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Medical Microbiology: Virology (MIIM30014)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2
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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: 7 September 2023

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


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: 7 September 2023

Assessment

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: 7 September 2023

Dates & times

  • Semester 2
    Principal coordinatorDamian Purcell
    CoordinatorsJason Mackenzie and Sarah Londrigan
    Mode of deliveryOn Campus (Parkville)
    Contact hours3 x one hour lectures per week (total contact hours: 36)
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023
    Last self-enrol date 4 August 2023
    Census date31 August 2023
    Last date to withdraw without fail22 September 2023
    Assessment period ends17 November 2023

    Semester 2 contact information

    Subject Coordinators

    Prof Damian Purcell
    dfjp@unimelb.edu.au

    Prof Jason Mackenzie
    jason.mackenzie@unimelb.edu.au

    Dr. Sarah Londrigan
    sarahll@unimelb.edu.au

    Administrative Coordinator
    BiomedSci-AcademicServices@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours

What do these dates mean

Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:

  • Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
  • And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
    - Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
    - Completion rate. Students who started their course from 2022 and are in a CSP or receiving a HELP Loan (eg FEE-HELP) must meet the completion rate to continue to receive Commonwealth Support for that course.

Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement, and as a fail toward the completion rate, unless there are approved ‘special circumstances’.

Last updated: 7 September 2023

Further information

Last updated: 7 September 2023