Course - Virology - MOL3020
Virology
Assessments and mandatory activities may be changed until September 20th.
About
About the course
Course content
The course will give an overview of medically important virus families, their replication strategies and mechanisms for development of viral infectious diseases. Topics will include taxonomy, replication strategies, pathogenicity and transmission of viruses and, additionally, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of viral diseases. Antiviral immunity and viral evasion will also be covered. Common human viral infections will be the main focus of the course, and emphasis will be put on virus-host interactions as a key to understanding the diversity of viruses and viral diseases.
Learning outcome
Knowledge
The candidate can
- describe and review the elements of the viral life cycle
- explain the rationale behind the Baltimore classification system of viruses and present example viruses for each Baltimore group
- explain viral replication strategies; and compare and contrast replication mechanisms used by viruses relevant for human disease
- explain host antiviral immune mechanisms at a cellular and molecular level
- describe major viral strategies to evade host immune and cellular factors
- discuss principles of virus pathogenesis
- explain vaccine strategies and mechanisms of antiviral drugs
Skills
The candidate can
- discriminate between replication cycles of different classes of viruses
- evaluate and discriminate between pathogenic features of viruses and the host
- interpret data from scientific papers within virology-immunology
Competence
The candidate can use the knowledge and skills to
- discuss questions from and present arguments based on scientific findings
- discuss on the emergence of and differences between coronaviruses
Learning methods and activities
Lectures and alternative methods of teaching. Teaching and exam will be in English. Teaching throughout the semester *longitudinal.
Further on evaluation
Written exam. The language of instruction is English, and the exam must be answered in English. If few candidates sign up for the re-sit exam, oral examination may be considered and used.
Students with legitimate leave of absence at the final examination and students who receive the grade F may re-sit the examination in the following semester.
Recommended previous knowledge
Basic knowledge in microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology.
Course materials
Will be presented at the start of the semester.
Subject areas
- Molecular Medicine
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Biotechnology
- Cell Biology
- Medicine
Contact information
Course coordinator
Lecturers
Department with academic responsibility
Examination
Examination
Re-sit examination - Autumn 2025
School exam
The specified room can be changed and the final location will be ready no later than 3 days before the exam. You can find your room location on Studentweb.