Here's an example of what's due today

Outbreak data and agent ID lab

Mon, Nov 30, 2026 · Week 15 · Principles of Biomedical Technology (Principles of Biomedical Science)

Today's goal: Students build outbreak visualizations and run identification tests to characterize the infectious agent.

Learn first

What a finished product looks like

This is a model of the work you should turn in today. Use it to check your own: match the structure and the level of detail, do not copy it. Your data and wording should be your own.

Outbreak data table and visualizations

Completes: Completes the outbreak lab: a line-list summary, a plotted epidemic curve and spot map, agent-ID results, and one stated measurement error.

SOP I recorded: complete one line-list row per case, then plot onset dates for the curve and locations for the map, then record each identification-test result exactly as observed.

Variables:

Independent variable: the case data provided (onset dates, locations, test results).
Dependent variable: the epidemic-curve shape and the narrowed agent ID.

Line-list summary: 18 cases, onset clustered November 14 to 16, most near the east cafeteria.

Epidemic curve: single sharp peak on November 15, which reads as a point-source pattern.

Spot map: a tight cluster around the east cafeteria, pointing to a common exposure there.

Agent-ID results: Gram stain showed gram-negative rods; the lactose test was positive; the candidate was narrowed to a gram-negative enteric bacterium.

Measurement error: two onset dates were self-reported from memory, so the curve's exact peak day could be off by a day. That is a data-quality limit, not a plotting mistake.

Case	Onset date	Location	Gram stain	Lactose test
1	Nov 14	East cafeteria	Negative rod	Positive
2	Nov 15	East cafeteria	Negative rod	Positive
3	Nov 15	East cafeteria	Negative rod	Positive
4	Nov 16	West hall	Negative rod	Positive

Also due today: Submit your data table and visualization in Schoology under the Wednesday Outbreak Lab assignment before leaving.

Check yourself

WebXam problem for today's skill

One exam-style question that uses exactly what you practiced today. Try it before you reveal the answer, then read why each choice is right or wrong.

WebXam-style domain: Biotechnology Research and ExperimentsSelf-check skill: Identifying independent and dependent variables in an agent-identification procedure

In the outbreak lab, students plot an epidemic curve from a provided line list and run tests to narrow the agent. Which pair correctly identifies the independent and dependent variables?

Tap an answer to see the full explanation. Nothing is recorded or graded.

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