Module Specification
An online version of this specification is available to prospective students at
http://www.lshtm.ac.uk/study/currentstudents/studentinformation/msc_module_handbook/section3_moduledescript/index.ht
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Module name
Advanced Immunology 2
Module code
3144
Module Organiser
John Raynes
Contact email
John.Raynes@lshtm.ac.uk
Home Faculty
Faculty of Infectious & Tropical Diseases
Level
This module is at Level 7 (postgraduate Masters ‘M’ level) of the QAA
Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales & Northern
Ireland (FHEQ).
Credit
LSHTM award 15 credits on successful completion of this module.
Accreditation
Not currently accredited by any other body.
Keywords
Innate Immunity; Acquired immunity; Infection; Vaccines; Inflammation
AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND AUDIENCE
Overall aim
The aim of this module, along with Advanced Immunology1, is to provide
students with an in-depth and critical understanding of contemporary concepts
in immunology. Advanced Immunology is made up of 4 weeks’ course work
and 1 week writing a ‘Nature’ style News and Views review article.
Intended learning
outcomes
By the end of these modules, students should be able to:
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Target audience
Critically analyse published papers in various areas of contemporary
immunology;
Assess the main areas of research in a particular aspect of the subject;
Identify important unanswered questions and suggest ways of answering
them;
Communicate scientific information effectively using a variety of
techniques including oral presentation, poster presentation and responding
to oral questioning.
Students who wish to undertake future research in immunology of infection.
CONTENT
Session content
The module is expected to include sessions addressing the following topics
(though please note that these may be subject to change):

Parasite immunology; Cellular immunity and memory; Vaccines;
Inflammation and innate immunity.
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TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
Study resources
provided or required
Current research literature in major immunology journals.
Teaching and learning
methods
The teaching strategy will primarily consist of student-centred learning
through interactive small group work, oral and poster presentations, and
discussion sessions, with a few formal lectures. Approximately 50% of the time
will be reserved for private study. Linked to particular sessions there will be
practical sessions to illustrate aspects of papers.
Assessment details
A short problem based written test will take place at the end of the course, to
evaluate knowledge and understanding of the topics presented in weeks 1, 2
and 5, and the ability to analyse data. A review of a paper covered in week 3
will then be prepared in Week 4. These assessments cover the two linked
modules.
For students who are required to re-sit, or granted a deferral or new attempt,
the task will be to submit a ‘News and Views’ essay based on a paper on vaccine
research. The paper will be a different paper to that used for the original
submission.
Assessment dates
Assessments will take place as above.
For students who are required to re-sit, or who are granted a deferral or new
attempt, the next assessment deadline will be the standard Schoolrecommended date in mid/late September 2015.
Language of study and
assessment
English (please see ‘English language requirements’ below regarding the
standard required for entry).
TIMING AND MODE OF STUDY
Duration
The module runs for 5 weeks at 2.5 days per week; this module runs between
Wednesday lunchtime and Friday afternoon.
Dates
For 2015-16, the module will start on Wednesday 13 January 2016 and finish
on Friday 12 February 2016.
Timetable slot
The module runs in LSHTM timetable slot C2.
Mode of Study
The module is taught face-to-face in London. Both full-time and part-time
students follow the same schedule. For full-time students, other LSHTM
modules are available in the other half of the week for the C and D slots.
Learning time
The total notional learning time for the Advanced Immunology 1 module and
Advanced Immunology 2 module totals 300 hours, consisting of:

Contact time ≈ 50 hours

Directed self-study ≈ 140 hours

Self-directed learning ≈ 20 hours

Assessment, review and revision ≈ 90 hours
APPLICATION, ADMISSION AND FEES
Pre-requisites
Advanced Immunology 1 and Advanced Immunology 2 are linked modules and
must be taken together.
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Prior experience in immunology is essential. Students proposing to take these
modules should have, as a minimum, a basic knowledge of immunology equal
to that provided by the Immunology of Infectious Diseases (3120) module in
Term 1.
English language
requirements
A strong command of the English language is necessary to benefit from
studying the module. Applicants whose first language is not English or whose
prior university studies have not been conducted wholly in English must fulfil
LSHTM’s English language requirements, with an acceptable score in an
approved test taken in the two years prior to entry. Applicants may be asked to
take a test even if the standard conditions have been met.
Student numbers
Student numbers are typically 20 per year; numbers may be capped due to
limitations in facilities or staffing.
Student selection
Preference will be given to LSHTM MSc students and LSHTM research degree
students. Other applicants meeting the entry criteria will usually be offered a
place in the order applications are received, until any cap on numbers is
reached. Applicants may be placed on a waiting list and given priority the next
time the module is run.
This module is linked to Advanced Immunology 1 (3134) and full Registration
(full participation) by LSHTM research degree students is required for both
these modules, although the assessment for research degrees students is
optional.
Fees
For registered LSHTM MSc students, fees for the module are included within
MSc fees (given on individual course prospectus pages).
If registering specifically for this module, as a stand-alone short course,
individual module fees will apply.
Tuition fees must be paid in full before commencing the module, or by any fee
deadline set by the Registry.
Scholarships
Scholarships are not available for individual modules. Some potential sources
of funding are detailed on the LSHTM website.
Admission deadlines
For 2015-16:

For registered LSHTM MSc students, the module choice deadline (for Term
2 and 3 modules) is Friday 20 November 2015.

If registering specifically for this module, applications may be made at any
time but, as places are limited, early application is recommended. All
applications should be submitted by at latest 8 weeks prior to the start of
the module. Formal registration will take place on the morning of the first
day of the module.
ABOUT THIS DOCUMENT
This module specification applies for the academic year 2015-16.
Last revised 7 August 2014 by John Raynes. Minor amendments SDB 20th July 2015
London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, Keppel St., London WC1E 7HT.
www.lshtm.ac.uk
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