 10 points; >5 missed classes = 0 points. Excused absences are given for illness (call or email BEFORE class to let me know you are ill), University-recognized religious holidays, and official University activities.

Team Presentations: You will work with a team to find and present information about a current topic in microbiology. presentations will be approximately 15 minutes long, with a 5 minute question and answer time. Active learning activities for the class are encouraged.

Office Visit: Since this is a Freshman Colloquium, I want you to learn the importance of communicating with your professors. In this class, you get 50 points for making an appointment and coming to see me in my office. Click on the web schedule link to see my schedule and email me at jdecker@u.arizona.edu to set a time for your visit. Visits usually last about 15 minutes. The visit must occur by September 29 for full credit; an October appointment is worth 25 points, a November appointment is worth 10 points, and a December appointment is worth 5 points.

Homework: Since the course is designed to help you find and evaluate microbiology information, part of the grade will come from summaries you write about microbiology topics. You must also submit a copy of each summary to turnitin.com . The initial logon and password will be given in class. A student user guide is available at http://www.turnitin.com/static/training_support/tii_student_guide.pdf

Book Report: See Resources for list of possible books from which to choose; other books are OK with the instructor's permission. The book report must include a

• Title and your name
• Synopsis of the book, with enough detail so I know you read it. This should be a chapter-by-chapter summary: length as needed to summarize book.
• Discussion of the microbiology in the book: how does it relate to issues we have discussed in class, is it relevant to your everyday life, how likely is the situation described (fiction) likely to happen: minimum 1 page typed single-spaced.
• Complete citation of the book (Authors, Title, Publisher, City, Year) and any other information you discuss in the report.

The book must be written for an adult audience and must be at least 200 pages long. You will be submitting a draft in class for peer and instructor review.

Withdrawals and incompletes

Sept 15 last day to drop without a grade (course will not appear on transcript).
Oct 13 Last day to drop with a W if you are passing; needs my signature of an add/drop form.
Dec 6 Last day to completely withdraw from the semester; see your College dean.

Do NOT assume that if you just stop attending class you will be administratively dropped! Failure to follow these procedures will result in an "E" on your transcript. An incomplete will be given only when most of the work in the course has been completed and the remainder can be completed without retaking the course. An incomplete agreed upon by you and me will be accompanied by an written agreement signed by both of us listing what work must be completed and a final due date.

Academic Integrity

Students are encouraged to share intellectual views and discuss freely the principles and applications of the course work. However, individual assignments must be written independently . This course operates under the UA Code of Academic Integrity (http://info-center.ccit.arizona.edu/~studpubs/policies/cacaint.htm). All forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited, including (but not limited to): cheating, fabrication, academic dishonesty, plagiarism, modifying any academic work to obtain additional credit without approval of instructor, or attempting to carry out any of the above. Committing any of the above will result in sanctions being imposed on the student's scores or grade up to and including the assignment of an "E".

Resources

Veterinary Science and Microbiology Home     Decker Home