Undergraduate 

Immunology BSc/MSci

Immunological Basis of Inflammatory Disease 4D option BIOL4186

  • 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 and/or treatment of common autoimmune diseases and other immunopathologies, such as rheumatoid arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis, cancer etc. 

Timetable

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

Excluded Courses

None

Assessment

The course will be assessed by a 2-hour examination (70%) and in-course assessment consisting of a review article (30%).

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:

■ a detailed understanding of the immunology of a variety of immune-mediated diseases; 

■ an understanding of how the immune system is used to develop novel therapies for immune-mediated diseases; 

■ understanding of current controversies and emerging questions in autoimmunity and immunopathology. 

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

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

■ evaluate the role of immune responses and inflammation in cancer and heart disease; 

■ evaluate our current understanding of the immune mechanisms underpinning autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, etc; 

■ discuss the molecular and cellular basis for allergic responses; 

■ discuss how molecular and cellular therapies have been applied in the treatment of autoimmunity and other diseases. 

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.