School of Biology current student

Information for current students at the School of Biology

Biology Online Module Handbook

BL4213 Molecular Virology

(BL4213 online module handbook version 101)

cover image
Viruses cause clinically and economically important human and animal diseases, examples include influenza viruses, HIV and foot and mouth disease virus, as well as emerging viruses such as ebola virus and coronaviruses. The module will consist of a mixture of lectures, group and student-led learning activities. You will (i) gain knowledge in 4 key topics in molecular virology, (ii) acquire understanding of commonly used molecular techniques used to study viruses (obtained via reading, interpretation and discussion of recent research papers in virology rather than practical class content) and (iii) explore virus-related topics that have made headline news.*

Credits: 15*

Semester: 2

Module Organiser
Dr Simon Young
say2@st-andrews.ac.uk
01334 463417
Pre-requisite Modules:
Before taking this module you must pass BL3311*
Anti-requisite Modules:
*
Post-requisite Modules:
*
Additional Module Information:


Biology Teaching Office:
Level 2, Biomolecular Sciences Building, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST

Email: bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk      Phone: +44 (0)1334 46 3602 or 3566

BL4213: Timetable

Legend (not all modules have every event type):
lecture
tutorial
workshop
practical
other

Semester 2: Week 1

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Wednesday
17-01-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Butts Wynd
Room 9
Dr Simon Young
-
Lecture L1: Introduction to the module
2023-4_BL4213_L1
Friday
19-01-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Biomolecular Sciences Building
Seminar room
Dr Susan Gurney
-
Lecture L2: How to read and interpret a research paper
2023-4_BL4213_L2

Semester 2: Week 2

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Wednesday
24-01-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Butts Wynd
Room 9
Dr Susan Gurney
-
Lecture L3: Topic 1: Emerging viruses I
2023-4_BL4213_L3
Friday
26-01-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Biomolecular Sciences Building
Seminar room
Dr Susan Gurney
-
Lecture L4: Topic 1: Emerging viruses II
2023-4_BL4213_L4

Semester 2: Week 3

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Wednesday
31-01-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Purdie Building
Lecture theatre D
Dr Susan Gurney
-
Workshop W1: Topic 1: Emerging viruses
2023-4_BL4213_W1
Friday
02-02-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Biomolecular Sciences Building
Seminar room
Dr Susan Gurney
-
Lecture L5: Topic 1: Emerging viruses III
2023-4_BL4213_L5

Semester 2: Week 4

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Wednesday
07-02-2024
10:00 to 12:00
Biomolecular Sciences Building
Seminar room
Dr Susan Gurney
-
Tutorial T1: Bacteriophages for phage therapy and introduction to assessment I
2023-4_BL4213_T1

Semester 2: Week 5

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Wednesday
14-02-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Purdie Building
Lecture theatre D
Dr Jens Tilsner
-
Lecture L6: Topic 2: Virus replication & manipulation of host cells I
2023-4_BL4213_L6
Friday
16-02-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Biomolecular Sciences Building
Seminar room
Dr Jens Tilsner
-
Lecture L7: Topic 2: Virus replication & manipulation of host cells I
2023-4_BL4213_L7

Semester 2: Week 6

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Wednesday
21-02-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Purdie Building
Lecture theatre D
Dr Jens Tilsner
-
Workshop W2: Topic 2: Virus replication & manipulation of host cells
2023-4_BL4213_W2

Spring Break: 26-Feb-2024 to 01-Mar-2024

Semester 2: Week 7

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Wednesday
06-03-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Purdie Building
Lecture theatre D
Dr Michael M Nevels
-
Lecture L8: Topic 3: Viruses & Cancer I
2023-4_BL4213_L8
Friday
08-03-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Biomolecular Sciences Building
Seminar room
Dr Michael M Nevels
-
Lecture L9: Topic 3: Viruses & Cancer II
2023-4_BL4213_L9

Semester 2: Week 8

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Wednesday
13-03-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Purdie Building
Lecture theatre D
Dr Michael M Nevels
-
Workshop W3: Topic 3: Viruses & Cancer
2023-4_BL4213_W3

Semester 2: Week 9

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Wednesday
20-03-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Purdie Building
Lecture theatre D
Dr Elizabeth Wignall-Fleming
Dr Simon Young
Lecture L10: Topic 4: Viruses & Innate Immunity I
2023-4_BL4213_L10
Friday
22-03-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Biomolecular Sciences Building
Seminar room
Dr Elizabeth Wignall-Fleming
Dr Simon Young
Lecture L11: Topic 4: Viruses & Innate Immunity II
2023-4_BL4213_L11

Semester 2: Week 10

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Wednesday
27-03-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Purdie Building
Lecture theatre D
Dr Elizabeth Wignall-Fleming
Dr Simon Young
Workshop W4: Topic 4: Viruses & Innate Immunity
2023-4_BL4213_W4

Semester 2: Week 11

DATE & TIMEVENUESTAFFEVENT
Wednesday
03-04-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Purdie Building
Lecture theatre D
Dr Simon Young
-
Tutorial T2: Module summary and revision Q&A
2023-4_BL4213_T2
Friday
05-04-2024
12:00 to 13:00
Biomedical Sciences Building
Seminar room
jt58,smrw,mmn3
-
Tutorial T3: Module revision Q&A
2023-4_BL4213_T3
Data Sources: information in this online module handbook is gathered from several sources.
Small footnote marks beside content, or by section titles indicate the source.
* University of St Andrews Module Catalogue
School of Biology Symbiosis Database (module organisers only)
University of St Andrews MMS (St Andrews users only)

BL4213: Assessment

90 min Written Examination = 40%, Coursework = 60%*

The following related information applies to all Biology modules:

School of Biology Marking Criteria: See JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk) 
Late submission of continuous assessment work:

All late submissions of coursework that do not require electronic submission should be made via the Biology Teaching Office, Level 2, BMS Building, North Haugh.
Exam details: See School of Biology UG Handbook JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)  : All Biology exams will be conducted online for 2022-23.
Exam timetable: See Timetables - Exams - University of St Andrews (st-andrews.ac.uk) 
Expected attendance: See JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)  for detailed attendance requirements.
Good Academic Practice & Avoiding Academic Misconduct: See JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)
University Student Handbook: University Student Handbook
School and University regulations in the School and University Undergraduate Handbook relating to absence reporting, penalties and rules for late submission of work, extensions for coursework, return of coursework, S-coding, good academic practice and Academic Alerts.: JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)
University Student Handbook
Data Sources: information in this online module handbook is gathered from several sources.
Small footnote marks beside content, or by section titles indicate the source.
* University of St Andrews Module Catalogue
School of Biology Symbiosis Database (module organisers only)
University of St Andrews MMS (St Andrews users only)

Who to ask

(Information in this section applies to all Biology Modules)

Before contacting staff, students should check the content of the Biology Undergraduate Handbook, the module handbook and specific task instructions.

Questions about Contact
General teaching matters Biology Teaching Office ( bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk )
Rescheduled or cancelled events Check your University email
Lecture or practical content The lecturer who presented the material
Completing assessed practical assignments The lecturer who set the assignment
Completing assessments Module Organiser (Dr Simon Young say2@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Marking on continuous assessment The Demonstrator or Module Organiser (Dr Simon Young say2@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Marking on exams Module Organiser (Dr Simon Young say2@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Rearranging practical days
Module Organiser (Dr Simon Young say2@st-andrews.ac.uk)
Absence and/or extensions Module Organiser (Dr Simon Young say2@st-andrews.ac.uk)

and the Biology Teaching Office ( bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk )

Difficulties with academic progress which impact more than one module:

Year Coordinator

See School of Biology UG Handbook for list:
JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)

Overall performance, progress or future directions:

Advisor of Studies

Disability:

Disability Coordinator ( biodisabilities@st-andrews.ac.uk )

For advice and support on any issue e.g. academic, financial, international, personal or health matters, or if you are unsure of who to go to for help:

Advice & Support Centre

Address: 79 North Street, St Andrews

Email: theasc@st-andrews.ac.uk

Web: https://www.standrews.ac.uk/ask-a-question/

Tel: 01334 462020

University assistance with urgent matters out of office hours:

Tel: 01334 476161

Web: https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/students/advice/counselling/incrisis/

Biology Teaching Office:

We are happy to hear from you about teaching matters. The School of Biology Teaching Office is open Monday to Friday 09.00 - 13.00 and 14.00 - 17.00. School of Biology staff will respond to your emails during these hours. Our team will provide a response to you within three working days.

Biology Teaching Office (Level 2), University of St Andrews, Biomolecular Sciences Building, North Haugh, St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST

Email: bioteach@st-andrews.ac.uk

Tel: 01334 46 3602 or 3566

BL4213: Contributing Staff

Dr Simon Young
(Module Organiser)

Associate Lecturer (Education focused)say2@st-andrews.ac.uk
Dr Susan GurneyAssociate Lecturer in Biologysmrw@st-andrews.ac.uk
Dr Michael M NevelsReader in Virologymmn3@st-andrews.ac.uk
Dr Jens TilsnerLecturerjt58@st-andrews.ac.uk
Dr Elizabeth Wignall-FlemingResearch Fellowewf2@st-andrews.ac.uk
Dr Simon Young
(Module Organiser)
Associate Lecturer (Education focused)say2@st-andrews.ac.uk
Data Sources: information in this online module handbook is gathered from several sources.
Small footnote marks beside content, or by section titles indicate the source.
* University of St Andrews Module Catalogue
School of Biology Symbiosis Database (module organisers only)
University of St Andrews MMS (St Andrews users only)

BL4213: Learning Outcomes



Students completing module BL4213 successfully should be able to:

  • Understand the factors that lead to the emergence and re-emergence of viruses and why such viruses remain a continual threat to human health and well-being.
  • Appreciate that viruses reprogramme cells in order to promote virus replication and that different viruses reprogramme cells in different ways that affects disease outcomes.
  • Recognize the importance of viruses as underlying causes of specific cancers and understand, at the molecular level, how viruses can cause cancer.
  • Realize that viruses counteract innate cellular defence mechanisms in different ways and that the way they do so affects disease outcomes.
  • Students will gain skills in reading and interpreting recent research papers in molecular virology
  • Students will gain an understanding of molecular techniques commonly used to study viruses.
  • Students will be able to discuss virus-related topics that have recently made headline news.
Data Sources: information in this online module handbook is gathered from several sources.
Small footnote marks beside content, or by section titles indicate the source.
* University of St Andrews Module Catalogue
School of Biology Symbiosis Database (module organisers only)
University of St Andrews MMS (St Andrews users only)

BL4213: Acquired Skills

Practical Skills

    Transferable Skills

    • Group discussion - participating
    • Journal club
    • Short informal presentation (using PowerPoint or not)
    • Completing a research paper from which sections have been removed
    • Opinion piece
    • Critically evaluating sources/information
    • Finding information on the web
    • Generating questions
    • Online learning
    • Peer assessment
    • Problem-solving questions
    • Organising group work
    • Working in pairs/small groups
    Data Sources: information in this online module handbook is gathered from several sources.
    Small footnote marks beside content, or by section titles indicate the source.
    * University of St Andrews Module Catalogue
    School of Biology Symbiosis Database (module organisers only)
    University of St Andrews MMS (St Andrews users only)

    Policies

    (Information in this section applies to all Biology Modules)

    • The procedures and regulations followed by the School of Biology are outlined in the University Handbook and in the School of Biology UG handbook  JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk) 
    • All coursework associated with the module must be completed and submitted by its due date.
    • Specific School regulations relating to absence reporting, penalties and rules for late submission of work, extensions for coursework, return of coursework, S-coding, Good Academic Practice and Academic Alert are stated in the School of Biology UG hand book JH booklet info (st-andrews.ac.uk)  and students are required to carefully read these regulations.
    • Students are also referred to the University Handbook, available at: http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/studenthandbook/