“Viruses in Our World” — SC 297G
Course ID: 305930, Class #28183
MWF 11:15AM – 12:05PM in Borland Bldg 112 (3 credits), Faculty: Dr. Moriah Szpara (email moriah@psu.edu with any questions)
This course will explore the amazing range of viruses in our world, using examples that are popular as well under-appreciated. We will discuss how viruses differ from other microbes, and what aspects of host cells and organisms are used by viruses to reproduce and spread. The course will cover the known range of life-forms on earth, by exploring viruses that infect everything from bacteria to humans. We will include viruses that are well-known (e.g. influenza or “the flu”) as well as unusual and oddball examples (e.g. gigantic amoeba-infecting viruses). This course will use popular-media portrayals of viruses in film to help students evaluate fact vs. fiction in the media. Students will engage with the course material through creative endeavors such as building an infographic and exploring viruses in songs and poetry. Through this course, students will gain an understanding of the simultaneous beauty and hazards that viruses entail. This course is intended to stimulate a greater interest in biology and science overall, and to empower students to use good scientific judgement as they seek out additional information in their own areas of interest. This course has no pre-requisites and is intended for non-science majors or entry-level science majors.
