Objective

Textbooks

Examinations

Grading Policy

Laboratory

Registration

Course Syllabus

Instructors

Lab Schedule

Lecture Schedule

Exam Questions
Last updated January 22, 1997

For more information, E-mail Catharine B. Saelinger, Course Director

Objective

Medical Microbiology is a 14 week course which provides an introduction to Immunology, Bacteriology, Basic Virology and bacterial, fungal and viral infections. The course consists of lectures and laboratory. While the course is presented primarily from the "view point" of the microorganism, where ever possible case histories are included. The laboratory focuses on correlating laboratory results with case presentations. The course is designed for students having their first exposure to medical microbiology. Upon completion of the course, students should have a good understanding of the continuing struggles between host and microbe, and how this interaction results in disease. To appreciate this battle, you will consider the structural, physiologic and genetic attributes of the microbe, and the immunological responses of the host. By the end of the course, it is expected that the student will be able to read a case history and determine a differential diagnosis of the disease presented.


The Microbiology course is closely integrated with Pathology and with ICPII, and it is hoped that these courses will be approached as a unit.

This course is designed primarily for Year II medical students; however graduate students are welcome.
Course numbers: 26-936-271 Microbiology (Medical School) or 26-972-801(Graduate School).

For more information, Contact Catharine B. Saelinger, Course Director,

Textbooks

The course is divided into several parts: Immunology; Basic Bacteriology,Pathogenic Bacteria/Fungi, and Virology.

The text for the Immunology section is:

    Immunobiology: The Immune System in Health and Disease
    Charles Janeway and Paul Travers, Garland Publishing, Inc. Second Edition, 1996.
    This is a brand new text, has excellent figures, and is relatively easy to read.


There is no single required text for the remainder of the course. Instead the following texts are recommended, and you are expected to buy one of them.

    Sherris Medical Microbiology: An Introduction to Infectious Diseases.
    Kenneth J. Ryan, Editor, Appleton & Lange, Third Edition, 1994.

    Medical Microbiology,
    P. Murray, G. Kobayashi, M. Pfaller and K. Rosenthal, Second Edition 1994

    Essentials of Medical Microbiology,
    W. Volk,B. Gebhardt, M. Hammarskjold and R. Kadner, Lippincott-Raven, Fifth Edition, 1996



In addition, the following books are On Reserve in the library.
  • Abbas, A., A. Lichtman, and J. Pober. Cellular and Molecular Immunology(1994)
    Well written, but detailed.
  • Baron, S. Medical Microbiology (1996)
    Straight forward, with many diagrams and tables
  • Benjamini, E. and S. Leskowitz. Immunology - A Short Course (2nd edition)(1991)
    Easy reading but parts are outdated. A new edition will be available soon.
  • Gilligan, P., D. Shapiro, M. Smiley, editors Cases in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Disease (1992)
    Collection of 66 case histories followed by questions and discussion. Good way to
    integrate basic and clinical material.
  • Holton, J., N. Brink, P. Chiodini, and R. Bendall. Problems in Medical Microbiology(1995)
    Case histories, photographs, study questions.
  • Jawetz et al. Medical Microbiology (1995)
    Eds. G. Brooks, J. Butel, and L. Ornson. Current, compact but lacks in-depth coverage.
  • Joklik, W. K. Microbiology (Zinsser, 20th Edition; 1992)
    Excellent,in-depth text. Good reference text.
  • Mims C., M. Zuckennan, and G. Urwin. Case Studies in Medical Microbiology(1994)
    Contains over 50 clinical case studies which will start you thinking in terms of differential diagnosis. Organized by body systems.
  • Roitt, I. J. Brostoff, and D. Male. Immunology 3rd Edition (1993) . Difficult reading in places. Great deal of detail. Good pictures.
  • Roitt, I., J. Brostoff, D. Male, and A. Gray. Case Studies in Immunology(1994) Contains 40 cases which reinforce the clinical relevance of core immunologic concepts. Designed to accompany above text.


    • Examinations

    Final grades are based on examinations which cover lecture, laboratory exercises and related textbook readings. Examinations are comprised of both Multiple Choice Questions, and some short answer questions. Questions relating to case histories will be included as a part of each exam. More information will be presented well in advance of the first exam. Tests are administered under standards prescribed by the Honor Council and used by the NBME. Test scores will be posted as soon as possible, usually within five days of the examination. Preliminary answers will be posted the day of the exam. Examinations which cover specific portions of the course will be weighted as follows:

    Exam Coverage Date Percent of
    Final Grade
    1 Immunology;
    Bacterial Structure
    and Function     		October 7
    Kresge Auditorium
    9:00 - 11:00     		25
    2 Laboratory November 5
    Kresge Auditorium
    8:30 - 9:30     		10
    3 Medical
    Bacteriology and
    Mycology     		November 12
    Kresge Auditorium
    9:00 - 11:00     		25
    4 Cumulative &
    Medical Virology         		December 19 (Tenative)
    Kresge Auditororium
    9:00 - 11:00     		40

    It is a departmental policy to not give examinations early.

    Grading

    The average of the four weighted examinations will be used to determine the final course grade. A final grade of 70% is required to pass the course. To determine Honors and High Pass students will be ranked. H will be awarded to all students receiving 92.0% and above. HP will be given to approximately the next 20% of the students. An F will be given for grades below 65.0%. The "extra point" awarded for attendance at Journal Club and at Faculty Panels cannot be used to pass the course; it can be used to obtain an HP or H.

    Unexcused absences from examinations will result in an F grade for the test. Excused absences from tests must be made up no later than January 6, 1997.

    An R (remediate) will be given to students whose final grade is between 65.0% and 69.9% (before addition of the "extra point"), if they have passed three of the four exams with scores of 70.0% or higher. Students who have failed more than one exam (score below 70%), and receive a final grade below 70.0% will receive an F for the course.

    Students who fail the course have two options: repeating the departmental course the next year, or passing an approved summer course in medical microbiology at another medical school.

    Remediation: Remediation of an R will be by self-study with the assistance of the Medical Microbiology faculty. In order to not interfere with other courses, remediation will occur after Spring Quarter exams. The remediation exam is tentatively scheduled for June 26 or July 28, 1997.


    Laboratory



    Registration

    Registration for the laboratory will take place September 3rd through September 6th
    between 12:30 - 1:30 and 3:30 - 5:00. Registration will take place in Room 2000 Medical Sciences Building.

    All students must register for the laboratory and purchase the Medical Microbiology Laboratory Manual ($5.00). Please remit this fee in the form of cash or a check made payable to the University of Cincinnati.

    At the time of registration, you will be assigned an I.D. number, which will be used for the entire course. The I.D. number is found in the lab manual. This number will be used instead of your name for all examinations in the course. Please REMEMBER IT.

    Course Syllabus

    Outlines for each lecture will be placed in each student's box. It is anticipated that outlines will be handed out in blocks. Extra copies will not be available at the lecture.

    Instructors

    There are several instructors involved in this course.
    Dr. Choi will present an introduction to immunology, immunoglobulins, complement and lymphocytes. Dr. Monaco will discuss the major histocompatiblitiy complex and antigen processing, Dr. Sidman will discuss tolerance, and Dr. Michael will discuss hypersensitivity and immunodeficiencies. Dr. Bonventre will then present an integration of immunology with basic microbiology. Drs. Weiss and Anderson will cover the basic structure, function and genetics of bacteria, and Dr. Hassett will discuss antibiotics. Dr. Thompson will discuss concepts in basic virology. Drs. Bonventre, Bubel, Hassett, Rhodes and Saelinger will cover different bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens.

    Winona Shaw-Gunn is the Administrative Coordinator for the course. Her office is in Room 2000 MSB. She can be reached by telephone at 558-3574 or by E-mail at shawwr@uc.edu

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