Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will evaluate the role of culture methods and selective and differential culture media in identifying microorganisms
• Students will be able to observe bacterial transformation by plasmid DNA and describe an acquired phenotypic trait of the transformed cells.
• Students will be able to perform a molecular separation technique (gel electrophoresis) and identify a DNA source using DNA fingerprinting.
• Students will be able to describe and accurately draw various microbes based on microscopic observations.
• Students will be able to perform quantitative plating and turbidity measures to determine the number of bacteria present in a culture sample.
• Students will be able to evaluate the level of contamination in water, milk, specific food products.
• Students will be able to evaluate physical, chemical and chemotherapeutic agents.
• Students will be able to identify an unknown bacterial organism based on results of lab procedures performed and through a miniaturized multitest system; compare findings of these two methods.
• Students will be able to prepare smears, perform staining procedures and record microscopic observations.
• Students will be able to demonstrate aseptic technique and safe handling of microbial cultures
• Students will be able to identify the fundamental concepts of immunity, immunization, immune deficiencies and immunological testing.
• Students will be able to describe the course of infectious diseases, including the interactions with host defenses.
• Students will be able to evaluate the best method to control microbes in various settings (chemical, physical or chemotherapeutic agents).
• Students will be able to outline the general characteristics of viruses, prions, and viroids.
• Students will be able to contrast the metabolic processes of fermentation and aerobic metabolism, noting cycles involved, energy production and end products.
• Students will be able to describe the role of genes, chromosomes, mutations and human manipulation in heredity of prokaryotic cells.
• Students will be able to Describe characteristics of selected pathogens, and the diseases caused by each.
• Students will be able to draw standard growth curves for bacterial cultures and explain factors affecting bacterial growth.
• Students will be able to describe the structures/functions of external and internal components of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.