Overview
Biology 325: Introductory Microbiology introduces students to the study of microorganisms and their environments, with a focus on their impact in natural and human ecosystems, and relevance to veterinary, medical, and allied health fields. Students will explore the classification and biochemical functions of bacteria, fungi, algae, protozoa, and viruses, as well as gain practical lab experience in microbiological techniques and analysis. Clinical and industrial applications of microbiology are also discussed, preparing students for advanced studies and careers in health-related fields.
Outline
BIOL 325 is composed of 13 units:
- Unit 1: Introduction to Microbiology
- Unit 2: Microbial Anatomy
- Unit 3: The Prokaryotes – Domains Bacteria and Archaea
- Unit 4: The Eukaryotes of Microbiology
- Unit 5: Viruses, Viroids, and Prions
- Unit 6: Microbial Biochemistry and Metabolism
- Unit 7: Microbial Growth
- Unit 8: Microbial Genetics
- Unit 9: Control of Microbial Growth
- Unit 10: Antimicrobial Drugs
- Unit 11: Microbial Mechanisms of Pathogenicity, Diseases, and Epidemiology
- Unit 12: Immunology
- Unit 13: Microbial Diseases
Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, you should be able to
- understand how key historical experiments and theories have shaped our knowledge of microorganisms.
- demonstrate familiarity and competency with a wide variety of microbiological laboratory techniques, including transfer, culture, isolation and identification, growth rates, and antibiotic sensitivity.
- describe the components and cellular structure of bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
- explain the bacterial genetic processes of replication, transcription, and translation.
- understand the principles of microbial pathogenic mechanisms and strategies to identify and manage infectious disease transmission.
- define immunity and understand the mechanisms of the immune response.
- outline the applications of microorganisms in the food industry, biotechnology, industrial processes, and the development of medical treatments.
Evaluation
To receive credit for BIOL 325, you achieve a course composite grade of at least D (50 percent), including a grade of at least 50 percent on each assignment, examination, and laboratory component. The weighting of the composite grade is as follows:
| Activity | Weight |
| Assignment 1 | 10% |
| Assignment 2 | 10% |
| Midterm Exam | 20% |
| Assignment 3 | 10% |
| Assignment 4 | 10% |
| Final Exam | 20% |
| Laboratory Report | 20% |
| Total | 100% |
The midterm and final examinations for this course must be requested in advance and written under the supervision of an AU-approved exam invigilator. Invigilators include either ProctorU or an approved in-person invigilation centre that can accommodate online exams. Students are responsible for payment of any invigilation fees. Information on exam request deadlines, invigilators, and other exam-related questions, can be found at the Exams and grades section of the Calendar.
To learn more about assignments and examinations, please refer to Athabasca University’s online Calendar.
Materials
Digital course materials
Links to the following course materials will be made available in the course:
Parker, N., Schneegurt, M., Thi Tu, A.-H., Lister, P., & Forster, B. M. (2016). Microbiology. Rice University.
Physical course materials
The following course materials are included in a course package that will be shipped to your home prior to your course’s start date:
Leboffe, M. J., & Pierce, B. E. (2021). A photographic atlas for the microbiology laboratory (5th ed.). Morton Publishing.