BS223-5-SP-CO:
Immunity in Health and Disease

The details
2024/25
Life Sciences (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring
Undergraduate: Level 5
ReassessmentOnly
Monday 13 January 2025
Friday 21 March 2025
15
08 August 2023

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

BS310, BS326

Key module for

BSC C555 Microbiology,
BSC C556 Microbiology (Including Foundation Year),
BSC C557 Microbiology (Including Year Abroad),
BSC C558 Microbiology (Including Placement Year),
MSCIC559 Microbiology and Biotechnology

Module description

This module will provide you with an introduction to innate (natural) and adaptive (specific) immunology. Examples of immuno-pathology, such as auto-immunity, immuno-deficiencies and vaccines will be taught with special emphasis on human immunology.


Selected clinical examples (e.g. allergy and transplantation) will be discussed. Case-studies (e.g. AIDS) will be used in the sections pertinent to immuno-pathology and clinical immunology.

Module aims

The aims of this module are:



  • To provide a thorough grounding in the most basic aspects of immunology.

  • To familiarize you with the complex language used by immunologists today.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to::



  1. Provide an integrated overview of the principles of the immune system and describe the anatomical and structural basis of the human immune system.

  2. Demonstrate an understanding of the molecular structure and mode of action of the major receptors and molecules of the immune system.

  3. Show basic immunological mechanisms can help to understand immuno-dysfunction such as autoimmune diseases and immuno-deficiencies (e.g. AIDS).

  4. Identify areas of immunology where current knowledge could lead to clinical intervention.

  5. Show skills in information retrieval and data analysis and interpretation, coursework writing in the form of SPF and self-learning.

  6. Demonstrate the ability to integrate material across different modules.

  7. Use immuno-assays and binding techniques such as cytometry for the analysis of the immune system.

  8. Identify the organs of the immune system and use of confocal microscopy to visualise immune receptors.

Module information

This module should provide the basis for understanding how the immune system works. It provides the basic building blocks for those students planning to take the Molecular and Developmental Immunology module in the final year.

Learning and teaching methods

This module will be delivered via:

  • One 1-hour lecture per week.
  • One revision class before the summer exam.
  • Two 1-day practicals.

Bibliography

This module does not appear to have a published bibliography for this year.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Exam  Main exam: In-Person, Closed Book, 120 minutes during Summer (Main Period) 
Exam  Reassessment Main exam: In-Person, Closed Book, 120 minutes during September (Reassessment Period) 

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
50% 50%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Nelson Fernandez, email: nelson@essex.ac.uk.
Prof Nelson Fernandez, Dr Efsathios Giotis
School Undergraduate Office, email: bsugoffice (Non essex users should add @essex.ac.uk to create the full email address)

 

Availability
Yes
No
No

External examiner

No external examiner information available for this module.
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 9 hours, 8 (88.9%) hours available to students:
1 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
0 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information
Life Sciences (School of)

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