Bio 103 Announcements!!!

Please note that Bio103L lecture starts Monday, 25 August and is in the French Sci. 2231.

Labs start Monday, 1 September at regularly scheduled times (see below).

The laboratory exercises allow students to demonstrate many of the principles discussed and provide primary training in basic bacteriological skills. The techniques used during the course include pure culture methods, staining methods, microscopy, enzyme assays, serological and immunological procedures, antibiotic testing, molecular cloning, and electrophoresis of nucleic acids. Emphasis is placed upon demonstration of the student's skills and on analysis of experimental results. During the last several weeks of the semester, students use the techniques learned to identify two unknowns. 

Warning: Many of the species we use in Bio103L (approximately 50%) are considered either opportunistic pathogens or pathogenic. This means that, even though they may occur in or on our bodies and are members of our normal microflora, given the right circumstances (e.g., a compromised immune system, a point of entry to the body such as cuts or scrapes, or post-surgery conditions), these microorganisms may abnormally spread, multiply, and cause disease. A compromised immune system does not just mean HIV, but includes periods when your body is dealing with the common cold, changes in diet, stress, or chemotherapy. If you have any reason to be concerned about taking this course, please talk with your physician prior to enrolling in BIo103L and participating in the laboratory procedures.

If you do not have a compromised immune system and are concerned for minor reasons (such as cuts and scrapes), be cautious and wear gloves in lab. No one will fault you for being careful. Even benign microbes may evolve pathogenicity, so treat all microorganisms as potential pathogens and follow lab safety protocols. The microbiology staff does!

Brock Biology of Microorganisms. Madigan, M., J. Martinko, P. Dunlap and D. Clark. 2008. 12th edition. Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Laboratory Exercises for Bio 103 General Microbiology. O'Brien, H. and R. Vilgalys. 2008. Bio103L. Duke University, Department of Biology, Durham, NC.

Exam format: Exam questions will be multiple choice and short answer, along with short essays. The extent of the material covered on exams will be announced in class. The syllabus shown is tentative and meant only as a guide. However, the exam dates are firm. Students are expected to conform to the Judicial Code and Honor Commitment regarding exams.

Make-up exam policy: Make-ups will usually be given within one week after the scheduled exam, at a time and place to be announced. Make-ups for reasons other than illness require notification in advance. Please do not call the instructor directly before an exam. It is your responsibility to insure that each exam is taken at the proper time.