Course code BIO334

BIO334 Virology

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Showing course contents for the educational year 2022 - 2023 .

Course responsible: Ida Ormaasen, Øystein Wessel, Espen Rimstad
Teachers: Øystein Wessel, 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 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
Learning activities:
Lectures and colloqiua with guidance.
Teaching support:

The teacher can be contacted by e-mail: espen.rimstad@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:
No mandatory activities. 
Assessment:
Final, written exam for 3,5 hours, counts 100 %. Grades A - F.
Nominal workload:
  • Lectures: 9x 2 hours.
  • Guided colloquia: 4x 2 hours.
  • Preparations and self study: 99 hours.
Entrance requirements:
Special requirements in Science
Type of course:
One double-lecture per week. Some weeks the lectures will be replaced with guided colloquia. 
Examiner:
An external examiner evaluates all examination papers.
Allowed examination aids: A1 No calculator, no other aids
Examination details: One written exam: Letter grades