Microbiology 2025FD: Course Overview and Study Guide

Course Overview: Microbiology 2025FD

Introduction

This study guide summarizes the key elements of the Microbiology 2025FD course at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. The course covers foundational concepts in microbiology, including microbial cell structure, genetics, metabolism, immunology, and the application of these principles to human health and disease.

Program Learning Outcomes

General Principles and Application

• Understanding Microbiology: Students will demonstrate a command of the general principles of microbiology and apply these concepts to real-world situations.

• Scientific Method: Ability to design and conduct experiments, collect and analyze data, and evaluate hypotheses using statistics.

• Teamwork: Work effectively and efficiently as part of a team.

Course Objectives

Key Learning Goals

• History and Impact: Describe the progression of microbiological discoveries and their impact on society.

• Cellular Structure and Function: Apply understanding of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cell structure and function to energy acquisition and metabolism.

• Microbial Genetics and Metabolism: Explain microbial cell structure, genetics, and metabolism as they relate to microbial control, reduction, and utilization.

• Classification: Use knowledge of microbial structure and function to classify microbes.

• Microbial Survival and Disease: Explain how microbes survive in humans and occasionally cause disease.

• Immunology: Describe the basics of immunology and the human host response to microbial infection.

• Prevention and Treatment: Apply understanding of microbial characteristics and the human immune system to infection prevention and treatment.

Course Structure and Schedule

Weekly Topics and Readings

The course is organized into weekly topics, each with assigned readings and quizzes. The main textbook is Microbiology: An Introduction (Tortora et al., 14th edition).

Week	Topic	Reading
1	Introduction to Microbiology	Ch1 (1-11)
2	Cell Biology	Ch3 (65-91)
3	Metabolism	Ch5 (135-153)
4	Microbial Growth	Ch6 (163-176)
5	Genetics	Ch8 (215-245)
6	Classification of Microbes	Ch10 (263-291)
7	Classifying Prokaryotes	Ch11 (293-311)
8	Classifying Eukaryotes	Ch12 (323-341)
9	Viruses, Viroids, and Prions	Ch13 (363-377)
10	Diseases and Epidemiology	Ch14 (393-407)
11	Innate Immunity	Ch15 (445-459)
12	Adaptive Immunity	Ch17 (475-486)
13	Applications of Immunology	Ch18 (497-524)
14	Immune System Disorders	Ch19 (547-562)
15	Antimicrobial Drugs	Ch20 (569-580)

Key Concepts and Definitions

Microbiology Fundamentals

• Microbiology: The study of microscopic organisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, and algae.

• Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes: Prokaryotes (e.g., bacteria) lack a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles, while eukaryotes (e.g., fungi, protozoa) have both.

• Cell Structure: Understanding the differences in cell wall composition, genetic material, and metabolic pathways is essential for classification and treatment strategies.

• Metabolism: The sum of all chemical reactions in a cell, including catabolism (breaking down molecules for energy) and anabolism (building cell components).

• Genetics: Study of heredity and variation in microorganisms, including DNA replication, transcription, translation, and gene regulation.

• Immunology: The study of the immune system, including innate (nonspecific) and adaptive (specific) defenses against pathogens.

• Antimicrobial Drugs: Substances used to prevent or treat infections by inhibiting or killing microorganisms.

Examples and Applications

• Example: Staphylococcus aureus is a prokaryotic bacterium that can cause skin infections and is notable for its resistance to certain antibiotics (e.g., MRSA).

• Application: Understanding microbial metabolism is crucial for developing antibiotics that target specific pathways unique to bacteria.

Academic Integrity and Course Expectations

Policies and Best Practices

• Academic Integrity: All work must be original and produced without unauthorized assistance. Plagiarism and cheating are strictly prohibited.

• Use of Library Materials and AI: Students may use library resources for research but must not use AI tools to generate or summarize textbook content.

• Attendance and Participation: Regular attendance and active participation are expected to ensure mastery of course material.

Summary Table: Prokaryotes vs. Eukaryotes

Feature	Prokaryotes	Eukaryotes
Nucleus	No	Yes
Membrane-bound Organelles	No	Yes
Cell Wall Composition	Peptidoglycan (in bacteria)	Varies (e.g., chitin in fungi, cellulose in plants)
Examples	Bacteria, Archaea	Fungi, Protozoa, Algae

Additional info:

• Students are encouraged to read assigned textbook chapters before class and complete all quizzes and worksheets to reinforce learning.

• Mastering Microbiology is an online resource used for quizzes and assignments.

• For further details on grading, appeals, and academic conduct, refer to the university's academic catalog and student handbook.