After successful completion of the course (theory and laboratory), students should possess the modern scientific knowledge regarding viruses as distinct plant pathogens, their interaction with plants and their potential vectors, as well as the diagnosis and treatment of viral related plant diseases.
Also, students should be able to keep up-to-date on cutting-edge topics related to plant viruses and plant virus diseases.
The learning outcomes of the course are:
(a) Knowledge - Understanding:

• basic concepts and terminology of the science of Plant Virology
• the characteristics of plant viruses and their differentiation from other biotic and abiotic causal agents of plant diseases
• modern methods of detection and identification of plant viruses
• the process of diagnosis of viral related diseases
• the transmission of plant viruses and related pathogens and the epidemiology and field spread of the diseases they cause
• the basic strategies and specific measures to deal with viral and related plant diseases
• the principles of production of certified propagating material

(b) Practical skills in applying the main methods of identification of plant viruses.
(c) Development of the ability to distinguish the symptoms of viral diseases from other transmissible and non- transmissible plant diseases and to perform a correct diagnosis.
(d) Development of the capacity to design programs for the integrated management of virus and related plant diseases of different epidemiology.