In this course, Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) will be overviewed from biomedical and psychosocial perspectives.

Prerequisites: General Biology I & II
Credits: 3
Professor: Ophelia I. Weeks, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Office hours: Wednesdays 11 AM-1 PM; Thursdays 12 noon-1 PM
Office HLS 219C; Research Lab HLS 229
Email Address: weekso@fiu.edu

Time & Place: T, R, 5:00-6:15 PM; Room GPA 117
Required Reference Texts:
1. AIDS Update (AU) 2005, Gerald Stine, Pearson Benjamin Cummings
2. AIDS, Science and Society (AS), H. Fang, R. F. Conner, L. P. Villarreal, Jones & Bartlett, 2004, 4th Ed
Grade Distribution: Evaluated Recollection & Synthesis (ERS) #1(30%), ERS #2 (30%), ERS #3 (30%)
Awareness/Prevention Project & Class Participation: 5% each

ERS Format: A combination of short essays, short answers, fill-in-the-blanks and true/false questions

The title outline for lectures in this course largely follows that of (AS). Contents for lectures are drawn from (1) AU, and from (AS [for basic concepts], as well as from (3) current scientific journal articles as new information becomes available. Students are encouraged and expected to participate fully in class discussions, bring to the class’s attention relevant information found in scientific journals, popular press, on the Internet, as well as, anecdotes.

GOAL: Students who successfully complete PCB 4232, Biology of AIDS will have received a balanced review, and attained a better understanding of current and on-going research and information on HIV infection, HIV disease and AIDS, from biomedical and psychosocial perspectives.
Objectives
1. Students will have new vocabulary in virology, immunology, epidemiology, sociology and psychology that will allow a better understanding of issues that surround HIV/AIDS.

2. Students will be able to counter common myths, distortions and misinformation about HIV/AIDS.

3. Students will have the conceptual framework to be better able to address new information about HIV/AIDS as they arise.

These objectives are measured, and students’ learning assessed through three exams scheduled during the semester.

PCB 4232
SPRING 2006
Biology of AIDS; 3 Credits Room GPA 117
Class # 13865 Sec U01 Professor: Ophelia I. Weeks, Ph.D.
DATE / DAY TOPIC READINGS
Jan 10, T Introduction/Overview
“The Face of AIDS” Foreword, Preface, Intro, Chp1 (AU)

Jan 12, R Film: Pandemic (abridged version [42 minutes]). (Film by Rory Kennedy). Open Forum Chps1, 2(AU)

Jan 17, T Concepts: Infectious Disease /Brief History of Epidemics Chp2 (AS); Chp1, 2(AU)
Jan 19, 24, 26, R, T, R The Immune System
I. Blood & the Lymphatic System
II. Humoral & Cell-Mediated Immunity
III. Open Forum Chp3 (AS); Chp5(AU)

Jan 31, Feb 2 ,7, 9, T, R, T, R Virology & Human Immunodeficiency Virus
I. Introduction to Viruses
II. Retroviruses-HIV
Immunology of HIV
Open Forum Chp4 [pp40-59](AS); Chps3, 5(AU)

February 14, T EVALUATED RECOLLECTION & SYNTHESIS (ERAS) #1 AS: 2, 3, 4(pp40-59); AU: 1, 2, 3, 5
Feb 16, 21, 23, R, T, R Clinical Manifestations
I. Exposure, Infection, Disease
II. HIV & the Nervous System
III. Treatment Chps7, 6, 4 (AU)
Feb 28, Mar 2 , T, R

Epidemiology, HIV Transmission & Risk Factors
I. Overview & Basic Concepts
II. Biological Basis of Transmission III. Modes of Transmission Chp6 [pp89-97] (AS); Chp8 (AU)

Feb 7, 9, 14, T,R,T Risk Assessment:
Individual HIV Risk Assessment
Prevention:
I. Disease Prevention/Health Promotion
II. Models & Principles of Health Behavior Change Chp8[pp124-134]; 9 (AS); Chp9 (AU)
March 16, R
EVALUATED RECOLLECTION & SYNTHESIS (ERAS) #2 AS: 6 [pp89-97], 8[pp124-134], 9; AU: 4, 6, 7, 8, 9
MARCH 20 - 25 *************S P R I N G B R E A K******************
Mar 28, T, I. HIV Testing Chp12 (AU)
Mar 30, Apr 4,6,R, T, R Prevalence of HIV &AIDS
II. USA/Global
III. Open Forum Chps10,11(AU)
Apr 11,13,18 T, R, T Living with AIDS
I. Theoretical Perspectives
II. Human Dimensions
III. Societal Dimensions
IV. Open Forum/Guest Speaker Chp10, 11 (AS); Chp13 (AU)
Apr 20, R Future Directions in Combating AIDS: I. Biomedical
II. Social
III. Epilogue/Open Forum Chp13 (AU)
April 27, Thursday EVALUATED RECOLLECTION & SYNTHESIS (ERAS) #3 NOTE DAY & TIME 3:30 – 6:15 pm AS: 10, 11; AU: 10, 11, 12, 13

Note: Periodically, you may be assigned current research papers to read that are germane to topics being discussed. Also, (AS) has a website, http://www.jbpub.com/AIDS that contains review questions to accompany the text, as does (AU), [Research navigator and review questions at the end of each chapter. Also note that the PREFACE of (AU) provides you with information about special features of the text..

Websites: Some resourceful, some informative, some interesting, some interesting & resourceful, & some questionable*!

1. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/daids/default.htm
6. http://www.aidsinfo.nih.gov/2. http://www.medscape.com/hiv-aidshome
7. http://www.thebody.com/wa/wapage.html3. http://amiga1.med.miami.edu/HIV-Aids/HIV-AIDS.htm
8. http://my.webmd.com/content4.* http://www.watercure.com/
9. http://www.aidsonline.com5. http://www.eurekalert.org/pubnews.php
10. Other sites in AIDS Update 2003, pp 23-24, 367

note: a simple search will reveal that there are numerous websites related to HIV/AIDS. Your text (AU) provides many additional websites. You are expected to visit these sites.

Print, fill-out and turn-in the Information Sheet (page 4) by the 2nd day of class.
INFORMATION SHEET

Name:

Year of College:
Major (curriculum emphasis):
Career Intentions:

Course load this semester:

Courses taken in Biology or related subjects:

What is your method for studying?

How do you best understand & learn?

What works best for you in the classroom?

Why did you register for this course, Biology of AIDS?

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