Updated 1/28/06
Virology BIO 315/515 Spring 2006 Lecture Syllabus
Professor:
Office:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
Dr. Teri Shors
HS 155
shors@uwosh.edu
Mondays: 10:10 am-12:10 pm Fridays: 1:50-2:50 pm or by Appointment
E-mail communications will receive rapid responses.
Lecture:
MWF 8:00-9:00 a.m. HS 175
Textbook:
No textbook is required for this course.
Class NOTES/Attendance Policy: There are many details to learn regarding the molecular
biology of viruses and cellular pathogenesis of virally infected cells. For this reason, to help focus
students on the most important material, instructors will provide notes in the form of a powerpoint
presentation (available via D2L) ONLY IF class ATTENDANCE IS 90% IN THE CLASS. If
attendance drops below 90%, notes will no longer be provided.
Course Description: BIO 315/515 Virology (3+0) 3 cr. (Spring)
Principles of animal and human molecular virology. Topics include replication, expression, pathogenesis,
methods of diagnosis and detection, current uses of viruses in gene therapy and vaccine applications,
viruses and cancer and other diseases, persistent infections, and emerging viruses. Prerequisite: BIO 323
(Introduction to Molecular and Cell Biology) or consent of instructor.
Course Objectives:
 To present the historical perspectives of virology.
 To introduce the idea that viruses and all microorganisms, whether pathogenic or benign, are
important members of the biosphere and have an important impact on our daily and future activities.
This impact goes both ways.
 Virology is biology “writ small.” The principles studied here apply to all biological sciences. Virology is
intimately linked with molecular biology and biochemistry.
 To discuss the prospects of using medical technology to eliminate specific viral and other infectious
diseases.
Virology and Promoting the Liberal Arts: A liberal arts education refers to studies in a college or
university intended to provide general knowledge and develop intellectual capacities. A liberal arts
education prepares students to work in a variety of jobs. This is different from other types of education
where students develop professional or vocational skills for a specific job. The Biology, Microbiology and
Medical Technology Majors are offered at UW-Oshkosh within the College of Letters and Sciences
(COLS). The COLS emphasizes a liberal arts education. It promotes a liberal arts education model
proposed by Carol Geary Schneider, president of the Association of American Colleges and Universities
since 1998. Schneider stresses the idea that ALL students receive an education of lasting value,
relevant for the 21st century. In her model learning should be: 1) "analytical, contextual and holistic
thinking;" 2) "effective communication using multiple literacies and forms of expression;" 3) "critical
reflection/informed action as citizens, producers, human beings;" 4) "ethical action for local and global
communities;" and 5) "integrative learning."
At UW-Oshkosh, you will have a broad exposure to the liberal arts, while focusing on a topic that you are
particularly interested in such as a biology or microbiology. BIO 315 (Virology), is an elective course within
all three of the aforementioned majors. Virology is important in not only the study of infections and their
treatment and prevention, but also in the unraveling of the most fundamental aspects of biology.
This is because viruses have an intimate relationship with the basic machinery of their host cells. Thus,
research on how viruses reproduce themselves and spread has given us many insights into the way in
which the cells of our bodies function, leading in turn to a better understanding of the whole
organism and of how infective diseases may be prevented or cured.
1
Updated 1/28/06
Cells Phones: Please turn off cells phones during the lecture or exams of this course as a common
courtesy.
EXAM POLICY: If a student misses an exam because of extreme circumstances (e.g. death of a close
relative or a medical excuse), the student will be allowed to make up the exam ONLY if the instructor has
been contacted BEFORE the exam date. For medical excuses etc, documentation must be provided to
confirm illness or emergency. If this cannot be provided, the student will not be allowed to make up the
exam.
GRADING:
There will be three 100 pt. lecture exams and a 100 pt. COMPREHENSIVE final exam. Exam format will
be short answer, definitions, and short essay questions. There will be an Oshkosh Community Pandemic
Flu Plan Assignment worth 100 points that is required for this course. The grading system/point
breakdown below will be used for both undergraduates and graduate students, however, if you are a
graduate student, exams will be modified and more detail will be expected in answering questions.
UNDERGRADUATE EXAMS/ASSIGNMENTS
3 lecture exams
Comprehensive Final Exam
Oshkosh Community Pandemic Flu Plan Poster
TOTAL POINTS
A
AB
B
BC
C
CD
D
F
100-92%
91-88%
87-82%
81-77%
76-71%
70-64%
63-60%
<60%
Points Possible
300 pts.
100 pts.
100 pts.
500 PTS.
*Instructor reserves the right to adjust grades of
the entire class if necessary (e.g. curve).
Flu Plan Assignment: More information pertaining to the requirements and grading of this assignment
will be handed out later in the course.
Late Assignment Policy: A late assignment will not be accepted by the instructor.
Academic Dishonesty: Academic dishonesty, in any form, will not be tolerated by your instructor, and
any case of academic dishonesty that is detected will be dealt with according to University of WisconsinOshkosh regulations.
Graduate Students: Graduate students are allowed to take this course as a 500 level course. Therefore,
they will be treated differently than undergraduates in the course. Graduate students will have the same
number and points on exams---however, their exams will be modified such that they will have some
questions that will require more thought provoking questions and detailed answers. Some questions may
overlap with the undergraduate exams, however, these questions will be graded harder by the discretion
of the instructor.
2
Updated 1/28/06
Tentative Lecture Syllabus
Period
1
2
3
4
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
Topic
Syllabus/ Film: Ready or Not ABC News clip
Oprah: Deadly Flu: FLU Plan Group Assignments
Film: Influenza, An American Experience
Flu Plan: Role of Federal, State, Local (City) government
What are Viruses? History/Origin of Viruses
W Feb 8
What are Viruses? History/Origin of Viruses
Applications of Viruses
F Feb 10 Molecular Biology/Constraints of Host Cells
M Feb 13 The Viral Replication Cycle/Virus Structure and Architecture
W Feb 15 Virus Structure and Architecture/Laboratory Diagnosis of Viral Diseases
F Feb 17 Laboratory Diagnosis of Viral Diseases
M Feb 20 NIH Slide Show/Methods Slide Show
W Feb 22 EXAM 1
F Feb. 24 Mechanisms of Infection and Spread of Viruses through the Body
M Feb 27 Epidemiology of Viral Infections
Immunization Against Viral Diseases
W Mar 1
Epidemiology of Viral Infections
F Mar 3
Immune System Cont.
M Mar 6
Immune System Cont. Short film: Your Immune System
W Mar 8
Mechanisms of Viral Oncogenesis/Xenotransplantation
F Mar 10
EXAM 2
Spring BREAK March 14-18
M Mar 20 Mechanisms of Viral Oncogenesis/Retroviruses
Film: Part 1 Organ Farm
W Mar 22 Film: Part 2 Organ Farm
F Mar 24
Environmental Changes/Species Barrier: Nipah Virus Film
M Mar 27 Influenza: Winnebago County Study Virology Class 2001
W Mar 29 Influenza
F Mar 31
Influenza
M Apr 3
Film: Hunt for Killer Flu
W Apr 5
Flu Plan Group Day
F Apr 7
Polioviruses
M Apr 10 Polioviruses
W Apr 12 Rabies
F Apr 14
Poxviruses
M Apr 17 HIV
W Apr 19 HIV
F Apr 21
EXAM 3
M Apr 24 HIV: Film: Surviving AIDS
W Apr 26 Herpes Viruses
F Apr 28
Viral Hepatitis A-G
M May 1
West Nile and Ebola Virus
W May 3
Film: The Plague Fighters
F May 5
Prion Diseases
M May 8
Film: The Brain Eaters NOVA
W May 10 Poster Day Mini-Conference/Discussion
42
F May 12
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Date
M Jan. 30
W Feb 1
F Feb 3
M Feb 6
FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus at any time in the semester.
3