Veterinary Virology

Course Director: Sonia Cheetham, DVM PhD, Professor Pathobiology.

Email: scheetha@sgu.edu Tel#1 (473) 444 –ext.3681

Office: SVM trailer

Office hours: office hours can be requested through the class rep or by email to the course director

Online location—Sakai resources being used: Panopto, Lessons, Assignments, SIS Hall for in person

Fenner’s Veterinary Virology 5^th edition (pdf provided), online access to Sakai. The difference between a textbook and an scientific article is that the textbook presents the consensus opinion at a given time, (although it may change in the future as new findings become available). A book chapter summarizes the information available usually reviewing hundreds of scientific articles. A textbook is usually written by experts on the topic and sometimes edited by more experts thus what is presented had been vetted by the most knowledgeable people on that area of expertise. Scientific articles, on the other hand, usually have a more narrow scope (besides review articles) because they are written based on a limited set of information (except metanalysis papers). Although they are peer reviewed, they express and present the information from the point of view of the sole authors. Some articles present data that disagree with the general consensus.

Relevant internet sources for updating the current scenario of viruses and viral diseases of veterinary importance. They include sites of avma, aaep, aaha, pigsite, cdc, google scholar, pubmed; links are provided in lessons.

1. Students with disabilities who need accommodations should contact Student Accessibility and Accommodations Services (SAAS), located in the Dean of Students Office.
2. Information can be found at mycampus.sgu.edu/group/saas

NA

The course consists of giving veterinary students the biological background needed for the understanding of viral diseases. Veterinarians are confronted daily with viral infections. Because of this fact, it is essential to deal with these unique classes of infectious agents in detail. Students of veterinary medicine should have a thorough understanding of certain viruses and the major diseases of veterinary importance caused by them. This course is divided into general virology and veterinary virology. General virology deals with the basic nature of viruses, classification, multiplication, host-virus interaction, viral pathogenesis, diagnosis and vaccines. Veterinary virology deals mainly with individual viral diseases. The major viral diseases which are of importance for veterinary practice will be discussed affecting each host species of veterinary significance. This course will provide the basic understanding needed to deal with the viral infections usually encountered in the clinical veterinary practice. This course will complement anatomical and clinical pathology and it is a requirement for the medicine courses in future terms.

Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to…

1. Explain the basic properties of viruses and their classification.
2. Identify viral diseases affecting various species of animals of veterinary medicine importance and determine their diagnosis.
3. Identify the advantages and limitations of vaccines and antiviral chemotherapeutics.
4. Evaluate the current and potential tools for prevention, control and treatment of viral diseases of the companion and food producing animals.

Provided in lessons as checklists

This course is 3 credits.

1. 1 credit hour= 15 lecture equivalent
2. 1 lecture (L) hr = 2=3 lab hrs = 2 self-study (SS) or assignment (as) hrs
3. 1 mandatory Zoom class meeting hour = 1 lecture hour. 1 assessment hour = 1 lecture hour.

Optional Zoom hours are equivalent to office hours = 1 per week maximum, not factored into credit hours as they are optional.

The examinations (summative assessments) will consist of MCQ questions on examsoft. The examinations will cover only the materials presented but outside reading is encouraged. The content of the examinations will be based on all the material covered in the lessons which are based on the textbook, and emphasized in the discussion and verbal information presented by the lecturer. The aspects of immunology and biochemistry relevant to virology that were taught during the previous terms are considered part of the exam material. Students are responsible for reviewing those notes if needed. Students are expected to make use of the recommended materials. For the formative assessments: each lesson has a couple of MCQ embedded into the material as well as cases followed by MCQs on the second section of the course. The short activity at the end on section 1 will be on MCQ on sakai test and quizzes. The activities for each lesson are due the Friday of the following week. Late submissions of assignments may be granted upon an acceptable excuse but will only carry half the points and may cause the professionalism point to be lost.

Grading

FB (fill-in-the-blank) assignments.

The professionalism point considers compliance with: in person or online attendance when required (green), completing checklists, meeting assignment deadlines and adequate behavior and language during communications. All students will attain this point unless their behavior does not warrant it.

EXAMSOFT MONITORING: a grade reduction of 5-10% will be applied to that exam if students do not observe the following parameters during exams monitored online:

1. Talking out loud.
2. Looking away from the monitor.
3. Having distractions (animals, people) in or walking through the room or making noise during the exam.
4. Webcam is not recording your full face at all times with adequate lighting.

Online content posted in lessons and recordings on Panopto will be available for students to access on their own but adhering to the suggested study slot will guarantee that students won’t fall behind. The exam material will come from material covered in the lessons. The checklists, short activities, MCQ questions, in person discussion and cases are mandatory. A review session of the material covered will be offered before each exam. The forums should be used to place questions regarding the material. Further questions can be asked during the weekly in person discussions.

The material for this course is presented in different formats (notes, tables, activities, assignments) which may at times seem repetitive. It aims to provide students with auditory, visual, reading/writing, kinestetic (practical) and mixed learning approaches options so that they find what works for them

TIPS (that probably apply to all courses)

• Try to memorize the least. However, there are a few things you need to memorize: families with DNA and RNA genome, which ones have segmented genomes and which families are enveloped or naked. This info will help you figure out probable transmission, availability and efficacy of vaccines, etc, later on. Mnemonics are useful
  • For example, remember families with DNA genome (smaller group), all other will have RNA. You can make up an acronym or a story. Try to apply this information to every possible situation. Go back to check for confirmation, this will help with retention. Remember you need this for the exams in this course but also future courses, NAVLE and future practice. Try to integrate what you learn to things you already know
• UNDERSTAND. Don't read it 20 times, you may get a false sense of knowing the material because you can recite it.
  • Sit back and think about concepts (use the white board) this improves critical thinking and long term retention
• Study with plenty of time. After covering all the material there might be a stage of confusion. If you wait until the last day to study, you may have to take the exam in this state which is very stressful. Feeling comfortable with the material brings confidence which reduces test anxiety
• You may study alone but should try to review with a friend/group. This way you may be alerted of things you missed or misunderstood.
• Sleep well so you can be sharp and avoid silly mistakes.
• During the exam don't overthink, we are not trying to trick you.

Students are expected to keep up with the material assigned per week. Read the notes, complete assignment and ask questions. MCQs will be included in some of the lessons and cases so students should make sure to participate. There are check lists for each section, students should use them so that we can keep track of their progress in the course and identify any learning outcome that was not properly understood or presented. Forums and discussion participation are the best way of communication regarding questions about content, other issues can be sent to the class rep for them to notify the course director. Personal matters can be sent by email to the course director or the Dean of students.

The forum is an important and significant part of an online course. While class discussion is limited on an online asynchronous course and face to face time is limited, the forum can assisst with a free flowing conversation. There are identifiable characteristics that distinguish exemplary contributions to the forums from those of lesser quality. The criteria found on the forum rubric will be used to assess the quality of your postings and responses to the postings and comments of peers.

Poor quality postings will be deleted to prevent overcrowding of the forum which facilitates following the threads of enriching topics. Please remember to label your post so that the content is clear for others to follow.

Please exhibit professional behavior and abide by the code of conduct in the student handbook. Students are expected to arrive on time for zooms and exams. Please see professionalism point description in the grading section.

Students are expected to be available during the standard 8-5am AST school day, to virtually attend, engage with online content, and participate in all classes and clinical rotations for which they have registered. Employment is not an excusable absence. Although attendance, engagement, and participation may not be recorded at every academic activity, attendance, engagement, and participation is graded for mandatory sessions. Students’ lack of attendance, engagement, and participation may adversely affect their academic status as specified in the grading policy.

If failure to attend, engage, or participate in individual classes, examinations, and online activities, or from the University itself is anticipated, or occurs spontaneously due to illness or other extenuating circumstances, proper notification procedures must be followed (see the student manual).

Forum participation is not mandatory but encouraged and carries 1 bonus point (please see grading and forum rubric). In person discussions and cases sessions are mandatory.

Students who fail to attend an examination or submit an assignment by the deadline without a valid reason (see student manual: SGUSVM POLICY ON AN EXCUSED ABSENCE (EA) FOR STUDENTS) will receive a score of “0” points for the examination. Students who have technical issues during the examination MUST inform the Course Director (s) (COURSE DIRECTOR email HERE) and IT (tellexaminationservices@sgu.edu OR support@sgu.edu OR call 1-631-665-8500 ext. 4444 (US, NU, International) OR 1-473-439-2000 ext. 4444 (Grenada), AND Dean of Students (DOS@sgu.edu OR call 866-429-8889) during the open period for the examination. Failure to do so immediately will result in the student receiving the highest score recorded at the time, but NOT being eligible to take a completion examination. Scheduling of examinations (regular, re-sit, completion, comprehensive, or exemption) is at the discretion of the University.

All students are responsible for knowing and complying with the University’s Code of Conduct and the guidelines. Students must read and then sign the Honor Code statement at the start of examinations to indicate that they will comply with the University Code of Conduct.

Prior to Exam Day

1. Each student is required to have a laptop for the purpose of taking computer- based examinations (e-Exams) at SGU. Students must ensure that their laptops meet the current minimum system requirements prior to exam day:
2. Examinees must use their MY SGU Member Center username and password to access the Custom Home Page (www.examsoft.com/sgu) created by ExamSoft for the University.
3. Examinees are responsible for downloading and registering the latest version of Examplify on their laptop prior to exam day. Once Examplify has been successfully downloaded, examinees are strongly encouraged to familiarize themselves with the software by downloading and taking practice exams.
4. Examinees are responsible for setting their laptop up for ExamMonitor prior to the exam (see links below).
5. Examinees will be notified via MyCourses, of all exam related information. Email notifications will also be sent from ExamSoft Support to examinees, notifying them of examinations available for downloading.
6. Examinees experiencing difficulties with their laptop are encouraged to visit the IT department for assistance prior to exam day. Examinees needing a laptop must visit the Office of Institutional Advancement (OIA) to request an exam loaner.
7. Examinees should visit the following information to familiarize themselves with the online proctored exam format and set up their baseline photo.
   1. A Examsoft/ExamID quick guide for students (Please note that the current Examplify version is 2.3.8)
   2. The Examsoft student perspective video 30mins
   3. The Examsoft/ExamID FAQ
   4. Examsoft information page
   5. The general Reminders/Guidelines

The materials (such as slides, handouts and audio/video recordings) provided to students who are taking courses at St. George’s University (SGU) are the intellectual property of the Faculty and/or Administration of SGU. Students are free to use these materials solely for the purpose of group or individual study. Reproduction in whole or in part is prohibited.