BIOLOGY 114--THE MICROBIAL WORLD & BIOLOGY 314--MICROBIOLOGY           ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

DISEASE/PATHOGEN ASSIGNMENT

Since this course focuses on the biology of microorganisms--particularly bacteria and viruses--rather than on medical microbiology per se and many of you are interested in medical microbiology, each of you will have the opportunity to do a little library research about a plant or animal disease (and its associated pathogen) which interests you and then present a summary of what you have learned about it to your classmates. You must get my approval of your chosen disease/pathogen before you begin your research. Generally I have no problem approving topics which are chosen, but I want to make sure there is no duplication of topics among the students in any given year.

Topic approval:
On or before January 21st on a first come first served basis.

This assignment:
Worth a maximum of 20 points.

Grading:
Will be based on topic content, your handout, your presentation and the quality of class discussion. Presentations begin February 26th and end April 9th.

ORAL REPORT ON DISEASE/PATHOGEN

Length--10 minutes

Prepare one page summary handout for distribution to classmates. Page should be two sided. Be sure to include the references that were used and helpful. (Wikipedia is not a suitable reference.) Biology 114 students and  Biology 314 students should each prepare a Power Point presentation.

Remember to act and appear like a professional. Be well dressed and groomed.

Remember you are the authority on your project. Be prepared to explain the nature of the disease and pathogen clearly and completely. The outline below will serve as a guide for the type of information you should include in your presentation. Define all medical terms for your audience both in handout and during presentation.  Do not put all the information on power point slides and then read off the slides to the audience.  You should know the information you are presenting cold. Only use the slides to provide an outline framework for the talk and to illustrate items of interest.

If there is any materials or pronunciations you are uncertain about, the time to ask about it is several days before preparing your presentation or preparing your handout. Do not ask during your presentation.

Rehearse your presentation to a friend or friends several times before giving it to the class.

Required Disease/Pathogen Information

Name of Disease
Name of pathogen
Characteristics of pathogen
Morbidity/mortality statistics, if available, from CDC or WHO
Types/methods of infection including pathogen reservoir in nature and portal of entry into/onto body
Progression of infection/disease including virulence factors of pathogen, symptoms, and body systems affected
Resolution/prognosis without treatment
Method of diagnosis
Treatment
Treatment rationale (include antibiotics used if any and how they work)
Prevention
References used

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