Welcome

Introduction [pdf] [html]

Background (pdf)

Local notes and map [html]

Water quality issues [html]

Projects [html]

Methods Manual

• Rules
• Media & culture methods
• Aseptic technique
• Staining & interpretation
• Strategies for obtaining pure isolates
• Assays & characterization
• Microscopy
• Cultural characteristics

Evaluation forms (pdf)

Performance (peer)
Performance (self)
Poster/presentation

Introductory lab manual (Bios 211)

Laboratory in Microbiology

***Changes for Fall 2008 will be posted by 20-Oct***

Welcome to our laboratory course in microbiology (Bios 318). The context of the course will be that of an internship with a hypothetical combined water and health department.  The department serves an economically depressed community (Eggstain, Arkansa, also hypothetical) that has owed its livelihood to the fisheries industry.  New opportunities for growth may help diversify the economy, but the near certain increase in local population will put pressure on an already antiquated system for providing safe drinking quality water and for handling waste. You will conduct approved methods for water quality analysis, and identify water quality and related environmental problems, some of which may pre-exist. You will be asked to analyze your findings in depth, including an assessment of the nature of any problems you encounter, impact on the community, causes, effects, and remedies.

It will help immensely if you look over the relevant documents or web pages before starting the course, in the order in which they are listed in the guide bar to the left. Start with the Introduction for interns, which will serve as our course syllabus. Pay particular attention to "intern responsibilities." The document "Local notes and map describes Eggstain and its surroundings. The information in "Water quality issues" is not only necessary for understanding the projects we will attempt, but should be consulted when attempting to interpret the findings and when making recommendations. Finally, we have several Projects planned for the latter half of the fall quarter, with which you should become acquainted.

A separate Methods Manual describes specific rules for the microbiology laboratory (beyond the usual safety rules) and descriptions of methodology that you will find useful and at times, essential. You will be working in teams, sharing a grade with other team members on some assignments. Be prepared to fill out peer evaluations of your teammates' performance, to evaluate your own performance, and to evaluate other teams' poster presentations as well. You may wish to download and examine the evaluation forms so that you know what will be asked of you.

Here is a breakdown of the grading scheme.

Team presentation - 30%
Individually written paper - 30%
Team notebook - 20%
Individual peer reviews - 20%

As with all biosciences course, the Rice University honor code applies. For team written papers the rules apply to the team rather than to individuals.