Universität Wien
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300326 VO Aquatic Viral Ecology (2018W)

3.00 ECTS (2.00 SWS), SPL 30 - Biologie

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

Language: English

Examination dates

Lecturers

Classes

Starts on monday 08.10.2018, 10:00 (sine tempore), Seminarroom Marine Biology (3.133)


Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

The lecture presents the diverse forms of viruses found in aquatic environments. However, special emphasis will be given to viruses infecting prokaryotes (bacteriophage) and their role in controlling prokaryotic abundance, activity, and diversity. Wherever possible the information will be illustrated with concrete examples from the literature. Specific topics are:
Introduction (hallmarks of viruses, morphology, size, numbers, biomass)
Taxonomy of viruses found in aquatic environments (special emphasis on the most important virus groups)
The role of viruses in controlling prokaryotes (microbial loop)
Phage survival strategies (lytic, lysogenic, gene transfer agents, pseudolysogenic, chronic infection)
Steps in the phage replication cycle and possible host counter measures
Mechanisms of viral decay in aquatic environments
Viral influence on prokaryotic community composition (“killing the winner” hypothesis)
Constant diversity versus periodic selection model
Cyanobacteria and their viruses
Overview of methods in aquatic viral ecology

Assessment and permitted materials

written exam

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

Fifteen questions in total, each question will be evaluated based on grades from 1 (best) to 5 (worst). The sum of all grades for all questions will be built and then divided by the total number of questions. The average grade for the entire exam will be rounded mathematically and constitutes the final grade for the exam.

Examination topics

Reading list


Association in the course directory

MEC-9, UF MA BU 01, UF MA BU 04, MMEI II-2.2, MMEI III

Last modified: We 19.08.2020 08:08