Immunology of Infection 4A option BIOL4189

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Infection and Immunity
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 2
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

This course focuses on the mechanisms of immune protection against infectious agents (including bacteria, viruses and parasites), and the immune evasion strategies employed by these pathogens. 

The course includes an optional 3-day field trip. There is no cost to the student for the field trip.

Timetable

This option is assigned to block S2-A. Normally, there are 3 hours of teaching on Mondays, which may be split over more than one session.

Requirements of Entry

Normally, only available to final-year Life Sciences students in a Infection & Immunology programme. Visiting students may be allowed to enrol, at the discretion of the Life Sciences Chief Adviser and the Course Coordinator.

Excluded Courses

None

Assessment

The course will be assessed by a 2-hour examination (75%) and in-course assessment consisting of a poster presentation (25%).

Main Assessment In: April/May

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? Not applicable for Honours courses

Reassessments are normally available for all courses, except those which contribute to the Honours classification. For non-Honours courses, students are offered reassessment in all or any of the components of assessment if the satisfactory (threshold) grade for the overall course is not achieved at the first attempt. This is normally grade D3 for undergraduate students and grade C3 for postgraduate students. Exceptionally it may not be possible to offer reassessment of some coursework items, in which case the mark achieved at the first attempt will be counted towards the final course grade. Any such exceptions for this course are described below. 

Course Aims

The aims of this course are to develop:

■ in depth knowledge of immune responses to infectious agents, and of mechanisms used by pathogens to avoid immune detection and attack; 

■ understanding of current controversies and emerging questions in vaccination;

■ the ability to synthesise the research literature and present it to other scientists. 

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

■ discuss the molecular and cellular interactions that occur between bacteria and their hosts, and immune mechanisms underpinning bacterial protection; 

■ appraise how immune responses against parasites and viruses are initiated and regulated; 

■ interpret and present information from relevant literature.

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.