BI2BI5-Immunology

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Level: 5
Terms in which taught: Spring
Module Convenor: Professor PG Knight
Pre-requisites: BI1BA1 or BI1BA12
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2009/0

Email: p.g.knight@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
The aim of this course is to provide students with a description of the main concepts and central mechanisms of the mammalian immune response, so that the students may understand how animals, especially humans, react to antigens and attack by pathogens. Students will also be introduced to the main forms of inmmunolpathology and will gain an appreciation of how vaccines are produced and how antibodies may be used as 'tools' in clinical medicine and biological research. Information derived from this course is essential for a good understanding of material in subsequent modules concerning pathogens and disease processes.

Assessable learning outcomes:
Assessable outcomes
By the end of the course students are expected to be able to discuss and explain (if necessary in simplified form):
1. The different types of immunity occurring in a mammal (i.e. innate and acquired);
2. The essential terminology associated with the subject;
3. The roles of lymphocytes and other specialised cells, organs and tissues in the acquired immune response;
4. The nature of antigens and how they are recognised and neutralised by the immune system;
5. The nature, structure and roles of receptors, especially immunoglobulins and the T cell receptor;
6. The generation of diversity of immunoglobulins, and concepts associated with immunocompetence;
7. Examples of the role of experimental studies in clarifying the mechanisms of the immune response.
8. The different types of immunolopathology: hypersensitivity, autoimmunity and immunodeficiency;
9 The principle and practice of vaccination with appropriate examples;
10. Examples of practical uses of antibodies (e.g. immunodiagnostic assays)

Additional outcomes:
The students will appreciate the rapid growth of the subject through a critical approach to immunological material presented in videos and discussion/tutorials sessions.

Outline content:
A series of lectures that will outline the main aspects of immune responses of mammals: differences between innate and acquired (adaptive) immunity; cellular events (leucocytes, haemopoiesis, lymphoid tissues, development and function of B and T cells, cytokines and their receptors); immunochemical aspects (antigens, antibodies, major histocompatibility complex, T-cell receptor, complement); genetics of immunoglobulins, practical uses of antibodies.These lectures are supported by four videos that review and extend lecture material. Discussion/tutorial sessions will reinforce material already presented and should lead on to discussion of experiments that have advanced immunological knowledge. Students are asked to read parts of a recommended course textbook.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
There will be two 50-minute lectures each week. Students will be expected to learn through directed reading. Short videos (20-30 minutes) each followed by a discussion/tutorial session (~50 minutes) will take place on 4 occasions at fortnightly intervals. On alternate weeks, there will be 4 tests (each of 30 minutes duration maximum) with multiple choice questions. These tests, which encourage on-going learning of material throughout the course, as well as being the in-course assessment, will be marked before the subsequent test and correct answers will be posted on BlackBoard.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		20
Tutorials/seminars		8
Practicals
Other contact (eg study visits)
Total hours		28
Number of essays or assignments
Other (eg major seminar paper)

Assessment:
Coursework:
Assessment will be based on 4 in-course tests held at fortnightly intervals and contribution to tutorial/discussion groups as instructed. Each test will last approximately 30 minutes and will consist of multiple choice questions. If more than one test is missed by a student for good reason (i.e. reason accepted by personal tutor or module coordinator), a supplementary test may be offered on a date that is mutually convenient.
Relative percentage of coursework: 30%
Examinations:
A one-and-a-half hour examination requiring the answer of two questions out of four. This contributes 70% of the overall assessment for this module.
Requirements for a pass:
A mark of 40% overall
Reassessment arrangements:
Re-examination in August/September only

Last updated: 23 November 2009