Immunology

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Understand the mechanisms involved in control of immune responses
• Know the difference between innate and adaptive immunity
• Understand what antigens are and how they are presented.
• Understand cytokine biology and how the cytokine network interferes with the immune system
• Understand how cytotoxic T cells kill and the role of helper T cells
• Describe the cellular and molecular basis of the inflammatory response
• Understand the role of NK cells in innate and adaptive immunity
• Know the maturation steps of T and B cells and how they work
• Know how to engage with current research in immunology and translational immunology
• Know the cellular ontogeny and organ involvement in immunity
• Explain the principles of self-tolerance and autoimmunity
• Know how the immune system can fight infections and cancer, including examples of immunotherapy to harness host immunity

The module will cover the major topics in cellular and molecular immunology, including antigen recognition, antigen processing and presentation to B and T cells, the molecular events leading to the generation of antibody and T cell receptor diversity, antibody effector functions, the role of CD4 and CD8 T cell subsets and NK cells in immune responses, self-tolerance and autoimmunity, the inflammatory response and the role of immunity in protection against pathogens and cancer.

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching will be a mixture of formal lectures (11 sessions) and small group tutorials (1-2 sessions).

Independent study is also expected as part of this module.

Consultation with course tutors to develop research proposals is encouraged.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External