BIOL 421, GENERAL VIROLOGY
Fall 2007
Syllabus
Course content: This is a basic virology course. The emphasis will be on host-virus interactions at the
molecular and cellular level. The major focus will be animal viruses, but I will be cover bacteriophage and
a few plant viruses as well. Course materials, including my powerpoint presentations, and grades will be
available through BlackBoard.
Prerequisites:
1. Cell Biology (BIOL 220) – This is an absolute requirement!! If you don’t have a
solid understanding of cell structure and the processes of transcription and translation,
drop the class now.
2. Microbiology (BIOL 323) – Also listed as a requirement, but I’ll let it slide if you’ve
had #3.
3. Genetics (BIOL 321) – recommended, but not required
4. Organic chemistry and biochemistry are very helpful, but not required
5. Immunology is also helpful, but not required
Instructor: Dr. Holly C. Pinkart, Science Building 236D, pinkarth@cwu.edu
Office Hours: M 2:00-4:00, W 10:00-12:00, SCI 236D, phone 963-2710
Text: Virology: Principles and Applications. 2007. Authors: Carter and Saunders (Wiley Publishing)
Lecture: Monday –Friday 8:00 – 8:50, with Friday as a literature discussion day 8:00-9:00
Grade Determination: The grade in this class is determined by the following:
3 Lecture Exams – 60%
Grading Scale:
93-100% = A
92-90 = A76-78 = C+
72-75 = C
60-62 = D<60 = F
86-89 = B+
69-71 = C-
Quizzes – 20%
82-85 = B
66-68 = D+
Discussion – 20%
79 – 81 = B63-65 = D
Lecture Exams:
The exams for this course will be approximately 50% essay and short answer, with the remaining
50% assorted multiple choice, True-False, fill in the blank, and matching. If you know in advance
that you will miss an exam, you may take it early. You must let me know at least 1 week prior to
the exam that you plan to miss the exam. If you fail to take an exam, it may be made up by taking
a comprehensive exam at the end of the quarter. This applies for one exam only. THERE ARE NO
EXCEPTIONS TO THIS RULE. The final exam (exam 3) is not comprehensive. On exam days I
will open the classroom at 7:30 so you can have extra time if you wish.
Quizzes:
Quizzes will be posted online in BlackBoard Thursday at ~ 5:00 pm and will remain available
until Sunday evening 11:55 pm. Quiz post dates: Sept 20, Sept 27, Oct 4, Oct 18, Oct 25, Nov 1,
Nov 15, and Nov 20*. You are allowed to drop one quiz. While I can’t monitor this, the quizzes
are not intended to be open note. They are intended to test your knowledge and encourage you to
stay current with the lecture material, not test how quickly you can flip through your notes or book
to find an answer. I also expect that the quizzes are solo, not group efforts.
*Tuesday of Thanksgiving week
Discussion.
For this quarter, our discussions of primary literature will focus on the influenza virus. Everyone
is expected to read each paper prior to discussion, and participate in discussion. Simply
presenting your paper and never contributing again will only earn you full credit for the day you
present. Also, when presenting your paper, stating something like “the paper said this, but I don’t
really understand it” is not acceptable. If you don’t understand something either ask me (PLEASE
come to my office hours!), or look it up yourself. The papers I have chosen are current scientific
research papers from journals such as Science, Nature and Journal of Virology. The discussion is
intended to allow you to become familiar with all aspects of the influenza virus, the scientific
method, virology techniques and encourage critical thinking. A primer on how to interpret/present
primary literature is available on BlackBoard under course information.
Lecture Topics, Tentative Schedule:
TOPIC
Introduction to viruses, review of host cell processes
CHAPTER(S)
1, 6 (skip 6.2)
Virus structure and classification
3, 10
Transmission of, and host response to, viral infection
4, 9
Methods for the study of viruses
2
Viral attachment and entry into host cells
5
Viral infection cycles
Double stranded DNA viruses – genome replication
7.1-7.5
Herpesviruses and baculoviruses
11, BlackBoard
Tailed phage (λ phage and lysogeny)
19.5, 19.5.3
Single stranded DNA viruses - Parvoviruses
12
Double stranded RNA viruses – genome replication
7.6
Single stranded RNA viruses – genome replication
7.7
Plus Strand (positive sense) RNA viruses
Picornaviruses
14
Coronaviruses - SARS
BlackBoard, 21.5.1
Tobacco Mosaic Virus
BlackBoard
Negative Strand (negative sense) RNA viruses
Rhadoviruses
15
Influenza Virus
BlackBoard
Hantavirus
BlackBoard, 21.2.1
Retroviruses – genome replication
HIV
7.8, 16
17
Prions
26
Prevention of viral infection
24
Emerging viruses
21
Origin and evolution of viruses
20
Exam dates
Exam I
October 15
Exam II
November 13
Final Exam
December 7, 8:00 am
OTHER INFO
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Academic honesty is expected in all matters.
I use Blackboard to as a platform for delivery of course materials. I also post things like job
announcements, emergency class info, etc. Your grades will be posted here, as will exam keys. Check
it often for new materials or announcements. I use your Groupwise email accounts for contacting
individuals, so please check it.
Students with disabilities who wish to set up academic adjustments in this class should give me a copy
of their “Confirmation of Eligibility for Academic Adjustments” from the Disability Support Services
Office as soon as possible so we can meet to discuss how the approved adjustments will be
implemented in this class. Students with disabilities without this form should contact the Disability
Support Services Office, Bouillon 205 or dssrecept@cwu.edu or 963-2171 ASAP.
No, there is no extra credit (except for what is offered on exams). Concentrate on doing well the work
that is required, and you won’t need to do extra work to make up for poor performance.
Course Outcomes: At the end of the course, students should be able to:
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Critically analyze primary literature pertaining to
viruses and their interaction with host organisms
and individual host cells
Diagram replication strategies for the major
classes of viruses
Discuss various methods for culturing viruses
Explain different strategies for viral gene
expression, infection patterns and pathogenesis
Explain the differences between different classes
of viruses
Discuss various methods used to study viral gene
expression, infection patterns and pathogenesis
Identify reliable sources of information about
epidemics, emerging viruses, and vaccination
programs
Describe prevention and treatment strategies
associated with various viral infections
Identify viruses associated with biocontrol and
other beneficial technologies
Be a virus, see the world.