INTRODUCTION TO IMMUNOLOGY - 2019/0

Module Overview

This module is designed to introduce the concepts of immunology and how the immune system functions, before integrating these to more fully explore the pathogenesis of a range of aberrant immune responses and some introductory pathogens.

Module provider

School of Biosciences and Medicine

Module Leader

BODMAN-SMITH Kikki (Biosc & Med)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

N/A

Module content

Theoretical:

• Cells and tissues of the immune system


• Innate immunity


• Immunogens, immunogenicity and structures which recognise antigen


• Antigen presentation


• Humoral and cellular adaptive immune responses


• Tolerance, hypersensitivity and autoimmunity


• Immunity to infection

• Cell identification assay


• Innate immune mediator measurement


• Adaptive cell-mediated immunity functional assay

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

If practical components require re-assessment analysis of a data set will be undertaken to assess the underlying principles of the appropriate learning outcomes. This will reflect the material covered in the original assessment.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

• Incremental assimilation and understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the immune response involved in protection against infection and damage via formative activity-based tutorials, a summative MCQ/SAQ test, practical report and a short ‘summary’ essay


• The integration of theory with practice in the form of 3 of laboratory experiments based on immune responses to infectious diseases and through the completion of 1 of these as a practical write-up


• Understanding of the use of basic statistics applied to class laboratory experiment results


• The ability to reflect on immunology theory and to synthesise experimental  approaches to test a theoretical scenario in the laboratory through guided groupwork in a self-design practical


• The ability to work cooperatively as pairs or in groups


• Assimilation and understanding of the overall molecular and cellular mechanisms of the immune system and immunopathogenesis of a variety of infectious diseases by the completion of 1 extended examination essay

• 1 Multiple Choice/Short Answer Question test on first 1/3 of the module (week 3)


• 1 practical report on Innate immune mediator measurement (3 sides A4,  week 5)


• 1 x 500 word essay 1/3 of module (week 7)

• 1.5 hours, 1 short essay from 3  and 1 extended essay from 3

• Formative activity-based  tutorials during immunology lectures (weeks 1-6)


• Coursework feedback on MCQ/SAQ test and essay is formative for exams


• Formative feedback/discussion of results of practicals 1 and 3 at end of session


• Formative tutorial for data collation and analysis of practical 2 results


• Guided tutorial/session with discussion for Self-design practical 3


• Class discussion of past exam papers during revision tutorial is formative for examination technique

Module aims

• Provide the student with a thorough grounding in the science of immunology, allowing an incremental assimilation in understanding of the cellular and biochemical mechanisms involved in protecting the host from infectious diseases
• Relate theory to practice in terms of relevant practical techniques to investigate the immunopathogenesis of microbial pathogens

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to:

• Deliver a thorough grounding in molecular and cellular mechanisms of the immune system in an incremental fashion.  This is as a result of the need to ‘build’ the subject and ensure understanding throughout the topics, hence 3 pieces of sequential coursework have been set: a MCQ/SAQ test in week 3, a practical write-up due in  week 5 and a short summary style essay due in week 7.


• Relate theory to practice by providing relevant practical techniques to investigate the immunopathogenesis of microbial pathogens

• Deliver the content of the lecture topics through a variety of lecturers who are experts in their field


• Formative activity-based immunology tutorials


• 3 Practical sessions relating theory to practise


• Exam revision tutorial to enable students to highlight areas of course material that require further explanation or clarification

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: MMIM023

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2019/0 academic year.