Course goals and learning outcomes support the Foundational Component Areas defined by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. Course goals are linked to the respective Core Curriculum Competencies: Critical Thinking Skills, Communication Skills, Empirical and Quantitative Skills, and Teamwork. Specific competencies are identified in designated course goals and learning outcomes.

Describe distinctive characteristics and diverse growth requirements of prokaryotic organisms compared to eukaryotic organisms.
Provide examples of the impact of microorganisms on agriculture, environment, ecosystem, energy, and human health, including biofilms.
Distinguish between mechanisms of physical and chemical agents to control microbial populations.
Explain the unique characteristics of bacterial metabolism and bacterial genetics.
Describe evidence for the evolution of cells, organelles, and major metabolic pathways from early prokaryotes and how phylogenetic trees reflect evolutionary relationships.
Compare characteristics and replication of acellular infectious agents (viruses and prions) with characteristics and reproduction of cellular infectious agents (prokaryotes and eukaryotes).
Describe functions of host defenses and the immune system in combating infectious diseases and explain how immunizations protect against specific diseases.
Explain transmission and virulence mechanisms of cellular and acellular infectious agents.
Use and comply with laboratory safety rules, procedures, and universal precautions.
Demonstrate proficient use of a compound light microscope.
Describe and prepare widely used stains and wet mounts, and discuss their significance in identification of microorganisms.
Perform basic microbiology procedures using aseptic techniques for transfer, isolation and observation of commonly encountered, clinically significant bacteria.
Use different types of bacterial culture media to grow, isolate, and identify microorganisms.
Perform basic bacterial identification procedures using biochemical tests.
Estimate the number of microorganisms in a sample using methods such as direct counts, viable plate counts, or spectrophotometric measurements.
Demonstrate basic identification protocols based on microscopic morphology of some common fungi and parasites.
Critical Thinking Skills: Demonstrate critical thinking by
1. applying content learned in lecture to activities performed in the laboratory;
2. utilizing phylogenies to assess evolutionary relationships and trends among microorganisms;
3. applying scientific reasoning to investigate questions and use scientific problem-solving to make informed decisions in the laboratory about such topics as experimental design or proper data analysis;
4. analyzing and interpreting data collected to draw conclusions about the proper identification and/or physiology of study subjects;
5. applying knowledge of microbiology to case studies and/or peer-reviewed research articles.
Communication Skills: Communicate effectively the results of scientific investigations in written, oral and/or visual form (e.g. graphs, tables, diagrams, etc.).
Empirical and Quantitative Skills: Demonstrate empirical and quantitative skills by
1. utilizing scientific tools such as microscopes and other laboratory equipment to collect and analyze data;
2. analyzing quantitative data;
3. using qualitative and quantitative data to draw conclusions from scientific investigations;
4. constructing charts and/or diagrams to illustrate scientific trends or data.
Teamwork: Demonstrate teamwork by
1. working together in the laboratory setting to complete laboratory activities by allocating tasks and conducting experiments as a group;
2. collaborating in small groups to develop hypotheses, solve problems in microbiology (ex: case studies), and/or complete class projects.

BIOL 2420

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BIOL 2420 - Microbiology for Non-Science Majors (Lecture + Lab)