VIRO3002 - Medical and Applied Virology

Faculty of Science - 6 credit points
HECS Band three
Fee band eleven
EFTSL: 0.125
When offered: Semester 2
Assumed knowledge: Intermediate microbiology, immunology, molecular biology and genetics.
Prerequisites: For BSc students: 6 CP MBLG units and at least 6 CP from Intermediate MICR or BCHM or BIOL or IMMU or PCOL or PHSI units.
For BMedSc Students: 42 credit points of Intermediate BMED units including BMED 2807.
Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Colin Harbour

Classes: 2hr lec/wk, 2hr tut & 4hr prac/fortnight

Assessment: Formal examination: One 2 hr exam Progressive assessment: 2000 w essay; tutorial case presentation, poster presentation

Textbooks: Principles of Virology. Edited by Flint, Enquist et al. ASM Press 2004. ISBN 1-5581-259-7.

This unit of study explores the way viruses invade cells, infect individual patients and spread in the community. Host/Virus interactions will also be described with a focus on the viral mechanisms that have evolved to combat and/or evade host defence systems. These features will be used to explain the symptoms, spread and control of particular human diseases ranging from the common cold to HIV. The unit will be taught by the Infectious Diseases and Immunology Unit of the Department of Medicine with the involvement of associated clinical and research experts who will contribute lectures on their own special interests and with contributions from the discipline of Microbiology. In the practical classes students will have the opportunity to develop their skills in performing and interpreting the methods currently used in diagnostic and research virology. In the tutorials emerging problems as diverse as SARS and liver cancer will be analysed in the light of the concepts and knowledge being studied in the course. Students are very strongly recommended to complete VIRO(3001 or 3901) before enrolling in VIRO3002 Medical and Applied Virology in Semester 2.