Instructor:  Brent C. Christner
Office:  282b Life Sciences Building
Phone:  (225) 578-1734
Email:  xner@lsu.edu
Office hours:  W 11:00–12:00 or by appointment
Course website:  http://www.brent.xner.net/BIOL4800/index.htm

Recommended prerequisites:
BIOL 2051 – General Microbiology
BIOL 2153 – Principles of Genetics

Course objective:
The goal of this course is to provide a framework for understanding the relationship between and biogeochemical role of microorganisms in natural communities.  Course topics are structured to demonstrate the linkages between microbial ecology, diversity, and evolution. The specific objectives of this course are to expose students to the following topics:
·   Role of microbial life in the evolution and ecology of the biosphere.
·   Application of classical ecological concepts to microbial populations and communities.
·   Underlying principles that drive microbial population structure in the environment.
·   Community function and dynamics at both the molecular and the organismal level.
·   Abiotic and biotic interactions within microbial communities.
·   Ecophysiology and thermodynamic constraints on microbial community structure.
·   Molecular and genomic tools for understanding the physiology and ecology of microbial communities.
·   Microbial metabolism and biogeochemical cycling.

Text:
Strongly Recommend: Madigan, M.T. and J.M. Martinko. 2005. Brock: Biology of Microorganisms (11th or current eds.), Prentice Hall.
Price: Amazon (new - $123; used - $95 and up).
Tepidly Recommend: Atlas, R.M., and R. Bartha. 1997. Microbial Ecology: Fundamentals and Applications, Benjamin Cummings.
Price: Amazon (new - $130; used - $5).

Scientific literature:
Readings from the text will be supplemented with scientific research papers and reviews that will be posted on the course website (http://www.brent.xner.net/BIOL4800/index.htm).  For many students, these papers will be their first exposure to scientific literature.  Reading a scientific paper is not like reading a text book.  One goal of this course is to develop your ability to digest the content of and critically evaluate scientific literature.  On two occasions during the semester (4 September and 2 October), the class period will be dedicated to open discussions of current scientific literature covering “hot topics” in microbial ecology.  Student participation in these discussion sessions will be graded.

Grading:
Exams: There will be 2 exams.  If a student misses the mid-term exam for any reason, there will be a makeup exam (comprehensive and in essay format) during the scheduled final period for this course (15 December, 15:00-17:00).  The final will be a take home written exam and is due (in hard copy and electronic format; email to xner@lsu.edu, filename e.g., BChristner_BIO4800FinalEx.doc) by the end of the scheduled final period.  When you turn in your research paper (see below), you will receive a hard copy of the take home final exam, and in addition, an electronic version of the exam will be emailed to you by 17:00 on 7 December.  If a student fails to turn in the final exam by the due date (15 December, must be received by 17:00), an incomplete will be assigned and the student will be required to take a comprehensive essay exam in the following semester to receive full credit for the course.
 
Research paper:  A research paper is required for this course.  Papers are to be written in the style of a published minireview (e.g., Appl. Environ. Microbiol.).  Paper length should be 10 double-spaced, 12-pt Times New Roman pages not counting illustrations and citations (15 pages for graduate students; see below).  You are encouraged to explore topics in microbial ecology not covered in the lecture or assigned readings.  Each student must prepare an outline and meet with the instructor prior to final approval of a research paper topic. The deadline for submitting a research paper topic and outline is 11 September.  Submit a hard copy of your paper to the main desk in 202 LSB (Department of Biological Sciences main office) by 16:30 on 7 December. Be sure to sign your name and document the time of submittal on the provided form (Note: you will also pick up your take home final exam at this time).  DO NOT place your paper in my mailbox or under the door of my office.  In addition to the hard copy, you must also submit an electronic version of your paper.  Email this file to xner@lsu.edu with the file named using your first initial and last name in the file name (e.g. BChristner_BIO4800ResPaper.doc). The penalty for late turn in of a research paper is deduction of 10 percentage points per day.  See the research paper handout for specific directions on content and requirements. Examples of excellent research papers from past students are below.  The authors have granted permission to display these documents for academic use.
Example 1
Example 2

Literature summaries:  A 250-word literature summary is required at the beginning of class on 4 September and 2 October.  In your own words, summarize one of the assigned scientific readings for these dates (see “Course Calendar”) and turn in a hard copy of this document at the beginning of class.  Late assignments will not be accepted.

Oral presentation: Students will present their paper topics during one of the final class sessions (4 October).  Each presentation should be 12 minutes in length, allowing 3 minutes for questions.  The deliverables are the oral presentation and a hard copy of your slides for the instructor and class.  PowerPoint presentations are fine but not required.  Students are responsible for all material covered in these talks.

Class participation:  Student participation in class discussions is encouraged and expected.  Everyone starts with full credit and regular participation is required to maintain this point value.  Attendance may affect your participation grade.

Additional requirements for graduate credit: Graduate student exams will be different (e.g., contain more essay questions) and will be graded on different standards from those designed for undergraduate students.  Graduate students are also required to submit a more substantial 15 page research paper.  As with exams, graduate student research papers and oral presentations will be evaluated separately from the rest of the class.  Grades for graduate students will be straight scale, meaning there will be NO curve or rounding of the final grade.  To obtain a passing grade (i.e., C or higher), graduate students must accrue at least 70% of the possible points in the course.

Other course information:
Email and internet access are required for the course.  Students should check the course site and read their email regularly.
Lecture slides:  The instructor will supply a hard copy of the lecture slides for each class.  An electronic copy (pdf version) of these notes will be made available on the course website (http://www.brent.xner.net/BIOL4800/index.htm).
Attendance will be documented but is not directly factored into the final grade.
Study hint:  The LSU Center for Academic Success (CAS; http://appl003.lsu.edu/slas/cas.nsf/index) exists to help students do well in their classes.  At their web site, consider taking their “Test Your Learning Style” to see how you learn best.

Code of Student Conduct:
Students are expected to adhere to the Code of Student Conduct, which can be accessed at: http://appl003.lsu.edu/slas/dos.nsf/$Content/Code+of+Conduct?OpenDocument.  University regulations on academic misconduct will be strictly enforced and violators will be referred immediately to the Dean of Students.

Students with disabilities:
If a student has a disability which may require accommodation, you should immediately contact the office of Services for Students with Disabilities to officially document the needed accommodation.  The instructor must be presented with this documentation during the first week of class.

To make our time together as valuable as possible:
·   Attend all scheduled classes and arrive on time.
·   Come prepared to discuss the material.
·   Please turn off cell phones and refrain from sending text messages, checking email, or any other behavior that might be disruptive to other students.
·   If you have trouble concentrating on the lecture because of a distraction, quietly ask those responsible for the distraction to stop. If the distraction continues, please let me know.
·   Please contact me immediately if you have any problem which is preventing you from performing satisfactorily in this class. 

course calendar
(Subject to change) 

^† Unless specified, readings from Brock and Madigan 11^th ed. (BM) or Atlas and Bartha 4^th ed. (AB).