Course Info: NS-0124

CourseNS-0124 HIV/AIDS
Long TitleHIV/AIDS: 35 Years Later
Term2019S
Note(s) Satisfies Distribution
Textbook information
Meeting InfoCole Science Center 333 on T,TH from 10:30-11:50
FacultyMegan Dobro
Capacity25
Available-4
Waitlist0
Distribution(s) Physical and Biological Sciences
Cumulative Skill(s)Quantitative Skills
Multiple Cultural Perspectives
Additional InfoIn this course students are generally expected to spend at least 6 to 8 hours a week of preparation and work outside of class time. This class satisfies distribution.
Description

When the HIV virus was first identified as the cause of AIDS, people never imagined we still wouldn't have a cure 35 years later. What's happened in all that time? What is taking so long? In this seminar, we read about the milestones of HIV research and discuss why finding a cure or vaccine has proven to be very difficult. Students learn about the life cycle of the HIV virus, methods of transmission, current tools for research, and social and political issues associated with the epidemic. We examine different approaches to studying HIV and assess what is still unknown about its biology. A fair warning: this is a science course taught by a biologist through a bit of a social science lens. Students should be willing to study beginner cell and molecular biology, but no prior background is assumed.