Clinical Virology 2

MEDN68512 Clinical Virology 2 15 Semester 2 Postgraduate Taught Level 6 Paul Klapper Unit coordinator Division of Medical Education 1 FHEQ level (Framework for Higher Education Qualifications) ' Masters/Integrated Masters P4 ' European Credit Transfer & Accumulation System Rating : 7.5 Clinical virology is a branch of clinical pathology which endeavors to identify and characterize viruses responsible for human disease and to treat and control those infections. It utilizes techniques at the leading edge of science and, with advent of rapid diagnosis, has become a vital and urgent pathological science. Infection control, novel vaccines and the availability of an ever increasing number of antiviral drugs are fueling demand for experts in Clinical Virology. Global pandemics such as HIV infection, outbreaks of high mortality infections such as Ebola, Nipah, MERS coronavirus and a host of newly identified and re-emergent human virus infections fuel public consciousness of the science. Never has the importance of Clinical Virology been higher. This post graduate course provides a unique and exciting foundation for a career in Clinical Virology. It provides extensive, hands-on, experience of Clinical Virology presented through lectures, seminars, practical classes and self-directed learning. In addition to studying how infections are identified using the latest serological and molecular biological techniques students will learn how we manage these infections and prevent the spread of the infections. Central to our educational philosophy is how we utilize knowledge of the pathogenesis of individual infections to control infection.  Students will gain knowledge of we determine antiviral drug resistance, and utilize this knowledge together with the new science of pharmacogenomics to enable better, more effective treatment of patients.The Course can trace its roots back to the very earliest days of Clinical Virology, its fore-runner the Diploma in Bacteriology was perhaps the world’s first post-graduate qualification in Medical Microbiology and Virology which emerged from one of the world’s first Public Health Laboratories founded in the early years of the 20th Century by Professor Sheradin Delapiné, Proctor Professor of Pathology, University of Manchester and in its early year’s the Diploma in Bacteriology was led by Professor WCC Topley (of Topley and Wilson’s Bacteriology fame). The first Professor of Virology Dr TSL Beswick was appointed in the late 1950’s and he was instrumental in leading the development of Clinical Virology as an emerging specialist area and helped to drive forward the development of rapid virus diagnosis beginning in the 1960’s. Alumni of the Diploma in Bacteriology and the MSc in Medical Virology can currently be found throughout the world in senior positions within Government, Academia and Industry.Elements of the course can also help satisfy requirements for continuing medical or professional development and you may join the course for selected elements within the course to contribute toward your continuing professional development – please enquire if this is of interest to you The Clinical Virology course units are delivered as two consecutive three-week units and include a significant amount of practical laboratory based study. These units will cover virus properties, epidemiology and transmission, role in disease, including symptoms, pathology, pathogenesis and immune response, diagnosis, treatment, management and prevention.The Clinical Virology 1 unit of the course will provide a detailed introduction to infections that can occur in pregnancy, how they are diagnosed and managed. It will also provide an understanding of the diagnosis and management of the outcome of certain of these infections in particular,  congenital infection. We then move on to Genitourinary medicine infections (anyone heard of HIV?) their diagnosis and management, and then continue from HIV into other blood virus infections and virus hepatitis.Practical classes will cover childhood infection that lead to maternal infections and congenital infections. The practical classes are run so that they simulate as closely as possible the investigation of real cases. You will have to design and perform investigations, make interpretation of the results of your investigations and make decisions on what to do – i.e. treatment decisions, decisions on infection control, and on-going management of the patient or patients. <ul> <li> Provide students with a detailed knowledge and understanding of viral infections and their relationship to disease in humans</li></ul> On completion of this course unit students will have or be able to:<ul> <li style="margin-left: 18pt;"> Understand the classification of viruses and be able to identify major virus families and their members that cause significant disease in humans.  </li> <li style="margin-left: 18pt;"> Understand the role of virus structure in transmission, disease pathogenesis and infection control  </li> <li style="margin-left: 18pt;"> Have a broad knowledge of symptoms associated with viral infection in various organ systems and how these present in different patient groups.  </li> <li style="margin-left: 18pt;"> Understand the immune response to viral infection and its role in pathogenesis, diagnosis and therapy.  </li> <li style="margin-left: 18pt;"> Understand the various methodologies used for diagnosis of viral infection and know which methods are appropriate in particular contexts.  </li> <li style="margin-left: 18pt;"> Have a detailed understanding of the mechanisms of action of a range of antiviral compounds.  </li> <li style="margin-left: 18pt;"> Understand the treatment and prevention strategies for viral infections.  </li> <li style="margin-left: 18pt;"> Be able to identify and differentiate symptoms associated with major viral infections  </li> <li style="margin-left: 18pt;"> Be able to identify appropriate management and treatment strategies for particular patient groups.  </li> <li style="margin-left: 18pt;"> Carry out laboratory based techniques used to diagnose infections competently, accurately and safely  </li> <li style="margin-left: 18pt;"> Be able to assimilate and synthesise data from multiple sources  </li> <li style="margin-left: 18pt;"> Present complex ideas to informed but non-specialist audiences in written and oral form. </li></ul> <div> On completion of this course unit students will have or be able to:</div><ul> <li> Demonstrate both systematic and conceptual understanding of key principles and ideas in virology  </li> <li> Show a conceptual understanding of the replication and culture of viruses and of the relevance of this to assay, diagnosis and treatment of infection  </li> <li> Analyse key relationships between bacteria, fungi or viruses and disease including a systematic understanding of transmission, pathogenesis, host immunity and epidemiology  </li> <li> Show critical awareness of the molecular methodology in use and under development at the forefront of microbial diagnosis, treatment and research, and develop a creative approach to applying such methodology within the discipline  </li> <li> Demonstrate a critical understanding of laboratory and clinical aspects of diagnosis, treatment and prevention of infections and related infections in a wide range of patient groups  </li> <li> Show a conceptual grasp of the effects of viral infections on human populations and critical awareness of the role of the diagnostic laboratory in the surveillance of infections both in hospitals and in the community  </li> <li> Display a thorough understanding and critical awareness of current best practice surrounding issues of health and safety, and quality assurance procedures in the health service laboratory  </li> <li> Show understanding of the basic principles of human biology and the effects of infectious disease on biological systems  </li> <li> Demonstrate the knowledge to apply critical evaluation to a research problem and present this problem within the context of current virological understanding</li></ul> <div> On completion of this course unit students will have or be able to:</div><ul> <li> Critically analyse, evaluate, interpret and understand the significance of results of controlled experiments and be able to apply data obtained to solve a clinical or diagnostic problem  </li> <li> Critically analyse and evaluate the relevant scientific literature  </li> <li> Integrate technical knowledge of assays with interpretation of diagnostic information  </li> <li> Demonstrate effective problem solving abilities  </li> <li> Synthesise and analyse complex virological concepts in a critical way and show the ability to challenge preconceived assumptions by informed argument  </li> <li> Understand the importance of quality assurance and control to establish validity and the role of standard operating procedures in the diagnostic setting  </li> <li> Recognise how knowledge of microbiology/virology can be applied to the clinical setting for patient management  </li> <li> Plan, conduct and report on a piece of independent microbiological or virological research</li></ul> <div> On completion of this course unit students will have or be able to:</div><ul> <li> Demonstrate manual dexterity by safely and competently carrying out a range of routine and advanced practical skills in laboratory based virology using standard operating procedures  </li> <li> Synthesise, organise and present primary and secondary data in written and oral forms, including the safe recording of laboratory data  </li> <li> Use library, electronic and online resources to collect and select information  </li> <li> Demonstrate safe handling of clinical samples  </li> <li> Work effectively as part of a team and carry out constructive peer review  </li> <li> Critically evaluate a range of research methods and select and design appropriate experimentation to address a specific research problem in virology</li></ul> Students completing this module should be able to:<ul> <li> Confidently and accurately inform others on areas of learned expertise, but recognise self-limitation and actively seek advice from appropriate sources  </li> <li> Make oral presentations to specialist and non-specialist academic audiences participating effectively within such contexts  </li> <li> Approach their own professional development through planning, monitoring, critical reflection and evaluation  </li> <li> Work effectively and productively, recognising the value of physical, electronic and intellectual resources and paying due regard to the importance of quality and reliability of output  </li> <li> Manage time effectively and prioritise tasks appropriately whilst working independently or as part of a team  </li> <li> Make a useful and informed contribution to a team, identifying their own role and the value of that role to the output of the team  </li> <li> Demonstrate an enthusiastic and positive approach to learning  </li> <li> Show good communication skills and the capacity to liaise  </li> <li> Be responsive and adaptive to change</li></ul> Students will enjoy an exceptional teaching and learning experience, an opportunity to participate in high quality research at an early career stage and contribute to public-domain research output. They are encouraged to develop ambitious career aspirations in the clinical and laboratory sciences.Teaching benefits from individual and small group supervision by experienced academic staff with scientific and clinical backgrounds. Staff include national and internationally renowned experts in the discipline.The course is taught through lectures, seminars, practical classes and self-directed learning. There are extensive electronic learning aids available and each student has access to an experienced personal tutor to support them in their learning. 0 Other 20% 1 Written exam 40% 8 Practical skills assessment 40% Short answer test Detailed information on the end of unit assessment process is given in the MSc Medical Virology Handbook. Individual responses are anonymised and are reviewed at the Exam Board meetings held each Semester. Elected student representatives provide feedback to students on the comments and suggestions reviewed at the meeting.In addition within unit<ul> <li> Informal feedback is given on a one-one basis in practical sessions</li> <li> There are opportunities to repeat and practice experimental techniques in areas where the student (or tutor) considers there is weakness.</li> <li> Opportunity to submit practice essays for feedback prior to written examinations</li> <li> Verbal feedback in seminar/tutorial sessions</li> <li> On-line self-assessments</li></ul> MSc Medical Virology (FT) MSc Medical Virology FT PGDT Taught Component Mandatory MSc Medical Virology (PT) MSc Medical Virology (PT) PGDT Taught Component Mandatory N The course is accredited by the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS) for training in microbiology and virology. You can find out more about the IBMS accreditation scheme at: <a href="https://www.ibms.org/go/qualifications/ibms-courses/accreditation">https://www.ibms.org/go/qualifications/ibms-courses/accreditation</a>.Information on the FRCPath specialist qualifications of The Royal College of Pathologists (United Kingdom) and their Continuing Professional Development programme can be found here: <a href="http://www.rcpath.org/">http://www.rcpath.org/</a>Information on the Canadian Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons certification scheme can be found here: <a href="http://www.royalcollege.ca/portal/page/portal/rc/credentials">http://www.royalcollege.ca/portal/page/portal/rc/credentials</a>Information on the The American Board of Pathology Certification scheme can be found here: <a href="http://www.abpath.org/BofICert.htm">http://www.abpath.org/BofICert.htm</a>Information on the criteria for Registered Scientist status can be found here: <a href="http://www.ase.org.uk/professional-development/registered-scientist-rsci/the-standard-for-registered-scientist-rsci/">http://www.ase.org.uk/professional-development/registered-scientist-rsci/the-standard-for-registered-scientist-rsci/</a> A reading list is available on the John Rylands University website search and can also be accessed through the Electronic ‘Blackboard’ Learning support system Lectures 15 Practical classes & workshops 20 0 115 Students are encouraged to join the European Society for Clinical Virology:  <a href="http://www.escv.org/">http://www.escv.org/</a> who organise scientific meetings, training courses and generous travel awards. The Society for General Microbiology is also worthwhile joining:  <a href="http://www.sgm.ac.uk/">http://www.sgm.ac.uk/</a> since in addition to organising regular scientific meetings they provide useful travel awards.The UK Clinical Virology Network <a href="http://clinicalvirology.org/">http://clinicalvirology.org/</a> is the network of clinical virology laboratories in the UK and its sister organisation is the Pan-American Society for Clinical Virology <a href="http://www.pascv.org/links.html">http://www.pascv.org/links.html</a>  both provide a rich source of useful material and contacts.Manchester Virology is on Facebook, Twitter and Linked in and a dedicated website for the course is soon to be launched.