| 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.
Exam to include 2 essays, one essay to be chosen from each section containing three questions.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PANM33009).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the Faculty workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. If you have self-certificated your absence from an
assessment, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (this is usually in the next assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any extenuating circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
