| Unit name | Medical Virology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PANM33009 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Matthews |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
Three 6/H lecture units and Research Skills unit. |
| School/department | School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
This unit will comprehensively review the main viral diseases of man in terms of their natural history, biology, molecular biology, immunology, pathogenesis and epidemiology. The viruses in question will include HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses, herpesviruses, papillomaviruses, influenza viruses, measles viruses, rotaviruses and others. The unit will conclude with a review of the important and increasingly sophisticated area of diagnostic virology. It is difficult to over-estimate the global impact on public health of viruses. They are responsible for millions of deaths and countless episodes of ill health arising from chronic or acute infections each year worldwide. There are effective vaccines to combat some viral infections but in most cases good vaccines remain elusive. Indeed, for some viruses, it is not at all clear if vaccines can be developed in the foreseeable future given our present level of understanding. Lectures will be in weeks 1-4.
Aims:
To review the general virology of the most important viral pathogens in terms of world health including HIV, hepatitis viruses, herpesviruses and others.
Knowledge and understanding of the main viral diseases of man. Knowledge of the scientific literature pertaining to viruses with an impact on human health and an ability to evaluate this literature critically.
Lectures, Data Handling Session.
Independent study: Students are expected to study the recommended literature.
Timed assessment to include 2 essays, one essay to be chosen from each section containing three questions.
Reviews and primary articles from the current scientific literature.
