Fundamentals of Immunology

Code

BIOS2010

School

Biosciences

Level

2

Credits

10

Semesters

Autumn UK

Summary

This module covers the fundamental concepts of immunology, focusing on innate and adaptive responses, with particular emphasis on host-pathogen interactions and antibody production for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. In the second part of the module, emphasis will be given to vaccine design (~40% of the module) especially for Human Infectious Diseases including malaria and SARS-Cov-2 with some references to animal diseases. 

The module will be delivered as 80% Lectures, 20% Tutorials and constructively aligned with the curricula for the Degrees of Microbiology, Biotechnology and Food Science. 
 
Occasionally flipped delivery will be adopted, especially in preparation for the vaccine design sections to stimulate discussion and to refresh the key concepts of memory and protection from the first part of the module. Short videos will be provided 2-3 days in advance and the retention of information assessed via on-line interactive polls at the beginning of the lectures (via mentimeter.com). 

Target Students

Available to UG students, Degrees of Microbiology, Biotechnology, Animal Science, Food Science and Nutrition.

Assessment

• 100% Exam 1 (2-hour): ExamSys Exam.

Assessed by end of autumn semester

Educational Aims

Learning Outcomes

Understanding the organisation of the immune system 

Learning about the concepts of innate and acquire immune response 

Understanding the concept of memory and antibody production for diagnostics and therapeutic applications  

Comparing types of vaccine formulations and critically analyse their strength and limitations 

Learning about the diseases produce by hyperactive or supressed immune systems 

Critically analyse a research paper about the cross-talk between immune system and microbiota 

Conveners

• Dr Ivan Campeotto