Course Title: Viruses and Infections

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Viruses and Infections

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BIOL2402

City Campus

Postgraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2017

BIOL2402

City Campus

Postgraduate

173H School of Health and Biomed

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Prof Christian Doerig

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9577

Course Coordinator Email: christian.doerig@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 201.09.009B


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Enforced Pre-Requisite Courses

Successful completion of:

OR

Note: it is a condition of enrolment at RMIT that you accept responsibility for ensuring that you have completed the prerequisite/s and agree to concurrently enrol in co-requisite courses before enrolling in a course.

For information go to RMIT Course Requisites webpage.

 

Assumed Knowledge

Aseptic technique and basic laboratory skills are a required pre-requisite for you to be able to perform the practical classes.


Course Description

This course aims to provide students with an understanding of (i) the general principlesof parasitism as illustrated by viral replication cycles, (ii) the core molecular aspects of viral infections, (iii) the pathogenesis of selected viral diseases of humans and animals and (iv) the principles underlying the use of diagnostic tools and of control strategies such as antiviral drugs and vaccines.

The recorded online lectures and screencasts will be complemented by tutorials aimed at (i) consolidating students’ understanding of essential concepts, and (ii) providing a platform for oral presentations of selected topical issues in current virology.

The practical sessions will introduce students to classical viral propagation, quantification and diagnosis techniques.

 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for MC158 Master of Laboratory Medicine:

  • PLO1. Knowledge capability - Have a comprehensive understanding of key scientific principles underpinning laboratory medicine and have developed a systemic knowledge of core cellular and molecular processes underlying health and disease. Have advanced knowledge of two core clinical speciality disciplines of laboratory medicine and advanced management skills.
  • PLO 5. Reflective capability - Ability to reflect and integrate based upon experiences in relation to theory and work practices to demonstrate creativity in the identification of problems and their solutions. Identify personal skill deficiencies that require further professional development.


On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

  1. Describe  the principles underlying parasitism and the main molecular features of viral replication cycles, and discuss the aetiology, pathophysiology and laboratory diagnosis of various viral diseases of humans.
  2. Compare and contrast types of viral vaccines and antiviral therapies used in humans.
  3. Perform classical virological techniques and calculations for determining viral and antibody titres.
  4. Present in a formal scientific style, selected aspects of viral infections


Overview of Learning Activities

Students will be guided through the course by online lectures screen casts, tutorials and a practical course. The weekly recorded lecture load will be distributed where possible in short, “bite-sized” screencasts. Some of the recorded material will be run by invited experts form outside RMIT University.

The practical course will address specific topics relating to virus quantitation or diagnostic approaches. Tutorials will consolidate concepts acquired through the lectures and encourage deeper understanding of virology, and will include oral presentations by students on specific topics.

Students are expected to be active learners and will have the responsibility to attend and actively participate in all planned schedules tutorials and practical classes. They will be expected to undertake such other private study as will benefit their learning towards the objectives of the subject.

Anonymous and voluntary student feedback on course content and evaluation processes will be sought at the end of the semester, and used by the course team for improving the course in subsequent iterations.

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

This course contains hurdle requirements. All hurdle requirements for this course are indicated clearly in the assessment regime that follows, against the relevant assessment task(s) and all have been approved by the College Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Learning & Teaching).

HURDLE: To obtain an overall pass, students must obtain at least 50% in the practical component for the Final Assessment and an overall grade greater than or equal to 50%.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Problem-based short answer questions
Weighting 20%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1 & 2 

Assessment Task 2: Oral presentation
Weighting 15%
This assessment task supports CLO 1, 2 & 4 

Assessment Task 3: Practical Assessments (Practical test and Practical report)
Weighting 35%
This assessment task supports CLO 1, 2, 3 & 4 

Assessment Task 4: Final Theory Exam  
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2 & 4 

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.