BIOL 340 Virology
Syllabus
Dr. Wm. Jackson
Spring 2015
Instructor Information
Instructor:
William H. Jackson, Ph.D.
Office:
SBDG 201A
Office Hours:
By Appointment
Telephone:
641-3601
Email:
Billj@usca.edu
Course Information
Lecture:
TTh, 9:25-10:40PM in SBDG
200
Text:
Viruses: Biology, Application, and
Control, 1st Edition by Harper
Laboratory:
W, 1:00-3:40AM in SBDG 213
Text:
Writing Papers in the Biological
Sciences, 4th Edition by McMillan
Supplies:
Laboratory notebook,
Scantron® Sheets
Four (4) Semester Hours
Additional Information:
Credit:
Blackboard
Course Description: Virology is a four credit hour course for biology majors, which covers the basic principles of
virology. Topics covered will include viral diseases, virus-cell interactions, and patterns of viral replication. The
course will primarily cover viruses directly involved in human disease.
Course Objectives: This course will introduce the student to the underlying principles of virology. On completion
of this course, the student will be expected to
1. Describe the replication strategies of DNA and RNA viruses
2. Describe the pathogenesis of viral diseases in humans
3. Describe strategies to prevent and combat viral diseases
4. Conduct a literature search and prepare a written review of a specific viral family
Attendance Policy: Students are expected to attend all lecture and laboratory sessions. In this regard, the instructor
may impose a penalty for absences in excess of 25% of regularly scheduled class (lab or lecture) meetings by
assigning an “F” in the course. Absences, neither excused not unexcused, absolve the student from meeting class
assignments. Because of their nature, weekly quizzes and laboratory exercises cannot be made up.
Disability Statement: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability that might affect your
performance in this class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, B&E 134, (803) 643-6816, as soon as
possible. The Office of Disability Services will determine appropriate accommodations based on documentation.
Policy for Portable Electronic Devices: The use of any portable electronic devices, including cell phones, pagers,
MP3 players, iPods, etc., during class is not allowed for any reason unless prior approval has been given to a student
from the instructor or unless required for the course. If you are planning to have any of these devices in class, they
must be turned off and stowed away for the duration of the class period. If you use a portable electronic device
during a test, quiz, or other assessment, you are eligible to receive a failing grade on that assignment.
Methods of Presentation and Evaluation: Information will be presented through lectures, class discussion, and
laboratory exercises using appropriate visual aids and laboratory equipment. Your final grade will be determined as
shown below.
You will be expected to endorse the USCA HONOR PLEDGE on every assignment: 'On my honor as a University
of South Carolina Aiken student, I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this
assignment/examination. To the best of my knowledge, I am not in violation of academic honesty'.
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BIOL 340 Virology
Syllabus
Description
Three 1-hour exams
Final Exam
Weekly quizzes
Research Paper
Literature reviews
Laboratory reports
Poster
Laboratory quizzes
Laboratory notebook
Class participation
Dr. Wm. Jackson
Spring 2015
Points
Percentage
300
100
100
150
100
50
50
50
50
50
30%
10%
10%
15%
10%
5%
5%
5%
5%
5%
Comments
100 points each
100 point comprehensive final exam
Each covers material from the previous 1-2 weeks
Literature review of a virus family
Five reviews of the primary literature (20 pts each)
Written report of laboratory assignments
Summary of laboratory results
Covering laboratory content
Well-kept laboratory notebook
Letter grades will be based on the total accumulated points and will be assigned as follows: A>900; B>800; C>650;
D>550; F<550.
Writing Assignments: Below is a brief overview of the writing assignments you will be responsible for during the
semester. More complete descriptions and tasks will be provided separately. Written products will be evaluated
based on one of two rubrics that will be provided with each assignment. Multiple revisions are encouraged during
the writing process, and should be based on both peer reviews and conferences with the instructor.
Research paper (150 points). Your research paper will consist of a full description of a particular virus family. The
specific family will be chosen by the student. Revisions will be allowed (and expected) based on peer reviews and
conferences with the instructor. See specific assignment handout for details.
Research summaries (100 points). You will be assigned six primary research articles from your research paper’s
bibliography to summarize. Revisions will be allowed (and expected). See specific assignment handout for details.
Laboratory reports and notebook (100 points). You will be assigned five laboratory reports during the course of the
semester. Each report will be based upon experimental work and must be supported by information (e.g., purpose,
methods, and results) found in your laboratory notebook.
TENTATIVE LABORATORY SCHEDULE
WEEK
DATE
The Molecular Biology of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus
1
Jan 14 Introduction to research: the literature search and bibliography; Assignment of virus
and discussion of lab procedures; proper maintenance of lab records
2
Jan 21
Literature search: gene target and sequence
3
Jan 28 Assignment: five papers on assigned virus with 250-word review (Introduction)
4
Feb 4
Molecular Biology Tools: DNA analysis
5
Feb 11 Experimental design
Assignment: Methods (oligo design)
6
Feb 18 Amplification of gene sequences
Assignment: Methods (PCR)
7
Feb 25 Gel analysis
Assignment: Results (PCR)
8
Mar 4
PCR cleanup and gel analysis
Assignment: Results (Gel analysis)
9
Mar 11 Spring Break – No Classes
10
Mar 18 Molecular Biology Tools: Sequencing
11
Mar 25 Sequence analysis
12
Apr 1
Data preparation
13
Apr 8
Discussion – What does it all mean?
14
Apr 15 Poster preparation
15
Apr 22 Poster preparation and wrap up
16
Apr 29 Poster session
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BIOL 340 Virology
Syllabus
Dr. Wm. Jackson
Spring 2015
Virology poster session: Each group will prepare a poster that describes their virology lab project. A poster
template will be provided. A discussion on how to prepare a research poster can be found in chapter 10 in your
supplemental text. The poster session will be held on Wednesday, April 29 at 1PM in the Science Building. During
this time, each group will be expected to remain next to their poster to explain their work and answer questions. The
audience will be members of the Biology and Geology faculty, as well as students, and any other invited guests.
WEEK
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
Final
DATE
Jan 13
Jan 15
Jan 20
Jan 22
Jan 27
Jan 29
Feb 3
Feb 5
Feb 10
Feb 12
Feb 17
Feb 19
Feb 24
Feb 26
Mar 3
Mar 5
Mar 10
Mar 12
Mar 17
Mar 19
Mar 24
Mar 26
Mar 31
Apr 2
Apr 7
Apr 9
Apr 14
Apr 16
Apr 21
Apr 23
May 5
TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
TOPIC
An Introduction to Virology
An Introduction to Virology
Virus Structure and Infection
Virus Structure and Infection
Virus Structure and Infection
Virus Classification and Evolution
Virus Classification and Evolution
Virus Classification and Evolution
Virus Replication
Exam I
Virus Replication
Virus Replication
Immune Response and Evasion
Immune Response and Evasion
Immune Response and Evasion
Vaccines and Vaccination
SPRING BREAK – No Classes
Vaccines and Vaccination
Exam II
Vaccines and Vaccination
Antiviral Drugs
Antiviral Drugs
Emergence, Spread, and Extinction
Emergence, Spread, and Extinction
Emergence, Spread, and Extinction
Viral Replication Strategies
Exam III
Viral Replication Strategies
Viral Replication Strategies
Final Exam at 8:00AM in SBDG 200
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CHAPTER
1
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
4
4
4
5
5
5
6
6
8
8
8
Appendix I
Appendix I
Appendix I
Cumulative