Department of Biology & Biochemistry, Unit Catalogue 2008/09 |
BB20034 Virology |
| Credits: 6 |
| Level: Intermediate |
| Semester: 2 |
| Assessment: EX 80%, PR 20% |
| Requisites: |
| Before taking this unit you must take BB10006 |
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Aims & Learning Objectives: Aims: To introduce students to the basic characteristics of viruses, both as microorganisms and as agents of disease of animals and plants. After taking this course the student should be able to: * define the main characteristics of plant and animal viruses * know how to detect and identify viruses * understand the role of viruses in disease * recognise the importance of new and emerging virus infections * appreciate how some viruses spread and are controlled 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. |