Bio. Sci. 44 | Course Detail

Bio. Sci. 44 - Introduction to Microbiology: Course Detail

(3 units / lect. & lab. combined)

Full-Time Faculty Lead: Harriet Wilson

Catalog Description: A survey course for non-biology majors emphasizing important bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoans, and viruses. Meets lab science requirement. Recommended for general education students and especially for home economics, agriculture, and forestry majors. Nursing and allied health majors should take Bio. Sci. 4 Microbiology.

Additional Info.: Bio. Sci. 44 Introduction to Microbiology is a course for those who want to learn about the microscopic organisms around them. It meets the life science, general education, laboratory science requirement for Sierra since it includes the basic concepts of biology, only using a wide variety of common microorganisms instead as examples. It is extremely valuable for students entering the food service industry, agriculture, home economics, or other majors that do not specifically require the majors class in microbiology (Bio. Sci. 4). Relationships of microorganisms to personal health and everyday politics are included. It is not recognized or recommended as an adequate substitute for Bio. 4 for premed or pre-registered nursing majors. Although not required, it would be very useful for students considering a nursing assistant, vocational nursing or any other career in which an introductory awareness and understanding of microorganisms and sterile techniques to prevent infection would be useful. Because no vertebrate animal dissections are required and the information provided relates very directly to everyone's everyday activities and because it includes many of the basic biology concepts, it is an excellent choice for fulfilling Sierra's general education lab course requirement. Often enrollments are not as crowded as in some of our other offerings, providing an excellent opportunity for instructor assistance.

Typical class outline might include:

History, Biochemistry, Cells, Classification, Evolution, Fungi, Algae, Protozoa, Multicellular Parasites, Microbial Growth & Metabolism, Food Microbiology, Industrial Microbiology, Environmental Microbiology, Genetics, Viruses, Control of microbial growth, Immunity & Defenses, Principles of Disease, Epidemiology, Specific Diseases and Antimicrobial Drugs, Political, social and economic effects of microorganisms upon human populations.

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(For official course listings, please consult the Sierra College online course catalog.)