Welcome to the Fall 2015 Version BIOL 3702 - Microbiology!

This blog page will provide you the basic information you need to succeed in my course this summer.  Please explore and get familiar with the different areas of this blog page.

FYI, there will be no labs this week.  The initial meeting of all lab sections will begin next week, starting Monday, August 24th.  Please be on time!!!

Also, on of my pet peeves: students who arrive late to lecture.  PLEASE UNDERSTAND THIS.  Lecture begins at 10:00 AM sharp, tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19th.  Please be on time.  Also, students who wear YSU logo apparel are highly desired in my course.

I am looking forward to meeting you and giving you a quality educational experience.

Cheers,

Dr. C

Summer 2015 Course Materials

Welcome to the Summer version of BIOL 3702 - Microbiology!

This blog page will provide you the basic information you need to succeed in my course this summer.  Please explore and get familiar with the different areas of this blog page.

YES - labs will be held on Monday, May 18th at their appointed times.  So please be there on time!!!

Lecture begins at 11:30 AM sharp on Monday, May 18th.  Please be on time. 

I am looking forward to meeting you and giving you a quality educational experience.

Cheers,

Dr. C

The Search for New Antibiotics

How uncanny!  Just as we begin the section on antimicrobial agents, the following opinion piece was recently published in the New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/24/opinion/how-to-develop-new-antibiotics.html?ref=opinion.  Tell me what you think.

Post a thoughtful response (my determination) by noon on Monday, March 2nd and receive up to two (2) bonus points (again, subject to my determination). 

Let the conversation begin!

NYT Vaccine Article

The New York Times published an article on February 1, 2015 about the how a long-ago discredited vaccine study continues to affect how the public perceives immunizations, particularly those for "childhood" diseases.  Go to the following URL: http://nyti.ms/1z3vHen.  View both the video and read the article.  Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, is to critically evaluate this news article supporting your argument as appropriate.

This is an extra credit opportunity worth up to two (2) points.  Students need provide an evaluation of at least 50 words which must be posted as a comment to this posting no later than Friday, February 6th by noon to be eligible for extra credit points.

Wrong Article

Well, isn't this interesting!  The link that I provided previously for bonus points was suppose to be about the ebola virus vaccine.  However, though I copied the link directly from the article, it appears to go to an article about another biology related topic.  I have no clue as to how that happened.  The actual URL is as follows: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/23/business/fast-track-on-drug-for-ebola-has-faltered.html?ref=science

Now, the bonus point opportunity still goes - either for the ebola article or the prior (but not both!).

Sorry for the confusion.

Chapter 3 Lecture Notes

Due to upload difficulties, the lecture notes for Chapter 3 have been emailed to you. I am working on fixing the link in the course blog.

The following article appeared in a recent issue of the New York Times: http://nyti.ms/15E6lsu.  Read the article and for one (1) bonus point, tell us what you think.  You are encouraged to respond to the comments of your peers, too.  If you response is worthwhile, you will receive an additional bonus point.

The deadline to comment for bonus points is Friday, January 30th at noon.

FYI, check your email for the "in class" assignment.  I hope you like it!

What is microbiology to you?

Good morning!  Let's get this puppy rolling!  

I'm really interested in how I can make your education in the microbiological sciences a meaningful experience for you.  

Therefore, what is the one most significant question or comment you have regarding the field of microbiology?

Welcome to the BIOL 3702 Blog

Welcome to my blog!

Color enhanced scanning electron
micrograph of Salmonella.
phil.cdc.gov/PHIL_Images/16877/16877.tif

This blog is an experiment in which students enrolled in my Spring 2015 semester course, BIOL 3702 - Microbiology, will serve as its test subjects.  The idea of this blog came about from a faculty development workshop I attended over the past two days.  Part of the workshop was directed towards using various aspects of modern technology as a tool to engage and encourage student learning.  I'm hoping this blog will be such an instrument.

My wish is that you frequent this blog often throughout the semester and that it does prove useful to you as a tool to not only enhance and increase your learning, but also your appreciation for the microbes.  If you do so, I am confident that by then end of the course you will understand the significant roles that bacteria, archeons, fungi, protists, virions, and prions have in the lives of your ancestors and you.