Course Title: Advanced Immunology and Cell Technology

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Advanced Immunology and Cell Technology

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
ONPS2122	Bundoora Campus	Undergraduate	135H Applied Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2006, Sem 2 2007

Course Coordinator: Dr Peter Smooker

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 992 57129

Course Coordinator Email: peter.smooker@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 223.1.29

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Detailed knowledge of molecular biology, as obtained by passing ONPS1052 Molecular Biology is required, or an equivalent course or provide evidence of equivalent capabilities.

Course Description

This course provides students with knowledge and understanding of, and practical skills in, immunology and the way it is applied in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and research. Topics covered include:
An overview of the immune system including organs, cells and receptors.
Recognition of pathogens; antigen processing and presentation; Co-stimulatory signals for T cell activation; Role of cytokines in lymphocyte maturation and activation. Immunity to infection and pathological consequences of immunodeficiencies; Immune responses to viral infections, HIV and AIDS; Molecular basis of antigen recognition. Antibodies and applications; Approaches to vaccination; Immunotherapies;
Cancer immunology and vaccines; Transplantation immunology

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

On completion of this course, the student should be able to:
• Recall advanced knowledge of the underlying principles of immunology and its application in solving problems in biological systems.
• Have an awareness of some current research activities in the field and possible applications of this knowledge.
• Have a working knowledge of some immunological techniques and their applications.
• Demonstrate skills in critical review and analysis of scientific data and the oral and written presentation of this knowledge.
• Demonstrate communication of scientific information.
• demonstrate the ability to conduct and analyse results from experiments and to communicate findings in a written form.

Overview of Learning Activities

The learning activities included in this course are:
• Attendance at lectures where syllabus material will be presented and explained, and the subject matter will be illustrated with demonstrations and examples;
• Completion of laboratory projects designed to give further practice in the application of theory and procedures, and to give feedback on student progress and understanding;
• Completion of written assignments requiring an integrated understanding of the subject matter; and
• Private study, working through the course as presented in classes and learning materials, and gaining practice at solving conceptual problems.

Overview of Learning Resources

The recommended text is:

T.J. Kindt, B.A. Goldsby and R.A., Osborne, 20037. Kuby  Immunology, 6th Ed. W. H. Freeman and Co. New York, USA. ISBN: 0-7167-8590-0

Other resources will be presented during classes.

Overview of Assessment

Laboratory reports contribute to the assessment in this course. An end of semester examination tests a student’s comprehension of the concepts and material presented in classes.

A written assignment discussing an advanced topic in Immunology will form part of the assessment. An oral presentation of the findings may also comprise part of the assessment.