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Medical Microbiology: Virology (MIIM30014)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Subject Coordinators
Assoc Prof Damian Purcell
Assoc Prof Jason Mackenzie
jason.mackenzie@unimelb.edu.au
Administrative Coordinator
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This subject describes how medically important viruses interact with their hosts to cause infection.
The subject will cover the strategies that different groups of viruses employ to replicate in host cells, and their mechanisms for manipulating cellular biochemistry for their own ends. The different outcomes possible for both the virus and the host cell, including clearance, persistence, carcinogenesis, and immunodeficiency, will be discussed. Also covered will be how viruses may be transmitted and detected, and the pathogenic process. The host immune response to infection and the various mechanisms used by viruses to evade the host’s defences will also be explored. Chemotherapeutic and vaccine strategies to control viral infection, as wel as the exploitation of viruses as vectors for vaccine and gene therapy applications, will also be examined. These topics will be further illustrated by discussing the features of a range of medically important viruses.
Intended learning outcomes
Upon completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- understand fundamental concepts of viral replication, pathogenesis and transmission
- understand how viruses interact with host target cells and with host defence mechanisms
- apply relevant knowledge of replication, pathogenesis, immunity and epidemiology of viruses to the determination of appropriate control strategies
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
- the ability to interpret scientific literature and interpret data from electronic databases.
- the capacity to integrate knowledge across disciplines.
- the ability to comprehend a question, evaluate the relevant information and communicate an answer.
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
B. Science students (pre 2013)
Prerequisite subjects are both:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MIIM20001 | Principles of Microbiology & Immunology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
B. Sc. students who have taken MIIM20001, Principles in Microbiology and Immunology BUT NOT MIIM20003, Experimental Microbiology MAY be admitted to this subject after discussion with and specific permission from the subject coordinators.
B. Science students (2013 on)
Prerequisite subjects are both:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MIIM20001 | Principles of Microbiology & Immunology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MIIM20002 | Microbes, Infections and Responses | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
B. Biomedicine students (2009 on)
Prerequisite subjects are both:
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOM20001 | Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
MIIM20002 | Microbes, Infections and Responses | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
526-314 Medical Microbiology: Viruses (pre 2010)
526-333 Viruses and Other Parasites (pre 2010)
MIIM30014 Viruses and Other Parasites (pre 2011)
Recommended background knowledge
The 200 and 300 level prerequisite subjects should have provided a solid background in microbiology and immunology. An understanding of the molecules, genes and biology of the cell is important.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Assessment
Additional details
- 2 x 45 minute written examination held around weeks 5 and 10 of semester (2 x 20%).
- A 3 hour written examination held in the examination period (60%)
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Damian Purcell Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 x one hour lectures per week (total contact hours: 36) Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 29 July 2019 to 27 October 2019 Last self-enrol date 9 August 2019 Census date 31 August 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 27 September 2019 Assessment period ends 22 November 2019 Semester 2 contact information
Subject Coordinators
Assoc Prof Damian Purcell
Assoc Prof Jason Mackenzie
jason.mackenzie@unimelb.edu.au
Administrative Coordinator
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 11 April 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Principles of Virology, Flint SJ et al., 3rd Edn 2009 (two volumes)
- Subject notes
This subject is available to students enrolled in the:
NG B. Sc.
NG B. Biomed - Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Immunology Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Immunology Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Infection and Immunity Informal specialisation Microbiology specialisation Informal specialisation Microbiology Informal specialisation Animal Disease Biotechnology specialisation Informal specialisation Infection and Immunity specialisation - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 11 April 2024