BIOL 550W IMMUNOLOGY Syllabus
Instructor:
Office:
Telephone:
Lecture:
Dr. William H. Jackson
SBDG 201A
641-3601
TTh, 9:25AM – 10:40AM in
SBDG 200
Spring 2014
Office Hours:
Email:
Text:
Supplement:
Credit:
By appointment
billj@usca.edu
Kuby Immunology, 6th Ed. by Goldsby, Kindt, and
Osborne
Writing Papers in the Biological Sciences., 5th
Edition by McMillan
Three semester hours
Course Description: A study of immunological principles and concepts. Three lecture hours per week.
Course Objectives: This course will introduce the student to the underlying principles of immunology. Its primary emphasis
will be on the cellular and non-cellular components of the human immune system and the ways in which these components
interact to provide immunity. Upon completion of this course students will be expected to
1. Describe the major divisions of the immune system;
2. Describe humoral immunity and cell-mediated immunity;
3. Compare and contrast innate and acquired immunity;
4. Discuss the role of immune cells, their function with regard to cell signaling, and hematopoiesis;
5. Discuss the immune response to specific pathogens; and
6. Describe the nature of self and non-self;
Attendance Policy: An “F” may be assigned for absences in excess of 25% (seven lectures) of regularly scheduled class
meetings. Absences, neither excused nor unexcused, absolve the student from meeting class assignments. Exam make-ups
will only be allowed for documented, excusable reasons. Quizzes cannot be made up.
Disability Statement: If you have a physical, psychological, and/or learning disability, which might affect your performance
in class, please contact the Office of Disability Services, 134 B&E (803) 641-3609, as soon as possible. The Disability
Services Office will determine appropriate accommodations based on medical documentation.
Policy for Portable Electronic Devices: The use of any portable electronic devices, including cell phones, pagers, MP3
players, iPods, etc., during class is not allowed for any reason unless prior approval has been given to a student from the
instructor or unless required for the course. If you are planning to have any of these devices in class, they must be turned off
and stowed away for the duration of the class period. If you use a portable electronic device during a test, quiz, or other
assessment, you are eligible to receive a failing grade on that assignment.
Methods of Presentation and Evaluation: Information will be presented through lectures and class discussion using
appropriate visual aids. Writing assignments will be used to extend the lecture material. There will be three 1-hour exams, a
comprehensive final exam, and weekly quizzes that will generally cover the previous 1-2 week’s material. Writing
assignments will include reviews of the primary literature and a research paper based on a question in immunology.
WI Designation: Immunology is designated a writing intensive course (BIOL A550W). The goal is not so much to teach
writing, but to use writing as a learning tool. During this course we will answer the following questions: How do you ask a
good question? How do you develop a thesis? How do you create a well-crafted scientific paper?
Writing Assignments: Below is a brief overview of the writing assignments you will be responsible for during the semester.
More complete descriptions and tasks will be provided separately. Written products will be evaluated based on one of two
rubrics that will be provided with each assignment. Revisions will be encouraged during the writing process, and will be based
on both peer reviews and conferences with the instructor.
Research paper. Your research paper will be on a question or problem of your choosing in immunology. Revisions will be
allowed (and expected) based on peer reviews and conferences with the instructor.
Research summaries. Based upon your particular immunological question, you will identify, read, and summarize seven
primary research articles, which will subsequently make up a portion of your research paper’s bibliography.
Methods of Presentation and Evaluation: Information will be presented through lectures and class discussion using
appropriate visual aids. Final grades will be based on the following:
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BIOL 550W IMMUNOLOGY syllabus
Description
Three one-hour exams
Research Paper
Final Exam
Weekly quizzes
Reviews
Participation
Points
300
150
100
100
140
60
Spring 2014
Comments
100 points each
Topic in Immunology
Comprehensive
From the previous 1-2 week’s material, 10 points each
Review of assigned readings (20points each)
Class participation (4 points per week)
Letter grade assignment: A>90%; B+>85%; B>80%; C+>75%; C>60%; D+>55%; D>50%; F<50%.
You will be expected to endorse the USCA HONOR PLEDGE on every assignment: 'On my honor as a University of South
Carolina Aiken student, I have neither given nor received any unauthorized aid on this assignment/examination. To the best of
my knowledge, I am not in violation of academic honesty'.
TENTATIVE LECTURE SCHEDULE
DATE
Jan 14
Jan 16
Jan 21
Jan 23
Jan 28
Jan 30
Feb 4
Feb 6
Feb 11
Feb 13
Feb 18
Feb 20
Feb 25
Feb 27
Mar 4
Mar 6
Mar 11
Mar 13
Mar 18
Mar 20
Mar 25
Mar 27
Apr 1
Apr 3
Apr 8
Apr 10
Apr 15
Apr 17
Apr 22
Apr 24
May 1
WEEK
1
TOPIC
Overview of the Immune System
CHAPTER
1
2
Cells and Organs of the Immune System
2
3
2
4
Cells and Organs of the Immune System
EXAM I
Antigens and Antibodies
5
Antigens and Antibodies
4
6
Organization and Expression of Immunoglobulin Genes
5
7
5
8
8
9
Organization and Expression of Immunoglobulin Genes
Major Histocompatibility Complex
Major Histocompatibility Complex
EXAM II
Spring Break - No classes
10
T-Cell Receptor
9
11
Hypersensitivity Reactions
15
12
Tolerance and Autoimmunity
16
13
Immune Response to Infectious Disease
18
14
AIDS and Other Immunodeficiencies
EXAM III
AIDS and Other Immunodeficiencies
20
20
FINAL EXAM, 8:00 AM in SBDG 200
Comp
8
15
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4