Dr. Ronald E. Hurlbert,
1999. E-mail address: hurlbert@wsu.edu
Phone: 509-335-5108
"The most salient feature of life has been the stability of its bacterial mode from the beginning of the fossil record until today and, with little doubt, into all future time so long as the earth endures. This is truly the 'AGE OF BACTERIA'--as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be". S.J. Gould; Scientific American Oct. 1994, pg. 85.
A FAQ by students is "Why do I have to take a science lab course when I'm not a science major & I have no real interest in science?"
ANSWER: The answer lies in the historical philosophy of higher education in the US. Early in our history educators, scholars, theologians and politicians came to the conclusion that our educational system should have a duel purpose. It should produce the highly skilled technicians and specialists required to operate the technology of a nation, while simultaneously educating them in a broad range of diverse subjects so that they would be suited to understand the disparate complexities of society and to deal with the inevitable changing circumstances. It was concluded that to achieve this goal it was equally important to teach students a specific set of "FACTS" relating to a profession, while, at-the-same-time, exposing them to a diverse spectrum of information outside of their area of expertise. To prepare students for solving problems it was further concluded that it is important to train them to "THINK AND REASON OBJECTIVELY". The fusion of these requirements led to the development of the "LIBERAL ARTS EDUCATION". The general plan of a liberal arts education is to provide an environment where a student can both (A) learn a profession, if so desired, and (B) obtain a broad base of general knowledge and the intellectual tools to creatively use it.
As you are aware, even if you are not a science major or interested in science, science plays a crucial and increasingly defining role in the world. Except for those few people living deep in isolated jungles or on remote islands, science affects our everyday lives. Because of the extensive influence of science and technology on human life, a failure to have a basic understanding of science and the scientific method is the equivalent of failing to learn to read. One may be able to survive while being illiterate, but the ability to control one's life or to have any significant influence on what happens in the world becomes very small; so it is if you lack a basic understanding of science. In this technological world of computers and genetic engineering, we are called upon everyday to make choices that are both easier and more likely correct, if we have the requisite scientific knowledge. For example, choices like which foods to eat require an understanding of basic nutritional science and biology, such as the role of vitamins, minerals, proteins and fat in our diet and our general health. An individual who doesn't understand what a protein, vitamin or fat is or what nutritional role they play, is hardly in the position of making a knowledgeable decision even if they are a world famous opera singer or a Senator. Quite simply, lack of basic scientific knowledge puts control over our lives into other people's hands and few of us desire that.
Another FAQ is "Why do I have to take a science lab?"
ANSWER: Since science has such a large impact on our lives it is important that an educated citizen learns HOW SCIENCE IS DONE. As a working person you will be asked to pay taxes to support scientific research which you hope will improve the quality of your life. Very few of us like to pay out our hard-earned money if we don't understand what it is being used for. Further, we are incessantly bombarded by a flood of purported "scientific facts", from skin cremes that claim to retard aging and improve our sex lives, to "scientific" additives that make our cars run like new, to EASY solutions for returning the salmon runs to the Snake and Columbia rivers. How can you even begin to judge the accuracy and validity of these numerous "scientific" claims, unless you at least know how science goes about discovering scientific "FACTS". To learn about how science is done without a laboratory experience is like learning to ski without putting on skies and then claiming to understand skiing: it simply CAN'T BE DONE.
These laboratory exercises have been designed to acquaint you with the basic techniques of the SCIENCE OF MICROBIOLOGY and, in the process, THE SCIENTIFIC METHOD. These laboratory exercises will assist you in understanding the complex biological principles you are exposed to in the lectures. You will develop an understanding of how scientific experimentation is done and how scientific data is obtained and interpreted. Your observational skills will be heightened and you will learn to see and appreciate an invisible world that is around, on and in you all the time. You will learn the basic principles of sanitation and disease prevention, knowledge of inestimable value. You will come to an appreciation of the importance of the microbial world in your daily lives. The skills and knowledge you take from this "hands-on" experience will remain with you all your lives and will surely give you more control over your life. Good Luck and Enjoy!
10 quizzes @ 10 points/quiz = 100 points
Lab Practical Exam = 35 points
Unknown Identification Report = 25 points
Lab Participation/Enthusiasm = 20 points
Approximately 10 quizzes, 1 practical exam, and a report on the identification of a bacterial unknown (25 points), will be given during the course of the semester. The HIGHEST TWO SCORES on each exam in your lab TA's section(s) will be averaged and that score will count as 100%. The percentage of that score will be the number of points you've earned (e.g., 80% = 80 points). You must score at least 50% to pass the class.
If you miss a lab (unexcused absence such as over sleeping, being kidnapped by aliens) the TA can, at their discretion, allow you to make up the lab in another section the same week. Therefore, it is important that you see your TA as soon as possible after missing a lab.
FAQ: What if I have a tough TA who gives hard exams and there's a genius or two in their sections that always get 100%?
ANSWER: The TA's meet to discuss the material to be covered and how to ask & grade the questions. If you have "geniuses" in your sections, that's life. If you have a complaint about the lab first go to your TA, then to the head TA and finally to Dr. Hurlbert.
Because of safety considerations no "horsing around" in the lab can be tolerated. Any such behavior will result in the student being dropped from the course.
Although all the microbes used in this class are considered to be nonpathogenic, the student must recognize that almost all bacteria are potential pathogens and should be TREATED AS SUCH. The instructor will indicate to you the safe microbial practices that students are expected to follow and to become "second nature". The instructor will remind students on occasion of these practices when they see problems.
Most of the chemicals used in this course are considered safe, if used properly. A few are considered hazardous and you will be told about these and how to safely handle them. Some of the "safe" chemical are inflammable or harmful if splashed in the eye or swallowed. If you should get a chemical in your eye or mouth it is important to flush that substance out of the location immediately. In the case of the mouth, spit the substance out ON THE FLOOR or DESK TOP and then quickly rinse out your mouth with large quantities of water. Similarly, if chemicals enter the eye they are to be QUICKLY FLUSHED OUT with the eye wash, regardless of how much water is spilled on the floor or your clothes.
Because of the danger of HIV, all cuts are to handled with EXTREME CAUTION. Except in the case of potential lethal bleeding, contact with blood should be avoided. Blood spills should be wiped up by the appropriate safety personnel using gloves and disinfectant. Blood soaked items are to be disposed of separately as specified by the safety regulations. When possible the injured individual should wash the blood off their own hands. If this is impossible the instructor will wear gloves when bandaging or otherwise dealing with the injured person.
Broken glassware is to be cleaned up by the instructor and NOT the student. The instructor is responsible for seeing that such material is disposed of. All broken glassware must be disposed of in separate and specified containers.
T.A.:
Copyright Dr. Ronald E. Hurlbert,
1999.
E-mail address: hurlbert@wsu.edu
Phone: 509-335-5108
