PATHOGENIC BACTERIOLOGY VSC/MIC 420/520 SPRING 2008

SYLLABUS

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Course Description

Pathogenic bacteriology is concerned with the etiology and pathogenesis of bacterial diseases of humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. The course includes a section on pathogenesis, followed by a survey of the pathogenic bacteria and the mechanisms by which they produce disease.

The class will meet on Tuesday and Thursday, from 8 - 9:15 am, in Econ 100.

Course Objectives

• To understand general mechanisms by which bacteria subvert host defenses and cause infections, resulting in tissue damage and perhaps death.
  
  
• To recognize the genera and species of bacteria which are etiologic agents of disease, and to understand their specific mechanisms of pathogenesis.

Assignments (examinations, quizzes, and other) are designed to measure achievement of these objectives.

My Expectations of Students

(or "How to Succeed in Pathogenic Bacteriology" )

• Class Participation: Taking part in class discussions is important, as is refraining from disrupting class by holding private discussions with a neighbor. If you need to sleep, please do so somewhere other than the classroom. There is almost no such thing as a stupid answer (or question). Your instructor's perceptual skills have not degenerated to the extent that he cannot recognize a snow job.
  
  Participation by taking careful notes and reading, in advance, the assigned materials, is another important form of participation. I suggest that you at least skim the reading assignments before class, and then read them carefully after class. If handouts are given, review them immediately, rather than allowing them to accumulate until the night before an exam. You should probably plan to spend at least two hours in study for every hour spent in class
• Subscribe to the class list by clicking on the link on the index page.

What Students May Expect of Me

• Office Hours: Specific hours are 10-11 am on most Wednesdays and Fridays. In addition, I will be available by appointment at other times, and may be available without an appointment. You may receive quicker (and perhaps even better) answers if you communicate by email.
  
• Fair grading: Grading will be either on a curve or on a scale of 90% = A, 80% = B, 70% = C, 60% = D, and less than 60% = E, whichever is more favorable to the class.
• Enthusiasm for the discipline: What I teach is what I do, and I believe that there are many opportunities for use of knowledge in pathogenic microbiology. I will pass some of these on to you during the semester. Furthermore, my desire to learn is greater now than it was when I took a similar course shortly before the earth's crust hardened. Thus, you can expect me to give you new information rather than something which was canned 20 years ago. The jokes are another matter altogether.
  
• Willingness to be accommodating: I am willing to discuss with you any circumstances which make it difficult for you to perform up to your abilities. Adjustments will be made when they are justified and not impossible. This includes allowances for those with learning disabilities and for those whose first language is not English.
  
  I will NOT, in class or via individual consultation, answer a list of questions from old exams.

Course Policies

• If you miss a lecture, I will provide you with any handouts you may need. I will not repeat lectures. Notes will be available via a link from the main page for this course.
  
• Code of Academic Integrity: We will adhere strictly to the terms of the Code. If you are not familiar with it, obtain a copy and study it. The honor system will be in effect on all assignments. Plagiarism (copying the work of another and representing it as your own) will be rewarded with a "0" on the assignment. If you have any doubts about what is and is not plagiarism, discuss them with me. The honor system will also be in effect during examinations. I will not act as the constabulary, but violations which are noted by myself or reported to me by other students will be investigated and reported. Specifically, there will be absolutely no talking among students or consulting of books or notes during quizzes and exams. Cheating affects the one performing the act and his/her fellow students, as well. It is to each one's advantage to eradicate cheating through peer pressure, since grading is often on a curve.