Microbiology 20 + Microbiology 40 together is accepted by many colleges and universities to satisfy a 5-semester Microbiology requirement as many STATE and EAST coast institutions require 5 semester hours in Microbiology. Please check with your transfer choice directly as transfer requirements vary widely.
CLASS ESSAY CHOICES & CLASS GRADE-SHEETS & GRADING
COURSE BONUS (~3-5%)
WELCOME to Microbiology!
CONTACT INFORMATION
Professor: Donald R Hicks Labtech: Terence
SC-112/110 & SC221S SC-110/112
(213) 421-5777 (TEXT my cell in an emergency ONLY - DO NOT CALL)
(323) 953-4000 hicksmicro@gmail.com
OFFICE HOURS: Office hours are ~1 hour before and ~1 hour after class, during Hicks Microbiology 40 lab, or by appointment in Science Building (SCI) 110/112. The office is located on the 2nd floor in SCI #218-M (enrolled students may take the elevator to the 2nd, exit right, and proceed through the first door to the right). Appointments should be made and confirmed by email.
CONTACT THE PROF = zOOM on the Sundays before major evaluations on or by EMAIL at any time.
Please note that the college voice-messages system in my office is checked only weekly. Emails will be answered immediately. You may also ask questions that apply and are seen by everyone in the class using google+ (hicksmicro@gmail.com).
Sheriff's Office EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER: 323-662-5276 or from a campus phone press #3; call the LA CITY COLLEGE Sheriff's Office BEFORE 911!
*******EMAIL RULES AGAIN!!!!!!
The college supplies each student with a personal private unique email address which must be used in all communication. Students who do not receive emails from Professor Hicks during the first or subsequent weeks must check with enrollment personnel in the administration building immediately to verify their correct email address has been provided to the instructor and that they understand how to access and utilize this official email communication service provided by the college. Because I RECEIVE HUNDREDS OF EMAILS A DAY AND THUS YOUR IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION TO ME MIGHT GET "LOST," DO NOT USE THE PROFESSOR'S OFFICIAL LACC EMAIL ADDRESS FOR CLASS QUESTIONS use: hicksmicro@gmail.com
All emails must include in the SUBJECT LINE:
TO: hicksmicro@gmail.com
SUBJECT: your SECTION NUMBER + your Last name followed by a brief topic or "HOOK or TAG" statement (for example in the subject line put something like this: section #???? Hicks Absent illness 7/1/13)
All information wished to be communicated must be written in the body of your email. Also within the body of your email, state whether an attachment is included with your email. Only "Word" documents will be accepted as attachments. This includes (.doc) and (.docx) file formats.
Do not email questions on test days or the night before any evaluation. They will not be answered as I am preparing the paperwork for the evaluation and lack time to properly answer late questions.
PAPERS SUBMITTED FOR GRADING
All papers must be typed. All submissions for grading must have the following information PRINTED in the upper right-hand corner (or on side 1 of a Scantron in the NAME Box NOT ON THE BACK OF ANY SCANTRON!). Your PRINTED LAST name, printed first name; class name and section number (i.e., M-20 sec 19403), the test/exam form letter and number (i.e., Exam 1A #34) if on a scantron, and the date submitted. Besides Scantrons, all other submissions must be typed. On the first page place your name, class and section number and the date in the upper right corner of the first page. Pages must be numbered as well. Failure to follow these rules will result in -5 pts for EACH part of the rule omitted on each paper EVERY TIME you submit in error.
LECTURE & LABORATORY RULES & BEHAVIOR
Please be aware that some class lectures, labs, and help sessions are videotaped for teaching purposes and the improvement of instructions. By attending, students are consenting their permission to be filmed in a teaching situation.
Students may not enter any microbiology class or lab without the presence of the instructor or department staff. However, students may enter the classroom to wash hands, disinfect and seat themselves if the door is open. Student class Volunteers may enter to perform PRE-CLASS assignments as well - knock on the door of SC-110 & 112 if the rooms are locked and you arrive early to perform these tasks.
Students may not enter lecture ROOMS or labs and work on lab assignments without permission. Lab work may continue during scheduled course times, only.
Food and/or drinks are not allowed in or during lab, whatsoever; and no visible cups, bottles, or food containers. Smoking, make-up application, texting, talking on cell phones, sleeping, or any other distracting behavior will also not be tolerated during lectures or labs. While microbes are present on the tables in the laboratory, all students must have their chairs "pushed" under the table-tops and be standing in proper lab attire (lab coats and gloves), if you need to exit the lab remove your lab attire - DO NOT WALK THE HALLS in lab attire. Note: the outside corridor doors are LOCKED during any active lab (if you are locked outside - knock on the door).
Lab spills should be disinfected immediately and the instructor notified. Glass breakage is NOT to be cleared by students - please spray disinfectant on the breakage and contact the instructor for assistance in cleaning.
CLASS VOLUNTEERS are sought for 25 BONUS POINTS! SEE 1ST PAGE OF THE WEBSITE
PLEASE treat everyone with respect and courtesy. Each and every student is expected to display equal and proper respect for others. Please avoid any overt or perceived actions that may be interpreted as prejudice or discrimination including but not limited to discrimination based on age, sex, religion, race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation or economic status. Such behavior will be grounds for immediate dismissal from class, pending administrative review.
LECTURE & LAB SEATING/Daily Procedures
Official class seating will be assigned at the conclusion of the second (2nd) week of the term. All seating for lectures and lab is in alphabetical order according to last name. Each class day, students are to leave their belongings in their assigned chairs, wash their hands (well) at the sink, and wipe down the tabletop with the provided disinfectant before touching the tabletops. Please use the same paper used to dry hands to smear the disinfectant around the tabletop and let it air-dry. Prior to exiting the lab, students are to complete these actions in reverse. Please do not leave the lab wearing smocks and/or gloves on, as it "frightens the natives in the halls." When microbes are present, students must be in lab attire (lab coats + gloves) and the chair is to be "pushed" under the table tops (put your things in the chairs), the room doors are locked and the tabletops are disinfected with only the LRB and or lab materials left available on top for student use.
FINAL EXAMINATIONS
M-20 Final exams. Course Final Exams are comprehensive 200 multiple choice question exams using a Scantron #884E only. There are no Bonuses or Essay/short answer questions on the Final Exam. The questions are derived from any new material covered since the last evaluation plus questions selected from those used in previous evaluations.
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GRADES and GRADING:
FINAL COURSE GRADES:
REQUIRED EVALUATIONS to PASS MICROBIOLOGY include
an average of 60% on (1) the biweekly tests (note the 2 lowest are dropped - 3 in terms where we have at least 15 BW scores)
(2) the Lab Practical Exam (3) the MIDTERM EXAM (4) above 60% on the Formal
Unknown Report and (5) the Comprehensive Final Exam. A grade of "0" on any
part of the evaluations of 2, 3, 4, and 5 will result in a "W, WF, or F" in
Microbiology.
The Weekly Pop Quizzes are NOT
returned during the term but discussed in the next class and graded during the
last week of classes. The average grade on these is used to determine
"border-line" grades. An average of 70+% on the PQs will HELP you if
you are within 1-2% of the next highest grade. The graded pop quizzes and
all exams and tests may be viewed by appointment after the Final Exam and will be discussed in class upon request one week after they are given. NOTE: Photos of your stains, lab test inoculations, and lab test evaluations may be sent to me at hicksdr@att.net and will receive credit at the rate of 1 point each added to your NEXT pop quiz. Significant changes to your pop quiz score average can be made in this manner as the photos/videos are posted for class discussion on Google+. A 70% PQ average can "push" a final course percentage up to 0.99% UP!
COURSE GRADE COMPOSITION: EXAMS + LRB + Unknown + BiWeekly Tests =
100% or 1000 pts
Exam 1 = Lab Practical 1/Chapter Exam 20% or 200 pts;
Exam 2 Lab Practical 2/Chapter Exam 20% or 200 pts;
Exam 3 Comprehensive Final Exam 20% or 200 pts
Laboratory Record Book/HANDOUT/SIGNATURE BINDERwith of 80% video notes & Lab Data Signatures = 10% OR 100 pts
Typed APA-style Formal Unknown Report = 20% or 200 pts
BiWeekly Tests (drop 1 lowest if we have at least 10) = 15% or 150 pts
BONUS 3-5%= *Group Library Assignment+25pts; Hep C/Parasites+25pts PARASITE HEP C STUDY MATERIALS = 25 PTS, Volunteer IN CLASS= 100 pts
*required of everyone
*required of everyone
Inc or INCOMPLETES are given only for verified college excused absence/work.
If you receive an incomplete, DO NOT RE-REGISTER FOR THE CLASS! Please see the instructor complete the
required work within 1 year or the Incomplete reverts to an “F.”
GRADESHEETS are emailed to students at
your official college email address after each major portion of the above 1st
5 course requirements are met. Check your name, ID#, and the listed scores ASAP
and bring any correction to the attention of the instructor, scores become
FINAL after 2 weeks and are then un-alterable. Please review AND sign the last grade sheet before the final exam, print it out, & include it in your Final
Exam Day Packet.
Drop Dates/Repeats: Effective July 1, 2012 students are
allowed three (3) attempts to pass a single class within the Los Angeles
Community College District. If a student gets a “W”, “D”, “F”, or “NP” as a
grade in a class, that counts as an attempt. If you think you will not be able
to complete this course with a C or better, please drop by the due date which
is LISTED AT: https://www.lacitycollege.edu/
3) Lab Unknown Report Grade* (there are 2 at %6 each for Micro-1; 1 for M-20 and Biol 112) = your % is weighted 20% of your Final Class Grade.
4) Lab Record Book/HANDOUTS/SIGNATURE BINDER Grade* = 10% OR 100 POINTS of your Final Class Grade. This grade is NOT a part of your Chapter Test grades.
5) SEMI-COMPREHENSIVE BiWeekly/TESTS = your % average achieved (-1 your dropped lowest scores) is weighted 10% OR 100 POINTS of your Final Class Grade; Usually these tests are given on the first class day of the testing week (Sunday is almost always "ZOOM REVIEW is Sundays BEFORE MAJOR EXAMS for Q and A!"
NOTE: I will drop the 1 lowest BiWeekly test score(s); these chapter tests are 60-90 min each and are given as posted on the class calendar. IF IN CLASS, DO NOT BE LATE AS NO EXTRA TIME WILL BE GIVEN. BiWeekly Chapter tests are somewhat comprehensive but do EMPHASIZE the past week's lectures/assignments (including essay topics) and your ASSIGNED READINGS! They are multiple choice, short answer, essay, and word problems.
6) COMPREHENSIVE Final Exam* = your % is weighted 200 points or 20% of your Final Class Grade... The % you achieve on this test is also included as a BW Test score.
ADDITIONAL "OVER THE TOP" BONUS PONTS! These points are Never more than 3-4% (Final Grade % + 3-5% = 103% possible) of the FINAL GRADE. The Bonus POINTS include: THE ASSIGNED OUT OF CLASS VIDEO NOTEBOOK 50 points plus THE LIBRARY ASSIGNMENT 25 pts (BEFORE THE MIDTERM EXAM) and 25 pts for the Eukaryotic Parasite Cards due the second to last week of classes each term.
*ALL 3 major Exams must be taken "IN-CLASS" with the exception of those students who take tests/exams at the college testing center (for those students with verified learning disabilities). Students with learning disabilities must officially notify the instructor during the first week of class so that appropriate measures to assist them may be organized.
ADDITIONAL RULES, Assistance, and Recommendations for my classes: This class is not difficult but it is very very time-consuming and requires the good organization as well as discrimination with respect to your personal time constraints. If you are great at short answer and essay or if you are not willing to keep up with the assignments and work "AHEAD" of your deadlines - perhaps you should take another Microbiology instructor - each instructor teaches the class slightly differently and has slightly different daily/weekly requirements and testing methods. If you want to make a good grade (B or A) in my sections please see "How to make an "A" in microbiology on the Nav page of the Microwebsite.
All of my classes will be required to make their own Lab Manual in order to understand and learn about the lab procedures and to reduce the expensive losses that we have when students misuse testing laboratory media. Many students find this advance preparation/learning requirement upsetting and too time-consuming; you should consider this in advance of taking my classes (talk to others that have taken Micro from me). The purpose of the advance Lab Manual assignments is to familiarize you with the material for the Lab Practical (20%) and the MIDTERM Exam (20%) and to reduce lab losses from students who do not understand "how" to do each experiment. Additionally you should read the following additional class considerations:
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There are NO MAKE-UP EXAMS/TESTS etc... You will receive an "i" in the class if you miss a major exam and do not "plan" for another administration with permission (usually within a day or so during my office hours at my convenience).
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You cannot miss a major course requirement/assignment and you must take the tests during the regular posted times (I may offer the test at another time within a day or so from your assigned test. With verified excuses, ask for permission to take it at another administration during my office hours at my convenience).
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THERE ARE NO BONUS POINTS IN THE CLASS other than those listed and available to EVERYONE Unknown CARDS + Lib. Assignment & as a few Essays given as Pop Quizzes). No one is given any Bonus assignments not available to EVERYONE equally. The total Bonus points in a class cannot exceed 3% of the total class points.
- If you are LATE - there is NO EXTRA TIME. Remember if you arrive late, for a weekly chapter exam you will be given the question sheet but your paper will be taken at the normal EXAM END TIME the same as everyone who attended on time - NO MAKEUPS! YOU MAY COME and BEGIN/PREPARE EARLY!
- You will receive a gradesheet at least 4 times during the term if you supply me with your official college email address during the first week of classes or it is on the college registration. I will communicate with you through this email in emergency circumstances.
- On the Sunday before each major exam, I will have posted a Zoom session for Q and A!"
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CHEATING will not be tolerated
in any form. I am different from any other
instructor you have known - I enforce academic honesty completely. If you
often cheat, I suggest you take another instructor. I will NOT tolerate
cheating in any form. If you see cheating, I expect to be informed at that
instant - even during evaluation. If you see cheating and you do not inform me,
you are considered guilty of cheating as well. I expect those around a
cheater to tell me if they see cheating immediately by email if it is an out-of-class assignment or using a discrete note to me during a test/exam. If you
are caught cheating, you will receive a "0" for that assignment; if it is
a BiWeekly chapter test your benefit of dropping the two lowest grades will be
void and you will receive a "0" for that chapter test. If you are caught
cheating on major course requirements, you must drop the class take a W or withdraw - WF. ADDING MADE-UP DATA ON YOUR UNKNOWN OR SAYING YOU DID A TEST WE DIDN'T DO IS CHEATING = 0. When cheating occurs, I will ask you to leave the class immediately and I will
ask for and record all information on the incident. This information and
my evaluation will be forwarded to the Dept. Head for action and a meeting with
you, the Dept. Head and myself. Further action may be taken at the
discretion of the college. Officially recorded academic dishonesty may
result in a notation on your Academic Record and can affect you the rest of your
life. Cheating is easily defined (p
DAILY Classroom Behavior:
~ Arrive ahead of time, put your "things"
in your chair, wash your hands, and put on gloves, lab coat, and face mask.
Wipe-down the tabletop working area and allow it to dry. Copy the Announcements (left board) into the front of your lab record book by date (1 date per page front and back is OK). You may also organize your Lab
Record Book with the announced laboratory exercises written 'back to front as demonstrated in class.
*PLEASE NOTE the following comments about
grading/emailing/completing scantrons:
*5-10 points will be taken from ALL PAPERS SUBMITTED FOR GRADING for each of the following errors... EVERY TIME YOU DO THIS:
ON EACH PAPER RECORD YOUR Last name, then your First name upper right corner, record your Class number & Section # (#0930; #0931 or another section number), and record the TEST FORM LETTER AND NUMBER (i.e., Exam 1B#4; PQ1A or PQ2B) ----- DO NOT COMPLETE THE "NAME, etc" box of INFORMATION ON THE "BACK" side of any SCANTRON ---- USE FRONT SIDE ONLY for Name/class/form/date info!!!
An example for a typical Scantron answersheet is below:
NAME: PRINT last name, first
SUBJECT: M-20 #0930
FORM: LP1B #32
FORM: LP1B #32
DATE: 9/23/2023
PERIOD: (blank unless you have an“I” than term/class then class number and term you received an "i")
PERIOD: (blank unless you have an“I” than term/class then class number and term you received an "i")
*Each email to me at
hicksmicro@gmail.com must include in the
SUBJECT area, your LAST NAME, first name, Class, and Section number as well as
a brief "hook" as to the information you require. I do not answer Emails on
the last class nights before an exam.
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THINGS TO OBTAIN/BUY:
Required Materials for all MICROBIOLOGY CLASSES: you may purchase/rent OR USED texts CHEAPER online at: http://www.bigwords.com; http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.walmart.com; http://www.half.com or see the my Microwebsite at: http://faculty.lacitycollege.edu/hicksdr for OTHER suggestions http://www.directtextbook.com
Required Materials for all MICROBIOLOGY CLASSES: you may purchase/rent OR USED texts CHEAPER online at: http://www.bigwords.com; http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.walmart.com; http://www.half.com or see the my Microwebsite at: http://faculty.lacitycollege.edu/hicksdr for OTHER suggestions http://www.directtextbook.com
1. IN OUR MICRODROPBOX - DO NOT BUY! "Microbiology:Principles &
Explorations” 6th, 7th, 8th 9th or
International Edition by J. Black
(ISBN-10:
0470541091 | ISBN-13:
978-0470541098
ISBN 978-0-470-54109-8 or ISBN 978-1-1181-2923-4)
NOTE: The StudyGuide that is published by the same
author is A VERY GOOD ONE but it is NOT the text, don't be fooled online!
You may purchase an ONLINE version with a publisher code at the Wiley publisher
website. Or you may purchase the text
which includes the code from a college bookstore. YOU
DO NOT NEED THE PUBLISHER CODE but it often is "bundled" with the textbook and
is useful for helping you study. I often take my questions from the
publisher's study questions. YOU MUST ONLY have access to THIS TEXT, you DO NOT HAVE TO BUY IT! You may
not utilize a Micro text by another author.
2. IN OUR MICRODROPBOX - DO NOT BUY! “A Photographic Atlas for
The Microbiology Laboratory”
any edition
by Leboffe & Pierce
| ISBN-10:
0895826569 | ISBN-13:
978-0895826565 | – This illustrated handbook is a
photo study of the common experiments (positive and negative results) in
Microbiology and is available at the College
Bookstore
- YOU CAN SHARE ONE WITH YOUR LAB PARTNER or look at something similar Google search...No Need to buy it...
3. DAILY Access to
your college registered email address and the World-wide
Web or Internet is required of all students.
DAILY/Nightly access
(THAT MEANS EVERY DAY or NIGHT) to the class website hicksmicro.blogspot.com - this is necessary for Pop Quiz review, assignments, review, and research.
If you do not have a home computer with Internet access, you may use
the college machines; ask your counselor for the procedures at your college! PLEASE CHECK THE FIRST PAGE OF THE WEBSITE
FOR EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENTS JUST BEFORE EACH SCHEDULED CLASS - EMERGENCY
ANNOUNCEMENTS/CLASS CANCELLATIONS will be posted there!
4. *Contacting the instructor and appointments plus
INSTRUCTOR OFFICE HOURS: 6 PM before each class I am available in the classroom or you may contact me by email for another
appointment or at all times by contacting through TEXT.
Whenever you contact me by email in the SUBJECT LINE put your last name and class/section number and a one-word or short phase IDEA of the topic of the email HicksMicro@gmail.com
USE MicroDROPBOX!
IF YOU MISS A CLASS; ALL LECTURES ARE ON MY CLASS UTUBE!
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS YOU MUST HAVE...
5. A LRB/HANDOUT/SIGNATURE BINDER (I WIIL PROVIDE THIS)
6. A cotton
or cotton mix (NOT PLASTIC) Laboratory Smock
or Lab Coat that has long sleeves and reaches below the waist (AMAZON. COM OR Sassonscrubs.com 821 South Cecilia Street Unit 6, downtown
Los Angeles, CA 90014 (323) 828-5222 ---- say Dr. Hicks sent you... go in a
group and get a DISCOUNT!)
These lab coats are CHEAP and good quality and located in LA, a “SHARPIE” click to close BROAD TIP BLACK felt-tip
marker, 4/200 place full-page Scantron
Form #884-ES Answer sheets, 10 Scantron #882 - 100 place Answer sheets for PopQuizes,
a box of Nitrile
or Latex plastic gloves that fit YOU
(non-sterile; these are provided in Biol 112), a small bottle of “Nail Polish
Remover,” 1 can of "Bon Ami" (ONLY this brand!) which is non-scratch slide
cleaning powder from Vons, colored pencils, black pen,
and several number 2 pencils with GOOD ERASERS! A SMALL BATTERY-powered personal FAN TO DRY SLIDES!!!!!
NOTE: Drawers
assigned are NOT secure. Bring our Lab Coat and Cleaned slides back and
forth in a bag etc.
FINAL EXAM DATES POSTED later on the COLLEGE CALENDAR - they are NOT modifiable!
GENERAL Student Learning Objectives for Microbiology:
A.) A student in the Microbiology course will describe and explain the disease
process as it relates to bacterial, viral, protozoan, and fungal infections.
B.) A student in the Microbiology course will explain the biochemical processes of the cell such as cell respiration, DNA replication, and genetic recombination, and analyze the significance of these processes to the organism.
C.) A student in the microbiology course will correctly perform staining procedures and biochemical tests, will organize their data, and utilize the results to determine the identity of an unknown bacteria.
D.) A student in the Microbiology course will dress and apply the incomplete or modified universal precautions; they will consistently apply the proper aseptic techniques which will be used in clinical practice.
E.) A student in the Microbiology course will describe and evaluate the physical and chemical methods of controlling microbial growth.
F.) A student in the Microbiology course will describe and explain the body’s immune response to bacterial and viral infections
.
A Successful Completion of Microbiology requires an individual
final project that simultaneously demonstrates mastery of all the aforementioned
SLO's. We will accomplish this via our Formal (typed) Unknown Laboratory
Report as explained in the Microwebsite
.