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OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
COURSE SYLLABUS
NSCI 5633
SPRING 2007
This syllabus is subject to change. The revised syllabus will be distributed in class
COURSE #:
COURSE TITLE:
NSCI 5633
Nutrition and Immune Function
FACULTY:
Solo Kuvibidila, Ph.D.
Telephone:
E-mail:
Office Hours:
Teaching Assistants:
Office number: HES 423
744-2303
solo.kuvibidila10@okstate.edu
M, W, 9-10 am or by appointment
COURSE OBJECTIVES
Course Goals:
 To develop knowledge of the effects of nutrition on the immune function
 Enhance written and oral skills related to nutrition and immunology
 Enhance critical thinking and problem solving skills related to nutrition and
the immune function
Student Performance Objectives:
Requirement: adequate background in assessment of nutritional status; some
knowledge of immunology
If a student does not have adequate background in assessment of nutritional status,
physiology, and biochemistry, it is expected that s/he reads any one of the following
books:
Principles of nutritional assessment; Rosalind S. Gibson, Editor; 2nd edition, Oxford
University, 2005
Present Knowledge in Nutrition; Edited by E.E. Ziegler & L.J. Filer, Jr,
Present Knowledge in Nutrition; Volumes I & II, 9th Edited by Bowman & Russell; ILSI
publisher; Washington DC 2006.
At the end of the course, the student will:
 Have a working knowledge of nutrition and the immune response
 Be able to critically analyze research publications in the field
 Be able to design a research project on the effects of various nutrients on the
immune function
 Be able to determine and analyze the impact of confounding factors on the
effects of nutrition on the immune function
 Understand the interactions of various nutrients on the immune response
 Understand the effect of immune response on nutritional status
 Describe changes in immune responses induced by nutrient deficits and nutrient
overload (pharmacological and toxicological intakes of micronutrients);
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 Identify feasible, simple, but reproducible methods for assessment of immune
responses as a function of nutritional status.
BRIEF COURSE OUTLINE. Impact of nutrient deficits, nutrient overload, and host
factors on the immune response.
TEACHING STYLE: lectures, in class discussions, case presentations by students
GRADING REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES
Students are required to attend all lectures
Assignments that are poorly written will not be graded
All assignments must be typed double spaced (word program; font not less than 12)
Except under special circumstances such as illness (with a physician’s note),
assignments that are not turned in on time will not be graded
Unless specified at the time the assignment is given, assignments are your own work.
All cell phones must be turned off during the lecture. ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTION!!!
Notebooks, Cell phones, and Conversations with Other Students Will Not Be Allowed
During Exams.
Having written notes during an exam will automatically lead to an F.
Students have totake exams at the specified date(s).
Assignments and Exams points:
Research proposal (group):
In class presentations (4 x 20)
Mini-exams: (3 x 50)
Final exams:
In class participation
100
80
150
150
20
Final grade: will be based on the percentage of points earned during the semester. The
following scale will be used: A 90%; B, 80-89%; C, 70-79%, D, 60-69%; F <60%.
TEXT MATERIALS.
Nutrition and Immune Function. Edited by P.C. Calder, C.J. Fields, H.S. Gill
CABI Publishing; The Nutrition Society; New York, NY; 2002.
Additional materials will be handed during lectures and/or will be posted on the
Webpage.
Other useful reference books will be on reserve in Edmond Low Library:
1. Nutrition & Immunology; Gershwin, German, Keen
2. Present Knowledge in Nutrition; Volumes I & II, 9th Edition (Bowman & Russell,
editors); ILSI publisher; Washington DC 2006.
3. Essentials of Clinical Immunology; 4th Ed. Chapel.
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NSCI 5633: NUTRITION AND IMMUNOLOGY COURSE
Tentative Lecture Schedule and Topics
Spring 2007.
Jan 8:
Class organization; Introductions; Rules; Group Assignments
Jan 10:
Overview of the global burden of malnutrition and infection
Jan 12:
An overview of the immune system: Part 1
Jan 17:
An overview of the immune system: Part 2
Jan 19:
An overview of the immune system: Part 3
Jan 22:
Evaluation of the effects of nutrients on immune function
Jan 24:
Effect of protein energy malnutrition on immunity
Jan 26:
Case studies: class discussion
Jan 29:
Exam 1
Jan 31:
Effect of Iron status on immunity
Feb 2:
Effect of Zinc status on immunity
Feb 5:
Case studies: Iron & zinc
Feb 7:
Effect of Selenium status on immunity
Feb 9:
Iodine and the immune response
Feb 12:
Case studies: Selenium, Iodine
Feb 14:
Vitamin A and immunity
Feb 16:
Specific amino acids & immunity: L-arginine; Glutamine;
Sulphur amino acids; glutathione.
Feb 19:
Case studies: Vitamin A & Essential Amino Acids
Feb 21:
Exam 2
Feb 23:
Antioxidants and immunity (Vit E, C)
Feb 26:
Fatty acids & Immunity
March 2:
Nutrition, obesity, and immunity
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March 5:
Nutritional modulation of autoimmune diseases/inflammation:
March 7:
Case studies
March 9:
Probiotics and Immunity
March 12:
Breastfeeding mucosal immunity, and defense against infection
March 14:
Case studies and/or General Review; preparation for mid term exam
March 16:
Exam 3
March 26:
Nutrition, ageing, and the immune system
March 28:
Food allergy & immunity
March 30:
Exercise, nutrition, and immunity
April 2:
Nutrition, HIV infection and immunity
April 4:
Nutrition, immunity and alternative medicine.
April 6:
Nutrition, Infection, and Immunity: Public Health Implications
April 9:
Overall review and/or Case studies
April 11:
Preparation for students’ presentations
April 13:
Proposal presentation: groups A, B
April 16:
Proposal presentation: groups C, D
April 18:
Proposal presentation: Groups E, F
April 20:
Course evaluation; questions & answers
April 23:
Study period
April 25:
Study period
April 27:
Study period
April 30:
Study period
May 2:
Study period
May 4:
Final exam