What Are the SPO Virtual Classrooms?

Science Prof Online offers FREE fully-developed science curricula, including the Virtual Microbiology Classroom 8-week course featured on this page. (Click here for 16-week micro course), the Virtual Cell Biology Classroom and the Virtual Biology Classroom.



Virtual Microbiology Classroom

Materials for an 8-week Micro Course from Science Prof Online

Mannitol Salt Agar
ANAT & PHYSGENERAL BIOCELL BIOMICRO 8wkMICRO 15wkINSTRUCTORS


SCIENCE PHOTOS

Other Great Microbiology Stuff!
  • Pandemic epidemiology board game from Z-Man Games


Page last updated 3/2016




Photographic guides to differential stains 
now available!
1. Gram Stain
2. Acid-fast Stain
3. Endopsore Stain


What might happen if a deadly new infectious disease hit the scene? 

The film "Contagion" provides an excellent opportunity to learn about infectious disease, how it spreads and which organizations would be involved in tracking and controlling a dangerous outbreak.

Completing the "Contagion" Homework Assignment will help you better understand this complex film.

Instructor's Corner
SPO VIRTUAL CLASSROOMS
The Virtual Microbiology Classroom also offers laboratory material, featured below. The laboratory PowerPoints contain many helpful photos of materials viewed in lab. 

New resources are regularly added to the Virtual Microbiology Classroom. For updates, follow us on Twitter @ScienceProfSPO.

Virtual Microbiology Classroom 
LECTURE TOPICS

Each title below is a link to all of the lecture-related course materials on that particular subject. 

The Virtual Microbiology Classroom is organized by lecture into several topics. Each lecture topic typically includes free:
  • PowerPoint lecture
  • study guide 
  • class note articles
  • practice test and review questions
  • homework assignments

Microbiology Lab Videos
SCIENCE VIDEOS
Virtual Microbiology Classroom 
LAB TOPICS

LAB #1: How to Use a Compound Microscope
Basic microscopy and viewing bacterial simple stain.


LAB #2: Gram Staining & Isolation Streak Plate Method
First lab in the series on identifying unknown bacteria. Students learn how to create a bacterial smear and preform the Gram stain, with controls and an unknown. Isolation streak plate technique also introduced.


LAB #3: Differential Staining & Specialized Media
Second lab in a series on identifying unknown bacteria. Students are introduced to the Acid-fast and Endospore stains. Specialized media (MacConkey's & Mannitol Salt) are inoculated with unknown to assist in identification of unknown bacteria using a dichotomous key.

MICROBIOLOGY HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENTS

1. Fresh Air audio interview of Dr. Martin Blaser; Missing Microbes Homework Assignment

2. "Rodney vs Death" Radiolab episode; Homework Assignment

3. "Shrink" Radiolab episode; HW Assignment

4. "Patient Zero" Radiolab episode; HW Assignment

5. "Parasites" Radiolab episode, HW Assignment

6. Bacteria Classification Spreadsheet

7. Differential Media & Stains Study Table 

8. "Contagion" Movie Assignment

​9. "CRISPR" Radiolab episode, HW Assignment

Need Help Pronouncing the Crazy Scientific Names of Microbes?

Visit the 
Bacterial Pathogen Pronunciation Station!

SMARTY PANTS!

Smarty-Pants
SHOUT OUT!

Here is the list of countries and US states that have the top 4 number of SPO visitors! 

<<< 

Congrats you bunch of brainiacs!



Our current
Smarty-Pants Science Reading Pick: 
The Ghost Map
by 
Steven Johnson


Smarty-Pants!
6/2015 - 12/31/15

Top 
Countries:
#1 US
#2 Philippines
#3 UK
#4 India

Top US States: 
#1 CA
#2 NJ
#3 WA
#4 NY

LAB #4: Bacterial Growth Media & Cultures
Third lab in a series on identifying unknown bacteria. Students learn how to create controls showing various bacteria plated on MacConkeys, Mannitol Salt, Blood Agar & Tryptic Soy Agar. Students collect and interpret samples of normal flora from their own bodies.


LAB #5: Microbial Control: How to Kill Bacteria
Experiments in using heat, ultra-violet radiation, antibiotics and chemical disinfectants to kill bacteria.


LAB #6: Immunology - Leukocytes, Antibodies & Blood Typing
​Students learn about the cells involved in immune response, as well as antibody-antigen interaction by playing a virtual blood typing game and viewing leukocytes with the microscope.

Tami Port, MS
Chief Executive Nerd of Science Prof Online & College Biology Instructor
Tami Port, MS Chief Executive Nerd of Science Prof Online & College Biology Instructor