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Medical Microbiology: Virology (MIIM30014)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
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
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 2 |
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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 well 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:
- explain fundamental concepts of how viruses interact with host target cells and replicate within them;
- describe the diverse range of viruses, and the ways in which they interact with their hosts and the environment;
- describe the way in which the immune system responds to defend the body against virus infection and how viruses evade these responses;
- explain the molecular basis of various viruses to cause disease, together with strategies to interrupt this process, including the development of new antivirals;
- apply relevant knowledge of replication, pathogenesis, immunity and epidemiology of viruses to the determination of appropriate control strategies;
- explain how viruses can be harnessed in research and to improve medical health outcomes;
- understand the most suitable techniques and tools to investigate a viral outbreak;
- demonstrate an understanding of viral disease in a local and global context;
- formulate scientific ideas and findings and communicate these in written form.
- describe the principles and procedures involved in the identification and characterisation of viruses;
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
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOM20001 | Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
MIIM20001 | Principles of Microbiology & Immunology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Students are strongly encouraged to complete MIIM20002 Microbes, Infections and Responses prior to commencing this subject, in addition to the pre-requisite subjects listed above.
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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Additional details
- 2 x 45 minute written examination held around weeks 5 and 10 of semester (2 x 20%).
- A 2 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 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 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
Recommended texts and other resources
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 Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Immunology Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Major Immunology Informal specialisation Animal Disease Biotechnology specialisation - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Bachelor of Design
- Bachelor of Environments
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Acting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Animation)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Dance)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Film and Television)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Music Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Screenwriting)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Theatre)
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (Visual Art)
- Bachelor of Music
- 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