BIOSCI-221 - Introduction to Microbiology - Julie Nguyen, PhD
| Course: | Introduction to Microbiology |
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| Professor: | Julie Nguyen, PhD |
| Email: | Julie.nguyen@canyons.edu |
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| Course Length: |
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Introduction
Introduction:
Dear students, I am Julie Nguyen, your Microbiology Professor (MP) for this upcoming 8-week summer course.
Any inquiries, feel free to email me at Julie.nguyen@canyons.edu. If you are enrolled and have not received the current syllabus a week before class starts, please email me.
General Course Information:
Lecture is 100% Online
Lab (M, T, W, & Th): 6:00 PM - 9:20 PM
Start Date 6/16/2025 & End Date 8/9/2025 at Canyon Country Science Center, Lab 303
Professor: Julie Nguyen, PhD [Julie.nguyen@canyons.edu]
Canvas Portal: https://coc.instructure.com/login/canvas
Username: students / Password: student ID
Office Hours: M-Th, 30min before, after or between lab in person
Friday 7:30am – 9:00am via Canvas Zoom or by appt.
You can also submit questions via email which I check on a daily basis
I look forward to meeting you all on Monday June 16th at 6pm at CCC Campus, Room 303.
Regards,
Julie Nguyen, PhD
Adjunct Professor, Biology/Environmental Science
College of the Canyons
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
Course Description
Course Preparation & Prerequisite: Units: 5.00 - UC:CSU, May Be Taken Once for Credit
Preparation: Eligibility for college level English (ENGL-101 or ENGL-101H). Eligibility for college level Math course with an Intermediate Algebra prerequisite (MATH-103, MATH-140)
This course introduces the biology of microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, protists, parasitic worms, fungi, their significance, and their role in human affairs.
Prerequisite: BIOSCI-100 or BIOSCI-100H and CHEM-151 or CHEM-151H.
Course Description:
Biosci221 introduces the biology of microorganisms, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, parasitic worms, algae, fungi, and their significance, with emphasis on clinical microbiology and infectious disease for the health sciences. The course includes the study of selected evolutionary, ecological, morphological, physiological, and biochemical aspects of representative micro-organisms. The laboratory includes staining, microscopic examination and identification of microbes, prokaryotic ecology, aseptic technique and isolation of microbes, microbial growth media, control of microbial growth including antibiotic sensitivity testing, metabolism, genetics, taxonomy, protists, fungi, helminths, and arthropod vectors. This course is intended for students in allied health majors.
This is a web-enhanced class, and use of the Canvas learning management system is required. Some student resources, such as the lab manual, are only available via Canvas. In addition, some assignments must be completed using Canvas. Canvas access requires a web-enabled device (i.e., phone, computer, or tablet) and a stable internet connection. Note that computers are available for student use on campus.
Student Learning Outcomes (SLO):
Upon successful completion of this course, in lecture students will be able to compare and contrast the major groups of microorganisms and explain the ubiquity of microbes and their importance in human disease. And in laboratory, students will demonstrate mastery of aseptic technique, microbiological procedures, laboratory safety, and interpret results and data of exercises in microbial physiology and identification.
What to Expect in this Course
Course Expectations & Requirements:
The summer course is tailored to meet four times a week: M, T, W, & Th on-ground at CCC. Do not let the simplicity of a 5unit (5U) summer course fool you into thinking that you do not need to put in the required study hours on your own. On the contrary, each student needs to be self-motivated, self-disciplined, and self-managed in study habits to ensure not falling behind in this fast-pace course filled with four times of lab activities, densely daily packed reading materials and challenging weekly quizzes & exam assessments. To put this 5U course into a real time on ground learning perspective, it requires a 12-hour lab plus an 8-hour lecture per week (on campus & off campus on your own) – not including the extra 20 weekly hours that you need to invest on self-study, using a computer to complete the pre- & post-lab activities, weekly quizzes/module specific exams, two unknown lab report write-ups, and networking with other students in your lab discussion group.
The SLO for this course is as follow:
students will compare and contrast the major groups of microorganisms, and explain the ubiquity of microbes and their importance in human disease. Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- survey important "milestones" in the history of microbiology.
- compare and contrast the structures and functions of macromolecules found as components of microbial agents/microorganisms.
- compare and contrast different types of metabolism/metabolic pathways employed by different types of microbes.
- compare and contrast different types of microbial agents and microorganisms with respect to morphology, physiology, and phylogeny.
- integrate concepts of gene expression, natural selection, and evolution in the context of microbiological organisms.
- demonstrate and operate a microscope to examine microscopic life including bacteria, protozoa, algae, fungi, helminths, and arthropod vectors.
- differentiate bacterial cultures by using staining techniques.
- compare the use of different types of microbial media for isolation and identification of bacteria and fungi.
- classify unknown bacteria by performing metabolic tests.
- incorporate aseptic/sterile techniques in all laboratory experiments.
- compare and explain the effects of physical and chemical factors in controlling microbial growth and perform antibiotic sensitivity tests.
- explain the role of bacteria in biofilm formation and nitrogen cycling as important aspects of prokaryotic ecology.
- explain aspects of host non-specific and specific defenses against microbial pathogens.
Students will find supplemental ppt lectures & study resource materials on Canvas.
Types of Assessments
FIVE SLO modules for lectures & 31 Lab Days that will cover the following assessments:
1) 5 non-cumulative lecture exams [5-6 chapter per exam] 100pts/exam, 500 pts total
2) 1 cumulative lab final, 100 pts
3) Unknown lab 1 & 2 write-ups, 100 pts each, 200 pts total
4) 20 lab quizzes (pre/post), 5 pts each, 100 pts total
5) 20 lab assignments, 5 pts each, 100 pts total
Total Class Score = 1000 pts
Textbook Information
Textbook: Great news - your textbook for this class is available for free online via OpenStax!
Digital ISBN 1-947172-23-9
https://openstax.org/books/microbiology/pages/1-introduction
Note: a hardcopy is NOT required
Lab Manual: Introduction to Microbiology Lab Manual, Burke, 2017 - Access through Canvas site
since a hard copy of the manual is no longer available at the bookstore.
Purchase the course materials in advance and you pick them up at CCC bookstore:
Pick-Up Dates: Starting June 5th, through July 25th, 2025
Pick-Up Location: Fourth Floor Student Services & Learning Resources Center (CCSS), room 407
Pick-Up Times: Between 9am and 5pm, Mon-Thurs; 9am to 12pm on Friday
https://coc.bncollege.com
Other Relevant Course Information
Additional Resources:
Summer Full Semester-Length Class Holidays / Refund / Deadlines:
2024/25 Academic Calendar
Academic Accommodations (formerly DSPS): Summer enrolled students are required to renew their AAC status. Student will need to go to the AAC for a check-in in order to continue with those accommodations. It takes about 5 minutes.
The Learning Center (TLC):
The Learning Center provides no-cost tutorial assistance for registered College of the Canyons students in English, mathematics, and many other disciplines on a walk-in basis. Remote tutoring will be available for students throughout the semester. Visit the TLC website for more information.
https://www.canyons.edu/academics/tlc/
Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA):
MESA is a program that supports students to excel in math, engineering, and the sciences. MESA is based on a rigorous program that builds academic skills and encourages cooperative solving. There is access to technology, academic advisement, and other support services are available. Visit the MESA website for more information. https://www.canyons.edu/academics/mesa/index.php
Important Degree Information:
The School of Math, Sciences and Health Professions website includes various degrees that can be earned at COC: Associate Degree Information
Management of Stress and Mental Health:
Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore) or by clicking on Student Health & Wellness Center . The phone number is (661) 362- 3259 Valencia or (661) 362-3812 Canyon Country that you can call 24/7.
You can also e mail for an appointment at
StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu <mail to: StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu>
At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center is in the new Student Services Building. Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress. You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text “Courage” to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential. Finally, for a great website about mental health and mental health resources in the Santa Clarita Valley Area, you can go to this fabulous website: https://www.bethedifferencescv.org/
I look forward to meeting and leading all of you to a successful semester in Introduction to Microbiology.
Do not starve yourself mentally – let’s feast on learning and sharing the knowledge together!
Julie Nguyen, PhD
Adjunct Professor, Biology/Environmental Science
College of the Canyons
26455 Rockwell Canyon Road
Santa Clarita, CA 91355
julie.nguyen@canyons.edu
Additional Resources
Canvas
This course can be accessed on the first day of class via Canvas at https://coc.instructure.com. Log into Canvas using your CanyonsID single sign-on:
- CanyonsID Username is your COC student email address (Ex: username@my.canyons.edu)
- CanyonsID Password is your COC student email password
Please visit the Get to Know Your Online Classroom page for help logging into Canvas and for tips on using Canvas and Zoom. Canvas Chat Support is also available 24/7 for any Canvas related issues.
Online Education
Check out the Online Education website for more information on a variety of topics that can help you be a successful online student such as: exam proctoring, learning styles, computer skills, and tips for student success. If this is your first online course, feel free to take our online learning readiness assessment to assess your skills.
The Learning Center (TLC)
The TLC provides FREE online tutoring resources to COC students!
Academic Accommodation Center (AAC)
College of the Canyons AAC provides educational services and access for eligible students with documented disabilities who intend to pursue coursework at COC. A variety of programs and services are available which afford eligible students with disabilities the opportunity to participate fully in all aspects of the college programs and activities through appropriate and reasonable accommodations. For more information on their services visit the Academic Accomodation Center website.
Online Counseling
The Counseling Department offers appointments online. You can schedule an appointment by visiting the Online Counseling website. Counselors can help you map out a plan to reach your educational goals as well as advise you on course selection and registration.
Management of Stress and Mental Health
Often the pressure on our students is very strong, involving academic commitments, relationships, outside jobs and family pressure to name a few. The staff and faculty of College of the Canyons are here to see you succeed academically and care about your emotional and physical health. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential student services, including counseling and mental health services available on campus by visiting the Student Health & Wellness Center in the Student Services Building (across from the bookstore). The phone number is 661-362-3259 that you can call 24/7. You can also e mail for an appointment at StudentHealthCenter@canyons.edu. At the Canyon Country Campus the Health Center will be in the new Student Services Building.
Also, the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline number is now 988. All students at COC are encouraged to enter that phone number in their cells. You can call it when you, or someone you know, is having thoughts of suicide or is in severe distress.
You can also now use the Crisis Text Line: Just text "Courage" to 741741. Someone will get back to you immediately. Its free, 24/7, and confidential.
Veterans Resource Center
The College of the Canyons Veterans Resource Center is a department within the Student Services Division at the college, created to help veterans and veteran dependents with applying to College of the Canyons, enrolling in classes, and requesting VA Education or Vocational Benefits. For more information please visit the Veterans Resource Center website, email veterans@canyons.edu or phone (661) 362-3469.
Library
The Library provides live online and in-person research help, access to a full range of e-resources and physical materials that support the curriculum, individual and group study areas, and much more!
Last updated: 06/12/2025 Sub#: 334 Sub ID: 87149