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BIOL 399 Special Topics Virology (PDF) Course and Code Virology Biology 399 Class time: 3:00-3:50 pm, MWF Location: Room 128 Name of Faculty: Dr. Mark S. Davis Contact details: [email protected] Office hours: TBA Course Description Virology is a relatively new discipline in the realm of science. Viruses have been recognized as the causative agents of epidemics from the beginning of human history through early written records or archeological data. In addition, rudimentary vaccinations have occurred for almost one thousand years. However, it is only recently (relatively speaking) that the virus particle and its composition have been identified and studied. Virology, the study of viruses, includes many facets including viral replication, structure, interactions with hosts, evolution/history, epidemiology, and the diseases caused by the agent. This field is vast and any course must be selective in the coverage of the subject. This course is designed for the upper level science major with a background in microbiology and/or genetics. The course objectives are the following: Introduce the students to general viral structure and replication, viral immunology, viral therapy, and the major diseases caused by various viral families. Credit Hour Policy Statement This class meets the federal credit hour policy of: □ Standard lecture – e.g. 1 hour of class with an expected 2 hours of additional student work outside of class each week for approximately 15 weeks for each hour of credit, or a total of 45-75 hours for each credit. □ Other academic activities – e.g. 2 hours of laboratory, studio, or similar activities with an expected 1 hour of additional student work each week for approximately 15 weeks for each hour of credit, or a total of 45-75 hours for each credit. □ Other academic activities – e.g. 3 hours of studio, or laboratory, or similar activities each week for approximately 15 weeks for each hour of credit, or a total of 45-75 hours for each credit □ Combination of standard lecture and other activities – e.g. A combination of lecture + laboratory, or similar, for a total of 45-75 hours of supervised learning activities for each credit. □ Other academic activities – e.g. 3 hours of supervised independent study per week for approximately 15 weeks for each hour of credit, or a total of 45-75 hours for each credit. General Education Objective This course meets the General Education requirements for:- Outcome. N/A Learning Objectives Listed below are the Learning Objectives for the course: The course objectives are the following: Introduce the students to general viral structure and replication, viral immunology, viral therapy, and the major diseases caused by various viral families. Further Information about the Course Schedule of topics Tentative Lecture Syllabus Week Topic Chapter(s) 11 January Introduction/Viral Pathogenesis 1-2 18 January Diseases in Animals/Humans 3-4 25 January Viral Structure 5 1 February Viral Replication 6 8 February Host Response 7 Exam I – 9 February 15 February Protection Against Infection 8 22 February Single Stranded RNA Viruses 14-15 1 March Spring Break 8 March DNA Viruses (small) 16 15 March DNA Viruses (large) 17 Exam II – 16 March 22 March Retroviruses 19 29 March Molecular Pathogenesis 23 Research Paper Due – 1 April 5 April Viral Bioinformatics/Future 24-25 12 April Student Presentations • Final Exam – TBA Teaching Methods Key Text(s): Author, Title, Publisher, Edition, Date, ISBN (weblink if eBook) Basic Virology. 3rd Edition. Edward Wagner & Martinez Hewlett. Blackwell Publishing. Malden MA USA. ISBN 10-1- 4051-4715-6 Other Class Materials: Additional handouts will be given throughout the semester. Teaching Methods: Teaching methods are primarily lecture instruction along with discussion of relevant scientific articles. Student are expected to read the assigned sections of the textbook and homework problems before coming to class. This preparation will allow you to get the most out of lectures and ask questions about topics you don’t understand. Schedule of Assignments Assessment and Grading Criteria There will be 2 mid-semester exams each worth 25% of the overall grade. The material covered on each exam will come from the lectures, reading assignments in the text and other sources, along with classroom discussions. The exam format will be primarily essay with some multiple choice and true/false. A research paper will be expected from everyone on the pathogenesis of a viral disease along with the prevention (vaccination) or antiviral treatment. Each person will have a different disease. The viruses will be selected before January 25th. More information on the paper format will be given at a later date. The paper and presentation (at the end of the semester – 20 minutes per paper) will be worth 25% of the overall grade. A semi-cumulative final will be worth the remaining 25% of the overall grade. The final will emphasize material covered during the final portion of the class but some of the questions will stem from “older” material. Scale: 100-90 = A 89-80 = B 79-70 = C 69-60 = D 0-59 = F Attendance Policy Harlaxton College operates a mandatory attendance policy that is binding on all faculty and students. The number of unexcused absences that are allowed before incurring a penalty is related to the number of times a class meets during a week. This means that for courses which meet three times a week students are allowed a maximum of three unexcused absences during the semester without attracting penalty points, for courses meeting twice a week two such absences are permitted and for courses meeting just once a week a single absence is allowed. Students are responsible for the academic consequences of their failure to attend class. If any assessment (e.g. in-class test, exam, paper, presentation, etc.) is missed, there is no expectation or requirement that a faculty member will accept the work after it is due, provide an extension to a deadline, or offer an alternative assessment opportunity for a student with an unexcused absence. Drop/Add and Withdrawal Policy There is normally about a 10 day period at the beginning of semester when a student may drop and class and/or add a class. The deadline date is published in the Semester Guidance handbook. Drop/Add forms are available from the library and completed forms should be returned to the same place. Faculty signatures are required for all classes being added Students may withdraw from a class, with the exception of British Studies, for a longer period of time. Again the deadline date is published in the Semester Guidance handbook. Forms are available from the College Secretary, to whom completed forms should be returned. Forms must be signed by the faculty member of the class being withdrawn from and the Principal. All students must register for, and be continuously enrolled in, 12 credit hours of study to be eligible to study at Harlaxton and remain in the United Kingdom. Disability Policy It is the policy of the University of Evansville (Harlaxton College) to make reasonable accommodations for students with properly documented disabilities. University of Evansville students should contact the Office of Counselling and Health Education to seek help with this. Students from Partner Universities/Colleges should contact their own relevant student support office. For assistance whilst at Harlaxton students should contact the College Secretary whose office is located adjacent to the Principal’s office. Written notification to faculty from the College Secretary is required for academic accommodations to be implemented. Honor Code All students at the University of Evansville (Harlaxton College) agree to and are bound by the principles and practice of the honor code: ‘I understand that any work I submit for course credit will imply that I have adhered to this Academic Honor Code: I will neither give nor receive unauthorized aid, nor will I tolerate an environment that condones the use of unauthorized aid.’ The full Honor Code is available online: https://www.evansville.edu/offices/deanstudents/downloads/honorcode.pdf .
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