• Offered by John Curtin School of Medical Research
  • ANU College ANU Joint Colleges of Science
  • Classification Advanced
    Specialist
  • Course subject Biology
  • Areas of interest Medical Science, Cell and Molecular Biology, Immunology and Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biomedical Science
  • Academic career PGRD
  • Course convener
    • Dr Julia Ellyard
    • Prof David Fulcher
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Co-taught Course
  • Offered in Second Semester 2020
    See Future Offerings

Some activities that form part of this course can be taken remotely or on-campus in Sem 2 2020. Check timetable for details. Group limits may apply.

This course will teach the biology of the Immune system and apply this knowledge to an understanding of human disease and basic immunological research. In a series of lectures, seminars and tutorials, it will provide a fundamental understanding of the immune response in its entirety, then build on this foundation to study the application of immunological knowledge to human disease (autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, allergy, neoplasia), how the immune system can be manipulated by directed therapeutics, how changes that accompany immunologic disease can be measured in the diagnostic laboratory, and how knowledge of the immune system can be extended by basic research. The course will help achieve an academic understanding of the immune system for future practice in the biological sciences including medicine (where the foundation principles in this course will be invaluable) or as a prelude to applied research into human disease, including animal models.

Note:  Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
  1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of how the immune system normally responds to infection.
  2. Apply knowledge and incorporate principles to show how aberrations in immunoregulation underlie autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, allergy and cancer.
  3. Explain how such aberrations can be measured in the laboratory and potentially corrected by directed therapeutics.
  4. Acquire, analyse and interpret experimental data on research in immunology
  5. Critically evaluate the current literature to assimilate views on the latest findings

Other Information

The Biology Teaching and Learning Centre is located in Building 116. Alternatively you can email rsb.studentadmin@anu.edu.au to request a permission code to enrol in this course.

Indicative Assessment

Assessment will be based on:
  • Presentation of summary topics in tutorials (LO 5, 10%)
  • Flow cytometry assignment (LO 1-4, 10%)
  • Presentation of journal article (LO 5, 10%)
  • On-line MCQs (LO 1-4, 10%)
  • Written assignment (LO1-5, 15%)
  • Written examination (LO 1-4, 45%)

    In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle. 

    The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

    Workload

    Two to three lectures / seminars per week
    One 3-hour flow cytometry practical
    One tutorial most weeks (two will include assessment presentations)
    In addition, the course requires substantial number of self-assigned (i.e. non-contact) hours.

    Requisite and Incompatibility

    This course is incompatible with BIOL3144

    You will need to contact the John Curtin School of Medical Research to request a permission code to enrol in this course.

    Prescribed Texts

    Janeway - Immunobiology (9th edition)

    Assumed Knowledge

    A solid foundation in cellular function and biology, including structures of human cells and tissues.  A firm understanding of molecular genetics as it applies to cellular function.
    A basic understanding of microbiology, particularly with regard to human pathogens

    Fees

    Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.  

    If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.

    Student Contribution Band:
    3
    Unit value:
    6 units

    If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.  Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.

    Units EFTSL
    6.00 0.12500
    Domestic fee paying students
    Year Fee
    2020 $4830
    International fee paying students
    Year Fee
    2020 $6420
    Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

    Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

    ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

    The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
    Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

    Second Semester

    Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
    8697 27 Jul 2020 03 Aug 2020 31 Aug 2020 30 Oct 2020 In Person View

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