Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

General Microbiology (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 3010-02

Course: BIOL 3010-02
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: BIOL
CRN: 30887

Course Description

Microbiology for science majors. Explores the cell structure, physiology, metabolism, genetics and diversity of microbes. Emphasis placed on prokaryotes, viruses, protists and fungi including their impact on the environment and our daily lives. Topics include biotechnological applications, fermentation technology, industrial products, medical interactions, and recycling nutrients in ecosystems. A minimum grade of "C" (2.0 or above) must be earned in this course before it can be counted in a biological science major or minor or as a prerequisite for any other biology course. (Fall, Spring, Summer) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Co-requisite(s): BIOL 3015 Prerequisite(s): BIOL 1610 and BIOL 1615 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C

Required Texts

OpenStax Microbiology (free, but you must have a device and internet connection). Assigned reading lists and links are displayed on pre-class work on Canvas.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge of human cultures and the physical and natural world
  • Upon the successful completion of this course students will be able to:
    • Recognize the role that the following scientists played in the development of cell theory and be able to describe their contributions to the development of the field of microbiology: Jannsen, von Leewenhoek, Hooke, Spallanzani, Schleiden, Schwann, Virchow, Pasteur
    • Define the tenets of Cell Theory and be able to explain how an understanding of Cell Theory influences our actions in terms of biological research, food safety, sanitation, disease prevention, etc.
    • Explain the principle of the compound microscope and perform magnification-based calculations. Describe the principles and uses of Phase-Contrast, Florescence, TEM, and SEM microscopes
    • List the major iterations of taxonomic classification throughout history, including the Linnaean Two Kingdom System, Haeckel’s Three Kingdom System, Whittaker’s Five Kingdom System, and the current Three Domain System
    • Describe the rationale for categorization under each taxonomic system and explain the need for a taxonomic system based on a common sequence (e.g. SSU rRNA), as opposed to solely relying on morphological characteristics
    • Describe the elements that comprise bacterial morphology (cell shape, cell groupings, and cell size), to use the correct terminology to explain common bacterial morphologies, and to list examples of each
    • Describe the names, composition, and roles, of the structural features common to bacterial cells including the plasma membrane, the cell wall and cell envelopes), the cytoplasm, the nucleoid, inclusion bodies (polyhydryoxybutyrate, cyanophycin, volutin, and sulfur globules), specialized internal structures (gas vesicles, carboxysomes, and magnetosomes), and specialized external structures (flagella, pilus/fimbriae, capsules, and surface arrays)
    • Describe the roles of bacteria in human health (both beneficial and detrimental), name the organisms and describe the diseases caused by common human pathogens, and explain several of the virulence factors that allow pathogens to cause disease
    • Describe the roles of bacteria in the environment (both beneficial and detrimental) including their role in oxygen, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur cycles
    • Describe the ways that bacteria are able to obtain carbon from their environment, including glycolysis and fermentation, aerobic respiration, and anaerobic respiration
    • Explain the process of photosynthesis, including both the light reactions and the Calvin cycle
    • Outline the fundamental differences between bacterial and eukaryotic cell structure and explain the roles of the eukaryotic organelles and unique cellular structures
    • Define the endosymbiotic theory with respect to mitochondria and chloroplasts and describe the evidence that supports the theory that mitochondria evolved from bacteria and that chloroplasts evolved from cyanobacteria.
    • Explain the ecological impacts of fungi, including their role in disease and in the human food supply
    • Describe the structure and life cycle of the major fungal groups, including the Chytrids, Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Glomeromycota
    • Describe the ecological impacts and key characteristics of the major protist groups, including the Diplomonads, Parabasalids, Euglenozoans, Alveolates, Stramenopiles, Radiolarians, Forams, Red algae, Green algae, Amoebozoans, and Choanoflagellates
    • Explain the differences between the cell structures of each of the three domains of life and describe the structure and roles of cell structures unique to the archaea
    • Describe the ecological roles of the methanogens and explain the metabolic processes unique to the methanogens
    • Describe the specialized adaptations of the halophilic archaea
    • Describe the specialized adaptations of the thermophilic archaea
    • Describe the unique features of the Nanoarchaeota and explain how a phylum can exist for a group of archaea (Korarchaeota) that have never yet been cultured or observed in isolation

Course Requirements

Pre-requisites: BIOL 1610 and BIOL 1615

Co-requisites:
BIOL 3015

Requirement | Points possible | Due Date
  • Syllabus Quiz | 5 | 8/29 @ 11:59pm
  • Topic Assignments (12 @ 20 pts each) | 240 | Due dates vary; displayed on Canvas ~2 weeks in advance
  • Quizzes (6-9 @ 20 pts each. Your top 6 scores will count towards your final grade; all other scores will be dropped.) | 120 | Semi-pop quizzes; announced in class 3-5 days in advance
  • In-class Participation | 100 | No submission; must attend class
  • Exam 1 | 100 | Open @ testing center Sep 25 - Sep 26
  • Exam 2 | 100 | Open @ testing center Oct 28 - Oct 30
  • Exam 3 | 100 | Open @ testing center Dec 4 - Dec 5
  • Final Exam (cumulative) | 150 | Open @ testing center Dec 8 - Dec 11

Description of Course Requirements:
Syllabus quiz: To encourage each student to read the syllabus and to help ensure that you understand the requirements of this course, a syllabus quiz will be administered after the first day of class.

Topic Assignments: Each topic will have an accompanying Topic Assignment. These are meant to 1) help you review some of the major concepts for each topic, and 2) provide examples of the general types of questions that you’ll see on exams. These assignments are NOT meant to provide a complete overview of the material, and you should therefore not rely solely on them for studying. Assignments will be made available about 2 weeks prior to the due date. There will be 13-14 assignments throughout the course, and your top 12 scores will count toward your final grade.

Quizzes: Quizzes will be administered in class. I will announce quizzes 3-5 days before they occur, and they MUST be taken at the scheduled date & time. 6-9 quizzes will be administered throughout the semester, but only your 6 highest scores will count toward your final grade.

In-class Participation: To help you get the most out of this class, we’ll have occasional in-class activities that are not announced ahead of time. These activities are designed to encourage attendance and engagement. Points for participation will be based on:
  • Being Present and On Time: Arrive on time and stay for the entire class to earn full credit.
  • Meaningfully Engaging in Activities: Take part in discussions and group work when activities are assigned.
  • Respecting the Learning Environment: Avoid behaviors that distract others, such as using devices for non-class purposes, having side conversations, or packing up early.

Exams 1-3: Three unit exams will be administered during the semester. Approximate dates for each unit exam are listed on the schedule but are subject to change based on our actual progress in class. Exams will be available on Canvas and administered at the SUU Testing Center. A password is required to access the exams through Canvas, and the SUU Testing Center staff will enter that password for you. Exam questions consist of short answer, multiple choice, and matching-type questions. Each exam must be taken at the scheduled date and time discussed in class and specified on the syllabus; exceptions will ONLY be provided for legitimate emergencies, as outlined in the Emergencies policy on this syllabus.

The following material will be covered in each exam (subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor):
o Exam 1: Unit 1
o Exam 2: Unit 2
o Exam 3: Unit 3
o See “Course Outline” in this syllabus for topics covered in each unit

Cumulative final exam: The final exam will be administered at the SUU Testing Center from Dec 8, 2025 – Dec 11, 2025. Exam questions consist of short answer, multiple choice, and matching-type questions. The final exam is cumulative, covering units 1-3.

Important exam policies:
  • I will apply 1 of the following 2 policies to your grade - whichever most favors your final grade:
    • If higher than any unit exam score, your score on the final exam will replace that unit exam score in your final grade. All 3 unit exam scores are eligible for replacement. The purpose of this policy is to help you remain engaged and motivated all the way through the semester.
    • If lower than one or more of your unit exam scores, your final score on the final exam will be an average of all 3 unit exams and your initial final exam score. The purpose of this policy is to take some pressure off of the final exam for students who score well on the unit exams.
  • You may come to office hours or make an appointment with me to review the results of your exams. I strongly encourage you to do so, as the final exam is cumulative, and identifying your mistakes on Exams 1-3 will help you prepare for the final exam. Your opportunity to review an exam expires once you have taken the next exam.

Course Outline

Date & Topic
27-Aug Introduction, Microscopy 1
29-Aug Microscopy 2, Cell Theory 1
1-Sep NO CLASS - Labor Day
3-Sep Cell Theory 2, Taxonomy 1
5-Sep Taxonomy 2
8-Sep Bacterial Cell Structure 1
10-Sep Bacterial Cell Structure 2
12-Sep Bacterial Cell Structure 3
15-Sep Bacterial Morphology 1
17-Sep Bacterial Morphology 2
19-Sep Geochemical Cycling 1
22-Sep Geochemical Cycling 2
24-Sep Geochemical Cycling 3
26-Sep NO CLASS - Exam 1 (Sep 25 -Sep 26)
29-Sep Metabolism - Gibbs Free Energy
1-Oct Metabolism - Glycolysis 1
3-Oct Metabolism - Glycolysis 2
6-Oct Metabolism - Fermentation
8-Oct Metabolism - Reduction Potential
10-Oct Metabolism - ATP Synthesis
13-Oct NO CLASS - Fall Break
15-Oct Eukaryotes Intro 1
17-Oct Eukaryotes Intro 2
20-Oct Eukaryotes Intro 3
22-Oct Eukaryotes Intro 4
24-Oct Eukaryotes Intro 5
27-Oct Fungi 1
29-Oct NO CLASS - Exam 2 (Oct 28 - Oct 30)
31-Oct Fungi 2
3-Nov Fungi 3
5-Nov Fungi 4
7-Nov Protists 1
10-Nov Protists 2
12-Nov Protists 3
14-Nov Protists 4
17-Nov Archaea 1
19-Nov Archaea 2
21-Nov Microbial Effects on Health 1
24-Nov NO CLASS - Thanksgiving Break
26-Nov NO CLASS - Thanksgiving Break
28-Nov NO CLASS - Thanksgiving Break
1-Dec Microbial Effects on Health 2
3-Dec Microbial Effects on Health 3
5-Dec NO CLASS - Exam 3 (Dec 4 - Dec 5)
8-Dec thru 11-Dec CUMULATIVE Final Exam (Units 1-3)

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work

  • Late Quizzes and Exams will NOT be accepted.
  • The Syllabus Quiz & Topic Assignments can be turned in late with a 10% penalty per day late, starting 1 minute after the due date.
  • In-class Participation points can ONLY be made-up for legitimate emergencies (see Attendance Policy & Emergencies Policy for further information)

Attendance Policy

  • Regular in-person attendance is expected in this course.
  • There is no remote attendance option via Zoom or other video conferencing tools.
  • If you are absent for any reason, you are responsible for contacting a classmate to obtain missed notes, handouts, and/or announcements. The instructor will not re-teach missed material during office hours, and upcoming quizzes are announced exclusively in class.
  • If you miss In-class Participation points due to an unexcused absence, no make-up will be offered.
  • If you miss In-class Participation points due to an excused absence, make-up will be offered if you make arrangements with the instructor prior to your absence. Excused absences will only be granted for documented university-approved activities or documented personal emergencies (see emergencies policy below).

Grading Policy

The following grade scale will be used to assign letter grades to your work:
A: >= 94%
A-: 90-93.9%
B+: 87-89.9%
B: 84-86.9%
B-: 80-83.9%
C+: 77-79.9%
C: 74-76.9%
C-: 70-73.9%
D+: 67-69.9%
D: 64-66.9%
D-: 60-63.9%
F: < 60%

  • If you identify an error in your grade, please inform me within 7 days of the grade being posted. After 7 days from the initial posting of the grade, the grade becomes final.

Emergencies Policy

  • I am willing to make reasonable accommodations for you, at my discretion, if an emergency arises.
  • It is your responsibility to contact me about an emergency as soon as possible. When you contact me, please provide documentation of your emergency. For example:
    • If you are physically or mentally ill, please provide a doctor’s note.
    • In the unfortunate event of a death in your family, please provide a death certificate, obituary, memorial service, or other form of documentation.
  • The following list includes, but is not limited to, examples of non- emergencies: family trips (whether planned or spontaneous), inclement weather where campus remains open, technical difficulties prior to a deadline, roommate disagreements, weddings, your job, etc.

AI Policy

  • Use of artificial intelligence for any reason is not allowed in this course.
  • Use of artificial intelligence will be treated as academic misconduct according to SUU Policy 6.33.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.