Name of Department: Science

Course Subject Area, Number, Title, and Section Number: BIOL 2420, Microbiology Lecture, section 80

Instructor Name: Ni Song

Building/Office Number: New Academic Building Room 105.23

Office Hours: See class/office schedule on Blackboard Course Page

Virtual Hours: See class/office schedule on Blackboard Course Page

Office Telephone: 409 882 3914

Email Address: nsong@lsco.edu

Catalog: An understanding of microorganisms with emphasis on those microbes of medical, agricultural, and industrial significance.

General (ACGM): This course covers basic microbiology and immunology and is primarily directed at pre-nursing, pre-allied health, and non-science majors. It provides an introduction to historical concepts of the nature of microorganisms, microbial diversity, the importance of microorganisms and acellular agents in the biosphere, and their roles in human and animal diseases. Major topics include bacterial structure as well as growth, physiology, genetics, and biochemistry of microorganisms. Emphasis is on medical microbiology, infectious diseases, and public health.

Prerequisites: BIOL 2301/2302 or BIOL 1306/1307.

Co-Requisites: Simultaneous enrollment in BIOL 2420 laboratory is required. You can take either an online lab or a face-to-face lab. 

·      Required courseware: Microbiology Virtual Labs - Connect Access, by McGraw Hill. Access to this courseware will be built into your Blackboard course pages. You don’t need to log onto the McGraw Hill Connect website to access it. For your lecture, when you click on the module homework links inside each module folder on the Blackboard course page, it will take you to the courseware. For your lab, when you click on the virtual lab links posted on your Blackboard course page, it will take you to the courseware.

o  If you opt into Gator Book Pack, you can access this courseware immediately after a simple registration with your information. You don’t need to purchase anything else. 

o  If you opt out of Gator Book Pack, you can utilize the 14 day free trial option to immediately access the homework until you purchase the access code. That said, you must purchase the access code no later than the end of the second week of the semester if you opt out of Gator Book Pack. Here is the ISBN you opt out of Gator Book Pack and need to purchase this courseware: ISBN 9781264053889.

·      Required textbook: Microbiology, 1st edition, by OpenStax. Electronic version can be downloaded for FREE at the following link. https://openstax.org/details/books/microbiology

(Note, you don't need to order a print copy if you are ok with reading the book from a screen, but if you do want a print copy, you can purchase it from the LSCO Print Services (409-882-3359) or directly from OpenStax, at the cost of printing. Please do not use campus computers and printers to print out textbooks.)

• A working webcam & microphone for proctored online exams and quizzes.

·       Access to a reliable desktop or laptop computer. Be aware many Bb functions do not work with a smartphone/iPAD/Chromebook.

·       Reliable internet access. Do not rely on mobile hotspots.

• With browser choice, prefer Google Chrome first and Firefox second, above all others.

Upon registration, LSCO students are automatically charged $25 per semester credit hour for access to all required textbooks, lab manuals, access codes, and e-books through the Gator Book Pack program. Physical materials may be picked up in Beaumont or shipped for an additional fee. Information and FAQs are available on the LSCO Gator Book Pack webpage. Students have until the second class day of the semester to opt out of the program.

Students are expected to have access to all required materials during the first week of class and are responsible for completing all assigned coursework. Students who do not have access to their materials during the first week should notify the instructor immediately for guidance.

Faculty who suspect violation of academic honesty, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, or abuse of resource materials may assign an academic penalty. Students must be notified of their right to appeal before the academic penalty is imposed.

Students subject to penalty due to academic honesty have the right to appeal the decision. Refer to the current LSCO Catalog for details on the appeal process.

LSCO students are required to use their LSCO email account (Office 365 / Microsoft Outlook) for all electronic communication. In order to ensure the privacy and identity of the student communicating via electronic methods, LSCO faculty will direct students to use their LSCO email accounts rather than personal accounts. If a student has trouble accessing their LSCO email account, they should contact the LSCO Help Desk at (409) 882-3033 or helpdesk@lsco.edu.

Federal regulations require students who receive financial aid to have begun “attending” and participate substantially in each course for which they are enrolled on or before the official census reporting date outlined on the LSCO Academic Calendar. Students documented as “not attending” a course upon the census date are assumed (for financial aid purposes) to have not begun attendance for that course This negatively affects their financial aid eligibility and disbursement and requires the student to repay any financial aid funds that have already been disbursed . Attendance in an ONLINE course is verified by substantial participation in the course on or before the census date published in the LSCO Academic Calendar. Substantial participation in this online course is defined as logging in and completing/participating in at least one requirement of the course. Note: Simply logging in to your online course does not constitute attendance.

Hybrid classes are a mix of face-to-face and online environments. Students will be expected to attend class during the scheduled meeting time. (Include the policy on absences and tardiness.) In addition to classroom attendance, your weekly active participation in the online component (Blackboard and/or homework software) will be considered and expected.

Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) courses utilize a blended course design that allows students to choose how they will ATTEND their class sessions. Students can choose to attend sessions in-person or live online without attending class on campus. A watch later option is available to students taking a HyFlex course, however, students may utilize watch later sessions no more than three classes during an 8-week term or five classes during a 16-week term.

·      If you miss a required unit exam, quiz, or discussion, you may not complete it after the deadline. Instead, you may use the corresponding optional Exam 3, Quiz 4, or Discussion 2/3 as a makeup opportunity.

·      Each optional activity may replace one missed or low score in the same category only.

·      If you are satisfied with your score, you do not need to complete the optional activity. However, you may choose to complete it to replace your lowest score in that category.

·      Because Exam 3, Quiz 4, and Discussions 2 and 3 serve as makeup opportunities, no additional makeup will be provided for these activities.

·      No makeup will be provided for the Final Exam.

• Face-to-Face - No food, drink, tobacco, cell phones, etc.

• Online - Since face-to-face meetings in the classroom may be replaced by online meetings through discussion boards, emails, and/or Blackboard Collaborate, students are expected to follow the rules of netiquette in these forums.

o  Don’t share your password with anyone

o  Always logout when you are finished using the system

o  Remember that all college level communications and coursework should have correct spelling and grammar

o  Don't share copyrighted materials. Most things on the Internet are NOT "fair use." Instead of copying a relevant article or web page, provide a link to the material along with a short description of its significance.

o  Many instructors are teaching more than one class; when writing an email, please include your course and section numbers in the subject line.

• Hybrid - When face-to-face meetings in the classroom are replaced by online meetings through discussion boards, emails, and/or Blackboard Collaborate, students are expected to follow the rules of netiquette in these forums.

• Hyflex - Whether attending in person or online (synchronously or asynchronously)—students are expected to engage respectfully and responsibly. Arrive prepared, minimize distractions, and participate actively using appropriate tools (e.g., microphones, chat, discussion boards). When joining remotely, keep your camera on when possible, mute your microphone when not speaking, and use the chat feature constructively. In the classroom, be mindful of peers who are joining online by speaking clearly and allowing space for all voices. All communication should remain professional.

• All exams and quizzes will be proctored by Respondus Lockdown browser and Respondus Monitoring. You will need a webcam, microphone, computer and reliable Internet access for taking online exams and quizzes at home. You will also need to download the lockdown browser (instructions posted on Blackboard Course page) before taking your first quiz.
• You may also request to take the online exam at LSCO testing center if you prefer to. Please notify your instructor at least a week before the scheduled exam date.
• No giving or receiving any unauthorized assistance during the online exams. Take the online exam in a quiet place alone.
• No recording or sharing online exam questions in any form.
• All exams are open as early as 12:01 am of the first listed date and due by 11:59 pm of the last listed dates. You may take it anytime during that period. Please plan to take the exam earlier in the day. This way, in case of a technical issue, we will still have time to troubleshoot and find solutions for you in the afternoon when the campus Helpdesk and testing center are still open.  
• If you have scheduling conflicts with any exam, please contact the instructor ASAP, arrangements can be made for you to take the exam before the originally scheduled date but not after that.

·       Technical difficulties are not automatic grounds for reopening an exam. If you experience a technical problem during an exam, immediately (within 1-2 minutes) contact the Blackboard 24/7 Help Desk at 936-496-5378 and document the issue by taking a picture of your entire screen. Prompt reporting is critical because the Help Desk's ability to troubleshoot and verify technical problems may be limited if there is a significant delay.

·       Save your Help Desk ticket number. If the issue remains unresolved after working with the Help Desk, email your instructor as soon as possible with: (1) a description of the problem, (2) a picture of your entire screen, (3) your Help Desk ticket number, (4) the Help Desk's diagnosis, and (5) your course and section numbers. Without a picture of your screen and a Help Desk ticket number, the exam cannot be reopened.

Students should use AI technology responsibly and ethically. This includes refraining from using AI to engage in harmful or unethical activities, such as generating false information, spreading misinformation, or engaging in malicious behaviors. The use of AI should align with the principles of academic integrity, honesty, and respect for others. Students are responsible for adhering to LSCO's Academic Honesty policy found in the Catalog. LSCO's full AI policy can be found at AI Policy | Lamar State College Orange (lsco.edu)

For every hour in class (or unit of credit), students should expect to spend at least two to three hours per week studying and completing assignments. For a 3-credit-hour class, students should prepare to allocate approximately six to nine hours per week outside of class in a 16-week session OR approximately twelve to eighteen hours in an 8-week session. All Online/Hybrid students should expect to spend at least as much time in this course as you would in the traditional, face-to-face class.

The lab component of the course is a co-requisite. You must be simultaneously enrolled in both the lecture component and the lab component. Both components will receive the same letter grade, from which the lecture counts 75% and the lab counts 25% toward the common grade. Both lecture and lab must be passed to receive a passing grade in either component. 

Lecture grade will be derived from the following.

Exams (63% of overall course grade)

• There are three required exams: Exam 1, Exam 2, and the Final Exam (21% each).
• Exam 3 is optional and may be used to replace a missed or low exam grade according to the course policies.

Quizzes (6% of overall course grade)

• There are three required quizzes: Quiz 1, Quiz 2, and Quiz 3 (2% each).
• Quiz 4 is optional and may be used to replace a missed or low quiz grade according to the course policies.

Discussions (6% of overall course grade)

There are four discussion activities during the semester.

• Practice Discussion: Required but not graded. It counts as your online attendance for the first week of the semester.
• Discussion 1: Required and worth 6% of your overall course grade.
• Discussions 2 and 3: Optional makeup opportunities. If you complete Discussion 1 and earn a satisfactory grade, you do not need to complete Discussions 2 and 3. However, if you miss Discussion 1 or receive a low score, you may complete Discussion 2 or Discussion 3 to replace that grade.

Homework (0% of overall course grade)

Online homework assignments will be available weekly through McGraw Hill Connect. Although homework is not graded, it provides valuable opportunities for practice and self-assessment. Historically, students who regularly complete the homework perform better on exams than those who do not.

Course total average for both lecture and lab components = (Lecture component grade) * 75% + (Lab component grade) * 25%

=(exam 1)*21% + (exam 2)*21%+ (final exam)*21% + (Quiz 1)*2% + (Quiz 2)*2% + (Quiz 3)*2% + (Discussion 1)*3% + (Discussion 2)*3% + (lab component grade) *25%

A = 90 - 100%

B = 80 - 89

C = 70 - 79

D = 60 - 69

F = below 60

The instructor will respond to emails within 24 hours, excluding weekends and holidays. On weekends and holidays, the instructor will respond to emails from students within 24 hours of the first business day following the weekend or holiday.

Students will be expected to log into the course daily and most importantly participate and complete the weekly course activities. Your online attendance is not used for grade in this course but will be recorded, and shared with the college's offices as mentioned above. If you are unable to complete a weekly assignment or log into the course that week due to a legitimate reason (staying in hospital, court duty, etc.), please email me documentation so I can record your absence as excused. Otherwise, the absences will be recorded as unexcused. If you ever have technical issues with Blackboard, please email Helpdesk and your instructor immediately to report the details of the issue and follow their recommendations to resolve the issues promptly. Your helpdesk ticket number and history can be used as an excuse if needed. If you have trouble with computer or Internet at home, please consider using the computers in LSCO library or learning center. They are free for LSCO students to use. If you can't travel to the campus, try local libraries.

Weekly participation and engagement in the courses are critical for student success. Assignments should be completed by the due date. Students should also refer to the instructor’s attendance policy for additional information. (See LSCO Catalog, Class Attendance.)

If the student has an issue with his/her grade, the instructor must be contacted no later than three (3) days after receiving the grade.

This syllabus contains information, policies, and procedures for a specific course. By enrolling, the student agrees to read, understand, and abide by the rules, policies, regulations, and ethical standards of Lamar State College Orange as those contained in the current LSCO Catalog and schedule of classes.

The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus if deemed necessary. All changes will be provided to the students orally or in writing before the implementation of the change.

TimelyCare is a virtual health and well-being platform that is available 24/7 for all non-dual credit enrolled LSCO students. There is no cost to eligible students for this service. TimelyCare providers offer emotional support, mental health counseling, health coaching, psychiatry, and basic needs support. Non-Dual Credit students enrolled in classes can log in to the TimelyCare website or app available at timelycare.com/LSCO.

Any student who faces challenges securing their food, housing, transportation, or childcare for minor dependents and believes this may affect their performance in the course is encouraged to contact the student care office (studentcare@lsco.edu)for guidance on how to access possible resources. Please notify the instructor of your circumstance if you are comfortable doing so.

Lamar State College Orange (LSCO) is an equal opportunity educational institution and does not discriminate against any person regardless of race, sex, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status, in admissions, educational programs, student activities or employment. For further information about this policy, contact the Director of Student Care and Accessibility at studentcare@lsco.edu.

LSCO prohibits discrimination, including sexual harassment and retaliation, against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, disability, or any other basis prohibited by law. Any student who believes that he or she has experienced prohibited conduct or believes that another student has experienced prohibited conduct should immediately report the alleged acts to the Title IX Coordinator, Rebecca Gentry rebecca.gentry@lsco.edu.

LSCO students will access Blackboard through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: NetID@my.lsco.edu/Password. For help in identifying your NetID/Password, visit https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/userinfo1.asp.

Students needing help learning how to navigate Blackboard are encouraged to reach out to LearningTechnology@lsco.edu. Blackboard student resource videos and help-sites are available at https://www.lsco.edu/distanceed/blackboard-student.asp.

Lamar State College Orange provides career advising services to all students and alumni through Career Coach, an online career planning tool. Career Coach assists students through all phases of developing, initiating, and implementing career plans.

Information regarding employment opportunities and career options are provided along with access to live local job postings. Full-time and part-time employment opportunities, as well as internships, are available through Career Coach. Access https://www.lsco.edu/advising/career-planning.asp for more details on how to use LSCO’s Career Coach to plan for and learn more about your future career.

Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled students support for daycare and/or transportation costs on a first come first serve basis as funding allows.

Access https://www.lsco.edu/advising/gator-assistance.asp for details on assistance services.

Students needing course content or study skills support are encouraged to make an appointment or walk in to receive tutoring and academic support services. Our series of student success seminars, named Lifesavers, are available Face-to-face, online, and self-paced throughout the semester. Reach out to OASIS@lsco.edu for more information on how students can receive academic support. Visit https://www.lsco.edu/student-life/library/lifesavers.php for more information about Lifesavers.

Students are encouraged to visit library.lsco.edu to find the library’s current operating hours, access the catalog to locate print materials, and access GatorSearch to explore the vast electronic collection. The library provides over 77 electronic database collections that include eBooks, newspapers, magazines, academic journals, and streaming video. The physical library contains a specialized collection of research materials specifically chosen to support the degrees and courses offered. Additionally, Students with research questions or questions about library services are encouraged visit the library in person, call 409-882-3352, access the chat on the library webpage, or to email their question to lscolibrary@lsco.edu.

Under the Texas State System, Lamar State College Orange complies with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, pertaining to the provision of reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids for students with disability. We strive to provide reasonable academic adjustments/auxiliary aids to students who request and require them.

Students who believe they have a disability requiring an academic adjustment/auxiliary aid are encouraged to contact the Director of Student Care & Accessibility at studentcare@lsco.edu. Students are encouraged to apply before the start of the semester when at all possible. The Accommodation Request Form and details regarding the appropriate documentation needed can be found here: https://www.lsco.edu/advising/disability.asp. Once approved, the signed accommodation form provided by the Director of Student Care & Accessibility must be submitted to the instructor at least two business days in advance of need.

Lamar State College Orange provides currently enrolled students with access to online tutoring through a partnership with Upswing, an online tutoring platform. Tutors are available 24/7 online in almost every subject.

Access https://www.lsco.edu/tutoring/online-tutoring.asp for details on how to log-in to the FREE services.

In the event of an emergency campus closure in excess of three class days, Lamar State College Orange’s classes will continue via the use of Blackboard. In such an instance, the college website, www.lsco.edu, will have information concerning the event and anticipated re-opening plans.

Please be considerate of other classmates’ feelings, ethnic background, cultural differences, situations, and level of maturity. Students will be asked to leave the course if disruptive or inappropriate behavior is exhibited in any of the course requirements. If your instructor feels that you have not contributed appropriately to course requirements, your final course grade may be reduced accordingly.

The instructor reserves the right to manage a positive learning environment and will not tolerate inappropriate conduct in the course. Rude correspondence (discourteous or impolite, especially in a deliberate way) in e-mails, telephone calls, in person, or comments made to other class members, the instructor, or the office staff.

Students should develop a backup plan should their computer system or their Internet provider fail. Computer or internet connectivity issues are not valid excuses for missing a deadline. The College provides many opportunities for using computer equipment, as do many public libraries. Refer to the LSCO website for operational hours of the Library and OASIS.

Students should check in advance with the institution to which they plan to transfer credit to confirm transferability.

LSCO awards some certificates and degrees in which a criminal history MAY disqualify candidates from becoming licensed, certified, and/or employed upon degree/certificate completion. Students with a criminal background enrolling in courses leading to a degree/certificate in Criminal Justice, Barber, Cosmetology, Emergency Medical Technology, HVAC, Electrician, Plumbing, Massage Therapy, Medical Assisting, Vocational Nursing (VN), Registered Nursing (RN), Pharmacy Technician, Real Estate, or Teacher Preparation program are STRONGLY ENCOURAGED to discuss the certification and/or licensing regulations of the program with the program director listed in order to learn more about the current guidelines related to criminal history as well as the right of individuals to request a criminal history evaluation letter.

Never attending or ceasing to attend classes DOES NOT constitute a drop or withdrawal. You remain registered until you request a drop from the instructor. Failure to act in a timely manner will result in an "F" grade for the course. It is the student's responsibility to follow up with the LSCO advising office to ensure that all drops/withdrawals are processed as desired.

The grade of "I" may be given when any requirement of the course, including the final examination, is not completed. Students seeking an incomplete should have completed 75% of the course requirements and be passing the course at the time of the request. Arrangements to complete deficiencies in a course should be made in advance of the end of the semester with the instructor. The instructor will process the Incomplete form online, and a confirmation will be sent to the student’s LSCO email.

Incomplete work must be finished during the next long semester. If not, the Office of Admission and Records must change the "I" grade to the grade of "F." The course must then be repeated if credit is desired. An "I" grade also automatically becomes an "F" if the student registers for the course prior to removing the deficiencies and receiving a grade change. The instructor may record the grade of "F" for a student who is absent from the final examination and is not passing the course.

Grade determination and awarding of grades in a course are the responsibility of the instructor and should be calculated according to college policy, procedures, and written details provided in the course syllabus. NOTE: Final grades are available to students within 48 hours of the instructor posting the grade in Banner. Students may view final grades by logging into MyGator and then accessing Gator Self-Service.

An academic appeal process is afforded to students who desire to dispute a grade or any decision that affects the student’s ability to complete and earn a grade for the course provided it is not related to a violation outlined in the LSCO Student Code of Conduct. If an informal conference with the faculty member regarding an academic complaint fails to reach the outcome requested by the student, the student may initiate the formal process. Even after initiating the formal complaint process, students are encouraged to seek informal resolution of their concerns. A student whose concerns are resolved may withdraw a formal complaint at any time.

Refer to the current catalog or for details on the formal grade appeal process.

Lamar State College Orange has identified seven educational goals to specify the knowledge and skills that students should gain from completing academic and technical programs with the College. These goals are:

• Critical thinking (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to demonstrate creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information.

• Communication (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to effectively develop, interpret and express ideas through written, oral and visual communication.

• Empirical and quantitative skills (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to manipulate and analyze numerical data or observable facts and create informed conclusions.

• Teamwork (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to consider different points of view and to work effectively with others to support a shared purpose or goal.

• Social responsibility (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to recognize and acquire a sense of intercultural competence, knowledge of civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in regional, national and global communities.

• Personal responsibility (General Education, Technical) – Students will be able to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making.

• Professional competency (Technical) – Students will be able to recognize or demonstrate skills that depict professional values and employability. If the career has licensure or certification requirements, students may prepare for the licensure and certification in a capstone course and sit for the licensure or certificate at the end of the program.

Current students will access many LSCO applications through the MyGator portal. Login credentials will use the following format: NetID@my.lsco.edu/Password.

Students can set a password here: https://www2.lsco.edu/sspr/

IMPORTANT: It is a violation of College policy, state laws, and federal laws for anyone to gain or help others gain unauthorized access to MyGator or any LSCO application or service. All accounts shall be for use by a single individual – the person for whom the account was approved or assigned. This includes Blackboard accounts as well as any application within MyGator. Sharing or loaning accounts is strictly prohibited, can be construed as a form of cheating, and violates College policy, state laws, and federal laws.

LSCO adheres to the policies and procedures established in the Texas Education Code, Texas State University System Rules and Regulations, LSCO Faculty Handbook, and LSCO Catalog.

No food or tobacco products are allowed in the classroom. Only students enrolled in the course are allowed in the classroom, except by special instructor permission. It is inappropriate for minor children to be on campus due to the potential liability to the College, the risk of harm to the children, and decreased employee productivity due to distractions and disruptions.

LSCO believes that all matters involving a staff member (non-instructor) OR an instructor are best resolved directly with the employee. Should it not be resolved at that level, access and complete the Student Complaint Intake form within five (5) business days from the date of the offense. The Student Complaint Intake Form can be found in any of these locations: 

• LSCO Website (Current Students) 
• LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints) 
• MyGator Card 
• Blackboard (Student Resources, Student Services, Student Resources) 

After a student completes the Student Complaint Intake Form, they will be contacted by an LSCO employee unrelated to the offense and provided guidance on how to proceed with the Complaint process. 

Refer to the LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints) for details on the complaint process. 

Student-Staff and Student-Instructor Complaint Process involving Safety, Harassment, or Title IX: 

Students who have experienced a safety, harassment, or title IX event should access and complete the Title IX/Clery: Anonymous Reporting Form found in any of these locations: 

• LSCO Website (Sexual Misconduct & Title IX)
• LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints)
• MyGator Card 
• Blackboard (Student Resources, Student Services, Student Resources)

After a student completes the intake form, they will be contacted by an LSCO employee and provided guidance on how to proceed. 

Refer to the LSCO Catalog (Student Services, Complaints) for details on the complaint process. 

The privacy of all students, including Distance Education students, is protected through strict adherence to the rules of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act. LSCO’s statement regarding the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act can be found in LSCO’s Catalog. Additional information regarding privacy for Distance Education students can be found in the Distance Education Handbook, appendix D.