Basic Microbiology eLearning Curriculum

Curriculum Title: Basic Microbiology eLearning Curriculum

Curriculum Duration: 6, 60 minute courses.

Curriculum Description: The Basic Microbiology eLearning Curriculum will provide online training for public health laboratorians in the area of basic microbiology laboratory skills and procedures necessary to identify microorganisms from clinical specimens. The basic microbiology curriculum will include six eLearning courses. Each course will be comprised of interactive, concise content allowing for completion during open periods throughout the day. Job aids and laboratory exercises will be included so participants may work with a supervisor/mentor to comprehend and perform proper microbiology techniques.

Curriculum Objectives: At the conclusion of this program, the participant will be able to:

• Identify proper use, cleaning, and set-up of a bright field microscope.
• Sequence the steps of routine microscopy procedures (smear preparations, wet mounts, KOH, Gram stain, and India Ink) critical for the identification of  microorganisms.
• Interpret results of routine microscopy procedures used in the microbiology laboratory.
• Select appropriate culture media to isolate infectious microorganisms.
• Identify microorganisms using colonial morphology, Gram stain results, biochemical tests., and algorithm flowcharts.
• Associate the basic principles and methods of antimicrobial susceptibility testing of microorganisms.
• Identify commonly encountered troubleshooting techniques for various basic microbiology procedures.