	Biology 203 - Microbiology
My Home \| Course Home \| Assignments \| Bug-of-the-Day \| MicroNews \| MicroWorld

Course Help

I. What you should already know...

This course assumes that, as a college student, you have mastered basic arithmetic, reading, and writing (spelling & grammar) skills at least at the level of Eng 101 and Mat 101. It also presumes a BASIC understanding of chemistry: atoms, bonds, molecules, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, pH. A BASIC understanding of biology is also helpful: The cell is the basic unit of living organisms.

Course prerequisites: Bio 101 or a course in biochemistry (e.g. Chem 271 or 371)!

II. Where you can get help...

If, at any time, you need additional help in some of these areas, try these resources:

The Learning Center (Ground floor of Feinberg Library) for tutoring, writing room, extended-time testing
Student Support Services (Ground floor of Angell College Center)
Review of the chemistry of life: see also Chapter 2 of your text book
On-line tutorial on cell structure to go with Chapter 4 of your text book
Cool internet sites for help on many Microbiology topics

III. Participation!!!

I expect every student to attend class and to complete every assignment on time. Students with the highest grades in this course usually:

Participate in class discussions & ask questions
Participate in the on-line discussion forum
Attend review sessions regularly
Complete the weekly on-line bonus question
Hand in all assignments on time
Follow all instructions for assignments and labs

IV. How are your study skills?

If you have been in college for a year or more, you probably already know that the learning and studying skills that got you through high school aren't always enough to make it in college. As a matter of fact, the greatest part of students' anxiety about a new course is not knowing HOW to study for a particular course. While I cannot give you any easy, pat answers, I can give you some hints and advice regarding helpful learning strategies. Another beneficial tool I have found (Thanks to Lori Walters-Kramer, Department of Communications) is the learning styles questionnaire, which can be found at Dr. Felder's web page at https://www.webtools.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/. To go directly to the questionnaire, click here. Do plan, however, to spend ~ 2 hours of study time outside of class for every hour you spend in class.

Study & Learning hints

1. Read ahead - scan the chapter
2. Come to lecture
3. Take notes intelligently
4. Ask questions during lecture
5. Rewrite your notes
6. Look up definitions of unfamiliar terms - Glossary at end of textbook
7. Write down questions you have
8. Go over end-of-chapter review questions
9. Stop by after class or during office hours/week-in-review
10. Write summaries of main points; draw summary diagrams
11. Read (and follow) directions carefully - especially instructions for assignments
12. Make use of the Learning Center (First Floor - Feinberg Library)

Tutors are usually available for many courses
The Writing Center can help you with composition (papers, reports)
Extended Time Testing may be available to you

Test-taking hints

1. Read test questions carefully
2. Skip over tough questions, then return to them later
3. Eliminate false answers; take a guess at the remaining ones
4. Your first guess is usually your best guess
5. Jot down notes on your test booklet, draw pictures, etc.
6. Relax. It's only a test. (Really!)

I welcome your feedback and additional suggestions. Please email me.

This page was last updated on 02/23/2022.

SUNY Plattsburgh | Department of Biological Sciences | Medical Technology | Cytotechnology | My Research Interests