MICR 405(G)
VIROLOGY
Wendell L. French, Ph.D.
Office: Rm 232
Phone 298-1294
Email: WL-French@wiu.edu
Spring 2012
Office hours: Mon 11a.m.-12 p.m., Tue 10 a.m.-12 p.m., Wed 11 a.m.-12 p.m.
Lecture (Rm 234): Wed. 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Lab (Rm 234): Friday 9-10:50 a.m.
SYLLABUS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITH NOTICE!
Textbooks and other materials:
Basic Virology by E. K.Wagner, M. J. Hewlett, D. C. Bloom, and D. Camerini. 3rd
Edition, 2008. Blackwell Science, Publ.
Virology Study Guide II. K. C. Keudell. 2005.
Web site:
American Society for Microbiology: www.asmusa.org/
Center for Disease Control: www.cdc.gov/
WebCT: http://westernonline.wiu.edu = instructions will be given later
Course description:
A study of the biological characteristics of animal, plant, and bacterial viruses and the
viruses which cause disease.
Prerequesites: Bot 200, Micr 200, Zool 200
Exams and Grade Scale
Exam 1
Exam 2
Exam 3
Final Exam
Lab Exam
Lab Attendance
50 pts.
50 pts.
50 pts.
50 pts.
50 pts.
28 pts.
(2 pts. for each day present in lab)
Assignments
(10 pts. each)
Quizzes
Lab Exercises
(10 pts. each)
Total Points
40 pts.
20 pts.
50 pts.
______
388 pts.
UNDERGRAD GRADING SCALE
100-93% = A
92-90% = A89-87% = B+
86-83% = B
82-80% = B79-77% = C+
76-73% = C
72-70% = C69-67% = D+
66-63% = D
62-60% = D59% and below = F
GRAD GRADING SCALE
A = 95-100%
B = 85-94%
C = 75-84%
D = 65-74%
F = below 65%
Each exam may include short answer essay, fill-in-the-blanks, multiple choice, true false,
or matching. Exam format will be discussed prior to each exam.
Lab exam: Information and format will be presented before the exam.
Assignments and unannounced/announced quizzes will be given throughout the semester.
Assignments: If you are not present in class the day the assignment is handed out, you
will receive a zero. If you are excused for your absence the day the
assignment is handed out, you will receive the assignment. Assignments
are usually given a week before each lecture exam. All assignments must
be submitted by the due date listed on the assignment instructions.
Unannounced/announced quizzes: If you are not present the day a quiz is given
(unannounced or announced), you will receive a
zero. If you are excused for your absence the day a
quiz is given, you will have the opportunity to take
the make-up quiz.
Make-up Exams: Make-up exams will only be given if you provide a valid excuse prior
to the absence or valid documentation after-the-fact.
Late Work Policy: Assignments and written reports (i.e., lab exercises) will be docked
10% of their final grade per day that they are late.
Attendance: In order to get the most out of your education, you are expected to attend
all lectures and labs and to be on time and stay for the entire class period. Attendance for
a course such as this is critical to your understanding of the material. Attendance will be
taken at the beginning of each class period in lecture as well as lab. Note that 2
unexcused laboratory absences will result in an automatic failure of the course. An
excused absence requires proper documentation: if you are sick, provide me with a
doctor’s note; if there is a family death, provide me with appropriate funeral
documentation. Undocumented absences are considered unexcused by the University.
Any combination of two incidences of coming to lab late and/or leaving lab early will
be considered and treated as an unexcused absence.
Lecture exams will cover material presented in the text and in lecture. Notes for lectures
will be available on WebCT Vista after the completion of each lecture unit. Access to
WebCT Vista is available at: http://westernonline.wiu.edu/
CHEATING AND PLAGIARISM WILL NOT BE TOLERATED.
Definition of Plagiarism
The faculty of the Department of Biological Sciences ascribes to a definition of
plagiarism as expressed by V. E. McMillan in Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences
(Bedford/St.Martin’s Press, New York, pg 16)
“Plagiarism is the theft of someone else’s words, work, or ideas. It includes such
acts as (1) turning in a friend’s paper and saying it is yours; (2) using another
person’s data or ideas without acknowledgement; (3) copying an author’s exact
words and putting them in your paper without quotation marks; and (4) using
wording that is very similar to that of the original source but passing it off as entirely
your own even while acknowledging the source.”
This includes information in textbooks or laboratory manuals, honors and masters theses,
all writing assignments, and images. The faculty of the Department attempt to monitor
student writing assignments (essay exams, papers, laboratory reports, and other writing
assignments or exercises) for incidence of plagiarism. If plagiarism is found, the faculty
will discuss the situation with the student and indicate to the student the penalty for this
academic dishonesty. Potential penalties include those cited in the academic dishonesty
section of the WIU web page.
Students with Disabilities:
"In accordance with University policy and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),
academic accommodations may be made for any student who notifies the instructor of the
need for an accommodation. For the instructor to provide the proper accommodation(s)
you must obtain documentation of the need for an accommodation through Disability
Resource Center (DRC) and provide it to the instructor. It is imperative that you take the
initiative to bring such needs to the instructor's attention, as he/she is not legally
permitted to inquire about such particular needs of students. Students who may require
special assistance in emergency evacuations (i.e. fire, tornado, etc.) should contact the
instructor as to the most appropriate procedures to follow in such an emergency. Contact
Disability Resource Center at 298-2512 for additional services."
“Be Respectful” Policy: Be respectful in class. Please do not disturb other students by
talking unnecessarily, reading the paper, passing notes, doing homework for another
course, etc. during the class. PLEASE TURN OFF ALL CELL PHONES, BEEPERS,
AND OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES DURING CLASS. If you repeatedly
disturb the class with talking, your cell phone, etc., I will ask you to leave the class.
Come to class on time and stay until the end. If you have a hard time hearing me, please
don’t hesitate to ask me to talk louder, or move your seat as you need to be able to hear
better.
It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the information (including required
forms, definitions, and time lines) contained in the following university web sites. Each
student should access these web sites and carefully read the information they contain,
your instructors will hold you responsible for knowing this information. If you have
questions about any of the information contained in the web sites, ask your instructor:
Department of Biological Sciences Policies:
http://www.wiu.edu/biology/about/policies.shtml
Student Rights and Responsibilities:
http://www.wiu.edu/provost/student/
Final Exam Policy:
http://www.wiu.edu/policies/finexam.php
Academic Integrity Policy:
http://www.wiu.edu/policies/acintegrity.php
Grade Appeals Policy:
http://www.wiu.edu/policies/gradeapp.php
STATE ACCREDITATION POLICY INFORMATION:
“In accordance with Illinois State Board of Education certification rules, all candidates seeking
teacher certification are required by Western Illinois University to obtain a grade of “C” or better
in all directed general education course, all core courses, and all courses in the option. Note: A
“C- ” is below a “C”.” Please note: any secondary science teacher certification student wanting
to see how this course is aligned with the State and National Standards should see their advisor
and/or examine the Secondary Science Teacher Certification WesternOnline Advising site.
SEE NEXT PAGE FOR CLASS SCHEDULE.
VIROLOGY
MICR 405(G)
CLASS SCHEDULE
Instructor: Wendell L. French, Ph.D.
Date
Topic
Spring 2012
Textbook Chps.
1/18
Historical Aspects and Characteristics of Viruses
1/20
Lab: No Lab
1/25
1/27
Structure and Classification
Lab: Movie (Influenza [Spanish Flu) 1918]
Unit 2: Ch. 5
2/1
2/3
Structure and Classification
Lab: General Concepts
Unit 2: Ch. 5
2/8
2/10
Virus Replication Cycle
Lab: Review of General Concepts
Unit 3: Ch. 6
2/15
2/17
Virology Techniques
Lab: Exam 1
Unit 4:Ch.9,10,11
2/22
Cellular Mechanisms Of Host Cells
Genetics of Viruses
Lab: Characteristics and titer of phage T4 and T4r
Unit 5: Ch. 13
Unit 6: Ch. 22
2/29
3/2
Bacteriophage
Lab: Results for bacteriophage titer
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Unit 7: Ch. 6, 14
3/7
3/9
Bacteriophage
Lab: Continuation of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Unit 7: Ch. 16, 18
2/24
3/12-3/16
Unit 1:
Ch. 1,2,3,4
SPRING BREAK
3/21
3/23
Viral Diseases: Effects On Host
Lab: Exam 2; Examine results of PCR
Lambda DNA restriction enzyme analysis
Unit 8: Ch.3,4,15
3/28
Host Response to Viruses
Antiviral Agents and Vaccines
Lab: Continuation of Lambda DNA restriction
enzyme analysis
Unit 9: Ch. 7,8
Unit 10: Ch. 8
3/30
4/4
Replication of RNA Viruses: Positive-Sense
Replication of RNA Viruses: Negative-Sense
Lab: Examine results of Lambda DNA restriction
enzyme analysis
Unit 11: Ch. 14
Unit 12: Ch. 15
Replication of DNA Viruses
Tumor Viruses
Lab: Simulated Detection of HIV-1 by Western Blot
Unit 13: Ch.16,17
Unit 14: Ch. 19
4/18
4/20
Retroviruses: Lentivirus
Lab: Exam 3; Results and Discussion for Simulated Detection
of HIV-1 by Western Blot
Unit 15: Ch.19
4/25
4/27
Viral Diseases
Lab: Lab Review
Unit 16
5/2
5/4
Viral Diseases
Lab: Lab exam
Unit 16
5/9
Final Exam Wednesday, 6 – 7:50 P.M. Rm. 234
4/6
4/11
4/13
SYLLABUS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITH NOTICE!