526-314 Medical Microbiology: Viruses and Prions

Credit cannot be obtained for this subject if credit has already been obtained for 526-303 (1999 Handbook) or for both 526-311 and 526-312 (2002 Handbook).

Microbiology 526-201 and 526-221 and preferably one or more of the following: microbiology 526-205, biochemistry 521-211 and 521-212, or genetics 652-214 and 652-215.

BBiomedSc students: microbiology 526-201 or 526-205; 521-213 and 536-250.

Upon completion of this subject students should be able to explain how medically important viruses cause disease. Students should be able to describe how viruses replicate, are transmitted and detected and how the host's immune response acts to limit viral infection and how, in some cases, this can lead to pathology. Finally, students should be able to apply relevant knowledge of viral pathogenesis, immunity and epidemiology to the determination of appropriate strategies for developing new vaccines.

Upon completion of this subject students will have an enhanced ability to:

• seek information from textbooks, scientific literature and computer-based sources;

• identify relevant issues and think critically about information so that broad principles and relevant evidence can be applied to problem solving;

• comprehend a question, evaluate the relevant information and communicate an answer, either orally or in writing; and

• effectively manage time to ensure attendance at lectures, tutorials and examinations.

A 1-hour mid-semester written examination (20%) and a 3-hour end-of-semester written examination (80%).

• D O White and F J Fenner, Medical Virology. 4th edn, 1994..