Entry requirements

Cell biology of Biochemistry 22.5 credits (3MU121) - Tissue Biology with embryology 15 credits (3KB008) - Bacteriology of Immunology 10.5 credits (3KB013) - or equivalent courses

Learning outcomes

The course should give basic knowledge of molecular virology and immunology with special consideration to the role of virology within medicine.

On completion of the course the student is expected to:

• Be able to describe the taxonomic principles for the subdivision of viruses and describe the characteristics of the most important human c pathogenic viruses.
• Be able to describe the infection process at the organism level for a number of medically important viruses.
• Be able to describe pathogenesis and epidemiology in relation to the properties of a virus and the function of the immune system.
• Be able to describe how a virus affects cell-growth control and thereby can cause cancer in its host.
• Be able to describe viral properties that affect the genetic stability of viruses.
• Be able to describe general mechanisms in the viral life cycle: virus uptake, replication of the genome, gene regulation, protein synthesis, production of virions, and viral egress.
• Be able to describe the properties of zoonotic and newly discovered viruses.
• Be able to describe the mechanism of action of virus vaccines and antiviral drugs. .
• Have acquired practical laboratory experience in the field of molecular virology. To be able to plan experiments that show how viruses interact with the host cell.

Content

Virus taxonomy, important human pathogenic viruses, virus structure, the infection process at the level of cells and organisms, pathogenesis, epidemiology, zoonotic viruses, emerging viruses, molecular interactions between a virus and its host, genetic stability of viruses, influence on host cell growth control, immune response against viruses, virus vaccines, antiviral drugs, molecular virology experiment. Professional training.

Instruction

The teaching comprises lectures, seminars, professional training and laboratory sessions.

Attendance is compulsory at the seminars and laboratory sessions

Assessment

To receive a pass on the course, all compulsory parts and a passed on the written exam are required.

Possibility to repeat a failed laboratory course can be given at the earliest at next course and only in case of a vacancy.

Students who have not passed the examination have the right to repeat the examination 4 additional times (= total 5 examinations). If special circumstances apply, the programme committee may admit additional examinations. Submission of so called blank exam is counted as an examination.