LSC-30108 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

Microbes, Viruses and Parasites LSC-20073

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

Viruses can infect all live forms and their impact on human, livestock and wild animal health affects communities worldwide. This module delves into the study of viruses, covering their structure, replication, and the diseases they cause. We will embark on an in-depth exploration of the diverse and complex relationships between viruses and their hosts that are crucial to both infection and emerging therapeutic technologies. You will explore biology, replication cycles, and impact of viruses such as Influenza, HIV, and Ebola, along with emerging viruses like Zika and SARS-CoV-2. You will study how viruses are transmitted, the stages in their life cycle that are critical for infection establishment, and how they have evolved to evade the defence systems of their hosts and vectors. We will also discuss detection and prevention strategies, how to improve pandemic preparedness and the use of novel biotechnological methods to combat the burden of viral infectious diseases.
A solid understanding of basic principles of viral life cycles and immunology will be essential in grasping current control measures, such as vaccination, antiviral therapies, and disease containment and transmission prevention strategies.
The module will also address the challenges of treatment delivery and transmission control, including socio-economic and public health issues and associated government policy decisions. You will gain insight into cutting-edge virology research developments, with content delivered by experts actively engaged in research, ensuring you receive state-of-the-art information on key viral diseases and research on their causative agents.

This module explores the mechanisms by which viruses interact with their hosts and vectors. Main areas of study will be disease dynamics, genetics and evolution of viruses, viruses that caused pandemics and epidemics as well as viruses capable of causing other diseases such as cancer.
This module will discuss relevant human and animal pathogens but also look into plant viruses and bacteriophages and their impact on life of earth. We will also focus on pandemic preparedness and public health responses to viral disease outbreaks. The module will cover diagnostics and current virus research as well as ethical considerations of novel biotechnological techniques used in virology research.
The ability to communicate complex scientific ideas will be enhanced through production of a scientific brief aimed at a non-scientist expert panel on topics such as outbreak containment or new vaccine development. This module equips students with the technical knowledge and communication skills needed for careers in virology, research, or public health.

Intended Learning Outcomes

explain the virus classification system and assign important representative from major virus families based on the key selection criteria, their pathology, transmission cycles, routes of infection and prevention strategies.: 1,2
describe principles of vector-virus and host-virus interactions, how virus evolution and co-evolution can shape disease dynamics, affecting efficiency of vaccines and antivirals.: 1,2
critically evaluate prevention and treatment strategies, including adaption and re-design of our tools and strategies to combat viral infectious diseases.: 2
critically analyse, interpret, and discuss data pertaining to viral infection transmission, factors contributing to epidemiological outcomes of the diseases, and controlling viral diseases.: 1
critically evaluate key concepts surrounding disease outbreaks and examine influential outbreaks/pandemics and their causative agents: 2

Study hours

11 x 2 hour live lectures
11 x 3 hour engagement with provided material
2 x 2 hours tutorials supporting module assessment/guidance
Independent study:
Literature searching, independent reading and data analysis supporting Scenario based discussion: 41 hours
Literature searching, independent reading and data analysis supporting Scientific communication presentation: 50 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment