MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY & IMMUNOLOGY (BIOL3403)
Course Syllabus
Spring 2017 |

INSTRUCTOR

Luis A. Materón, Ph.D., Professor
Office at SCIE1.344
Phone (956) 665-7140
E-mail: luis.materon@utrgv.edu (anonymous messages will not be replied).
Office hours: MTW 11:00 - 12:00 p.m. or by appointment at any available time.
Class meets on TR at 8:00 – 9:15 a.m. at SCIE 2.102
Medical consultants and guest lecturers: Fructoso Irigoyen M.D, Manuel Sanchez M.D, Jorge Arango M.D; and Alberto Cepeda M.D., and other health-oriented professionals, if available.
Course motto: "Strive for excellence"

OBJECTIVES

To provide a broad and general exposure to wide array of concepts in immunology and medical microbiology. To review the mechanisms of defense against microorganisms, pathways and molecular structure of immuno-molecules, and current techniques for detection of microbial pathogens affecting humans. The course includes a comprehensive review of bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens and their interactions with the human system. Topics such as prions and current advances in microbial control will be discussed.

TEXTBOOK

"Selected Chapters from Foundations in Microbiology", K. & A. Talaro, 9th edition. McGraw-Hill. Customized version for chapters 12-25. IBSN 0077532201. If you find the 8th edition that will be also acceptable. You may find it helpful to bring the textbook to class each day, although you are not required to do so. Reading assignments on special topics to complement class lectures will be posted on the Internet. You are expected to read and be familiar with all material presented to you in class (lecture notes, reading assignments, journal articles and textbook).

COURSE WEB PAGE

http://faculty.utrgv.edu/luis.materon/3403
The website contains valuable links, class and lab syllabi, and a section of messages.

ROLE OF THE INSTRUCTOR

The Instructor is responsible for all material presented in the lectures, and is committed to providing you with an excellent and challenging course. If you have a problem understanding the lectures or getting difficulties in preparing for exams, contact the Instructor right away and NOT at the end of the semester.

ROLE OF STUDENTS IN CLASS

Class will start and finish on time each day, so make every effort to be here at the start of the class.  Please do not leave early unless you become ill or have other unavoidable circumstances.  If you have an appointment such that you need to leave early, tell the instructor before class and sit in a seat near the back of the classroom that day. If you arrive after class has begun, please try to minimize distracting others while finding your seat.
The instructor will try to facilitate the learning process to maintain your interest alive. You must study to pass this course and gain a good grade. You are requested to read the chapters of the book, analyze tables, figures and illustrations to get clarity on the concepts. Some memorization is required because of the nature of the material. Your questions and comments during the class lectures are welcome and the instructor will make every effort to address them as they are raised.  Students are encouraged to ask questions and generate discussion of any topic that is being presented by your instructor.
Food and beverages are not allowed to be consumed in class. Cellular phones must be switched off while in class. No texting while in class please. The instructor reserves the right to lock the doors if late comers distract student and instructor's concentration during the class. Instructor will drop any student that gets a high number of absences for both lecture and/or lab sessions.

CLASS ATTENDANCE (THREE OR MORE ABSENCES ARE NEEDED FOR COMPLETE COURSE WITHDRAWAL FROM INSTRUCTOR)

Attendance at lecture is imperative if one is to understand the material covered in this course. Any absences are unwise. The instructor expects that students attending the lectures focus their ENTIRE attention upon the lecture.  Disruptive students will be asked to leave. Class regular attendance will increase the probability that you will (1) develop a better understanding of the material, (2) be able to demonstrate that understanding on exams, and (3) earn a higher grade in the class. The Instructor will not respond to questions outside of class from students who have not obtained the information because of skipping classes. Low grades in most cases correlate to number of class absences. Make an effort to attend to class particularly if you get low grades!!  Instructor may drop students that have a record of three or more unexcused absences to classes and/or laboratory sessions.
Attendance, motivation and a good preparation for exams are the key factors to succeed in this course. Do not come to my office at the end of the course asking for higher grades because either you will lose a scholarship or you will miss your graduation. The instructor will not grant any "extra work or assignment or drop the lowest grade" to remedy these situations.  Read this syllabus carefully, prepare well and plan accordingly.

ELIGIBILITY FOR ENROLLING IN BIOL3403

You must have cleared with Administration to attend this course along with its corresponding laboratory session. As per UTPA regulations the pre-requisites for this course are: BIOL3401 (General Microbiology), CHEM 1301, CHEM 1302.  Basic biological and chemical knowledge are essential to understand concepts presented in this course. The instructor will drop pass the students who have not taken the prerequisite courses. Consult with your Instructor immediately within the first two days of classes should you have any questions on this requirement. Instructor may ask for a copy of your official transcript during the course. Please note that no exceptions will be made to allow a student to remain in class without having taken and passed the basic pre-requisite courses.

STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

(1) The biology graduate knows the role of the cell in life and living systems, and understands the inter-relationships between sub-cellular structures that contribute to its functioning as a unit.
(2) The biology graduate understands the role of DNA in inheritance and can explain how environmental conditions influence natural selection processes and contribute to adaptation.
(3) The biology graduate is aware of the diversity of life, and understands inter-relationships among organs and organ systems within an organism, and inter-relationships between an organism and its environment.
(4) The biology graduate is familiar with the tremendous diversity in structure (organellar, cellular, organismal) and how that relates to the organismal niche or habitat.
(5) The biology graduate understands how the organization of a specific structure within an organism is related to a specific function, and how this function contributes to survival of the organism.
(6) The biology graduate understands the Scientific Method, is able to analyze and interpret data, and communicate research findings in both oral and written form.
(7) The biology graduate is prepared to accept employment in a variety of environmental and health related professions, enter medical and dental schools, pursue graduate degrees in the biological sciences, or teach in public or private schools.

GRADE DETERMINATION
Your grade in this course will be determined by four exams.  Exams I, II and III will be administered during regular class time and will consist of either short essay-type questions, multiple-choice questions, fill-in the blank, figure identification, or any combinations of these.  You will be tested on any material covered in lecture, on-line notes, and on material related to the lectures found in the textbook. The final exam is comprehensive and in multiple choice format.
There will be a quiz to be administered immediately after a chapter is finished. The quiz will consist of a short number of essay-type questions regarding the material covered in the chapter. If the instructor considers that the whole class has been responsive with good grade averages, have generated discussions, asked many questions, showed respect, interest and motivation, then the instructor might consider reducing the number of chapters to study for the final exam. 

For your information, the instructor writes new exam questionnaires every semester. All matters regarding exams will be announced in the lecture notes and message sections on our web site.  

Activity	Value (%)	Day	Date	Tentative Coverage
Quizzes	20	-	-	At the end of chapter
Exam 1	15	R	Feb 16	Chapters 12, 13, 14, 15
Exam 2	20	T	March 28	16, 17,18, 19
Exam 3	20	R	Apr 20	20, 21,22
Final Exam	25	T	May 09	Comprehensive

 REMEMBER THAT

1)    YOU MUST STUDY TO PASS THIS COURSE. THERE WILL NOT BE ANY EASY TOP GRADES UNLESS YOU PREPARE WELL IN ADVANCE FOR EXAMS.

2)   AFTER LAST DAY (APRIL 13) TO DR OR W, THE INSTRUCTOR WILL CALCULATE AND REPORT WHATEVER GRADE YOU HAVE GAINED IN THE COURSE.

3)   IF YOU PLAN TO GRADUATE AT THE END OF THE COURSE OR REQUIRE TO GET AN A OR B GRADE THEN REALIZE THAT YOU MUST PRIORITIZE YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES. THE INSTRUCTOR ONLY REPORTS A FINAL GRADE BASED ON YOUR SOLE ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.

GRADE CALCULATION

The class final grade is worth 80% and the lab is 20%.  The class overall grade is calculated as:  
{(quizzes)*0.20 + (ex1)*0.15 + (ex2)*0.2 + (ex3)*0.2 + (final exam)*0.25} x 0.80  

Grade ranges:   A (90-100), B (89-80), C (79-70), D (69-60), and F (59 or less)
Exams can be seen at the Instructor's office 10 working days after the exam has been graded. The intention is that the student can receive valuable advice, and the instructor will make sure that student understand the concepts behind the missing questions. Graded questionnaires and quizzes will not be returned to the student.

EXAMINATION PROCEDURES

Given the large number of students, it is critical that examination procedures be clearly understood and followed.  If the exam administration procedures seem restrictive or confining in any way, please understand that our procedural goals are (1) to minimize confusion and distractions during the exam, and (2) to give you the maximum amount of time possible for completing the examination.

If you choose to wear a cap during exams, please turn it backwards.
No audio/electronic/digital equipment whatsoever will be allowed in class during examinations. You will not be allowed to take an exam if you arrive after a student has already finished the exam and left the room. The instructor will not answer to any questions asked while students take exams to avoid distractions.

==>Ten points will be deducted from the exam grade to those students who arrive late to the exam once all questionnaires have been distributed.

SCHOLASTIC HONESTY

Cases of apparent scholastic dishonesty will be pursued to the fullest extent allowed by University regulations.

MISSED EXAMINATIONS

Absences from an exam or any lecture will be excused for these reasons ONLY:
1) Participation in an authorized University activity;
2) Confinement due to illness (a medical certification is required); an evidence of a prescribed medicine may be requested by your instructor.
3) Death in your immediate family; or
4) Participation in legal proceedings that requires your presence.
5) Car accidents (official proof required)
No excuses regarding traffic or car problems during exam days will be accepted. If you report sickness you MUST bring a medical excuse.  Same applies for laboratory sections A and B.
Anyone who does not have a valid reason for missing an exam will receive a zero for that exam. If you have a valid excuse, please make sure to contact your Instructor personally or by phone, fax or by e-mail 24 hours before or 24 hours after missing your exam.  Failure to do this will translate into a minimum grade (0). This policy will be strictly enforced (no exceptions).

MAKE-UP EXAMS

If you miss an exam AND have an excused absence, contact your instructor for mutual arrangements. Make-Up exams are different to those taken by the students during the official date and can be administered in a different format (oral or written) (see section on Grade Determination). Students taking make-up exams have more time to prepare for the exam than those who took it during the official time. Bonus points (if given by the instructor) are granted only to students who take the exams during the official dates. Students taking make-up exams will not be entitled for bonuses.

POST EXAMINATION PROCEDURES

Scantron forms are not allowed to be seen in class. Grades are not allowed to be posted on walls or doors. Students have 10 days after the administration of an exam to discuss it in private in the office of the instructor. The instructor will not discuss exams past the 10-day time period. Instructor will post grades only on the BlackBoard web access site. Please note that due to the Family Privacy Act (1974), the Instructor will NOT give or discuss any grades over the telephone or via e-mail. Students are requested to use the kiosk machines on campus or via the internet through a code number, to get their final course letter grade.

SPECIAL SITUATIONS

Should you need any special assistance to attend this course do not hesitate to contact the instructor as soon as possible.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Disability Services Office for a confidential discussion of their individual needs for academic accommodations. It is the policy of the University of Texas Pan American to provide flexible and individualized accommodation to students with documented disabilities that may affect their ability to fully participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. To receive accommodation services, students must be registered with the Disability Services Office (DS), University Center Room 108, telephone 665-7005 or at disabilityservices@utrgv.edu

The following table presents information about the scheduling of classes, quizzes and exams.  Nonetheless, chapters may take longer to cover depending on time invested on questions and discussions in class.  The schedule is then TENTATIVE as it may change throughout the semester.  The instructor will try to keep exam dates fixed as presented.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OF CLASS ACTIVITIES*
Spring 2017

* Guest Physicians/Medical Researchers lecture dates will be arranged and scheduled upon their availability either for class, activity period or lab sessions.
If you know any medical doctor interested to present a talk to the class either formal or informal, please make sure to let me know so I can contact the person. The talk should include any topic related to microbes and human health, and/or immunology.

 

Luis A. Materon, Ph.D.
lmateron@utpa.edu