Microbiology Lab

Course Content from eScience Labs
Course Number: BIO250L Download Course Syllabus

This lab-only course is designed as a standalone addition to StraighterLine’s Microbiology course. Students will complete at-home laboratory experiments, track and record results, answer lab-based questions reflected in graded lab reports, and complete lab-based assessments to meet the lab requirement. The labs are provided by eScience Labs, a leading provider of at-home lab kits and online lab instructional materials and resources.

Information about the required lab kit is available in the "Course Text" tab below.

This Course Includes:

  • 48 hours grading turn-around
  • Live technical and student support
  • Free transcription to your destination school
  • 150+ partner college and universities with direct articulation

  • Self Paced
  • Science
  • Content by eScience Labs
Online Course
Microbiology Lab   +$69.00
Tutoring (included)
Credits 1

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Course Objectives

After completing this course, you will be able to:

  • describe the various types of microorganisms
  • quantify the number of microorganisms in a given sample
  • use proper technique to culture bacteria
  • explain the techniques used to control microbial growth
  • discuss how microbes are used in food production
  • describe how different types of media can be used to select for specific microorganisms
  • explain the various nutrient sources used by microbes
  • discuss the ecological factors involved in microbial growth

Lab

Title

Objectives

1

Introduction to Science
  • Identify and describe the steps of the scientific method
  • Differentiate among independent variables, dependent variables, and controls in a scientific experiment
  • Design an experiment with experimental and control groups.
  • Perform calculations to convert units and determine percent error
  • Describe the components of a lab report
  • Describe how to work safely in a microbiology lab
  • Describe how and when to use safety equipment in a microbiology lab
  • Safely perform a common microbiology lab experiment
  • Describe some types of microscopes most commonly used in microbiology labs
  • Identify the different parts of a compound microscope
  • Discuss how to properly use a compound microscope
  • Introduce different methods of microscope slide preparation

2

Culturing and Aseptic Technique
  • Identify the necessary nutrients for microbial growth media
  • Define proper procedure for preparing culture plates
  • Describe the different tools and proper technique for inoculating culture plates
  • Explain the phases of microbial growth in culture
  • Describe the difference in requirements for growth in a variety of microorganisms
  • Discuss methods to control the growth of microorganisms

3

Structure and Microscopy
  • Explain the difference between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure
  • Describe the various cell shapes of prokaryotes
  • Discuss different staining techniques commonly used in microbiology

4

Selective Media and Agar
  • Discuss the minimal nutrient requirements for culturing microorganisms
  • Describe the different types of growth media
  • Introduce practical uses for differential and selective media

5

Eukaryotic Microbes, Parasitology, and Viruses
  • Introduce common eukaryotic microorganisms
  • Discuss the properties and types of microscopic fungi and protozoa
  • Explain the study of parasitic helminths in microbiology
  • Discuss acellular microbes such as viruses

6

Food Microbiology
  • Discuss the use of microorganisms in making food through fermentation
  • Describe the potential dangers of contamination of food by harmful microbes
  • Discuss the measures that are taken to prevent contamination of food by pathogens

7

Microbial Genetics and Genetic Engineering
  • Describe the basic structure of DNA
  • Differentiate between transcription and translation
  • Discuss the different types of mutations that can occur
  • Introduce the Ames test
  • Describe recombinant DNA and its uses in the laboratory and industrial settings

8

Identifying an Unknown Organism
  • Use a dichotomous key
  • Perform tests and make observations to identify an unknown organism.

StraighterLine suggests, but does not require, that students complete an equivalent to Introduction to Biology (BIO101) and Introduction to Biology Lab (BIO101L prior to enrolling in this course. Concurrent enrollment in StraighterLine’s Microbiology course (BIO250) is strongly encouraged.

Custom Lab Kit from eScienceLabs.com (please register here, and then use the “Have a code?” button) which is $265; please enter this code [KIT6250] to ensure that you purchase the correct Lab.

StraighterLine provides a percentage score and letter grade for each course. A passing percentage is 70% or higher.

If you have chosen a Partner College to award credit for this course, your final grade will be based upon that college's grading scale. Only passing scores will be considered by Partner Colleges for an award of credit.

There are a total of 1000 points in the course:

Topic Assessment Points

Introduction

Upload: Lab Kit Photos

4

1

Lab Exam 1

12

1

Lab 1 Worksheet: Introduction to Science

105

2

Lab Exam 2

12

2

Lab 2 Worksheet: Culturing & Aseptic

140

3

Lab Exam 3

12

3

Lab 3 Worksheet: Structure & Microscopy

100

4

Lab Exam 4

12

4

Lab 4 Worksheet: Selective Media & Agar

150

5

Lab Exam 5

12

5

Lab 5 Worksheet: Eukaryotic Microbes

140

6

Lab Exam 6

12

6

Lab 6 Worksheet: Food Microbiology

120

7

Lab Exam 7

12

7

Lab 7 Worksheet: Microbial Genetics

75

8

Lab Exam 8

12

8

Lab 8 Worksheet: Unknown Organism

70

Total

 

1000

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