General Microbiology (BIOM 360)
Autumn Semester, 2015
Meeting time: 1:10 - 2:00 MWF
Meeting place: HS 207
Instructor: Dr. Michael F. Minnick
Office hours: Open-door policy: drop in whenever you like
Office location: HS 509
Phone: 406-243-5972
E-mail: mike.minnick@mso.umt.edu
Text: Brock Biology of Microorganisms, 14th ed. Madigan et al., 2014 [eligible for UC book buyback].
Performance- 450 points are possible from three 100-point exams, and a 150-point final (100
points comprehensive + 50 points from the last few lectures). The final exam covers material included
in previous exams. Make-up exams are available only for excused and documented absences.
Performance will be evaluated by a classical grading system of: A (90-100%); B (80-89%); C (7079%); D (60-69%); F (<60%).
Preparation- Reading assigned material in advance and attending class is highly recommended, as
lecture notes, lecture slides (also available on Moodle), current events and class discussions are the
sources of test questions. College Chemistry (CHEM141N, CHEM143N) is a prerequisite for this
course. Cell and Molecular Biology (BIOL221) and Organic Chemistry (CHEM221) are
prerequisites or co-requisites. If you have not taken these courses you must obtain instructor
approval.
Accommodations to ensure accessibility of students with disabilities will be gladly made, but to
qualify you must be registered with Disability Services for Students (DSS). Arrangements for
accommodations on exams must be made in advance by the student.
Academic misconduct will be reported and handled as described in UM’s Student Conduct Code.
All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct is subject to an academic
penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by the University. All students need to
be familiar with the UM Student Conduct Code. The Code is available online at:
http://www.umt.edu/vpsa/policies/student_conduct.php
Dropping course or changing the grading status will strictly follow UM policies and procedures,
which are described in the catalog. Students cannot change to an audit after the 15th day of
instruction. In addition, dropping the course or changing the grading status (to CR/NCR) are not
automatically approved after the 30th day of the semester. These may be requested by petition, but
the petition must be accompanied by documentation of extenuating circumstances. Requests to drop
or change grading status to benefit a student's GPA will not be approved.
Cell phones and similar devices must be turned off during class. Disruption of class by a ringing
cell phone may result in the loss of points.
COURSE SCHEDULE- (tentative, flexible and highly optimistic):
Date
Chapt.
Topic(s)
M Aug 31
W Sep 02
F Sep 04
M Sep 07
W Sep 09
F Sep 11
M Sep 14
W Sep 16
F Sep 18
1
1
2
2
3
3
4
4
Microorganisms and Microbiology
Microorganisms and Microbiology
Microbial Cell Structure and Function
HOLIDAY
Microbial Cell Structure and Function
Microbial Metabolism
Microbial Metabolism
Molecular Microbiology
Molecular Microbiology
M Sep 21
W Sep 23
F Sep 25
M Sep 28
W Sep 30
F Oct 02
M Oct 05
W Oct 07
F Oct 09
5
5
6
6
7
7
8, 9
8, 9
Microbial Growth and Control
Microbial Growth and Control
Microbial Genomics
EXAM 1
Microbial Genomics
Metabolic Regulation
Metabolic Regulation
Virology
Virology
M Oct 12
W Oct 14
F Oct 16
M Oct 19
W Oct 21
F Oct 23
M Oct 26
W Oct 28
F Oct 30
M Nov 02
10
10
12
12
14, 15
14, 15
14, 15
14, 15
16
Genetics of Bacteria and Archaea
Genetics of Bacteria and Archaea
Microbial Evolution and Systematics
Microbial Evolution and Systematics
Diversity of Bacteria
Diversity of Bacteria
EXAM 2
Diversity of Bacteria
Diversity of Bacteria
Diversity of Archaea
W Nov 04
F Nov 06
M Nov 09
W Nov 11
F Nov 13
M Nov 16
W Nov 18
16
17
17
19, 20
19, 20
23
Diversity of Archaea
Diversity of Eukaryotic Microbes
Diversity of Eukaryotic Microbes
HOLIDAY
Microbial ecosystems/nutrient cycling
Microbial ecosystems/nutrient cycling
Microbial Interactions with Humans
F Nov 20
M Nov 23
23
-
Microbial Interactions with Humans
EXAM 3
W Nov 25
F Nov 27
M Nov 30
W Dec 02
F Dec 04
M Dec 07
W Dec 09
F Dec 11
M Dec 14
24-26
24-26
29
30
31
32
-
HOLIDAY
HOLIDAY
Immunology
Immunology
Person-to-Person Bacterial and Viral Diseases
Vector- and Soil-Borne Bacterial and Viral Diseases
Water and Food-Borne bacterial diseases
Fungal and Parasitic Diseases
FINAL EXAM, 1:10-3:10