McGill University Microbiology and Immunology Students' Association
U2 Courses
DISCLAIMER: Schedule suggestions are only a guideline to complete the Major Program and should not be thought of as the only way to complete your degree. Course insight is only a reflection of previous years experiences and may not reflect the coming year’s grading scheme or the nature of the course as these fluctuate from year to year.
Suggested U2 Semester Outline
Fall:
MIMM323 – Microbial Physiology and Genetics
MIMM324 – Fundamental Virology
MIMM384 – Molecular Microbiology Lab
BIOC312 – Metabolic Biochemistry
Elective
Winter
MIMM314 – Immunology
MIMM385 – Laboratory in Immunology
MIMM301 – Scientific Communication & Skills in Microbiology & Immunology
Elective
Elective
NOTE: U1 or U2 or U3 Required class is one of BIOL373 (Biometry), MATH203 (Principles of Statistics 1) OR PSYC204 (Intro to Psychological Stats). However, Biometry is not offered for the year 2020-2021.
Labs 1-6 teach you more molecular biological techniques (ex. Bradford Assay, PCR, Transforming bacterial cells)
You have one TA that watches over the cubicle and helps in the lab and they are usually very helpful and willing to answer questions
Dr. Cousineau is super clear and always comes into the lab cubicles to answer questions
Labs 7-12 focus on Microbial genetics of Caulobacter (Greg’s fav and the most tedious labs of life)
Get ready for 1000 flagella stains and bacteria plating
The TA’s marking your reports switch with each report (~6-7 reports). Each TA will provide a rubric of what they specifically want in the report
Midterm exam was technical and experimental oriented. Know the protocols, the objectives, etc.
Brendan Cordeirro, the TA, literally saved me for the midterm with his review session. Try to go to his session – it will likely be full though since he’s the best
Final exam was very experimental and didn’t really make sense but final grade is usually good (Average has been A- for the past 3 years)
Course overall is a lot of work (because many evaluations) and tedious (lab work) but group suffering in the cubicle builds community!! L o l
One lecture per unit is a problem solving lecture that is useful to get used to answering and thinking about the content in the way it is tested as well as less content in the course overall
Lots of different profs that ask questions in different ways
Extremely content and memorization heavy
Midterm (50%)
Final exam (50%)
50% performance in lab
50% lab report
Winter
MIMM 301Scientific Communication & Skills in Microbiology & Immunology (W)
This is generally a very easy class, which is reflected in the one credit you get from it;
You get to interact closely with a PI in the field of microbiology or immunology;
Good introduction to the type of discussion/work you would have to do if you worked in a research lab.
The instructions are generally unclear and inconsistent from prof to prof;
The grading is dependent on the severity of the prof you are assigned;
Many of the profs do not take this class “seriously” compared to other courses;
You may end up having to write about a topic for which you have little or no interest.
This was generally in easy A course, but there is quite a bit of uncertainty;
However, this is a new course so it can only improve from here (hopefully).
The course touches on lots of topics which aren’t covered in “normal” (required) MIMM classes
Final exam is much less subjective, long-answer questions from class material (need to study!)
Prof is nice to talk with about these topics, listens to your opinion for friendly conversation
Grading can be subjective, though this is clearly mentioned in the syllabus
Randomly paired with partner for final essay/book review assignment
In-class assignments can go late (~6-8PM, 5 times throughout the semester)
He is super subjective, but that can be used in your favour
After selecting a topic and writing about it, go visit him, get his opinion on the topic.. (i.e. the man HATES CRISPR tech.) then write your paper according to his beliefs and you will do well. (I wrote a paper on how trash CRISPR is.. Did well)
In-class written assignments (4x 10% each + practice worth 0%) 40%
Critical thinking essay or book review 40%
Final exam 20%
MIMM 396/397Undergraduate Research Project in Microbiology and Immunology (F/W/S)
A great way to experience research and gain credit at the same time.
Professors are also much more willing to take you on in the context of a creddited class than as a summer student they might have to pay…