Module MSE-4041:
Human Immunology & Disease
Module Facts
Run by School of Medical and Health Sciences
20.000 Credits or 10.000 ECTS Credits
Semester 1
Organiser: Dr David Pryce
Overall aims and purpose
This module is designed to provide in-depth subject specific knowledge and understanding of human molecular and cellular immunology and the application of immunology in the clinic and in medical research. The module builds on the strong understanding of key concepts of human molecular genetics and stem cell biology delivered in semester 1 modules. It also prepares students for laboratry practical modules involving immunoassays and research projects requiring a strong background in human immunology
Course content
Topics included in the lecture and tutorial series
The module discusses three key areas of the human immune system and the roles of immunology in human disease and research:
- The development of the human immune system and the nature of human immune responses
- The development and nature of Autoimmunity and Autoimmune Diseases, with specific focus on Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
- The roles of the human immune system in cancer development and current anti-cancer Immunotherapies
Lectures and tutorials will present summaries of core chapters of the module reference text books and selected cutting edge research papers, research and review papers.
- Innate Immunity: The First Line of Defense and innate induced Responses
- Antigen Recognition by B-cell and T-cell receptors
- The Generation of B-cell and T-cell receptors, 'education' of adaptive Lymphocytes and the nature of self-Tolerance
- Antigen Presentation to T Lymphocytes
- Signaling Through Immune System Receptors
- T Cell-Mediated Immunity
- B Cell-Mediated Immunity
- The Dynamics of Adaptive Immune responses
- Failures in immunity, Autoimmunity and Autoimmune disease
- Cancer and the human immune system, immunotherapy
This module is available to International exchange students of The College of Human Sciences
To enhance learning and understanding, lectures, tutorials and practical demonstrations are recorded for revision using the Panopto system
Assessment Criteria
excellent
Distinction (A- to A**) (range 70-100%)
Primary criteria
Excellent students demonstrate comprehensive knowledge & detailed understanding of the subject area. Clear evidence of extensive background study & original thinking. Highly focussed answers and well structured. Arguments are logically presented and defended with evidence and examples. No factual/computational errors. Original interpretation of the information with clear evidence of wider reading. New links between topics are developed and new approaches to a problem are presented. Excellent presentation skills with very accurate communication.
Secondary Criteria
A* Outstanding
- Exceeds expectations for most primary criteria
- Complete command of subject and other relevant areas
- Ideas/arguments are highly original
A+ Excellent
- Exceeds expectations for some primary criteria
- Complete command of subject
- Ideas/arguments are highly original
A Good
- Meets all primary criteria
- Command of subject but with minor gaps in knowledge areas
- Ideas/arguments are mostly original
A- Meets requirements of Class
- Meets most but not all primary criteria
- Complete command of subject but with some gaps in knowledge
- Ideas/arguments are mostly original
threshold
Pass (C- to C+) (range 50-59%)
Primary criteria
A threshold student demonstrates knowledge of key areas & principles, and understands the main elements of the subject area, although gaps and weaknesses in the argument are evident. No evidence of background study and wider reading. Answer focussed on question but also with some irrelevant material and weaknesses in structure & argument. Answers have several factual/computational errors. No original interpretation. No links between topics are described. Limited problem solving skills. Some weaknesses in presentation accuracy & delivery.
Secondary Criteria
C+ Good within the class
- Exceeds expectations for some primary criteria
- Strong factual knowledge with some weaknesses in understanding
- Ideas/arguments are limited but are well presented
C Mid-level
- Matches all primary criteria
- Moderate factual knowledge with some weaknesses in understanding
- Ideas/arguments are limited presented with weaknesses in logic/presentation
C- Meets requirements of class
- Matches most but not all primary criteria
- Moderate factual knowledge with several weaknesses in understanding
- Ideas/arguments are limited presented with weaknesses in logic/presentation
good
Merit (B- to B+) (range 60-69%)
Primary criteria
Good students demonstrate strong knowledge & understanding of most but not all of the subject area. Limited evidence of background study. The answer is focussed with good structure. Arguments are presented coherently, mostly free of factual/computational errors. Some limited original interpretation. Well know links between topics are described. Problems are addressed by existing methods/approaches. Good presentation with accurate communication
Secondary Criteria
B+ Good
- Exceeds expectations for most primary criteria
- Command of subject but with gaps in knowledge
- Some ideas/arguments original
B Mid-level
- Meets all primary criteria
- Strong factual knowledge and understanding
- Ideas/arguments are well presented by few are original
B- Meets requirements of class
- Meets most but not all primary criteria
- Strong factual knowledge with minor weaknesses in understanding
- Most but not all ideas/arguments are well presented and few are original
Learning outcomes
-
Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of immunology in medical research.
-
Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of the development of the human immune system
-
Demonstrate in-depth knowledge and understanding of the roles of the human immune system, in Autoimmune disease and Cancer
Assessment Methods
Type | Name | Description | Weight |
---|---|---|---|
Essay Examination | 60.00 | ||
Presentation | 40.00 |
Teaching and Learning Strategy
Hours | ||
---|---|---|
Private study | Self-directed study to develop in-depth knowledge and understanding. |
173 |
Lecture | A series of 2hr lectures, one per week, for 8 weeks |
16 |
Seminar | Students will engage in a series of student led seminars
|
4 |
Tutorial | 1 x 1hr tutorial in first week of semester 2.
6 x 1hr tutorials, 2 per week for 3 weeks.
|
7 |
Please note this module will be delivered according to current Bangor University COVID-19 regulations
|
Transferable skills
- Literacy - Proficiency in reading and writing through a variety of media
- Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
- Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
- Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
- Information retrieval - Able to access different and multiple sources of information
- Inter-personal - Able to question, actively listen, examine given answers and interact sensitevely with others
- Critical analysis & Problem Solving - Able to deconstruct and analyse problems or complex situations. To find solutions to problems through analyses and exploration of all possibilities using appropriate methods, rescources and creativity.
- Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team
- Argument - Able to put forward, debate and justify an opinion or a course of action, with an individual or in a wider group setting
- Self-awareness & Reflectivity - Having an awareness of your own strengths, weaknesses, aims and objectives. Able to regularly review, evaluate and reflect upon the performance of yourself and others