General Microbiology (BIOM 360)
Autumn Semester, 2016
Meeting time: 1:00-1:50 MWF
Meeting place: HS207
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:
Text:Brock Biology of Microorganisms,14th ed. Madigan et al., 2014.
Performance-450 points are possible from three 100-point exams, anda 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 bya classical grading system of: A (90-100%); B (80-89%); C (70-79%); 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 toqualify you must be registered with Disability Services for Students (DSS). Arrangements foraccommodations on exams must be made in advance by the student.
Academic misconduct will be reported and handled as described in UM’sStudent Conduct Code. All students must practice academic honesty. Academic misconduct issubject to an academic penalty by the course instructor and/or a disciplinary sanction by theUniversity. All students need to be familiar with the UM Student Conduct Code. The Code isavailable online at:
Dropping course or changing the grading status will strictly follow UM policies andprocedures, which are described in the catalog. Students cannot change toan audit after the 15th day of instruction. In addition, dropping the course or changing thegrading 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 ofextenuating circumstances. Requests to drop or change grading status to benefit astudent'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):
DateChapter Topic(s)
M Aug 29 1 Microorganisms and Microbiology
W Aug 31 1 Microorganisms and Microbiology
F Sep02 2 Microbial Cell Structure and Function
M Sep 05 HOLIDAY
W Sep 07 2 Microbial Cell Structure and Function
F Sep 09 2 Microbial Cell Structure and Function
M Sep 12 3 MicrobialMetabolism
W Sep 14 3 Microbial Metabolism
F Sep 16 3 Microbial Metabolism
M Sep 19 5 Microbial Growth and Control
W Sep 21 5 Microbial Growth and Control
F Sep 23 5 Microbial Growth and Control
M Sep 26 EXAM 1
W Sep 28 4 Molecular Microbiology
F Sep30 4 Molecular Microbiology
M Oct03 4 Molecular Microbiology
WOct 05 7 Metabolic Regulation
F Oct 07 7 Metabolic Regulation
MOct 10 7 Metabolic Regulation
WOct 12 10 Genetics of Bacteria and Archaea
F Oct 14 10 Genetics of Bacteria and Archaea
MOct 17 10 Genetics of Bacteria and Archaea
WOct 19 12 Microbial Evolution and Systematics
F Oct 21 12 Microbial Evolution and Systematics
MOct 24 EXAM 2
WOct 26 12 Microbial Evolution and Systematics
F Oct 28 14, 15 Diversity of Bacteria
MOct 31 14, 15 Diversity of Bacteria
WNov02 14, 15 Diversity of Bacteria
F Nov04 14, 15 Diversity of Bacteria
MNov 07 16 Diversity of Archaea
W Nov 09 16 Diversity of Archaea
FNov 11 HOLIDAY
MNov 14 17 Diversity of Eukaryotic Microbes
WNov 16 17 Diversity of Eukaryotic Microbes
F Nov 18 17 Diversity of Eukaryotic Microbes
MNov 21 EXAM 3
W Nov 23 HOLIDAY
F Nov 25 HOLIDAY
M Nov 28 8, 9 Virology
W Nov30 8, 9 Virology
F Dec02 19, 20 Microbial Ecosystems & Nutrient Cycling
M Dec05 19, 20Microbial Ecosystems & Nutrient Cycling
W Dec 07 23 Microbial Interactions with Humans
FDec 09 24-26 Immunology
MDec 12 24-26 Immunology
F Dec 16 FINAL EXAM, 1:10-3:10