Overview: Virology/Mycology - CLS 401

Purpose: to help other instructors teaching the same course

Common Course ID:  CLS 401
CSU Instructor Open Textbook Adoption Portrait

Abstract: This library-provided textbook is being utilized in an introductory mycology/virology course for undergraduate and post-baccalaureate students by Sarah Turkel at California State University Dominguez Hills. The textbook provides a resource for the study of pathogenic fungi and viruses. This text, in hard copy form, is utilized in most clinical microbiology laboratories. While this is not the most recent edition, it provides the basic information of this material to students studying at this level. The course is supplemented by professor slides that correlate to the material in the textbook. The main motivation to adopt an affordable textbook was to save students money. Most students access the textbook through the CSUDH University Library database ProQuest Ebook Central, via a link in their syllabus that is posted on Canvas.

Course Title and Number - CLS 401 - Overview: Virology/Mycology. (2 Units)
 
Brief Description of course highlights:  Brief introduction to special pathogens for students preparing for the clinical virology and mycology rotations in the clinical laboratory.

Student population: Undergraduate students majoring in Clinical Science and post-baccalaureate students working toward their Post-baccalaureate Certificate in Medical Technology (Clinical Science). Prerequisites: BIO 324 (Microbiology with Clinical Applications) or concurrent enrollment; CLS 301 (Intro to the Clinical Lab) is recommended. 

Learning or student outcomes:   The course will prepare the student to discuss the appropriate specimen collection methods and culture techniques used in mycology and virology laboratories, identify fungal and viral pathogens and the tissues most commonly infected, describe laboratory methods used to diagnose viral and fungal infections, discuss important fungal and viral disease states, and identify molecular based testing techniques used in the identification of viruses and fungi. 

Textbook or OER/Low cost Title:  Medical Microbiology

Brief Description:  Comprehensive, clinically oriented, and practical, Medical Microbiology, remains the go-to text for foundational coverage of key interrelated concepts in medical microbiology, immunology, and infectious diseases. Clear and engaging coverage of the microbial world and its interface with our bodies and the environment provides the foundation to understand these roles in individual and public health and disease—helping you master the essentials of microbiology to effectively prepare you for coursework, exams, and your future career. (taken from Publisher)

Provide a link to the resource   https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/csudh/detail.action?docID=1430832&pq-origsite=primo (CSUDH account required)

Authors:  Murray P.R., Rosenthal K.S., Pfaller M.A.

Student access:  Students access this text via the syllabus (link) posted to Canvas.

Supplemental resources:  Slides are provided for the following lectures:

• Introduction to Mycology
• Fungal Structure/Morphology
• Superficial and Cutaneous Mycoses
• Subcutaneous Fungi
• Opportunistic, Systemic, Dimorphic Fungi
• Laboratory Identification Methods: Mycology
• Introduction to Virology
• Hepatitis and HIV
• Gastrointestinal and Respiratory Viruses
• Herpes Viruses
• Emerging Viral Pathogens; Viruses of Public Health Significance
• Rapid/Molecular Diagnostics

Provide the cost savings from that of a traditional textbook.  $100 savings

License*: Traditionally published text, purchased by the university library with a limited-user license: https://www.us.elsevierhealth.com/medical-microbiology-9780443261336.html 

OER/Low Cost Adoption Process

Provide an explanation or what motivated you to use this textbook or OER/Low Cost option.   To save students money. 

How did you find and select the open textbook for this course?   was familiar with this text through my professional experience working in a clinical microbiology laboratory.

Sharing Best Practices:  Most older editions cover the basic material needed for introductory-level courses. Older editions, even for popular texts, are often available via the CSUDH Library with ebook lending licenses. This information can be supplemented by the professor, if needed.

Describe any challenges you experienced, and lessons learned.  Limits to the number of users accessing the text can be an issue at times, if limits are present. 

Instructor Name - Sarah Turkel
I am a Clinical Science professor at California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Please provide a link to your university page.
https://www.csudh.edu/clinical-science/

Please describe the courses/course numbers that you teach.
CLS 401 - Overview: Virology/Mycology
CLS 312 - Parasitic Diseases in Clinical Practices
CLS 440 - Correlations in Clinical Microbiology
CLS 492 - Research Methods in Clinical Sciences

Describe your teaching philosophy and any research interests related to your discipline or teaching.  The CSUDH program of clinical science is both an academic and professional program and my teaching philosophy supports this important and distinctive feature. To reinforce this through my teaching, I link the theory of clinical laboratory diagnostics with the practice and attempt to break down for the students how the information will be directly useful for them to know in their future role as a clinical laboratory scientist. I share numerous stories and case studies from my own experience as both a clinical laboratory scientist and public health professional, to help students learn the material in both a theoretical and pragmatic way.