MONTGOMERY COLLEGE Biology Department Rockville Campus

BI 114 Understanding Viruses Fall 2015 I.

Instructor Information Name: Shawn Lester Phone: 240-567-5127 Office Hours:

Office: Email:

234H Science Center (SC) [email protected]

MW: ~3-4; TR: ~12:30pm-1:30pm; and ~30 minutes before and after class--Email is also an excellent way to ask questions. I check my email 7 days/week.

Department Office: II.

Biology SC 234

Department Phone:

240-567-5124

General Course Information BIOL 114, Understanding Viruses, is a three credit lecture course intended for non-science majors. The lecture meets one day per week (Thursday) in room SC 461. Prerequisites: Assessment levels: ENGL 101/101A, READ 120. Course Description: Designed for non-science majors, this is an introduction to the foundation of modern virology from smallpox to AIDS. The approach will be both historical and experimental, emphasizing the discovery of viruses as a biological form, the role of viruses in disease, and the impact of viruses in the development of modern cell and molecular biology. Various aspects of AIDS as a viral disease will be explored Format: Each class meeting is ~ half lecture and half activities. For lectures where you have to do readings from “Microbe Hunters” the class will start with you discussing those readings so you need to do those readings before class. Handouts: Lecture handouts are available on my web site: cms.montgomerycollege.edu/slester . You must download the lecture handouts prior to class. Check the syllabus for appropriate dates. The handouts for the activities will be provided on the day the activity is scheduled to occur.

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Learning Objectives Upon completion of this course, the student will:  De s cribe Koch's P os tula te s a nd how the y a re us e d to de te rm ine the e tiolog y of a dis e a s e .  De s cribe the contributions of P a s te ur a nd Koch to the G e rm The ory of dis e a s e .  Dis cus s the globa l a s pe cts of vira l dis e a s e s a nd hum a n we lfa re .  Dis cus s the theories regarding the origin of AIDS and its epidemiology.  Explore va rious the ra pie s a nd va ccine s now unde r inve s tiga tion to tre a t AIDS . This list is not intended to be comprehensive. Specific learning objectives will be included with each lecture.

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Texts and Supplies Text: De Kruif, Paul; Microbe Hunters ($10-$20 including shipping from Amazon) Pencils for exams.

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Grading A. Requirements/Hints for Success Lecture In order to successfully complete this course the student must attend the lectures and take all of the lecture exams (see section B). There is a significant amount of written work that must be submitted complete and on time. Handouts are available for each lecture. These handouts are outlines. You must still take notes. Learning (study) objectives will be included with each handout. Treat these objectives like test questions. Try to answer them first. Then refer to the notes and textbook and write out the complete answer and use this to study for the exams. Exams are derived from the objectives and primarily from the lecture notes. The textbook is a supplement to the lecture. Anything specifically referenced (verbally or in writing by me) in the book is “fair game” on an exam. The lecture exam format can be multiple-choice, short answer, essay or any combination thereof. Exams, quizzes, and certain assignments will be returned for your review. You may not keep these or photocopy/photograph or otherwise create a copy of the exams, quizzes or certain assignments.

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B. Course Grade The lecture and lab components are combined to determine your final grade. The following grading policy is tentative and subject to change. Lecture Lecture exams 3 @100 points = 300 points (You may drop the lowest exam grade and replace it with the final. Optional Cumulative Final @100 points) Survey Viruses = 5 points Worksheet: We Heard the Bells = 10 points Worksheet: Emerging Viruses = 10 points Worksheet: Ebola = 30 points Worksheet: Giant Viruses = 10 points Worksheet: DNA-RNA-Protein = 10 points Koch’s Postulates = 10 points Case Study: Herpes = 30 points Case Study: HIV = 10 points Epidemiology Simulation = 5 points (participation) Louis Pasteur Activity = 10 points (participation) Vaccine Presentations = 100 points Total Points = 540 points The final exam is comprehensive and optional. It may be used to replace the lowest lecture exam score. The final exam is typically all multiple-choice. Please show up at the beginning of the scheduled time.

Check my web site for specific information on each assignment if available. If there is nothing on the web site, I will provide handouts as needed. There is no extra credit but there will be bonus points on exams. C. Standards and Expectations Final grade scale: 90-100%=A; 80-89%=B; 70-79%=C; 60-69%=D;