Course code BIO334

BIO334 Virology

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Showing course contents for the educational year 2021 - 2022 .

Course responsible: Ida Ormaasen, Øystein Wessel
Teachers: Mette Myrmel, Espen Rimstad
ECTS credits: 5
Faculty: Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science
Teaching language: EN, NO
(NO=norsk, EN=Engelsk)
Limits of class size:
50
Teaching exam periods:
This course starts in Autumn parallel. This course has teaching/evaluation in Autumn parallel.
Course frequency: Annually
First time: Study year 2017-2018
Preferential right:
The course is compulsory for some students admitted to the Master´s programme in Biotechnology, specialization Microbiology.
Course contents:

The course will provide an introduction to virology and the principles of virus biology. The first part of the course will focus on the virus particle including the genome and structure, and 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, transmission and development of disease. The final part of the course will describe selected viral disease in more detail. In addition, it will cover prevention and treatment strategies against viral infections, as well as diagnostics of viral infections. 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, treatment and diagnostics 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, diagnostics and treatment of viral infections
Learning activities:
Lectures. Group exercise.
Teaching support:

The teacher can be contacted by e-mail: oystein.wessel@nmbu.no

Canvas

Syllabus:

Recommended text book and lectures. Further information will be given in Canvas. 

Textbook: Introduction to Modern Virology- NJ Dimmock, AJ Easton and KN Leppard, Ed. Wiley Blackwell, 7th Edition.

Prerequisites:
Cell biology equivalent to BIO100Biochemistry equivalent to KJB200Molecular biology equivalent to BIO210

Recommended prerequisites:
  • General microbiology equivalent to BIO230
  • Immunology equivalent to MVI292
  • Physiology equivalent to HFX201
Mandatory activity:
Group exercise must be approved to get admission to the exam. 
Assessment:
Final, written exam for 3,5 hours, counts 100 %. Grades A - F.
Nominal workload:
  • Lectures and supervision: 20 hours.
  • Preparations and self study: 105 hours.
Entrance requirements:
Special requirements in Science
Type of course:
One double-lecture per week.
Examiner:
An external examiner evaluates a minimum of 25 selected examination papers.
Allowed examination aids: A1 No calculator, no other aids
Examination details: One written exam: Letter grades