LABORATORY REPORTS FOR THE MICROBIOLOGY COURSE

1. Keep a laboratory notebook and record all data with dates. You could make a section of your
microbiology notebook as your lab notebook.

2. Even though you have completed the lab with a partner and have the same results all parts of your
lab report must be written by you alone, you should be able to determine which conclusions can be
made based on your experimental results as well as discuss the data using the knowledge you gain in
the course.

3. If your results were not expected, do not change them. Try to figure out a logical reason for your
results. If possible, describe why your results were unexpected.

4. All lab reports should be typed and have a cover page; they will not be accepted otherwise.

5. Use the following format for lab reports.

a. A COVER PAGE with the course name and number, your name, the date, and the topic and lab
number.
b. INTRODUCTION: Describe in general terms, what is the purpose of the lab. Do not copy the
handout description.
c. MATERIALS (what you used to conduct the experiment) you can list the material
d. PROCEDURES description of the steps used to carry out the experiment (use your own words).
e. RESULTS: could be given in a table form. Should contain your actual data (description when
appropriate) and a drawing of the microorganism (describe colors). You can add pictures but
just as a support.
f. DISCUSSION: (most important section) Compare and contrast the results by discussing the
data and each aspect of the lab and be specific by naming the bacteria you are comparing. Do not
just say: oh! The bacteria all look different. You have to be specific and state what are all the
differences and why they are different using the knowledge you acquired from the lecture. Why
did you get these results? What did you prove (If anything)? Please do not repeat what was done
in the experiment because that should only be in the procedure part and not in the discussion.
g. CONCLUSION: did you achieve the purpose of the lab? What did you learn from this
experiment?

You must have the words INTRODUCTION, MATERIALS, PROCEDURES, RESULTS,

DISCUSSION, AND the word CONCLUSION AT THE BEGINNING of the corresponding
sections of your report.

6. Lab reports are due one week after completion of the lab and the reading of the results.
7. If you are absent labs cannot be made up and you have to make arrangements with your instructor.
8. Bacterial names must be written according to the following rules (which identically apply to all
biological names). The first name or genus always begins with a capital letter and the second name is
lower case. Both are either underlined or Italicized. Thus, we write Escherichia coli or Escherichia
coli. After the first use of the name you have to abbreviate the genus by using only the first initial 🡪
E.coli or E.coli.
*Incorrectly written bacterial names, missing underlines or italics where necessary will be penalized.
*No extra points will be awarded for the title page, however, points will be deducted for its absence.
* Incorrect magnification, missing drawing labels and legends will be penalized.