Revised 08/2022

MDL 130 - Basic Clinical Microbiology (3 CR.)

Course Description

Studies classification, theories, techniques, and methods used in basic bacteriology, parasitology, and mycology. Emphasizes routine identification. Lecture 2 hours. Laboratory 3 hours. Total 5 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

To provide the theory and skills necessary for the handling and identification of medically important bacteria Basic principles will be related to procedures performed in the isolation and identification of pathogens

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

Students must be enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Technology AAS degree program, Medical Laboratory Assistant CSC program or receive program director approval. For MLT students, Prerequisite: BIO 141 with a grade of C or better. Corequisite: BIO 142.

Course Objectives

  • Upon completing the course, the student will be able to: Apply the scientific method to investigate basic biological problems Describe the levels of organization of multicellular organisms Classify the main categories of microorganisms Contrast eukaryotic and prokaryotic cells Define basic mycology terms and perform routine mycology procedures Describe the identifying characteristics to the life cycles of human parasites. List the important events and their significance associated with microbial metabolism Describe microbial mechanism of pathogenicity Select the appropriate types of media required for culturing routine clinical specimens. Perform gram stains on isolated colonies and describe colonial morphology and microscopic morphology. Perform basic, routine biochemical and immunologic identification procedures Effectively communicate processes, procedures and results in a multicultural environment

Major Topics to Be Included

  1. Gram staining and plate reading
  2. Identification of gram positive cocci, gram negative rods
  3. Examination of clinical gram stains
  4. Routine susceptibility testing of bacteria
  5. Basic fungal techniques and classification of human fungal pathogens
  6. Parasites, including helminth classification