FRS 002 — Sec. 003 — (2 units) — CRN 73047 — T/R 12:10-1:00pm — 2064 Sci Lab Bldg.
Contemporary Infectious Diseases

Instructor: JaRue Manning, Department of Microbiology, Division of Biological Sciences

Description: As the world continues to shrink via travel and globalization, contemporary society faces increasing exposure to novel and reemerging infectious agents. We live in a microbial world and the anxiety associated with staying healthy among all the various bacteria, viruses and fungi has become a major concern for many people in our society. In this course we will learn more of these microbes and understand that while some are quite dangerous to us, others are either beneficial or harmless. We will discuss aspects of the discovery, history, societal reactions and medical approaches to selected infectious diseases. As we learn the modes of action of various pathogens, we will also learn of our important defense mechanisms which we possess that act to protect us against infection and disease. Topics will be chosen covering contemporary infectious diseases affecting humans. Examples of infectious diseases to be discussed include AIDS, influenza, mad cow disease, tuberculosis, plague, SARS, syphilis, EBOLA fever, smallpox, etc.

Format: The seminar will meet for 1 hour twice a week. Seminars will be interactive and involve both organized and open discussions among members of the class and the professor in charge. During the first several lectures I will lead the class through an introduction to disease microbes. Students will then be asked to form groups of 5 each. On one day each week each group will present (10 min.) their findings, observations, and ideas related to the group topic. A question and answer session will follow. Each week a different student in the group will be asked to be the group leader/presenter. Parallel to these student presentations will be seminars presented by myself and by faculty from the campus or videos directly or indirectly related to topics being covered. Students will be asked to maintain a journal in which they note thoughts, questions, and concerns regarding infectious diseases. Grading: Grades will be based on presentations (1/4), classroom participation (1/4), their journal (1/4) and a short term paper (6-8 pages) summarizing a specific aspect of their “topic area” (1/4).

About the Instructor: Professor Manning is a member of the Section of Microbiology within the Division of Biological Sciences. He has taught lower division, upper division and graduate courses in virology, mechanism of microbial pathogenesis and the history of infectious diseases. His research has covered diverse pathogenic viruses including oncogenic (tumor), encephalitic, and neurological agents.