Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2010/11 |
BB20034: Virology |
 Credits:
| 6 |
| Level:
| Intermediate |
| Period: | This unit is available in... |
| Semester 2 |
| Assessment:
| EX 80%, PR 20% |
| Supplementary Assessment: | Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations) |
| Requisites:
| Before taking this unit you must take BB10006 |
| Description:
| Aims: To introduce students to the basic characteristics of viruses, both as microorganisms and as agents of disease of animals and plants. Learning Outcomes: After taking this course the student should be able to: * define the main characteristics of plant and animal viruses; * describe and explain how to detect and identify viruses; * describe and explain the role of viruses in disease; * explain the importance of new and emerging virus infections; * explain how some viruses spread and are controlled. Skills: Learning and studying T/F/A, Written communication T/F/A, Laboratory skills T/F, Information technology T/F, Information handling & retrieval T/F/A, Working independently T/F. Content: The physical, chemical and biological properties of viruses; the life cycle and replication strategies of representative viruses; the effects of viruses at the whole organism, cellular and biochemical levels; principles of virus detection and disease diagnosis; virus transmission, ecology and control; emerging viruses and novel virus-like agents. Practical sessions introduce common methods for identification and characterisation of viruses. |