BIO 215   3 credits DII

Spring 2007

HIV and the Immune System

Course Description:
This course will focus on the biology of both the human immune system and the Human Immunodeficiency Virus. Lectures will explore the mechanisms of HIV growth in host cells, and HIV damage to the host immune system. Additional topics include the prevention of HIV transmission, treatment of HIV infection, and the possibility of HIV vaccine development.
Prerequisites: An introductory Biology laboratory sequence, or permission of the Department Chairperson.

• This is the first time this course has been offered as an ONLINE course, and it is hoped that it will serve to help non-biology majors fulfill their division II distribution, as well as help Bio minors fulfill course requirements.

• Expect to put in as much time in as you would for a 3 credit LECTURE course.  For instance, if you would normally spend 3 hours a week in lecture, and 3 or more hours outside of class, plan on the same time commitment.

• You will be expected to participate in discussion boards, take self tests (un-graded), perform graded assessments, submit short writing assignments, work on a project in a small group, etc.  They will hopefully be many of the same types of learning activities that you are used to in other courses.

• There is a required text for the course which can be obtained in the campus bookstore, but there is a wealth of online resources regarding HIV/AIDS that will also be utilized.

  • Required Text: HIV and AIDS, David Wessner, Pearson/Benjamin Cummings 2006  ISBN 0-8053-3956-6

  • Optional Text: AIDS, The Biological Basis, 4th ed. Weeks and Alcamo, Jones and Bartlett Publishers 2006 ISBN 0-76373714-3

    The optional text is more comprehensive, larger, more expensive (but still a paperback!), and I will draw heavily from its content.  This text will not be available at the bookstore for the spring.