LQB494 Viruses and Viral Pathogenesis

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Kelvin Grove, Internal

Overview

This unit is designed for students in biomedical sciences, to provide a strong grounding in the field of virology and to expand on the fundamental mechanisms and processes that underpin the pathogenic potential of select viruses. This unit is a core unit in the infection and immunity strand, building on concepts introduced in Principles of Infection and Immunity (LQB292). LQB494 continues the study of the virus-host interactions with a focus on microbe-specific factors that underlie infectious disease progression, knowledge necessary for further studies of more advanced molecular virology analyses. You will develop a strong, fundamental knowledge of virology and industry-relevant skills, using cutting-edge technology in laboratory classes, to prepare you for a career in biomedical research, medical biotechnology and postgraduate studies in biomedical science.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Develop, perform and interpret the results of virology experiments while using appropriate practice for a PC2 laboratory
2. Prepare laboratory reports in accordance with Good Laboratory Practice for either research or industry application
3. Demonstrate a fundamental understanding of virology and apply critical thinking skills to illustrate its relevance to research and microbiology settings
4. Retrieve information on viral disease processes using database searches.

Content

Learning Approaches

A variety of teaching and learning approaches will be employed in this unit.  The theory modules of this unit will be complemented by laboratory practicals and workshops to reinforce your understanding of the subject through practical applications. Laboratory classes and workshops will provide additional skills using cutting-edge technology relevant to real world settings. 

Important Note: Students should note that all Practicals for this unit are held at Kelvin Grove Campus.  Workshops will be timetabled at Gardens Point Campus or online.”

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways: comments on summative assessment items will be communicated to the cohort via Canvas and during workshops. Formative assessment feedback will be provided to ensure support for the successful presentation, interpretation and completion of laboratory reports. You can also receive immediate feedback on your own progress by completing the self-directed learning activities available to you on Canvas, such as quizzes, where available. 

Assessment

Overview

Your ability to meet the various learning milestones embedded in this unit is critical to successful completion of this unit while ensuring that learning outcomes and aims have been met. The summative assessment items in this unit are designed to measure specific aspects of learning critical to success in infectious disease research including molecular microbiology and immunology, the maintenance of a detailed and informative laboratory workbook, and data analysis and interpretation.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Progress Quizzes

Canvas-based multiple choice quizzes on content covered in the lectures and practicals.

Assessment: Laboratory reports

Submission of Laboratory report and notebook files completed as per Good Laboratory Practice.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Final exam

This assessment tests your understanding of virology and viral pathogenesis. 

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Requirements

Practicals will require personal protective equipment supplied by each student:

1. Laboratory Gown - Rear fastening 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix
2. Safety eye protection glasses - selected and used in accordance with Australian Safety Standards
3. Fully enclosed non-slip shoes

Costs

Cost of lab gowns and safety protection glasses are the students responsibility.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Essential Human Virology 2nd edition, Jennifer Louten, Academic Press 2023

Safety and protective equipment

Practicals will require personal protective equipment supplied by each student:

1. Laboratory Gown - Rear fastening 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix
2. Safety eye protection glasses - selected and used in accordance with Australian Safety Standards
3. Fully enclosed non-slip shoes

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit includes a laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You are required to view a Health & Safety Induction video and complete an online health and safety quiz prior to being permitted into the laboratory, to access please follow this link Health & Safety Induction. A passing score of 10/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory session. You may repeat the quiz until this score is achieved. You are also referred to the Faculty of Health's Health & Safety Web Site for further information.

If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the lecturer in charge of the unit, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.

Course Learning Outcomes

LS40 Bachelor of Biomedical Science

1. Critically review, analyse and synthesise foundational knowledge in a broad range of biomedical discipline areas and in depth theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in specialised discipline areas.
   Relates to: Progress Quizzes, Final exam
2. Demonstrate the technical skills required to solve multi-disciplinary problems in biomedical research, industry and clinical settings and do so in an ethical, safe and responsible manner.
   Relates to: Laboratory reports
3. Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
   Relates to: Laboratory reports, Final exam