Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

General Microbiology (Face-to-Face)

BIOL 3010-03

Course: BIOL 3010-03
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: BIOL
CRN: 30982

Course Description

Lecturer Information:
Dr. Xiaoben Jiang
Office: Science Center 131C 
(Note: Email is the best way to contact me. I usually reply to my emails within 24 hours, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm M-F. If you email me outside those hours, please expect a longer than normal wait time for a response.)

Open office Hours: SC 131C or as otherwise posted
·        10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, Monday
·        1:00 PM – 5:00 PM, Monday  

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

 ·        Microbiology 2/e (2017) by Wessner, Dupont, & Charles (ISBN 9781119444770). You may purchase a hardcopy textbook or eTextbook on Canvas (VitalSource Course Materials).
 ·        Recommended: Campbell Biology 11/e (2017) by Urry, Cain, Wasserman, Minorsky, & Reese, (ISBN 978-0134093413); specifically, the chapters on Protists (Chapter 28) and Fungi (Chapter 31). [You may already have a copy of this textbook as it is generally required for BIOL 1610].

Learning Outcomes

·        Categorize the archaeal diversity, bacterial diversity, fungal and micro-eukaryotic diversity 

·        Distinguish fundamental differences between bacterial and eukaryotic cell structure, and understand the roles of the eukaryotic organelles and unique cellular structures

·        Describe microbial genetics and evolution 

·        Describe the microbial metabolism conceptions, including glycolysis, fermentation, aerobic respiration, and anaerobic respiration

·        Describe the roles of microbes in the environment (both beneficial and detrimental) including their role in nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur cycles

·        Describe the basic concepts of extremophiles

·        Describe the structure and life cycle of the major fungal groups, including the Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota, and Glomeromycota

·        Describe the structure and life cycle of the major protists

Course Requirements

Pre-requisites/Co-requisites
 ·        Pre-requisites: BIOL 1610/1615 (Completed with a grade of “C” or better)
 ·        Co-requisite: BIOL 3015

Course Outline

Grading:

Grades will be posted on canvas. I aim to have shorter assignments graded one week after the due date and longer assignments (i.e. Exams) two weeks after the due date. If you have a question about any of your grades, you have one week after the grade is posted to contact me and discuss the grade. After one week has passed there will be no discussion and you will receive the grade posted.  Course grades are based on the following:

| Assignment | Point value | Total Points
| Assignments (50% of grade):
| 10 homework assignments | 10 @ ~40 points | ~400 points (approx.)
| Pop quizzes working in groups (TBD) |   | 
| Exams (50% of grade):
| Two Unit Exams | 2 @ ~200 points | ~400 points
| Comprehensive Final Exam | ~200 points | ~200 points

Purpose of Quizzes:
Quizzes are an integral part of this course, designed to help you reinforce and refresh the concepts you have learned. Quizzes serve as a valuable tool to prepare you for upcoming exams, ensuring that you have a solid grasp of the course content. Additionally, quizzes promote active learning and encourage you to stay up-to-date with the topics covered in class. They also offer an opportunity for collaborative learning, as you can discuss quiz content with peers, helping each other understand and apply the concepts more effectively. Through these quizzes, you will not only track your progress but also build confidence in your ability to succeed in this course.

Homework Assignments:
Homework assignments will be posted on Canvas. This assignment will be due a week later or the designated time. You must turn in your assignments in hard copy during the class time. 

Exams:
Two Unit exams (each approximately 200 points) and one Final exam (approximately 200 points) will be administered throughout the semester. The Unit exams will be administered in the Testing Center; the Final exam will be administered in class on the date and time scheduled by the university. Unit exam will be on the material covered both in class and on the homework assignment since the last exam, each exam may include questions from previous topics, especially those that relate to the current unit.  
The final exam is comprehensive and will focus on the application of your accumulated knowledge; this exam will be scaled to 200 points. The final exam will be administered on the date scheduled by the University; this exam will only be administered on this date; no early or late exams will be given so schedule any travel plans accordingly.
All exams must be taken on the scheduled date and time specified on Canvas.

Grading Policies:
The standard Canvas scale, shown below, will be used to assign letter grades to your work this semester:
 | 94-100 A | 87-89.9 B+ | 77-79.9 C+ | 67-69.9 D+ |  
 | 90-93.9 A- | 84-86.9 B | 74-76.9 C | 64-66.9 D | < 61 F
 |   | 80-83.9 B- | 70-73.9 C- | 61-63.9 D- |  
No grade pleading will be entertained. Your grade is exclusively your responsibility and is based on your level of work throughout the semester. The key to earning the grade you want is daily study, hard work, carefully following instructions, and submitting assignments on time. All assignments and all grading policies apply to the entire class as a whole; no special extra credit work or special considerations will be offered to individual students. To maintain the right that all students have to earn the grade that represents their level of effort and understanding, grades are not curved in this class.
Grade adjustments may take place at the end of the semester at the instructor’s discretion; these adjustments apply to the class as a whole and will never be applied selectively or on an individual basis. These adjustments will not be posted on Canvas; students will need to wait until grades are posted to the Student Information System (SIS) to see the final reported grade.
You are strongly encouraged to monitor your grades closely throughout the semester; if you see an error in grade calculations, please inform your instructor within 7 days of the grade posting. Requests for regrading/corrections must be submitted in writing within this time period. End of semester wranglings over points assigned on older assignments will not be entertained.

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.

Tentative Topic Schedule
Note:
This is a tentative schedule that is subject to change depending on the needs of the class.
·        Unit I
§  Introduction, History of Microbiology, and Nomenclature
§  Cell Theory
§  Microscopy
§  Microbial morphology
§  Prokaryotic cell structure
§  Eukaryotic cell structure
§  Exam 1
·        Unit II
§  Microbial growth
§  Microbial metabolism overview 
§  Microbial catabolism
§  Microbial anabolism
§  Geochemical cycles
§  Archaeal diversity 
§  Exam 2
·        Unit III
§  Fungi: Ecological roles
§  Fungi: Reproduction
§  Fungi: Major Phyla
§  Protists: Classification and roles
§  Protists: Major Groups
·        Unit IV
§  Other optional topics (e.g., Bacterial diversity, Virology, Microbial Genetics)
§  Final Comprehensive Exam

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

Policy on Late Work:
All assignments are due at the date and time announced in class and/or listed on Canvas. Late assignments will not be graded. If you have conflicts or are traveling, you need to plan ahead and ensure that you submit your work on time. The only exception for this policy would be extended hospitalizations or deaths in the immediate family; in these cases, you may submit a written petition to have late work considered; such petitions are intended to cover one assignment or, at most, one week’s worth of assignments, and must be submitted within 1 week of the assignment due date. Technological issues are not considered acceptable excuses for late work. Always backup your work and have a plan for submitting assignments even in the case of computer problems or lost Internet access. 

Attendance Policy

Attendance:
We will be covering an extensive amount of material in a short period of time. Therefore, regular and punctual attendance is important to this class. Showing up late is disrespectful to your fellow students and excessive tardiness will not be tolerated. 

Excused absences include but are not limited to the examples shown in the table below. Please note that it is the responsibility of the student to be proactive and notify me of their absence before the date of their absence. Notifications made after the date of absence will NOT be considered unless the absence was due to an emergency or accident. Evidence has to be provided for an excused absence. Family trips, personal trips and vacations are NOT excused absences.

| Examples of excused absences
| ●        Covid-19-related absences and medical emergencies ●        Accidents ●        Inclement weather (snow storms, floods, etc.) ●        Interviews for jobs, internships, med school, etc. ●        Academic conferences ●        University-sponsored absences for student athletes ●        Military leave ●        Jury duty
| Examples of unexcused absences
| ●        Family/personal trips and vacations ●        Job shifts ●        Attending another professor’s lecture or office hours ●        Sleeping in/forgetting about class

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.