ENVR 350L – Microbes & the Environment

Spring 2007

 

Course Description: An examination of the role of microorganisms in ecosystems, their use in bioremediation strategies, and methods for control of pathogenic microorganisms in water supplies.  Lab includes a water quality assessment of the local watershed with respect to microbial flora. 

Course Goals: Students who successfully complete ENVR 350L will be able to 1) Demonstrate familiarity with the basic principles of microbial ecology; 2) Understand the role of microorganisms in certain environmental problems; 3) Describe how microorganisms can contribute to the solution of certain environmental problems; 4) Demonstrate proficiency with basic laboratory and field skills that are used to study microbial populations; 5) Work cooperatively on a group project

Lecture: MWF 8:30-9:20 in ZAB 103

Lab: Thursdays, 1:45-4:30 in ZAB 19. Some time outside of the scheduled laboratory period will also be needed for lab activities. After spring break dress for the weather and outdoor activities.

Course Web Page: Go to http://aurora.wells.edu/~noleary/ and click on the ENVR 350L link.

Professor: Dr. Niamh O' Leary, ZAB 101; 364-3279; noleary@wells.edu

Office Hours: 9:30-10:30 and 11:30-12:30 MWF; also by individual appointment.

Textbook: Microbial Ecology: Fundamentals and Applications by Atlas and Bartha. 4th Ed.

Calculator: You are required to bring a calculator to all lecture and laboratory sessions. This calculator must be capable of performing functions such as square roots and natural logarithms.

Paper Saving Policy: Students are encouraged to hand in assignments on one-sided paper (but please be sure to put a line through whatever is on the other side), or to print on both sides of each page. Use of post-consumer recycled paper is also encouraged.

Attendance: Attendance is required at all labs and lectures and is a component of class participation. Missed lectures and labs cannot ordinarily be "made-up". The student is responsible for all material covered in lecture and lab during her or his absence. Notification of planned absences must be given to the professor in writing one week before the absence. Any work due during a student's planned absence must be handed in before he or she leaves campus.

Punctuality: Punctuality is expected for all labs and lectures, and is a component of class participation. Students who are late miss important announcements, handouts, class activities and field trips.

Cell Phone and Technology Etiquette: It is inappropriate to make or receive any type of cell phone calls or text messages during class activities. This includes time in lecture, lab, on field trips, and in college vans. Similarly, during computer-based labs students are expected to refrain from checking e-mail, instant messaging, etc.

Due Dates and Late Work: All assignments must be handed in at the beginning of the lecture or lab session in which they are due. Any work that does not meet this deadline will be considered late and will receive a late penalty of at least 10% grade deduction. Late penalties accrue at 10% per day.

Make-up Exams: Only under officially documentable conditions of ill-health, extenuating personal circumstances, or conflict with other academic events will make-up exams be allowed.

Honor Code: I expect and require academic integrity from all students in all work this semester. All assignments are individual assignments unless otherwise specifically stated in writing.

Tentative Lecture and Lab Schedule: Below I have outlined the topics we will cover this spring. Some topics may take more or less time than indicated.

Day

Date

Topic

Chp.

Quizzes,

Exams,

Due dates,

Etc.

M

1/29

Historical Aspects of Microbial Ecology

1

 

W

1/31

Some Basic Microbiology

-

 

IN LAB

2/1

Laboratory Safety; Basic Microbiological Laboratory Techniques

-

 

F

2/2

Microbial Evolution and Biodiversity

2

QUIZ 1

 

 

 

 

 

M

2/5

Microbial Evolution and Biodiversity

2

 

W

2/7

Interactions Among Microbial Populations

3

 

IN LAB

2/8

Soil Bacteria I;

DNA Extraction from Bacteria;

Bacterial Transformation I

-

 

F

2/9

Interactions Among Microbial Populations

3

QUIZ 2

 

 

 

 

 

M

2/12

Interactions Between Microbes and Plants

4

 

W

2/14

Interactions Between Microbes and Plants

4

 

IN LAB

2/15

Soil Bacteria II;

Bacterial Transformation II

-

 

F

2/16

Microbial Interactions with Animals

5

QUIZ 3

 

 

 

 

 

M

2/19

Microbial Interactions with Animals

5

 

W

2/21

Development of Microbial Communities

6

 

IN LAB

2/22

Soil Bacteria III

-

 

F

2/23

EXAM 1

 

EXAM 1

 

 

 

 

 

M

2/26

Read plates from lab

 

 

W

2/28

Quantitative Microbial Ecology

7

 

IN LAB

3/1

Coliform Monitoring Techniques

-

 

F

3/2

No Class - Activism Symposium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M

3/5

Read plates from lab

 

 

W

3/7

Quantitative Microbial Ecology

7

 

IN LAB

3/8

TBA

-

 

F

3/9

Quantitative Microbial Ecology

7

 QUIZ 4

 

 

 

 

 

M

3/12

Physiological Microbial Ecology

8

 

W

3/14

Physiological Microbial Ecology

8

 

IN LAB

3/15

Laboratory Practical Exam

-

Lab Practical Exam

F

3/16

Physiological Microbial Ecology

8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SPRING BREAK!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M

3/26

Microbes in their Natural Habitats

9

 

W

3/28

Microbes in their Natural Habitats

9

 

IN LAB

3/29

Class Project on Coliforms and Water Quality I

-

 

F

3/30

EXAM 2

 

EXAM 2

 

 

 

 

 

M

4/2

Biodeterioration Control; Soil, Waste & Water Management

12

 

W

4/4

Biodeterioration Control; Soil, Waste & Water Management

12

 

IN LAB

4/5

Class Project on Coliforms and Water Quality II

-

 

F

4/6

Student Presentations and Class Discussion

 

Student Presentations/

Discussion

 

 

 

 

 

M

4/9

Student Presentations and Class Discussion

 

Student Presentations/

Discussion

W

4/11

Microbial Interactions with Pollutants

13

 

IN LAB

4/12

Class Project on Coliforms and Water Quality III

-

 

F

4/13

Microbial Interactions with Pollutants

13

QUIZ 5

 

 

 

 

 

M

4/16

Microbial Interactions with Pollutants

13

 

W

4/18

Biodegradability Testing and Bioremediation

14

 

IN LAB

4/19

Class Project on Coliforms and Water Quality IV

-

 

F

4/20

Biodegradability Testing and Bioremediation

14

QUIZ 6

 

 

 

 

 

M

4/23

Biodegradability Testing and Bioremediation

14

 

W

4/25

Microbes and Energy Resources

15

 

IN LAB

4/26

Class Project on Coliforms and Water Quality V

-

 

F

4/27

EXAM 3

 

EXAM 3

 

 

 

 

 

M

4/30

Microbes and Energy Resources

15

 

W

5/2

Microbes and Human Health

-

 

IN LAB

5/3

Class Project on Coliforms and Water Quality VI

-

 

F

5/4

Microbes and Human Health

-

Paper on Class Project Due

 

 

 

 

 

M

5/7

Microbes and Human Health

-

 

W

5/9

Microbes and Human Health

-

 

IN LAB

5/10

Student Presentations on Class Project

 

Student Presentations

F

5/11

REVIEW SESSION

 

 Lab Notebook on Class Project Due

**The Final Exam is scheduled for 2-5pm on Friday, May 18th**

 

Grade Breakdown:

Grade Breakdown:

Component

Weight

6 Quizzes @ 2% Each

12%

3 Exams @ 10% Each

30%

Final Exam

20%

Lab Practical Exam

10%

Presentation on Assigned Paper

5%

Class Project on Coliforms and Water Quality: Paper

10%

Class Project on Coliforms and Water Quality: Presentation

5%

Class Project on Coliforms and Water Quality: Lab Notebook

5%

Participation

3%

 

Description of Major Grade Components: