Virology

3 units

Viruses are all around us and play key roles in health, evolution, ecology, agriculture, and can even completely disrupt societies. In this course, we explore the wide array of viruses, the basics of their structure, the infection cycle, their role in human health, and how we can adapt viruses for uses in research, agriculture, and biotechnology. Emphasis is on animal viruses, specifically medically relevant viruses, including HIV and SARS-CoV-2, and recent advances in virology. While primarily a lecture-based course, students present on a relevant virus and read primary literature. (Biology Major Area A)