Virology BIO 315/515 Spring 2007 Lecture Syllabus
Professor:
Office:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
Dr. Teri Shors
HS 155
shors@uwosh.edu
Mondays: 10:20 am-11:30 pm Thursdays: 8-9:00 am 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.
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.
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 multiple choice, short answer, definitions, and short essay questions. There will be Global Perspective
Assignment worth 50 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
Global Perspective Assignment: Virus Outbreaks in the World
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.
50 pts.
450 PTS.
*Instructor reserves the right to adjust grades of
the entire class if necessary (e.g. curve).
Global Perspective 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.
Tentative Lecture Syllabus
Period
1
2
Date
M Jan. 29
W Jan 31
3
4
F Feb 1
M Feb 5
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
W Feb 7
F Feb 9
M Feb 12
W Feb 14
F Feb 16
M Feb 19
W Feb 21
F Feb. 23
M Feb 26
14
15
16
17
18
19
W Feb 28
F Mar 2
M Mar 5
W Mar 7
F Mar 9
M Mar 12
20
21
W Mar 14
F Mar 16
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
M Mar 26
W Mar 28
F Mar 30
M Apr 2
W Apr 4
F Apr 6
M Apr 9
W Apr 11
F Apr 13
M Apr 16
W Apr 18
F Apr 20
M Apr 23
W Apr 25
F Apr 27
M Apr 30
W May 2
F May 4
M May 7
W May 9
Topic
Syllabus/ SARS Nightline ABC News film
Introduce Global Perspectives Assignment
What are Viruses? History/Origin of Viruses
What are Viruses? History/Origin of Viruses
What are Viruses? History/Origin of Viruses
Applications of Viruses
Molecular Biology/Constraints of Host Cells
The Viral Replication Cycle/Virus Structure and Architecture
Virus Structure and Architecture/Laboratory Diagnosis of Viral Diseases
Laboratory Diagnosis of Viral Diseases
NIH Slide Show/Methods Slide Show
EXAM 1
Mechanisms of Infection and Spread of Viruses through the Body
Mechanisms of Infection and Spread of Viruses through the Body
Epidemiology of Viral Infections
Immunization Against Viral Diseases
Epidemiology of Viral Infections
Immune System Cont.
Immune System Cont. Short film: Your Immune System
Mechanisms of Viral Oncogenesis/Xenotransplantation
EXAM 2
Mechanisms of Viral Oncogenesis/Retroviruses
Film: Part 1 Organ Farm
Film: Part 2 Organ Farm
Environmental Changes/Species Barrier: Nipah Virus Film
Spring Break: March 19-23
Influenza: Winnebago County Study Virology Class 2001
Influenza: An American Experience Film
Film: Hunt for Killer Flu
Influenza
Influenza
Polioviruses
Polioviruses
Rabies
Poxviruses
HIV
HIV
EXAM 3
HIV: Film: Surviving AIDS
Herpes Viruses
Viral Hepatitis A-G
West Nile and Ebola Virus
Film: The Plague Fighters
Prion Diseases
Film: The Brain Eaters NOVA
REVIEW
42
F May 11
FINAL COMPREHENSIVE EXAM
The instructor reserves the right to change this syllabus at any time in the semester.