MLAB 2434: Clinical Microbiology

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MLAB 2434: Clinical Microbiology

Dates: January 20 – May 17, 2026
Length of Course: 16 Weeks

Total Number of Hours: 128 (approximate)

Instruction in the theory, practical application, and pathogenesis of clinical microbiology, including collection, setup, identification, susceptibility testing, and reporting procedures. Laboratory exercises will endeavor to provide the student with the most comprehensive experiences possible, but will rely mainly on the commonly measured differential characteristics of select bacterial groups.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course the student should be able to:

Demonstrate proficiency in aseptic handling of bacteriologic specimens.
Demonstrate an understanding of bacterial, viral and rickettsial descriptions and classifications.
Choose the proper media for and correctly process bacteriologic specimens.
Identify unknown organisms using techniques presented in laboratory exercises.

Syllabus

Please print the MLAB 2434 Syllabus and bring it to class.

Textbook

Mahon, Connie R., and Lehman, Donald, Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology, Seventh Edition, Elsevier, ISBN 9780323829977

Assessment Dates

Exam 1 (In Class)	Covers: Lectures: Bacterial Cell Structure (Chap. 1), Host-Pathogen Interaction( Chap. 2), Public Health (Chap. 3), Control of Microorganisms (Chap. 4), Performance Improvement (Chap. 5), Specimen Collection (Chap. 6), Microscopic Exam (Chap. 7), Colony Morphology (Chap. 8), Antibiotics (Chap. 12), Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing (Chap. 13), Bioterror (Chap. 30)Labs: Specimen Acceptability, Antibiotic Sensitivity, Streaking for Isolation, Prep of Smears & Gram Stain, and Clinical Specimen Preparation	EVC: Tuesday, Feb. 24, 20268:30 – 9:45am Room 8306	RRC: Tuesday, Feb. 24, 20263:30- 4:45 pm Room 3121
Exam 2 (In Class)	Covers: Lectures- Staphylococci (Chap. 14), Streptococci (Chap. 15), Skin & Soft Tissue Infections (Chap. 33)Labs- Staphylococcus, Streptococci, previous labs	EVC: Tuesday, March 10, 20268:30 – 9:30 am Room 8306	RRC: Tuesday, March 10, 20263:30- 4:30 pm Room 3121
Exam 3 (In Class)	Covers: Lectures: Neisseria/Moraxella (Chap. 17), Haemophilus (Chap. 18), Respiratory Infections (Chap. 32), CNS Infections (Chap. 35), Bacteremia (Chap. 36), Genital Infections (Chap. 38)Labs- Neisseria, Haemophilus, Blood Culture, previous labs	EVC: Tuesday, April 7, 20268:30 – 9:45 am Room 8306	RRC: Tuesday, April 7, 20263:30- 4:45 pm Room 3121
Quiz (Online)	Covers: Virology	EVC: Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Opens at 7 am Closes at 7 pm Use Respondus Lockdown Browser & Monitor	RRC: Wednesday, February 4, 2026 Opens at 7 am Closes at 7 pm Use Respondus Lockdown Browser & Monitor
Quiz (In Class)	Covers: Chlamydia, Rickettsia, Mycoplasma & Ureaplasma	EVC: Tuesday, March 24, 2026	RRC: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Exam 4 (In Class)	Covers: Lectures-Enterics (Chap. 19), Vibrio etc. (Chap. 20), Non-fermenting GNRs (Chap. 21), GI Infections (Chap. 34), UTIs (Chap. 37)Labs- Enterics, Packaged GNR, Non-fermenters	EVC: Tuesday, April 28, 20268:30 – 9:45 am Room 8306	RRC: Tuesday, April 28, 20263:30- 4:45 pm Room 3121
Exam 5 (In Class)	Covers: Lectures- GPR (Chap. 16), Anaerobes (Chap. 22), Mycobacteria (Chap. 26)Labs- Anaerobes, Mycobacteria	EVC: Wednesday, May 6, 20268:30 – 9:30 am Room 8110	RRC: Wednesday, May 6, 20263:30- 4:30 pm Room 3121

Final Exam – Tuesday May 12, 2026

Covers all course material.

Eastview Class: Rm. 8306

8:30 am- 10:30 pm

Round Rock Class: Rm 3121

3:30 p.m- 5:30 pm

Schedule

Disregard any topics/labs/assignments with strikeouts.

01/12/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Review Course syllabus Syllabus is found under “Syllabus” in Blackboard. Bring the syllabus signature sheet to the first class meeting. Due 1/20/2026
Laboratory	NA
Assignment	Complete Admission ticket: Performance Improvement. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 1/20/2026 @ 8:30 am Complete Admission ticket: Control of Microorganisms. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 1/20/2026 @ 8:30 am

01/20/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Course syllabus- Q & A Syllabus is found under “Syllabus” in Blackboard. Ch. 5, pp. 102-121: Performance Improvement \| Objectives \| Notes Ch. 4, pp. 65-100: Control of Microorganisms \| Objectives \| Notes Discussion of Microbe Projects Project Due 5/6/26
Laboratory	TBA
Assignment	Post in the DB the topic of your Microbe Project- faculty must approve topic. Due 1/29/2026

01/21/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 6, pp. 123-138: Specimen Collection & Handling \| Objectives \| Notes Ch. 7, pp. 139-154: Microscopic Examination \| Objectives \| Notes
Laboratory	Lab: Specimen Acceptability
Assignment	Specimen Acceptability Activity Review & Print “Specimen Site Descriptions & Acceptability. Found under Course Materials button. Use these reference documents to complete the activity. Go to Assignments button in Bb, select Lab Activities. Complete the quiz using the Specimen Site Descriptions & Acceptability packet. Time limit is 30 minutes. Due 1/21/2026 @ 11:59 pm Complete Admission ticket: Cell Structure. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 1/28/2026 @ 8:30 am Pre-Lab: Prep of Smears and Gram Staining. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 1/27/2026 @ 8:30 am

01/27/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	~~Ch. 1, pp. 2-23: Bacterial Cell Structure, Physiology, Metabolism & Genetics \| Objectives \| Notes~~ ~~Review Specimen Acceptability Lab & Activity~~
Laboratory	~~Lab: Preparation of Smears and Gram Staining~~
Assignment	Complete Admission ticket: Cell Structure. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 1/28/2026 @ 8:30 am Complete Admission ticket: Host-Pathogen Interaction. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 1/28/2026 @ 8:30 am Print the Gram Stain Log Sheet to record results. Bring to class EVERYDAY. This will be used during the entire semester.

01/28/26

Textbook/ Lecture Topics	Ch. 1, pp. 2-23: Bacterial Cell Structure, Physiology, Metabolism & Genetics \| Objectives \| Notes Review Specimen Acceptability Lab & Activity Ch. 2, pp. 25-49: Host-Pathogen Interaction \| Objectives \| Notes
Laboratory	~~Lab: Clinical Specimen Preparation, Gram Staining, and Interpretation~~
Assignment	Pre-Lab: Prep of Smears and Gram Staining. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 2/3/2026 @ 8:30 am

02/03/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 29, pp. 708-751: Clinical Virology \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1\| Part 2
Laboratory	Lab: Preparation of Smears and Gram Staining Lab: Clinical Specimen Preparation, Gram Staining, and Interpretation
Assignment

02/04/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Student do NOT come to campus Virology Review Assignment Using course lecture notes, complete the assignment, then upload to Dropbox in the Miscellaneous folder. Due 2/8/26 by 11:59 pm
Laboratory	TBA
Assignment	Pre-Lab: Streaking for Isolation. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 2/10/26 by 8:30 am Watch the video on the streak plate method. (2 minutes) Watch the video on aseptic transfer. (3 minutes)

02/10/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 8, pp. 169-182: Colony Morphology \| Objectives \| Notes
Laboratory	Lab: Streaking for Isolation and Interpreting Primary Culture Result
Assignment	Complete Admission ticket: Public Health. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 2/11/2026 @ 8:30 am

02/11/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 3, pp. 50-64: Public Health & The Microbiology Lab \| Objectives \| Notes Ch. 30, pp. 753-774: Bioterrorism \| Objectives \| Notes
Laboratory	Lab: Streaking for Isolation and Interpreting Primary Culture Result (cont.)
Assignment	Activity- Bioterrorism Solve the Outbreak Navigate to the Dropbox in BlackBoard (Bb) In the Misc. Folder- click on the Bioterrorism activity- instructions are in the Bb activity. Due 2/15/2026 @ 11:59 pm Discussion Board Post: first read the article found in Bb under the discussion board. Then post a response as to whether Typhoid Mary was a villain or victim. Due 2/15/2026 by 11:59 p.m. View the History of Bioterrorism video ( ~ 30 minutes) Complete Admission ticket: Antimicrobials This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 2/17/2026 @ 8:30 am Pre-Lab: Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 2/17/2026 @ 8:30 am

02/17/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 12, pp. 250-269: Antibiotic Mechanisms of Action & Resistance \| Objectives \| Notes Ch. 13, pp. 271-305: Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing \| Objectives \| Notes
Laboratory	Lab: Antibiotic Susceptibility testing
Assignment	TBD

02/18/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Review for Exam #1
Laboratory	Lab: Sensitivity testing (cont.)
Assignment	Review the discussion on Blood agar Plates and Hemolysis Protocols found in Blackboard, under the Student Resources tab, in the MISC. Student Resources Folder. Complete Admission ticket: Staph. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 2/24/2026 @ 8:30 am. Pre-Lab: Staphylococcus. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 2/24/2026 Watch coagulase test video. (5 minutes) Watch catalase test video. ( 2 minutes)

02/24/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 14, pp. 308-323: Staphylococci \| Objectives \| Notes Print the Aerobic Gram Positive Cocci Flowchart.
Laboratory	Lab: Staphylococcus
Assignment

02/25/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Discuss Exam #1 results
Laboratory	Lab: Staphylococcus (cont.)
Assignment	Complete Admission ticket: Streptococci. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 3/3/2026 @ 8:30 am Pre-Lab: Differentiation of Streptococcus. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 3/3/2026 @ 8:30 am Unknown #1 Preparation: Print documents listed under Unknown #1 under tomorrow’s lab.

03/03/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 15, pp. 324-346: Streptococci \| Objectives \| Notes
Laboratory	Lab: Streptococcus Discussion on Unknown Work-Ups Guidelines on How to Approach Unknown Workups Unknown Worksheet Instructions, Examples , and blank template Grading rubric Unknown #1 Instructions, Worksheet, and Rubric
Assignment	Case Study Assignment #1: This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 3/8/2026 at 11: 59 p.m.

03/04/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 33, pp. 832-866: Skin & Soft Tissue Infections \| Objectives \| Notes Review for Exam #2
Laboratory	Strep Lab (cont.) Unknown #1 (cont.)
Assignment	Complete Admission ticket: Neisseria/Moraxella. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 3/10/2026 @ 8:30 am Pre-Lab: Neisseria and Moraxella catarrhalis. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 3/10/2026 @ 8:30 am Unknown #2: Preparation. This can be found in Bb under “Assignments,” “Unknowns.” Please print all documents and bring to class.

03/10/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 17, pp. 371-389: Neisseria & Moraxella \| Objectives \| Notes
Laboratory	Lab: Neisseria Unknown #2
Assignment	Case Study Assignment #2. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 3/15/2026 at 11:59 p.m.

03/11/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Discuss Exam #2 Results Ch. 38, pp. 942-972: Genital Tract Infections \| Objectives \| Notes
Laboratory	Lab: Neisseria (cont.) Unknown #2 (cont.)
Assignment	Virtual Unknown #2: Urogenital. Complete the Urogenital Unknown under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 3/15/2026 by 11:59 p.m. Complete Admission ticket: Chlamydia/ Mycoplasma. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 3/24/2026 @ 8:30 am

03/24/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 24, pp. 543-557: Chlamydia & Rickettsia \| Objectives \| Notes Ch. 25, pp. 558-568: Mycoplasma & Ureaplasma \| Objectives \| Notes
Laboratory
Assignment	TBD

03/25/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 35, pp. 889-903: CNS Infections \| Objectives \| Notes Ch. 32, pp. 791-829: Respiratory Infection \| Objectives \| Notes
Laboratory
Assignment	Pre-Lab: Haemophilus. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 3/31/2026 @ 8:30 am. Virtual Unknown #1: Respiratory. Complete the Respiratory Unknown under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 3/29/2026 by 11:59 p.m.

03/31/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 36, pp. 904-921: Bacteremia \| Objectives \| Notes Clinically Significant Yeast
Laboratory	Lab: Blood culture Lab: Haemophilus
Assignment	Complete Admission ticket: Haemophilus. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 4/1/2026 @ 8:30 am

04/01/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 18, pp. 390-415: Haemophilis & Other Fastidious GNR \| Objectives \| Notes Review for Exam #3
Laboratory	Blood culture Lab (cont.) Lab: Haemophilus (cont.)
Assignment	Complete Admission ticket: Enterobacteracae. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 4/7/2026 @8:30 am Pre-Lab #8: Enterobacteriaceae “Enterics.” This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 4/7/2026 @ 8:30 am

04/07/26

Textbook	Ch. 19, pp. 417-453: Enterobacteriaceae \| Objectives \| Notes
Laboratory	Lab: Identification of Enterics Lab: Packaged Microbial ID System
Assignment	Enteric Biochemical Testing Quiz: This can be found under “Exams/Quiz” in Bb This quiz is open-book. You will have 30 minutes to complete the quiz. Due 4/12/2026 Case Study Assignment #4. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 4/12/2026 at 11:59 p.m. Complete Admission ticket: Vibrio, Aeromonas. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 4/8/2026 @ 8:30 am

04/08/26

Textbook	Discuss Exam #3 results Ch. 20, pp. 455-472: Vibrio, Aeromonas, Campylobacter, and Helicobacter \| Objectives \| Notes
Laboratory	TBD
Assignment	Pre-Lab: Non-Fermenters GNR. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 4/14/2026 @ 8:30 am Case Study Assignment #3. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 4/12/2026 by 11: 59 p.m.

04/14/26

Textbook	Ch. 21, pp. 474-494: NF GNB and Miscellaneous GNR \| Objectives \| Notes
Laboratory	Lab: Non-Fermentative Gram-Negative Bacilli
Assignment	TBD

04/15/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 37, pp. 922-940: Urinary Tract Infections \| Objectives \| Notes
Laboratory	Lab: Non-Fermentative Gram-Negative Bacilli (cont.)
Assignment	TBD

04/21/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 34, pp. 869-888: GI Infections & Food Poisoning \| Objectives\| Notes Review for Exam #4
Laboratory	Unknown: Urine Culture Microscan: Autoscan Procedure
Assignment	Complete Admission ticket: Gram Positive Rod. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 4/22/2026 @ 8:30 am Virtual Unknown #3: Stool. Complete the Stool Unknown under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 4/26/2026 by 11:59 p.m. Check out this video.

04/22/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 16, pp. 496-530: Aerobic Gram-Positive Rods \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1 \| Part 2 \| Part 3 \| Part 4 GPR Flowchart
Laboratory	Unknown: Urine Culture (con’t)
Assignment	Pre-Lab: Anaerobes. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 4/28/2026 @ 8:30 am

04/28/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Ch. 22, pp. 496-531: Anaerobes \| Objectives \| Notes Part 1 \| Part 2
Laboratory	Lab: Anaerobes
Assignment	Complete Clinical Microbiology Student Course Evaluation Your feedback matters! Evaluation period closes on 5/11/2026.

04/29/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Discuss Exam #4 results Ch. 26, pp. 570-595: M. tuberculosis & other mycobacteria \| Objectives \| Notes Review for Exam #5
Laboratory	Lab: Anaerobes (cont.) Lab: Mycobacteria
Assignment	Case Study Assignment #5. This can be found under “Assignments” in Blackboard. Due 5/3/2026 at 11:59 p.m.

05/05/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	TBD
Laboratory
Assignment

05/06/26

Textbook/Lecture Topics	Exam #5 Presentation of Microbe Projects
Laboratory
Assignment

04/29/25

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Textbook/Lecture Topics	~~Benchmark “B”~~ ~~Lab 4: Determination of Methicillin Resistance (cont.)~~ ~~Lab 4: Determination of Methicillin Resistance (CHROMagar)~~ ~~Slide Review Exercise #1: Mixed Sources~~ ~~Unknown #3~~ Unknown #3 Preparation. This can be found in Bb under “Assignments,” “Unknowns.” Please print all documents and bring to class. Unknown #4 Preparation. This can be found in Bb under “Assignments,” “Unknowns.” Please print all documents and bring to class. ~~Unknown #4 (cont.)~~ ~~Lab 11: Anaerobes (virtual)~~ ~~Unknown #4~~ ~~Unknown #3 (cont.)~~ ~~Gram Stain Benchmark: Slide set “A”~~ ~~Lab 9: Packaged GNR ID system~~ Unknown: Tissue Culture
Laboratory
Assignment

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