Virology

The EU aims to advance knowledge in fundamental and applied virology, with an emphasis on an integrative approach to the discipline. It will present the specific characteristics of host-virus interactions and the pathophysiology of viral infections in different types of hosts (vertebrates, insects, and plants). It will address aspects of viral ecology, virus emergence, and associated risks to human and animal health. Finally, the course will cover research methods, virological detection and diagnostic tools, and the applications of viruses in biotechnology.

The course will consist of lectures, tutorials (analysis of current scientific articles and oral presentations), and practical exercises that illustrate the material covered in the lectures and tutorials (virus amplification and purification, and quantification using standard techniques).

Knowledge:

- To gain a comprehensive understanding of how viruses function at different scales (at the cellular, organismal, and population levels of hosts and reservoirs) and of their impact on human and animal health, as well as on the environment.

- Have a basic understanding of how the environment affects the transmission and spread of viruses.

- Master the principles of standard techniques used in virology (amplification, purification, and quantification of viruses; detection and screening) in the fields of health, agronomy, and the environment.

 Expertise:

- Apply fundamental concepts and techniques in virology to address a problem in the field—whether simple or complex—or to analyze a document (clinical case studies, analyses of theoretical and experimental data, etc.).

- Master basic experimental techniques in virology (amplification, purification, quantification, and detection of viruses).

- Understand and implement the key preventive measures related to health and safety in virology.

- Follow an experimental protocol.

- Write a report on the lab work.

- Identify and select various specialized resources to document a topic in virology or support an argument in this field.

- Synthesize one's knowledge in order to apply it in written or oral communication.

- Use standard digital tools to gather, process, produce, and disseminate information in written or oral form.

- Be able to draw on one's knowledge to develop a critical analysis (of one's own results, scientific publications, etc.).

- Be able to use the various registers of written and spoken French with ease.

Interpersonal Skills:

- Work both in groups and independently.

- Know how to manage your time.

- Develop your ability to synthesize information.

- To deepen one's scientific curiosity.

Students in their first and second years of undergraduate studies must have completed the Microbiology course (S3 HAV318V) or an equivalent Microbiology/Virology course.