BIO334 Virology

Credits (ECTS):5

Course responsible:Espen Rimstad, Vinicius Da Silva Duarte

Campus / Online:Taught campus Ås

Teaching language:Engelsk, norsk

Limits of class size:50

Course frequency:Annually

Nominal workload:

  • Lectures: 9x 2 hours.
  • Guided colloquia: 4x 2 hours.
  • Preparations and self study: 99 hours.

Teaching and exam period:This course starts in Autumn parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Autumn parallel.

About this course

The course will provide an introduction to virology and the principles of virus biology. The first part of the course will focus on the nature of viruses including the structure of the viral particle and genome as well as techniques to study viruses. The second part will go through the steps of virus replication in a cell on a molecular level. The third part of the course will focus on virus infection and the whole organism including virus-host interactions, immune response and transmission. The final part of the course will describe selected viral disease in more detail, as well as prevention and treatment through vaccines and antiviral therapy. The course will have emphasis on viruses that infect humans and animals.

The course content will be relevant for further work on several on the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including goal 3 (Good health).

Learning outcome

Knowledge

The student should have knowledge of

  • the structure and genome of viruses
  • methods for studying viruses and for diagnosing virus infections
  • replication cycle in a cell at a molecular level, including attachment, genome replication, gene expression and assembly
  • virus-cell and virus-host interactions
  • host defense against virus infections
  • modes of transmission
  • selected virus infections and their diseases at a more detailed level
  • prevention and treatment of viral infections

Skills

The student should be able to

  • understand the general principles of virology to comprehend scientific texts about viruses at a molecular level
  • have a basis for participation in research within virology

General competence

The student should understand

  • the fundamental principles of a virus and virus infection
  • mechanisms that drive virus evolution
  • virus and host interactions
  • how viruses can cause disease
  • principles for prevention and treatment of viral infections
  • Lectures and colloqiua with guidance.
  • The teacher can be contacted by e-mail: espen.rimstad@nmbu.no

    Canvas

    • Cell biology equivalent to BIO100
    • Biochemistry equivalent to KJB200
    • Molecular biology equivalent to BIO210
  • Final, written exam for 3,5 hours, counts 100 %. Grades A - F.
  • An external examiner evaluates all examination papers.
  • One double-lecture per week. Some weeks the lectures will be replaced with guided colloquia.
  • Master´s programme in Biotechnology, specialization Microbiology.
  • Letter grades
  • Special requirements in Science