MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY, BIOT 307, SPRING 2011
Lecture: Wed/Th, 8:00-8:50 am, S-329
Laboratory: Mon, 8:00 am-9:50 am, S-329
INSTRUCTOR INFORMATION:
Prof. Dr. Leslye Johnson, Room 327, Armacost Building
Office Hours: Mon: 11-1, Wed: 9-11, Fri. – 9-11 or make an appointment using email or SMS
Email: leslyejohnson@fccollege.edu.pk
Mobile: 03474250172
Blog: fccljohnson.wordpress.com
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: Dr. Johnson is leaving in mid-May. Class will meet early in
semester at least twice for an additional 4 - 6 hours of lecture. Mid and Final exams will
occur earlier than scheduled. Plus side: you will be through earlier.
FIRST ASSIGNMENTS: all due by Feb 20: 1. text me include name & ID #; 2. email me with
name, ID #, mobile: # 3. Fill out student information sheet.
COURSE: Prerequisites: Professor requires BIOL 201, BIOL 315 and BIOT 313.
Introduction to immunology covers the basic processes involved in triggering the immune system and
rendering it resistant or susceptible to different infections as well as foreign and self antigens. The study of
molecular and biochemical events including cell-signaling, the formation of B- and T-cells, genetic defects,
that influence immune responses. This course covers: innate (Non-specific) and adaptive (Specific)
immunity, immunoglobulin structure and functions, antigens, antibody formation, hypersensitivity, positive
and negative roles of inflammation.
BROAD LEARNING GOALS//OUTCOMES:
1. Balance thinking broadly with reading closely to build knowledge of medical biotechnology
including human disease as well as the promise and utility of multiple technologies. Address
strengths, weaknesses, applicability, and practicality. // Students demonstrate working
knowledge by applying formal knowledge via problem solving and critical thinking.
2. Understand the role of medical biotechnology in diagnosing, preventing, curing, improving
and predicting human health. // Students exhibit awareness of broader applications and
implications of the technologies in improving human health.
3. Demonstrate a consistent, active interest in learning the course material and in promoting
civil behavior. // Students take notes in class, read assignments ahead of time, contribute to
positive classroom behaviors, use data and observation skills. Students demonstrate ability
to identify pertinent scientific articles; they read scientific literature and use information for
written and oral communication while meeting the goals of academic integrity.
4. Become more aware of self, of differences in people and the strengths of those differences,
and more confident in relational skills. // Students are successful in group activities; they
communicate using tools such as active listening and seeking to understand; students help
others learn.
5. Become a self-learner//Read ahead, read from other sources, ask questions
COURSE OBJECTIVES: There will be Chapter learning goals. Through a varied learning
environment consisting of instructor and student led lectures, class discussion, group/team
activities, reading text material and review articles, and finding and evaluating pertinent scientific
papers, the student will:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Demonstrate understanding of innate and B and T cell adaptive immunity
Develop an immunology vocabulary
Integrate molecular immunology with disease
Continue laboratory learning and develop new laboratory skills
Participate in class discussion and ask/answer questions
Perform group work requiring active participation and contribution
WEIGHT AND GRADING:
Activity
Final Exam
Quizzes/Tests
Midterm Exam
Assignments
Laboratory Work
Classroom
Participation
Description
 Includes midterm and post-midterm laboratory
 Based on all lectures, reading assignments, class
discussion
 Short answer, multiple-choice, true-false, matching, etc.
 Emphasize application/concepts/analysis/critical thinking
 Assess understanding
 Assigned and unassigned dates
 Format: same as above
 Based on all lectures, reading assignments, class
discussion
 Format: same as above.
 Homework
 Paper evaluation and presentation
 Includes experiment reports, tests
 Attendance, discussions, questions, group work, civil
behavior
Percent
20%
20%
20%
20%
10%
10%
100%
COURSE POLICIES:
Communicating:
 If you are having trouble understanding the lecture or book reading material, see me
immediately. Waiting puts you even further behind. Knowledge builds on previous material.
 If you are sick, inform me immediately by email or text message (03474250172). Do not
wait until you come back to class. Unless you are very ill, you should still be reading
immunology. Illness of a week or more requires a doctor’s excuse.
Note Taking: If you have not learned to take notes now is a good time to acquire this skill.
Lectures can and will include material not found in the textbook. You should review your notes
nightly and ask clarifying questions during the next class period. I EXPECT YOU TO TAKE
NOTES IN CLASS/LABORATORY. I WILL CHECK THESE.
Making Up Work: You have approximatel1 week to do this. If you do not, you will receive
0. YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF SCHEDULING YOUR MAKE-UP AT A TIME CONVENIENT
FOR ME.
Attendance is part of the final grade.
 Attendance is required for both class and laboratory. Attendance means you must be there
no later than 5’ after the class begins, i.e., 8:05 am. Any later arrival is absent (A). Exam
questions include lecture material as well as discussions/ activities during lecture and
laboratory.
 Students must attend at least 75% of lecture and laboratory sessions to appear in the MidTerm and Final Examinations. There are no excused absences. Students do not get extra
days for family events, deaths, sickness, etc.
Signing In: I will use both roll call and sign in process for attendance. It is mis-representation to
do this for someone else. (See plagiarism below.)
Mobile phones: There is no use of mobile phones in class and laboratory, e.g., no calls,
messages – sending or reading, etc. Students will turn phones off (not set on vibrate) and
put them away. If students use them, I will take away the phones.
Laboratories: Given the nature of the experiments (working with components of the immune
system), students must have a lab coat and safety glasses. Gloves will be worn for some
experiments. In addition, you should have a hard bound notebook for the laboratory part of the
course.
Plagiarism and Cheating: The instructor has a “no-tolerance” policy towards cheating,
copying, plagiarism or mis-representation of the facts. Any student or group of students who
engages/engage in these activities will receive zero (0) points. I will report any instances of
dishonesty: this may result in dismissal. All exams, quizzes, and turned in assignments must
have the following statement written on them with the student’s signature...
“I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this exam or assignment.”
The banning of these activities is in place to help the student learn. Such behaviors harm
intellectual development and are inconsistent with sound educational practices. They do not
produce long-term retention of information. Employers value a life-long learner. More
information is found in “The Student Handbook”.
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS:
Textbook: Kuby Immunology, Sixth Edition [Paperback], 2008, Kindt, Osborne and Goldsby.
This book includes chapter summaries and questions. Students must read the text chapters
ahead of class and be ready for discussion, pop quizzes, etc.
Course Packs: available in the library
Additional Materials: There will be additional information provided occasionally during the
semester, e.g., materials from the web. When assigned, students are expected to read/view
these; information is included in Tests and Exams
SCHEDULE: Note that there may be changes in the schedule during the semester.
WEEK
1
2
3/4
4/5
5/6
7
7
8
TOPIC/ACTIVITY
READING
Introductions, syllabus, information sheets,
Overview including innate immunity
Cells and Organs
Integrated with T and B cell Maturation, Activation
and Differentiation
Lab: prepare slides and examine your blood cells
Ch. 1
Antigens and Antibodies
Extra meeting time
QUIZ covering Weeks 1 + 2
Antigen-Antibody Interactions
Lab: purify IgG, run protein gels
Extra meeting time
Week 5: QUIZ covering Weeks 3 + 4
Organization and Expression of Antibody Genes
Major Histocompatibility Complex – limited coverage
MID-TERM: Mon, March 25
Antigen Processing and Presentation
T cell Receptor
Ch. 3, 4
Cytokines
QUIZ: covering Week 7
9
10
11
Complement brief coverage
Immunity to Microorganisms including HIV
Hypersensitivity, Tolerance, Autoimmunity highlights
Ch. 2,
Ch. 10, 11
Ch. 6
Ch. 5, 7
Ch. 8
Ch. 9
Ch. 12
Ch. 13
Ch. 17, 18
Ch. 16, 20
QUIZ: covering Weeks 8+9
////////////
FINAL EXAM: May 8 or 15
Advice for Succeeding in this Course:
 Ask questions if you have them! Most principles taught in this course rely upon
understanding the previous material; so if you do not understand something, ask! If you
have a question, it is likely that someone else does, too. Questions and constructive
comments are valuable to everyone in the class. You can also help other students by
answering questions when you know the answer.
 There is no way to receive extra credit. If you are concerned about your progress in the
course, make an appointment to see me or stop by during office hours. We can discuss
confusing topics and try to identify ways to improve your study habits.
 As with any course, plan on spending 2 hours studying outside of class for every
hour of lecture. Keep up with the material as it is being presented. And read the
book! Integrate material. Cramming before an exam won’t work because of the volume
of new information in the course.
Finally, I value your visits to my office and constructive comments.