Understand that the classification of viruses is based on structure and nucleic acid types as illustrated by λ (lambda) phage (DNA), tobacco mosaic virus and Ebola (RNA) and human immunodeficiency virus (RNA retrovirus).

Know the lytic cycle of a virus and latency.

Know that viruses are not living cells and so antivirals must work by inhibiting virus replication.

Know that as viruses can be difficult to treat once infection has occurred, the focus of disease control should be on preventing the spread, as exemplified by the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

Be able to evaluate the ethical implications of using untested drugs during epidemics.