Course unit details:
Viruses and Disease 1
| Unit code | BIOL65211 |
|---|---|
| Credit rating | 15 |
| Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
| Teaching period(s) | Semester 1 |
| Offered by | School of Biological Sciences |
| Available as a free choice unit? | No |
Overview
Virology and clinical features
Diagnosis including molecular diagnosis
Epidemiology and global Impact
Treatment, management and prevention of diseases
In the following disease settings:
Congenital and antenatal viral infections
Childhood infections
Respiratory viral infections.
The unit will also cover current areas of research interest in each of these viral syndromes.
Aims
Develop the conceptual knowledge and understanding gained in the previous unit and apply it to specific viral diseases and syndromes. In particular the unit will cover disease in a congenital and antenatal setting, viral infections of childhood and respiratory viral infections and disease.
Teaching and learning methods
Teaching and Learning processes will include lectures, structured practical laboratory classes, and seminars. Resource materials will be provided via Blackboard.
Knowledge and understanding
Be able to identify and show depth of knowledge of the viruses that cause disease in pregnancy and infancy, childhood and via respiratory infection.
Have a critical understanding of the particular problems and ongoing challenges that viral infections cause in these settings.
Understand how the above viral infections are diagnosed including the importance and limitations of molecular methods.
Demonstrate a knowledge of current viral treatment and prevention strategies, how they are applied with respect to these infections and how effective they are.
Understand how the above viral infections are transmitted and how they impact on and affect global health.
Identify a current area of research in at least one of these areas of viral infection.
Intellectual skills
Synthesise and critically evaluate relevant scientific literature.
Present scientific and clinical data in an appropriate format.
Formulate a critical argument
Apply knowledge about viruses to solve clinical case studies.
Practical skills
Present information clearly in written form
Competently and safely carry out supervised laboratory tasks.
Begin to handle bioinformatic data sets
Clearly record laboratory methods and data
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Critically evaluate information from a variety of sources.
Interpret data and understand its significance to a particular viral infection
Demonstrate good time management and organisational skills in the laboratory setting.
Make a valuable contribution within a team
Assessment methods
| Method | Weight |
|---|---|
| Written exam | 50% |
| Portfolio | 50% |
Study hours
| Independent study hours | |
|---|---|
| Independent study | 150 |
Teaching staff
| Staff member | Role |
|---|---|
| Pamela Vallely | Unit coordinator |