Course Syllabus
Instructor: Beth Gaither MBA, MT(ASCP)SM
Email: bgaither@wfubmc.edu
Course Description:
The didactic course, 322-D, is a prerequisite for the clinical course, 322-C. Clinical Microbiology includes the study of bacteriology, parasitology, mycology, and virology. Students study methods and perform techniques used in isolating and identifying microorganisms that are pathogenic to man. Other topics studied include susceptibility testing, hospital epidemiology, and quality control.
Microbiology General Objectives:
Upon the conclusion of the didactic and clinical portions of the Clinical Microbiology course, the student will correctly:
- Name and discuss diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms.
- Discuss general methods used in the identification of microorganisms.
- Compare and contrast microbiological media used in the isolation and identification of bacteria and fungus, parasites and viruses.
- Discuss, perform and interpret biochemical tests used in the identification of bacteria and fungus.
- Identify bacteria based on microscopic and macroscopic morphology, media growth and biochemical testing.
- Discuss modes of action and mechanisms of resistance of antimicrobial agents.
- Compare and contrast methods used to determine bacterial susceptibility or resistance to antibiotics.
- Compare and contrast fungus based on microscopic and macroscopic morphology and associated disease states.
- Identify molds based on microscopic morphology.
- Discuss the life cycles and associated disease states of parasites studied.
- Identify parasites based on microscopic morphology
- Discuss methods used in the recovery and identification of viruses.
- Discuss molecular methods used in the identification of microorganisms.
- Correlate and apply Microbiology theory with clinical laboratory policies and procedures.
- Perform, record and evaluate quality control in the Microbiology lab.
Achievement of the objectives will be demonstrated by obtaining an average final grade of 75% or better on lecture examinations, laboratory practicals, unknown organism identifications and student evaluations. The grading scale is as follows:
A = 94 - 100%
B = 86 - 93%
C = 75 - 85%
Required Textbook:
Forbes, B.A., Sahm, D.F., and Weissfeld, A.S. BAILEY & SCOTT'S DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY. St. Louis: Mosby, 12th Edition, 2007.