UNIVERSITY OF NATURAL MEDICINE
PROBIOTIC AND PATHOGENIC MICROBES
COURSE NUMBER: NM 404
Probiotic and Pathogenic Microbes (nm404 - 4 credits)
| Instructor: | Dr. Case Adams |
| Address: | P.O. Box 1622, Morro Bay, CA 93443 |
| Office Contact Hours: | Weekdays/Afternoons Pacific Time |
| Email: | |
| Telephone: | 805-400-8597 |
Course Description: Principles of endogenous probiotic and pathogenic microbes, including bacteria, fungi, microscopic parasites and viruses. Species and traits will be examined. Diseases caused by pathogenic microbes will be described. Relationship between the immune system and probiotics will provide focus on probiotic treatment. Functions and identification of probiotic species and the forms they come in will be described. Diseases treated by probiotics will be examined. A survey of the microbiome, probiotic foods and prebiotics will be discussed in detail. Watching videos, taking quizzes and exams, practicum and independent research will be required.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, students should develop the following skills and knowledge and be able to:
- Identify the major microbes that inhabit the body
- Differentiate between healthy and pathogenic microbes
- Identify the major pathogenic microbes
- Identify major diseases caused by pathogenic microbes
- Examine the research showing how certain diseases may be treated with probiotics
- Know how fermented (probiotic) foods are made
- Utilize probiotic supplementation therapeutically
- Understand our microbiome
- Identify prebiotics and the foods that contain them
Textbook (required):
“Probiotics: Protection Against Infection” by Case Adams ISBN13-978-0-981604558:
(Click to purchase on Amazon)
Grading:
Module Quizzes and Videos - 25%
Practicum Project - 10%
Research Paper - 25%
Final and Mid-Term exam (cumulative) - 40%
Total - 100%
Video Lectures: There are ten video lectures to watch online. The links to each video are found on the course outline below. After each video will be a short quiz within the video. Be sure to enter your email before you watch the video so your answers will be sent to me. Please watch these videos carefully as most the material on the final exam will come from these.
Reading: Each of the videos will correspond with a section of the book. However, there is material in the book that is not on the videos and material in the videos that is not in the book – so you will need to read the book as well as watch the videos.
Quizzes: The quizzes at the end of each video are open book so the book and the video may be reviewed to arrive at the right answers.
Practicum project: Two practicum assignments are described below. The student may elect to do one or both. Doing both shall be eligible for an extra 5% onto the grade. The practicum will be graded as follows:
10% if done satisfactorily
5% if done minimally
0% if not done
Graduated scores in between.
Research paper: For any research paper submitted, the writing style shall be professional and scientific, utilizing terms used in the course as appropriate. Scientific online references are acceptable. The references should be listed using the Chicago Manual of Style or equivalent. Plagiarism is not acceptable. Writing shall be in the original words of the student.
Final and Mid-Term Exams: There will be one final exam and one mid-term exam in addition to the quizzes. The exams will cover the range of topics discussed in the videos and the reading materials. No books or computers are accepted in the examination room.
Class Grading:
A 90 %-100%
B 80%-89.9%
C 70%-79.9%
D 60%-69.9%
F 59.9% and below
For Extra Credit: Extra credit for doing both practicums will earn up to 5% on top of the grade already accumulated.
Course Policies & Procedures
Scheduling your time
You may complete this course as quickly as you would like. However, to make things easier, I have provided a proposed schedule by weeks (week 1, etc.)
Questions and Contact protocol
If you have questions you may email me. My email is posted above. Zoom meetings or other conferences may be set up if needed.
The student is required to send me an email when beginning the course.
Anytime an email is sent from the instructor, a confirmation email returned is required within 48 hours. This is also professional, because there are spam filters and automatic categorization that can divert an email away from the intended receiver.
Students are urged to ask questions about the material via email to the instructor.
The instructor will try to respond to emails within 48 hours or less. Special timelines or technical issues may prevent the instructor from returning emails.
Participation
Students should spend a minimum of 3-6 hours a week on the course content, readings, and video assignments and projects.
Students should be self-motivated to learn the content, read the materials, and participate with questions to the instructor. This will help facilitate the students’ learning.
Academic Integrity
I will not condone academic dishonesty, cheating or plagiarism in any form. Cheating will result in an “F” course grade.
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Module One
Name and classify the types and genera of microbes and how they are distinguished from each other • What is a germ? • Bacteria • Fungi • Viruses • Parasites • Mycoplasmas, Thermophiles and others
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Module Two
Identify major diseases caused by pathogenic organisms • Digestive diseases • Cardiovascular diseases • Urinary tract/bladder/kidney diseases • Liver and gallstone diseases • Dental and gum diseases • Sepsis • Arthritis
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Module Three
Describe the major roles, functions and development of probiotics within the body • Digestive roles • Protect the body • Boosting immunity • Balance mucosal biochemistry
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Module Four
Describe the function and source of antibiotics • What antibiotics are • How antibiotics are produced • Antibiotic resistance • Antibiotics produced by probiotics • Difference between static and commensal antibiotic application
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Module Five
Know the relationship between pasteurization and the germ theory • What is pasteurization? • Germ theory • Field theory • Which theory is right?
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Mid-Term Exam
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Module Six
Describe the major genera and species of probiotics • Lactobaccillus • Bifidobacteria • Streptococcus • Bacillus • Other species
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Module Seven
Describe the major pathogenic organisms • Bacterial – E. coli, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, etc. • Viral – Ebola, Influenza, Herpes, HIV, SARS • Parasites – Blastocystis, etc.
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Module Eight
Identify sources of supplementing probiotics • Probiotic Foods • Probiotic Beverages • Probiotic Supplements – capsules, tabs, powders, shells • How to determine a viable probiotic supplement • Fermented foods versus acidic foods
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Module Nine
Examine research on probiotic intervention for particular diseases and conditions • Diseases most notably treated with probiotics • Surprising diseases treated with probiotics • Central mechanisms of probiotic treatment in disease
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Module Ten
Know the microbiome and the sources of prebiotics • What is our microbiome • How our diets affect our microbiome • What are prebiotics • What are the major sources of prebiotics • How to keep our probiotics healthy
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Practicum
Practicum project: Two practicum assignments are described below. The student may elect to do one or both. Doing both shall be eligible for an extra 5% onto the grade. The practicum will be graded as follows: 10% if done satisfactorily; 5% if done minimally; 0% if not done; Graduated scores in between.
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Final Exam
