15:451 Viruses
Viruses are truly remarkable biological entities that lie somewhere in the grey area between the living and non-living. Outside a host, viruses are inert and about as alive as a rock. However, if they come into contact with a suitable plant, animal or bacterial cell, they spring into action. This course will provide a comparative overview of virus life cycles and strategies viruses use to infect hosts and spread within host populations. Topics include virus structure, classification, replication, evolution, pathogenesis, emerging viruses and current uses of viruses in gene therapy and vaccine applications. Examples of pathogenic viruses will be drawn from a set of representative human diseases including smallpox, influenza, measles, HIV and Ebola. Selected plant, archaeal and bacterial viruses will also be discussed.
15:366 Diseases
This course will examine aspects of basic and applied microorganism biology with a focus on those of medical and veterinary importance. The course will address host-pathogen relationships, transmission strategies, pathogen biochemistry and molecular biology, and pathogen genomics. These topics will be discussed in the context of ecology and evolution, epidemiology and public health, and disease control and management. The laboratory will focus on the use of diagnostic tests and the treatment of infections.
15:267 Animal Diversity
Modern animal life is thought to have arisen on Earth nearly 550 million years ago during the Cambrian period. We have described over 1.3 million living species with likely millions more left to be discovered. This course will provide students a broad appreciation of animal diversity. We will explore the ecology, form and function, life histories, and survival tactics deployed by the various animal phyla. Ultimately, students will find this course to be an exciting and eye-opening journey into the key innovations and evolution of our ancestors and animal relatives.
15:163 Biodiversity, Functions, and Interactions
This course reviews the diversity of animals, fungi, plants, prokaryotes and protists. It focuses on the form and function of the members of these kingdoms and examines the interrelationships between organisms and their environments.