Course Description
Viral epidemics have had and continue to have major effects on world history and human affairs. Using case studies of primarily animal and plant viruses, students will develop a better understanding of virus biology and how viral diseases impact food production, health, and society.
Athena Title
Viruses Biology and Impact
Non-Traditional Format
This course will be taught 95% or more online.
Prerequisite
[(BIOL 1103 or BIOL 1103E) and BIOL 1103L)] or [(BIOL 1104 or BIOL 1104H) and BIOL 1104L) or [(BIOL 1107 or BIOL 1107E or BIOL 1107H) and BIOL 1107L] or [(BIOL 1108 or BIOL 1108H) and BIOL 1108L] or (PBIO 1220 and PBIO 1220L)
Semester Course Offered
Offered summer semester every year.
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
The course is designed for students with science and non-science majors to develop an appreciation and a better understanding of viruses and how viruses have impacted and continue to impact civilization by causing plant and zoonotic diseases. It will provide students with a basic knowledge of virology, an understanding of the threats imposed by viruses, and the social and economic implications and costs of virus diseases. Students will also gain insight into how newly emerging virus diseases could affect the global population and trade. Students will be able to read and understand news stories about viruses and virus diseases and be able to hold an intelligent conversation about the subject in professional and non-professional environments. The student, as a future leader in society, will be able to make informed decisions and choices for the allocation of one-health resources in society.
Topical Outline
Topic 1: Introduction to virology Historic outline of viruses and virus diseases Topic 2: What are viruses? Architecture of plant and animal viruses Nucleic acid composition of viruses Topic 3: Taxonomy and disease symptomatology Nomenclature (ICTV); symptomatology Topic 4: Virus diseases and global change Topic 5: Animal virus reservoirs: can your pets be sources of viruses? Topic 6: Animal virus vectors Topic 7: Vaccines and controlling viral diseases Topic 8: Plant viruses: Tobacco mosaic virus - 100 years of plant virology Topic 9: Insect or plant virus: Bunyaviruses Topic 10: Do plant viruses cause diseases in humans? Topic 11: Transgenic plants and controlling plant virus diseases Topic 12: Diagnosis of virus diseases - conventional and molecular techniques Topic 13: Economic impact of virus diseases Topic 14: Movement of viruses by vectors and virus management in the age of globalization Topic 15: Emerging/recent outbreaks of virus diseases in plants and animals Topic 16: Viroids and prions - Infectious agents smaller than viruses