Microbiology

Microbiology is a one semester elective laboratory course for high ability students who have completed general biology and chemistry with a ‘B’ or better and are in grades 11-12.  This is a challenging high school course covering college level topics using college textbooks.  It is designed to meet the needs of students who may be thinking about careers in the bio-medical-health fields or for students unsure of their future career choices who enjoy the challenges of the biological sciences.  

Unit of Study

Bacteriology -- Reviewing the organic compounds that make up living systems; the origin of life hypotheses and a thorough understanding of what makes a system living; cells and evolution; prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells; cell energy processes such as fermentation and respiration; the study of bacteria and how it affects every part of our lives; morphology of bacteria; growth cycles; spores; cysts; aerobic and anaerobic bacteria; Seventeen labs dealing with morphology, gram stain, negative staining, starch hydrolysis, hydrogen sulfide production, gelatin liquefaction, carbohydrate utilization, killing effects of ultra violet radiation; consumer bacteria, foods and dairy; bacteria and disease; disinfection and sterilization; culturing bacteria; identification of water contamination by coliform indicators. Extensive use of the research microscope will be employed and a general understanding of microscopy will be applied to the students’ laboratory skills.  The final exam for the semester is a two week lab session in which students, in their teams of two will separate, purify and identify two unknown bacteria.