Basic Microbiology eLearning Curriculum

Basic Microbiology eLearning Curriculum

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. The Six courses available in the basic microbiology curriculum are:

• Basic Microscopy - Basic Microbiology Curriculum
• Basic Culture Media and Isolation Techniques
• Biochemicals and Gram Positive Organism ID
• Biochemicals and Gram Negative Organism ID
• <strong>Routine Microscopy Procedures</strong>
• <strong>Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing</strong>

Audience: New or existing public health laboratorians, who have a science background, are entering or reentering the microbiology field and who need training in basic microbiology principles and techniques essential for performing job requirements.
*Prerequisite knowledge for this course includes basic laboratory techniques/concepts/safety, blood borne pathogens/universal precautions, and chemical hygiene plans.

Objectives: At the conclusion of this curriculum, 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.

Continuing Education: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Laboratory Training Branch is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.^® Program. These courses are approved for various contact hours.
This course has been approved for 1.0 contact hours in the category of Microbiology/Mycology/Parasitology for Florida Laboratory Licensees.

For more information on Continuing Education (CE) credit types and details, please visit the CDC Laboratory Training Continuing Education page.