This course will review the sampling and analysis of microbiological contaminants in water, air, and on surfaces. Topics covered will include legal considerations, sampling and experimental design, routes of exposure, sources of exposure, standard methods, QA/QC, and data management. This course will be of use for public health professionals, microbiologists, civil and environmental engineers, and environmental scientists.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

At the conclusion of this class, students should be able to:

1.  Identify various microbial contaminants in environmental and occupational settings,

2.  Describe the methods for sample collection and processing of microbial contaminants in different environmental and occupational exposure situations,

3.  Categorize the methods for detection of microbial contaminants for different environmental and occupational exposure situations,

4.  Formulate an appropriate experimental design for assessing environmental and occupational exposures to microbial contaminants,

5.  Explain the advantages and disadvantages of using indicator organisms in environmental and occupational exposure assessment,

6.  Identify the various indicator organisms in different environmental and occupational exposure situations,

7.  List and explain basic chemical and bio-safety laboratory precautions,

8.  Describe quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) procedures in conducting environmental microbiology research,

9.  Analyze, report, and manage scientific data related to environmental and occupational health sciences,

10.  Recognize the importance of the legal and regulatory framework related to environmental and occupational exposures to microbial contaminants.

Course Sections and format: Following the preliminary exam (at the end of the second week of class), the students within the course will be divided by the instructors into two sections - one large (18-20 students) and one small (8-10 students) - based on student interest, goals, and background.

• The large section will continue to meet at the regularly scheduled times and locations, and will follow a structured laboratory learning format.

Required additional supplies:

• bound laboratory notebook (continuing in one used in a past class is fine)

• lab coat (can be purchased at the University bookstore)

• The small section will be further divided into two project groups, and will meet in the Environmental and Occupational Health Microbiology Laboratory (EOHML) in 4225 Roosevelt Way NE at times to be scheduled with Dr. Gwy-Am Shin and Dr. Scott Meschke. With the instructor's guidance, the smaller groups will follow an inquiry-based learning format by designing and implementing their own laboratory exercises focused around the course objectives.

Large section:

Preliminary Exam (10%):  A preliminary exam covering lectures and readings from the first two weeks will be held during the 1^st hour of class on April 11.  The format will be multiple choice, short answer and true/false.  Exam will be open book and open notes.

Final Exam (10%):  The final exam will be held during the final course period, 1:30-3:20 on June 6. The exam will cover all material after the Preliminary Exam, including readings, in-class discussions, and laboratory procedures.  Exam will be open notes. 

Written Lab Assignments (60%):  Students will complete 6 assignments using data and background information from the laboratory exercises. Laboratory assignments are due the Wednesday following completion of each laboratory exercises, unless otherwise announced by the instructor.  Assignments are completed individually (i.e. not with your lab partner).  Late assignments are not accepted without advance approval of the instructor.  Teaching assistants do not have the authority to grant extensions, so please don't ask them.

The first question in each assignment will generally be presentation of the data collected by student lab groups, and will be weighted more heavily than other problems. Students must obtain instructor permission (in advance) to present data if they did not participate fully in the data collection (in the case of missed classes, see ‘make-up work' below).  The raw scores on this problem will be scaled by the instructor based on peer-evaluation and instructor observations during the laboratory period.

Class Contribution (20%):  Students are expected to participate in group discussions,  question/answer sessions, and on the course discussion board.  Interactive and cooperative learning will be used and therefore your absence impacts the learning of the entire class.  Your presence is required for the success of this class.  If you are not present and awake, you are not participating (see ‘make-up work' below).

Make-up work for large section: To receive full credit for a laboratory assignment, students are expected to contribute an equal part to their group's efforts during in-class laboratory data collection. Students will not have the opportunity to earn credit for work missed for unexcused absences, including excessive tardiness.  Make-up work for excused absences from laboratory and discussion sections will be negotiated with the student's laboratory group and the instructor, and might include volunteering to come in during unscheduled times to check laboratory cultures, or reviewing a related journal article.  

Examples of excused absences, provided you inform the instructor and your laboratory group IN WRITING (e-mail is okay) in advance of the absence:  UW sponsored events in which you are a required participant (e.g. YOUR varsity or club team participating in a sports event, but NOT you watching a game), job interview, or conference attendance.  For illness, please contact your laboratory group and the instructor as soon as possible.

Small section:

Preliminary Exam (10%):  Students will be examined for their mastery of the material presented in the introductory lectures during weeks 1 and 2.  The exam will consist of approximately 20 questions and the format will be multiple choice, short answer and true/false.  Exam will be open book and open notes.

Project Proposal (10%):  Students will be asked to submit a project proposal for their group project.  Project proposals should be organized as follows: problem statement, research question/hypothesis, background/introduction, sampling plan, and methods (laboratory and data analysis).  Proposals should be 5-10 pages.  The project proposal will be due the 4^th week of class.

Project Contribution (20%):  Students will be expected to participate in group research projects.  Each student will be expected to share equitably in the group laboratory and writing activities.  Your presence is required for the success of this class.  Project participation will be scored based on peer review and assessment by the instructor.

Project Report (30%):  Student groups will complete a single written project report for their research project.  Written project reports should be 15-20 pages in length and should be formatted according to the author's instructions for Applied and Environmental Microbiology. Reports will be due the last day of class.

Project Presentations (30%):  Student groups will be expected to present the results of their research in an oral presentation to the class.  Presentations should be ~30 minutes long with 10 additional minutes for questions. Oral presentations will be presented during the last week of class.

1. No food or drink allowed in the lab spaces, even during discussion/lecture sessions (shelves provided in the hallway).

2. No open-toe shoes and no shorts or short skirts (scrub pants are available for purchase).  Change shoes in the hallway before entering the lab space.

3. Come to class, let me know ahead of time if you can not make it. 

4. Arrive on time

5. Turn in assignments on time

6. Come to class prepared (keep up with reading)

7. Be courteous (No newspapers, audible cell phones, PDAs, beepers)

8. Refrain from unnecessary talking

9. ASK QUESTIONS

10. Let me know how I am doing (if I am moving too fast, not being clear, or otherwise not getting the message across, I need to know.)

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To request academic accommodations due to disability, please contact Disabled Student Services, 448 Schmitz, (206) 543-8924 (V/TTY). If you have a letter from Disabled Student Services indicating that you have a disability that requires academic accommodations, please present the letter to me so we can discuss the accommodations you might need in this class.