Professional/Short course Immunology

Structure

Content

The course syllabus for this level 6 (undergraduate level) module typically includes:

Molecular immunology

• The structure of antibodies and the development of antibody specificity.
• Production of ccytokines and mode of action.
• Cytokine classification.
• T helper subpopulations.
• Role of cytokines in T and B cell activation, humoral and cell mediated immunity.
• Immunosuppression.

Cellular immunology

• Cell to cell interactions.
• Receptors involved in cell activation pathways.
• Induction of tolerance; central and peripheral.
• Possible ways that tolerance can break down.
• Autoimmune disease and allergy; induction and disease mechanisms.
• Transplantation rejection and immunosurveillance.
• Cancer immunology.

Applied immunology

• Application of antibodies in immunodiagnostics and current technology.
• Antibody engineering and use of monoclonal and other synthesized antibodies.
• Applications of antibodies and cytokines in the treatment of disease.

Learning and Teaching

You are expected to spend 72 hours on scheduled learning and 228 hours on independent study.Scheduled learningThe module will be delivered using keynote lectures designed to highlight the important principles and concepts of each topic and to provide a framework for personal study. Where appropriate experimental evidence that underpins our current theoretical knowledge framework will be discussed, to allow you to develop an appreciation of how scientific theory becomes established and evolves.Lectures will be supported by tutorials and seminars, case studies and guided reading. Interactive tutorials will be used to explore selected topics from the syllabus in more detail. You will be encouraged to utilise your existing knowledge to develop your understanding of immunology in both lecture and tutorial sessions.Independent learningThe development of study skills will be supported by UWE Bristol's dedicated online study skills resources.Your learning will be further supported through the University's Elearning environment, Blackboard, where a handbook, lecture slides/handouts, links to external websites, videos, quizzes, invitations to external seminars, journal articles and other resources will be available.Guided reading will be provided to support or extend the lectures and will be used to direct you to preparative and/or supplementary information sources. An essential reading list will also be provided.

Study time

The contact hours (72) are distributed as follows:

• 48 hours of lectures
• 24 hours of tutorials/seminars
• This contact time will be underpinned by provision of online material to be delivered in an asynchronous manner through the University's online Elearning platform (Black Board). This may include:- additional recorded lectures, journal articles, a discussion forum, links to related news reports and scientific animations and invitations to attend internal and external specialist seminars related to the lecture content.

Assessment

Assessment for this module comprises a presentation (10 minute presentation; 20 minute Q&A) and a three hour on-campus invigilated examination to align with the Institute of Biomedical Science requirements. Papers will be set with a range of questions to cover the breadth of module.