FRS 001L — Sec. 001 — (1 unit) — CRN 53292 — M 8:00-8:50 am — 135 Everson
Emerging and Re-emerging Viral Diseases of Humans, Lower Mammals and Birds

Instructor: Virginia Hinshaw, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine

Description: The world is increasingly challenged to deal effectively with infectious diseases caused by viruses. Viruses are emerging from reservoirs in nature to produce disease in humans and other species and also represent potential bioweapons; therefore, having a better understanding of such agents is important . Using lecture information, websites and newspaper articles, this course will examine four infectious diseases that are currently, or represent potentially significant, challenges to human health. Students will be introduced to basic information about the disease agents, the diseases they cause and options for control. The goal of the course is to familiarize students with examples of important viral disease agents. By the end of the course, students will be familiar with viruses frequently appearing in public and research communications. In addition, students will have a better understanding of the complexity of these diseases, yet be prepared to develop their own perspective regarding different options for control of such challenges to public health.

Format: The seminar will meet for one hour each week for ten weeks. Weeks 1-5 will focus on lecture and reading materials and the remaining weeks will focus on discussion related to 15 minute oral presentations by student groups (students will be assigned to a small group for presentations). Students will be expected to read material prior to lecture, seek additional resources related to the course topics, write a five page synopsis of current communication of their choice related to the topic and work in groups to present an oral presentation during the course. Grading: Preparation and participation in class discussion (30%), group presentation of current issue related to one of the diseases and leadership of class discussion (35%), five-page synopsis of current communication related to the topic (35%)

About the Instructor: Professor Virginia Hinshaw holds a joint appointment in the Department of Internal Medicine in the School of Medicine and in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology in the School of Veterinary Medicine. Her research focus is microbiology with a particular emphasis on viruses, specifically influenza viruses. She also serves as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for UC Davis.