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Module Catalogue

LF315-15 Virology and Immunology

Department
Life Sciences
Level
Undergraduate Level 3
Module leader
Philip Young
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry

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Introductory description

The SARS CoV2 pandemic has enhanced the need for true molecular understanding of both viral life cycles, viral immune responses, how viruses evade these responses, and ultimately how we can apply cutting edge techniques to develop therapeutic strategies to prevent current and future pandemics. This module builds on the sound immunological and viral understanding provided in LF264 (Immunology) and LF213 (Virology) to produce a case-based module that focuses on 5 specific viruses: HIV, Ebola, SARS CoV2, Herpes Simplex Virus and Hepatitis C.

Module aims
  1. Understand the molecular basis of viral replication
  2. Understand antiviral immune responses
  3. Understand the molecular basis of viral evasion strategies
  4. Understand the molecular targets for anti-viral therapies
  5. Understand the mechanisms of vaccine development
  6. Understand the epidemiology of viral pandemics and public health control mechanisms
Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Case Study 1: HIV
Lecture 1: Molecular Understanding of the HIV
Lecture 2: Normal anti-viral immune response and how HIV evades the T-cell response
Lecture 3: Anti-retroviral therapies

Workshop 1: How HIV is aiding the re-emergences of TB

Case Study 2: Ebola
Lecture 4: Molecular Understanding of the Ebola
Lecture 5: Importance of IgM in early viral responses and why "cytokine storms" arise
Lecture 6: Zmapp, Zmapp and vVSV-ZEBOV

Workshop 2: Ethical implications of "in-field" trials

Case Study 3: SARS CoV2
Lecture 7: Molecular Understanding of SARS CoV2
Lecture 8: Impact of age on anti-viral immune responses
Lecture 9: The new norm? Advent of RNA vaccines

Workshop 3: Modelling the pandemic- the importance of SAGE in public health policy

Case Study 4: Herpes Simplex Virus
Lecture 10: Molecular Understanding of HSV
Lecture 11: Neuroimmunology
Lecture 12: Reactivating the CNS immune response using light and sound

Workshop: Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics: targeting across the blood brain barrier

Case Study 5: Hepatitis C Virus
Lecture 13: Molecular Understanding of HepC
Lecture 14: The cellular mediate response and the implications of chronic resposnes
Lecture 15: Hepatitis C and cancer

Lecture 16: Revision lecture

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • 1. Understand the molecular basis of viral replication
  • 2. Understand antiviral immune responses
  • 3. Understand the molecular basis of viral evasion strategies
  • 4. Understand the molecular targets for anti-viral therapies
  • 5. Understand the mechanisms of vaccine development
  • 6. Understand the epidemiology of viral pandemics and public health control mechanisms
Subject specific skills
  1. Understand the molecular basis of viral replication
  2. Understand antiviral immune responses
  3. Understand the molecular basis of viral evasion strategies
  4. Understand the molecular targets for anti-viral therapies
  5. Understand the mechanisms of vaccine development
  6. Understand the epidemiology of viral pandemics and public health control mechanisms
Transferable skills
  1. Scientific writing
  2. Critical review of primary scientific research
  3. Lateral thinking
  4. Professionalism
  5. Information literacy
  6. Digital literacy
  7. Teamwork
  8. Problem Solving
  9. Communication

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 16 sessions of 1 hour (11%)
Seminars 4 sessions of 1 hour (3%)
Private study 130 hours (87%)
Total 150 hours
Private study description

Background reading, independent research, revision for final assessment and preparation for seminar sessions

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A
Weighting Study time
Openbook Assessment 100% 20 hours

4 essays released, students need to complete 2. Essays will be 1500 words and need to be fully researched and contain data from primary research sources
Feedback on assessment

individual written feedback

Courses

This module is Optional for:

  • Year 3 of UBSA-C700 Undergraduate Biochemistry
  • ULFA-C1A2 Undergraduate Biochemistry (MBio)
    • Year 3 of C1A2 Biochemistry
    • Year 3 of C700 Biochemistry
  • Year 4 of ULFA-C702 Undergraduate Biochemistry (with Placement Year)
  • Year 3 of ULFA-C1A6 Undergraduate Biochemistry with Industrial Placement (MBio)
  • UBSA-3 Undergraduate Biological Sciences
    • Year 3 of C100 Biological Sciences
    • Year 3 of C100 Biological Sciences
  • Year 3 of ULFA-C1A1 Undergraduate Biological Sciences (MBio)
  • Year 4 of ULFA-C113 Undergraduate Biological Sciences (with Placement Year)
  • Year 3 of ULFA-C1A5 Undergraduate Biological Sciences with Industrial Placement (MBio)
  • UBSA-C1B9 Undergraduate Biomedical Science
    • Year 3 of C1B9 Biomedical Science
    • Year 3 of C1B9 Biomedical Science
    • Year 3 of C1B9 Biomedical Science
  • ULFA-C1A3 Undergraduate Biomedical Science (MBio)
    • Year 3 of C1A3 Biomedical Science
    • Year 3 of C1B9 Biomedical Science
  • Year 3 of ULFA-C1A7 Undergraduate Biomedical Science with Industrial Placement (MBio)
  • ULFA-CB18 Undergraduate Biomedical Science with Placement Year
    • Year 4 of CB18 Biomedical Science with Placement Year
    • Year 4 of CB18 Biomedical Science with Placement Year
    • Year 4 of CB18 Biomedical Science with Placement Year
  • Year 3 of ULFA-B140 Undergraduate Neuroscience (BSc)
  • Year 3 of ULFA-B142 Undergraduate Neuroscience (MBio)
  • Year 3 of ULFA-B143 Undergraduate Neuroscience (with Industrial Placement) (MBio)
  • Year 4 of ULFA-B141 Undergraduate Neuroscience (with Placement Year) (BSc)