School of Biological & Chemical Sciences
Module Specification Form
Academic Year 2013-2014
Module coordinators: Prof T T MacDonald
Module Title: Basic Immunology
Module Code: SBS803
Module Level: 5
Duration of Module: 12 weeks, semester
2
Lecturers: Prof. T.T. MacDonald
Existing
Title of Module being replaced
(if any):
N/A
N/A
Prerequisites:
Basic Biochemistry
Heredity and Gene Action
The Diversity of Life
Some basic understanding of mammalian
cell biology and genetics
With effect from:
Co-requisites:
Biochemistry
Total Student Study Time:
The module will involve 150 hours of total student study time. This will consist of; lectures
(22 x 1 hour), tutorials (2 x 2.5 hours), supervised self-directed learning (4 x 2 hours), and
115 hours of independent study time that includes two types of coursework (an essay and
an open book MCQ).
Module description:
The module will cover basic cellular and molecular aspects of immunology including
development, innate immunity, pattern recognition of infection, antibodies, complement,
cytokines, B cells, T cells, NK cells, dendritic cells, antigen presentation, MHC, vaccination,
general viral immunology, hepatitis, HIV/AIDS, cancer, transplantation, hypersensitivity,
autoimmunity, the specialised problems associated with protecting the gut, and
immunology in the clinic.
The dynamic nature of the immune system and the need for extensive redundancy in the
face of pressure from infectious diseases externally, and malignancy internally, will be
emphasised. As the course proceeds we expect to be able to provide a glimpse of the
current controversies and breakthroughs which make immunology one of the key medical
and scientific disciplines. In the western world, where the high quality of public health, good
nutrition, and vaccination have minimised the effects of infectious disease, we are now
facing an epidemic of diseases where inappropriate immune responses to exogenous
antigens (allergy) and self antigens (autoimmunity) are themselves responsible for disease.
Manipulating the immune system therapeutically holds the key to curing these diseases.
Aims:
The overall aim of the unit is to provide the student with a basic understanding of
immunology with emphasis on the immunological basis of some common and well known
diseases. We will balance basic knowledge of the underlying complexity of the immune
system with the application of immunological knowledge to infectious diseases, cancer,
inflammation and autoimmunity.
At the end of this module students should have a good understanding of the principals
underlying immunology and its medical significance.
Intended Learning Outcomes:
Subject knowledge and skills:
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To know the basic cellular and molecular effectors/components of a functional
immune system.
To know in detail the structure of antibodies.
To have a grasp of how antibodies mediate immunity and inflammation.
To appreciate that pattern recognition receptors link innate and adaptive immunity.
To appreciate the different functions of CD4 and CD8 T cells, the T cell receptor,
dendritic cells, the MHC, and antigen presentation.
To appreciate how T cells mediate immunity and inflammation.
To understand that T cells regulate immune responses.
To appreciate the immunological basis for vaccination, transplant rejection,
bacterial and viral immunity, HIV/AIDS, cancer, autoimmunity and hypersensitivity.
To appreciate the unique and demanding requirements of the immune system of
the gut.
To have a grasp of the way in which immunology is important in the clinic and how
immunologically-based treatments hold the key to controlling the diseases of the
modern world
Core academic skills:
For students, it is critical to have an appreciation of the need for complexity and
redundancy in the immune system to combat the ever-present threat of infectious
diseases, as is seen today with swine flu and 25 years ago with HIV. Immunology does not
easily fall into bite-sized chunks for learning; the answer to most immunological questions
begins with “it depends”. Learning therefore must be cumulative and interactive throughout
the course. An understanding of the cellular and molecular basis for the complexity of the
Module Specification Form: Basic Immunology: SBS803
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immune system and redundancy is required.
Personal and key skills:
The module will enhance students’ general scientific understanding of biomedicine and its
experimental basis with reference to immunology. They will see the real therapeutic
applications of this knowledge, mostly in medicine. They will develop independent thought
and iterative learning as the module progresses.
Assignments/Coursework:
Assignments need not be written-up because students are provided with booklets during
the sessions that should be completed and kept. At the end of each assignment we will
take students through the correct answers. The two coursework assessments (one 1000word essay and one set of 50 open-book MCQs) must be handed in on time and there are
penalties for late submission and plagiarism.
Attendance and Late submission of work:
We have no policy on attendance at lectures, but the style of the teachers is to talk around
illustrative slides (rather than lists of terms etc) which will be posted on the module website.
So attendance is really needed to understand the context in which the slides are
presented. However as this is a big class we take a very dim view of students arriving late
for any session since it disrupts the flow of the learning experience and is disrespectful to
the vast majority of students who turn up on time.
Late submission of coursework will only be allowed in very exceptional circumstances.
Assessment:
Assessment methods:
Assessment methods: Coursework 20% (1000 word essay and open book MCQ-10%
each) and examination paper May/June 80% - 2 hr 30 mins
Examination paper rubric:
Answer all questions in Section A (MCQ) – 34%, one question out of two in Section B
(SAQ) – 33% and one question out of three in Section C (essay) – 33%. Practice MCQ’s
and SAQ’s will be available on the course website.
Mark Scheme/Qualifying Rules:
A module mark of 40% or above is required to pass this module.
Re-assessment method: synoptic
Laboratory assignments: You will not be expected to write up the assignments but
questions from the assignments will appear in the MCQ, SAQ, and essay sections of the
final exam.
Oral: N/A
Module Specification Form: Basic Immunology: SBS803
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Project: N/A
Continuous Assessment Based on attendance requirement: N/A
Dissertation: N/A
Composite Written Exam: N/A
Learning and teaching methods:
Two lectures per week, supported by tutorials and assignments
Syllabus Outline :
Date and time
(Semester B –
Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5
Week 6
Lecture title and brief description
Lecture 1 – Introduction to immunology & innate immunity.
TTM
Lecture 2 – Lymphocyte development.
DJP
Lecture 3 – B cells & antibody structure and function.
AS
Lecture 4 – T cells, T cell receptors & MHC.
AS
Lecture 5 – Dendritic cells & antigen presentation.
AS
Lecture 6 – Effector functions of T cells (Th1 vs. Th2).
DJP
Lecture 7 – Cytotoxic T cells.
AS
Lecture 8 – NK cells and unconventional T cells.
DJP
Lecture 9 – Tolerance mechanisms (central & peripheral).
DJP
Lecture 10 – Complexity of T cell subsets
DJP
Lecture 11 – Cytokines.
TTM
Lecture 12 – Hypersensitivity reactions.
TTM
To be decided
Week 7
Week 8
Week 9
Lecturer
Reading week
Lecture 13 – Autoimmune diseases.
TTM
Lecture 14 – Vaccination.
DJP
Lecture 15 – Immunological memory.
DJP
Lecture 16 – Immune response to hepatitis viruses.
GF
Module Specification Form: Basic Immunology: SBS803
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Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Lecture 17 – HIV/AIDS.
AM
Lecture 18 – Host immune response to Cancer.
DJP
Lecture 19 – Mucosal Immunity.
AS
Lecture 20 – Transplantation
AW
Lecture 21 – Gut inflammation (IBD).
TTM
Lecture 22 – Immunology in the clinic.
TTM
We will also organise four assignments during the course, and two group 2.5 hour tutorials
at the end of the module.
Indicative Basic Reading List:
We would recommend that you purchase;
Janeway’s Immunobiology, 8th edition; Garland Science - Highly Recommended Kuby Immunology, 7th edition; W.H. Freeman
- Highly Recommended -
Case Studies in Immunology, 6th edition; Garland Science
Module Specification Form: Basic Immunology: SBS803
- Additional reading -
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