Frequently Asked Questions

	What subjects are covered by the software?

	VUMicro includes the media, tests, and reagents involved in identifying the Enterobacteriaceae and Gram positive cocci. There are over 120 bacteria and 60 tests included. Because this may be overwhelming to some, it is possible to work with smaller numbers of organisms in subgroups - only the medically-important Gram positive cocci, for example. Gram stains, wet mounts for motility, and biochemical tests common to microbiology labs, from TSIA and IMViC to amino acid metabolism and sugar fermentations are all in there. Also, by accessing the Help files, students have at their disposal a set of useful references on the bacteria, the media, the reagents, and the chemistry of the tests. Need to know how a test works, what reagent to use, how an antibiotic works, or the content of a particular medium? - the references are a mouse click away. Also, by using the Basic Training Manual for VUMicro(TM) 3.x (free download available from this website), the instructor has available exercises enabling students to use the software to enhance their understanding of topics such as ubiquity, dairy and food microbiology, water microbiology, public health, and various aspects of medical microbiology. VUMicro is not just useful for learning how to identify bacteria.

Site Modified: Friday, March 26, 2004