CQUniversity Unit Profile
BMSC13009 Immunology
Immunology
All details in this unit profile for BMSC13009 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

The study of Immunology introduces the student to pre-natal and post-natal development of the human immune system and its function in health and disease states, this includes autoimmune disorders, hypersensitivity reactions and microbiological infections. Students will also learn about the diagnostic uses of antibodies, vaccine design and preventive and therapeutic uses of vaccines.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 3
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

Prerequisite BMSC12010 Clinical Biochemistry or BMED19003 Clinical Biochemistry

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2019

Mixed Mode
Rockhampton

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Residential Schools

This unit has a Compulsory Residential School for distance mode students and the details are:
Click here to see your Residential School Timetable.

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 25%
2. Practical Assessment
Weighting: 25%
3. Examination
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Unit Evaluations

Feedback

A common theme recognised across a majority of student responses was the value and efficiency of assessment return and response to student queries.

Recommendation

Every effort will be made to post a rapid response to student queries and to provide formative feedback on written and practical assessments in good time so that this may be of real benefit during the term and in preparation for the final exam.

Feedback from Unit Evaluations

Feedback

Praise for the residential school identified the structured program as easy to progress through, very informative and as providing a very helpful guide to student learning in practical aspects of immunology.

Recommendation

If the recent expansion of student numbers is maintained, consideration will be given to tailoring practicals to meet the logistical demands of larger class sizes. This year, the excellent and enthusiastic support of two demonstrators was invaluable to running the residential school, with practical classes split between adjoining laboratories. It is important that such knowledgeable and engaging staff are retained for this role in future years.

Feedback from Unit Evaluations

Feedback

While feedback on lectures was strongly affirmative, a minority of students suggested that the recordings would benefit from updating with a view to improved continuity between lectures and better accessibility across different technology platforms.

Recommendation

Some lectures will be refreshed, providing greater continuity and enhancing recording quality. The content will remain largely unchanged in close alignment with the latest edition of the prescribed textbook and in adherence to the unit's intended learning outcomes.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. List the major cells and tissues of the immune system and state their function in the immune response.
  2. Explain, using examples, the processes of self / non-self-discrimination and disorders that arise as a result of dysfunction in self/non-self-recognition (autoimmunity).
  3. Define, using examples, the terms 'innate' and 'specific' immunity and describe how the non-specific and specific arms of the immune system work together to effect an immune response.
  4. Describe, using examples, the structure and function of antigen recognition molecules.
  5. Define and give examples of the effects of immune 'dysfunction' such as hypersensitivity and immunodeficiency.
  6. Outline the host responses to transplantation and be able to define xenotransplantation and discuss advantages and disadvantages of this process.
  7. Describe, the typical mammalian immune system responses to proteins, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminths, fungi and other representative multi-cellular organisms.
  8. Demonstrate competence in the use of primary resource material for experimental and research assignment purposes.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Practical Assessment - 25%
2 - Written Assessment - 25%
3 - Examination - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Practical Assessment - 25%
2 - Written Assessment - 25%
3 - Examination - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

Prescribed

Kuby Immunology

Edition: 7th (2013)
Authors: J.A. Owen, J. Punt, S.A. Stranford
W.H. Freeman and Company
New York New York , NY , USA
ISBN: 978-14641-3784-6
Binding: Paperback

Additional Textbook Information

Copies can be purchased from the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code)

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Andrew Taylor-Robinson Unit Coordinator
a.taylor-robinson@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 11 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

Overview of the Immune System - Immunological Organs and Cells / Innate Immunity.

Chapter

Chapters 1, 2, 5.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial available.

Week 2 Begin Date: 18 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

Complement System / Cytokines.

Chapter

Chapters 6, 4.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial available.

Week 3 Begin Date: 25 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

Adaptive Immunity - B cells / Antibodies.

Chapter

Chapters 3, 7, 10, 12, 20.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial available.

Week 4 Begin Date: 01 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Adaptive Immunity - T cells / MHC Molecules.

Chapter

Chapters 3, 8, 9, 11.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial available.

Week 5 Begin Date: 08 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Effector Immune Responses.

Chapter

Chapters 13, 14.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial available.

Vacation Week Begin Date: 15 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Independent Study.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 22 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Tolerance, Autoimmunity and Transplantation.

Chapter

Chapter 16.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Outline of the innate and adaptive immune systems Due: Week 6 Tuesday (23 Apr 2019) 11:45 pm AEST.

Please note that the submission deadline is extended to follow the Easter long weekend (usual submission date falls on a Monday).

Zoom tutorial available.

Outline of the innate and adaptive immune systems Due: Week 6 Tuesday (23 Apr 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 29 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Immunodeficiencies / Hypersensitivities.

Chapter

Chapters 18, 15.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial available.

Week 8 Begin Date: 06 May 2019

Module/Topic

Infectious Diseases / Vaccines.

Chapter

Chapter 17.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Zoom tutorial available.

Week 9 Begin Date: 13 May 2019

Module/Topic

Compulsory Residential School.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

No Lectures.

Written Assessment Feedback provided.

Week 10 Begin Date: 20 May 2019

Module/Topic

Post-Residential School Support.

Chapter

Support Material provided.

Events and Submissions/Topic

No Lectures.


Week 11 Begin Date: 27 May 2019

Module/Topic

Unit Review.

Chapter

Review Materials provided.

Events and Submissions/Topic

No Lectures.

Journal article Due: Week 11 Wednesday (29 May 2019) 11:45 pm AEST.



Journal article Due: Week 11 Wednesday (29 May 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 03 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Assessment and Revision.

Chapter

Mock & Past Exam Papers provided.

Events and Submissions/Topic

No Lectures.

Zoom tutorial available.

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 10 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 17 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Term Specific Information

A new 8th edition of the prescribed text - Kuby Immunology - has recently come out in the US. However, as of the start of 2019 the Australian distributor could not guarantee delivery in time for term 1. Therefore, the information provided in the unit profile relates to the widely available 7th edition. The new version is a minor update only so both versions are suitable and it should be straightforward to match information between chapters.

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Outline of the innate and adaptive immune systems

Task Description

Students are to prepare a two (2) page outline that “Explains the terms 'innate' and 'adaptive' immunity and describes, by reference to an infectious disease of individual choosing, how the non-specific and specific arms of the immune system cooperate to effect an immune response”.

Well written summaries will serve as valuable study tool and will ensure you have a solid understanding of the fundamental content presented in the first half of the term. Once graded, all outlines will be anonymously posted on the unit moodle page for other students to view and use as revision material.

Your marks will be derived from the readability of the material, its relevance to the topic and the source of the material(s) that you used to create your topic outline. It is expected peer-reviewed references will be utilised in preparing this document, for which the reference list is not included in the two page limit.


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Tuesday (23 Apr 2019) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 9 Wednesday (15 May 2019)


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

Your assessment will be marked on the following criteria:

  • Relevance to the learning outcome - Does the material "fit" within the guidelines of the learning outcome? Does the summary cover all aspects relating to the selected topic? 10 marks
  • Readability and accessibility of the material - Is the content at an appropriate level for the class to benefit from (not too simple nor to complex)? 5 marks
  • Structure and quality of the assignment - Does it have a well-defined introduction, body and conclusion? Is it an appropriate length (not excessively over nor under the page limit)? Language skills (grammar, spelling and sentence structure) and innovation will also be assessed. 5 marks
  • References - A reference list and appropriate in-text referencing should be included. Note the reference list is not to be included in the page limit. The quality of material(s) used will be considered. It is anticipated that no less than 3 peer review journal articles will be used when preparing this report. 5 marks

Total 25 marks


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • List the major cells and tissues of the immune system and state their function in the immune response.
  • Explain, using examples, the processes of self / non-self-discrimination and disorders that arise as a result of dysfunction in self/non-self-recognition (autoimmunity).
  • Define, using examples, the terms 'innate' and 'specific' immunity and describe how the non-specific and specific arms of the immune system work together to effect an immune response.
  • Describe, using examples, the structure and function of antigen recognition molecules.
  • Define and give examples of the effects of immune 'dysfunction' such as hypersensitivity and immunodeficiency.
  • Outline the host responses to transplantation and be able to define xenotransplantation and discuss advantages and disadvantages of this process.
  • Describe, the typical mammalian immune system responses to proteins, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminths, fungi and other representative multi-cellular organisms.
  • Demonstrate competence in the use of primary resource material for experimental and research assignment purposes.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

2 Practical Assessment

Assessment Title
Journal article

Task Description

Using the data generated from the ELISA and Western blot experiments performed at the residential school, students are to write up the results in the format of a scientific paper. The presentation and formatting should adhere to the "instructions for authors" (also referred to as "information for authors" or "author info") guidelines set out by the Journal of Immunology. This document can be downloaded from the journal's webpage.


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Wednesday (29 May 2019) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 12 Friday (7 June 2019)


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

The formatting and presentation of your assessment piece with be marked against the "instructions for authors" guidelines that are established by the Journal of Immunology, along with the following:

  • Title, Abstract and Keywords - The title should be appropriate (descriptive but not overly lengthy). The abstract should provide a succinct summary of the paper being presented. Keywords should be listed on the cover pages using the instructions outlined by the Journal of Immunology. 4 marks
  • Introduction - The introduction should orientate the reader with a brief summary of background knowledge surrounding the experiments and also outline the aims and hypothesis. 10 marks
  • Methods - A brief outline of the method performed must be incorporated. The methods should be presented in your own words as it is not sufficient to re-write a step-by-step account from your laboratory manual, nor is it appropriate to write as per laboratory manual. 8 marks
  • Results - The results should be clear and analyzed where appropriate. Graphs, tables figures should be labelled and have appropriate headings. 8 marks
  • Discussion - Should be appropriate to the experiment being presented and balanced between the analysis of the actual results obtained and their relevance to the discipline of immunology. Note - it is NOT sufficient to provide a discussion that merely states the possible sources of error for the experiment being performed. 10 marks
  • References - You should use appropriate support material(s) to justify the position taken in the paper. References must be presented in accordance with the format outlined by the Journal of Immunology. Primary references will be highly valued, followed by secondary references. It is anticipated that no less than 5 peer review journal articles will be used when preparing this report. 5 marks
  • Structure and quality of the assignment - Does the submission adhere to the format / presentation accepted by the Journal of Immunology as outlined in "instructions for authors"? Language skills (grammar, spelling and sentence structure) and innovation will also be assessed. 5 marks

Total 50 marks


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • List the major cells and tissues of the immune system and state their function in the immune response.
  • Describe, using examples, the structure and function of antigen recognition molecules.
  • Describe, the typical mammalian immune system responses to proteins, bacteria, viruses, protozoa, helminths, fungi and other representative multi-cellular organisms.
  • Demonstrate competence in the use of primary resource material for experimental and research assignment purposes.


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Team Work
  • Information Technology Competence

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
50%

Length
180 minutes

Minimum mark or grade
50

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?