Cancer Cells
Class Syllabus Fall 2020
GENERAL /MOLECULAR VIROLOGY BIOL4413/5413 - ASYNCHRONOUS
INSTRUCTOR
Professor
E-mail: luis.materon@utrgv.edu
Schedule: virtual meetings via Zoom (dates and
times to be arranged)
OBJECTIVES
This is a comprehensive course covering fundamental aspects on the effect of viruses on prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. The course will cover the interactions between viruses and populations, and the impact of viral disease on organisms. It includes morphology, taxonomy, mechanisms of replication, strategy of viral gene expression, diseases and biological control. The student will also be exposed to the main sources of information on virology.
COURSE TEXTBOOK
Detailed lecture note material will be posted on BlackBoard. Reading assignments from web sites on virology will also be recommended. There is NO specific textbook for this course as the instructor will present reading material to students.Virology notes can be seen in my dedicated website: faculty.utrgv.edu/luis.materon/4413/lectures/notes-1.html For other notes just change the number of the notes.
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES
(1) The biology graduate knows the role of the cell in life and living systems, and understands the inter-relationships between sub-cellular structures that contribute to its functioning as a unit.
(2) The biology graduate understands the role of DNA in inheritance and can explain how environmental conditions influence natural selection processes and contribute to adaptation.
(3) The biology graduate is aware of the diversity of life, and understands inter-relationships among organs and organ systems within an organism, and inter-relationships between an organism and its environment.
(4) The biology graduate is familiar with the tremendous diversity in structure (organellar, cellular, organismal) and how that relates to the organismal niche or habitat.
(5) The biology graduate understands how the organization of a specific structure within an organism is related to a specific function, and how this function contributes to survival of the organism.
(6) The biology graduate understands the Scientific Method, is able to analyze and interpret data, and communicate research findings in both oral and written form.
(7) The biology graduate is prepared to accept employment in a variety of environmental and health related professions, enter medical and dental schools, pursue graduate degrees in the biological sciences, or teach in public or private schools.
TEACHING STYLE
This is the first time that the instructor, due to the present circumstances, will teach this course online via BlackBoard. Critical reasoning, questions and discussion will be encouraged whenever we connect via Zoom.
ROLE OF THE INSTRUCTOR
The Instructor is responsible for all material presented in the lectures, and is committed to providing you with an excellent and challenging course. If you have a problem understanding the lectures or getting difficulties in preparing for exams, contact the Instructor right away and NOT at the end of the semester.
ROLE OF STUDENTS
The instructor expects that students take this course seriously. Do not expect high grades if you do not prepare well for exams. The nature of the subject requires a good background in biology and chemistry, and the adoption of a time strategy to study with dedication. Persistence, motivation and a good preparation for exams are the key factors to succeed in this course.
You must have cleared with Administration to attend this course along with its corresponding laboratory session. As per UTRGV regulations the pre-requisites for this course are: BIOL3401. Basic microbiological and chemical knowledge is essential to understand concepts presented in this course. If you have not taken any basic Biology, Chemistry and Microbiology courses you will not be allowed in BIOL4413. Consult with your Instructor immediately within the first two days of classes should you have any questions on this requirement. Only graduate students can register in BIOL5404 for credit.
GRADE DETERMINATION
Your grade in this course will be determined by four exams. The exam format will be essay-type, fill-in the blank or multiple-choice or combinations of these. The final exam will be comprehensive. All matters regarding exams will be announced in class and announced. If the general performance of the course is satisfactory (based on motivation, questioning, discussion, good average grades, etc.) then the instructor may reduce some material to study for the final exam.
EXAM 1 20% Tue. Sept. 22, 2020
EXAM 2 25% Mon. Oct. 26, 2020
EXAM 3 25% Tue. Nov. 17, 2020
FINAL EXAM 30% Thurs. Dec 10, 2020
The class final grade is worth 80% and the lab is 20%. The class overall grade is calculated as:
{(Exam1)*0.20 + (exam2)*0.25 + (exam3)*0.25 + (final exam)*0.30} x 0.80
Grade ranges A (90-100), B (89-80), C (79-70), D (69-60), and F (59 or less)
EXAMINATION PROCEDURES
Honor-based exams. Instructions will be presented at the top of the questionnaires.
SCHOLASTIC HONESTY
Cases of apparent scholastic dishonesty will be pursued to the fullest extent allowed by University regulations. A zero will be given to that exam and the instructor will report the case to the Chair of the Department and to the Dean of Students for further disciplinary action.
MAKE-UP EXAMS
If you miss an exam AND have a valid excuse for your absence, contact your Instructor for mutual arrangements to take the exam at a further date. Remember the rule of informing your instructor 24 hours before or after the exam either personally or by phone or by email. A make-up exam can be administered in any format as decided by the instructor and will not be the same exam administered to the other students.
Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Disability Services Office for a confidential discussion of their individual needs for academic accommodations. It is the policy of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley to provide flexible and individualized accommodation to students with documented disabilities that may affect their ability to fully participate in course activities or to meet course requirements. To receive accommodation services, students must be registered with the Disability Services Office (DS), University Center # 108, 665-7005 or disabilityservices@utrgv.edu
DETAILED SCHEDULE OF CLASSES WILL BE FOUND IN
BLACKBOARD.