PPEM 454Virus Ecology

3 credits · Plant Pathology and Environmental Microbiology · Penn State

Virus ecology describes how viruses interact with their hosts, and how those interactions modulate the hosts' interactions with their environment. PPEM 454 Virus Ecology (3) In this course students will learn about the interplay among viruses, hosts and the environment. The diversity of viruses, which infect all known life forms, will be explored. The important role viruses play in the ecology of the planet, including carbon cycles, host adaptation to extreme environments, host health or disease, and host evolution will be discussed in depth using specific examples. Students also will learn to critically read the scientific literature. Learning will be assessed through a combination of written and oral assignments and exams.