BIOL 421, GENERAL VIROLOGY

Fall 2007

Syllabus

Course content: This is a basic virology course. The emphasis will be on host-virus interactions at the molecular and cellular level. The major focus will be animal viruses, but I will be cover bacteriophage and a few plant viruses as well. Course materials, including my powerpoint presentations, and grades will be available through BlackBoard.

Prerequisites: 1. Cell Biology (BIOL 220) – This is an absolute requirement!! If you don’t have a solid understanding of cell structure and the processes of transcription and translation, drop the class now.

2. Microbiology (BIOL 323) – Also listed as a requirement, but I’ll let it slide if you’ve had #3.

  1. Genetics (BIOL 321) – recommended, but not required
  2. Organic chemistry and biochemistry are very helpful, but not required
  3. Immunology is also helpful, but not required

Instructor: Dr. Holly C. Pinkart, Science Building 236D,

Office Hours: M 2:00-4:00, W10:00-12:00, SCI 236D, phone 963-2710

Text: Virology:Principles and Applications. 2007. Authors: Carter and Saunders (Wiley Publishing)

Lecture: Monday –Friday8:00 – 8:50, with Friday as a literature discussion day8:00-9:00

Grade Determination: The grade in this class is determined by the following:

3 Lecture Exams – 60% Quizzes – 20%Discussion – 20%

Grading Scale:

93-100% = A92-90 = A-86-89 = B+82-85 = B79 – 81 = B-

76-78 = C+72-75 = C69-71 = C-66-68 = D+63-65 = D

60-62 = D-<60 = F

Lecture Exams:

The exams for this course will be approximately 50% essay and short answer, with the remaining 50% assorted multiple choice, True-False, fill in the blank, and matching. If you know in advance that you will miss an exam, you may take it early. You must let me know at least 1 week prior to the exam that you plan to miss the exam. If you fail to take an exam, it may be made up by taking a comprehensive exam at the end of the quarter. This applies for one exam only. THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE. The final exam (exam 3) is not comprehensive. On exam days I will open the classroom at 7:30 so you can have extra time if you wish.

Quizzes:

Quizzes will be postedonline in BlackBoard Thursday at ~ 5:00 pm and will remain available until Sunday evening 11:55 pm. Quiz post dates: Sept 20, Sept 27, Oct 4, Oct 18, Oct 25, Nov 1, Nov 15, and Nov 20*. You are allowed to drop one quiz. While I can’t monitor this, the quizzes are not intended to be open note. They are intended to test your knowledge and encourage you to stay current with the lecture material, not test how quickly you can flip through your notes or book to find an answer. I also expect that the quizzes are solo, not group efforts.

*Tuesday of Thanksgiving week

Discussion.

For this quarter, our discussions of primary literature will focus on the influenza virus. Everyone is expected to read each paper prior to discussion, and participate in discussion. Simply presenting your paper and never contributing again will only earn you full credit for the day you present. Also, when presenting your paper, stating something like “the paper said this, but I don’t really understand it” is not acceptable. If you don’t understand something either ask me (PLEASE come to my office hours!), or look it up yourself. The papers I have chosen are current scientific research papers from journals such as Science, Nature and Journal of Virology. The discussion is intended to allow you to become familiar with all aspects of the influenza virus, the scientific method, virology techniques and encourage critical thinking. A primer on how to interpret/present primary literature is available on BlackBoard under course information.

Lecture Topics, Tentative Schedule:

Topic

/ Chapter(s)
Introduction to viruses, review of host cell processes / 1, 6 (skip 6.2)
Virus structure and classification / 3, 10
Transmission of, and host response to, viral infection / 4, 9
Methods for the study of viruses / 2
Viral attachment and entry into host cells / 5
Viral infection cycles
Double stranded DNA viruses –genome replication / 7.1-7.5

Herpesviruses and baculoviruses

/ 11, BlackBoard
Tailed phage (λ phage and lysogeny) / 19.5, 19.5.3
Single stranded DNA viruses - Parvoviruses / 12
Double stranded RNA viruses – genome replication / 7.6
Single stranded RNA viruses – genome replication / 7.7
Plus Strand (positive sense) RNA viruses
Picornaviruses / 14

Coronaviruses - SARS

/ BlackBoard, 21.5.1

Tobacco Mosaic Virus

/ BlackBoard
Negative Strand (negative sense) RNA viruses
Rhadoviruses / 15
Influenza Virus / BlackBoard
Hantavirus / BlackBoard, 21.2.1
Retroviruses – genome replication / 7.8, 16
HIV / 17
Prions / 26
Prevention of viral infection / 24
Emerging viruses / 21
Origin and evolution of viruses / 20
Exam dates
Exam I / October 15
Exam II / November 13
Final Exam / December 7, 8:00 am

Other Info

1.Academic honesty is expected in all matters.

  1. I use Blackboard to as a platform for delivery of course materials. I also post things like job announcements, emergency class info, etc. Your grades will be posted here, as will exam keys. Check it often for new materials or announcements. I use your Groupwise email accounts for contacting individuals, so please check it.
  2. Students with disabilities who wish to set up academic adjustments inthis class should give me a copy of their “Confirmation of Eligibilityfor Academic Adjustments” from the Disability Support Services Officeas soon as possible so we can meet to discuss how the approvedadjustments will be implemented in this class. Students withdisabilities without this form should contact the Disability SupportServices Office, Bouillon 205 or or 963-2171 ASAP.
  3. No, there is no extra credit (except for what is offered on exams). Concentrate on doing well the work that is required, and you won’t need to do extra work to make up for poor performance.

Course Outcomes: At the end of the course, students should be able to:

  • Critically analyze primary literature pertaining to viruses and their interaction with host organisms and individual host cells
  • Diagram replication strategies for the major classes of viruses
  • Discuss various methods for culturing viruses
  • Explain different strategies for viral gene expression, infection patterns and pathogenesis
  • Explain the differences between different classes of viruses
  • Discuss various methods used to study viral gene expression, infection patterns and pathogenesis
  • Identify reliable sources of information about epidemics, emerging viruses, and vaccination programs
  • Describe prevention and treatment strategies associated with various viral infections
  • Identify viruses associated with biocontrol and other beneficial technologies

Be a virus, see the world.