BIOL 4801 01: Environmental Microbiology

BIOL 4801 - Environmental Microbiology

Fall 2026 Syllabus, Section 01, CRN 41656,

Credit hours: 4

Course Meeting Times

Log in to view more

Instructor

Carl Johnston

Email: cgjohnston@ysu.edu

Public Instructor Information

Instructor Title: Professor
Instructor Professional Qualifications: Ph.D.
Instructor Office Location: Ward Beecher 4006
Instructor Office Phone: 330-941 3600

Private Instructor Information

Log in to view more

Course Description

4801. Environmental Microbiology. The occurrence, detection, and control of microbes, including bacteria and viruses, in food, water, and the environment. Two hours lecture, four hours lab. Prereq.: BIOL 3702. 4 s.h.

THIS AN AGILE-HYBRID CLASS. Which means: During portions of the semester students are responsible to learn material posted in Blackboard on their own. Students can email cgjohnston@ysu.edu with any questions or to request an appointment to clarify the material.

Course Readings

Group Title Author ISBN
Optional Microbiology Brokers

1) Textbook not required, however you should read/review relevant sections in any microbiology textbook. 

2) You must read scientific articles, videos, and/or lecture topics as assigned and/or posted in Blackboard.

The course readings are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, research developments, current events, and/or to ensure better learning.  

Additional Course Materials

Log in to view more

Course Learning Outcomes/Objectives/Goals

Log in to view more

How to Succeed in This Course

Log in to view more

Attendance Expectations

Log in to view more

Late Work Submission Policy

Log in to view more

Additional Course Expectations

Log in to view more

Artificial Intelligence Policy Statement

Log in to view more

Assignments/Assessments

Log in to view more

Grading and Grading Scale

Log in to view more

University Policies

Log in to view more

Tentative schedule (can be changed at Dr. Johnston discretion) and to allow field work (weather dependent)

Week of Reading(s) Proposed Topic Due/To Prepare for Class
8/24 n.a.
First meet to go over course
Meet in class
8/31 Ch 1 -Ch 4 Posted in Blackboard
9/7 Ch 1 - Ch 4 Posted in Blackboard
9/14 Ch 1 - Ch 4 Posted in Blackboard
9/21 Review in class Ch 1 - Ch 4 Meet in classroom to review and discuss
9/28 Test 1 (Ch 1 - Ch 4) Meet in class and take the test
10/5 Techniques in laboratory Meet at the lab
10/12 Techniques in laboratory Meet at the lab
10/19 Independent Research Meet for experimental design
10/26 Fecal coliform paper Read assigned paper on FC (posted on Blackboard)
11/2 Fecal coliform discussion Meet in class to lead discussion in Fecal coliform paper
11/9 Vibrio paper reading Read, summarize and understand Vibrio paper
11/16 Vibrios discussion Meet in class to discuss paper
11/23 PAH paper Read paper assigned on PAHs, posted in Blackboard
11/30 PAH discussion paper Meet in class to lead discussion on PAHs
12/7 There is no final exam

The course schedule, policies, procedures, and assignments in this course are subject to change in the event of extenuating circumstances, by mutual agreement, and/or to ensure better learning.