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Bacteriology at UW-Madison
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Instructor: Dr. Kenneth Todar
Department of Bacteriology
email: kgtodar@wisc.edu
Office: Room 55 Biochem
Office Hours: MTWR 9:30-Noon or by appointment
course web site: www.bact.wisc.edu/Bact330/Bact330Homepage
Contents of the Course
This course examines a variety of symbiotic associations between bacteria and animals. Emphasis is placed on parasitic interactions between pathogenic bacteria and humans. The lectures and readings deal with mechanisms of bacterial pathogenesis and the general nature of host responses to bacterial pathogens. Hence, some understanding of basic bacteriology and animal biology is appropriate for this course. The materials presented in Bact 330 bring together many areas of biological science which often stand as separate disciplines, including bacteriology, microbial ecology, immunology, animal physiology, pathology, genetics and molecular biology. Probably no individual in the course, including the instructor, has thorough knowledge in all these areas of biology, and all participants are encouraged to bring discussion to the areas of their strength and build in the areas of their weakness.
The course is divided into three parts or sections. The first part is a general treatment of the normal bacterial flora of humans, bacterial pathogens and how they produce disease, and the biological mechanisms by which an animal host prevents, restricts, tolerates, and promotes certain associations with bacteria. The second part of the course covers some of the paradigms of host-bacterial interactions and important pathogens and diseases of humans including staphylococci, streptococci, enterics, pseudomonas, diphtheria, cholera, whooping cough, meningitis, gonorrhea, tetanus and botulism, tuberculosis, and Lyme disease. The third part, which involves student presentations, is focused primarily on emerging bacterial pathogens, such as E. coli O157:H7, Chlamydia pneumoniae and drug-resistant pathogens, whooping cough, and bacterial agents of bioterrorism such as Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis and the Rickettsiae.
Objectives of the Course
The objectives of this course are to better understand the structural, functional and genetic attributes of bacteria that relate to their ability to live in intimate associations with animals, which includes their potential to produce infectious disease. From the standpoint of practicality, knowledge of this material can be related to understanding the cause, pathogenesis, spread, treatment, and prevention of microbial diseases of animals. However, this is also a bacteriology course with an eye on bacterial ecology. A primary objective of this course is to understand the natural history and ecology of the major bacterial pathogens of humans.
Prerequisites
A previous course in bacteriology or microbiology, preferably including a laboratory, is required. A course in animal biology or zoology is useful.
Syllabus
The course syllabus gives the dates of lectures and examinations. A schedule which correlates classroom lectures with corresponding readings is provided at schedule of lectures and correlated readings.
Reference Materials and Internet Resources
All references are provided on the world wide web. It is not necessary to purchase a textbook for this course.
The primary reference for the lectures is the Online Textbook of
Bacteriology. Since the text is written by the instructor, much
of the material presented in lecture is supported by readings in the
text. A correlation between lectures and readings is available at schedule of
lectures and correlated readings.
A more general reference for the course is S. Baron's textbook Medical Microbiology,
online ed.. Both the Baron text and the instructor's Online Textbook of
Bacteriology contain a searchable index relevant to virtually
all topics covered in the course. The Baron text also gives references
to scientific journals rather than the web.
Other free electronic resources for Bact 330 include The University of
South
Carolina School of Medicine website Microiology and
Immunology
On-Line, and the start point for CDC coverage of infectious
diseases
located at CDC:
National Center for Infectious Diseases Index.
Additional electronic resources may be provided through the Bact 330 Announcements page.
Research Papers and Presentations
As part of this course you are required to write or present an original research paper. One-third of the course grade comes from your research paper. Separate guidelines for preparation of the research paper are available at Guidelines. You should begin early in the semester to explore possible topics within the scope of the course for your research.
Examinations, Grading Procedures and Standards
Two Examinations will be given during the semester (see syllabus ). The second examination is cumulative, meaning that it covers material from the beginning of the course. Each counts one third of the total grade. The research paper grade counts the remaining one third of the final grade. There is no final examination in the course.
Usual Standard for Translating Numerical Grades into Letter Grades
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = <60%