Course Syllabus

 

Immunology B

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Semester & Location:

Spring 2019 - DIS Copenhagen

Type & Credits:

Elective Course - 3 credits

Major Disciplines: Biology, Biomedicine / Biotechnology, Pre-Medicine / Health Science
Prerequisites:

One year of biology, one semester of chemistry, and an introductory course in molecular biology/genetics at university level

Faculty Member:

Jeanette Erbo Wern

Program Director:

Susana Dietrich

Time & Place:

Tuesdays and Fridays, 11:40-13:00, V10-A13

Faculty

Jeanette Photo (1).jpg Jeanette Erbo Wern 
Ph.D. Immunology 2001-2005 (Inst. Of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark). Post doc 2006-2009 (Inst. of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark). M.Sc. 2001 (Inst. Of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, University of Copenhagen, Denmark). Senior Scientist 2010-2013 (Immune Targeting Group, Bioneer, Cph, Denmark). Senior Scientist 2013-2016 (Dept. of Infectious Disease Immunology, Statens Serum Institute, Cph, Denmark). With DIS since 2016.

Course Description 

This course will focus on how the immune system develops and functions, how disease can overcome the immune response, how we fight disease and how we can manipulate the immune system for the benefit of the patients.


The course will incorporate individual and group work in class and will finish with a group project, in which you will focus on an immunological relevant disease and the latest research done in that disease area. You will prepare and present a report on this.

Group work helps you prepare for the way work is organized in professional life and can improve the quality of the work produced, by adding the different strengths of the students. 

 

Expected Learning Outcomes

By partaking in this course, students will be able to do the following by the end of the semester:

  • Describe the structure and function of the immune system, how it develops and how the immune cells interact with other cells in the body as well as with pathogens
  • Explain how the different cells of the immune system are activated and review the different types of mechanisms the immune system use to fight pathogens
  • Explain how the immune system can be manipulated by infectious diseases like HIV and TB
  • Explain why autoimmunity, allergy and cancer occurs
  • Explain the basis behind vaccinology and vaccine development
  • Critically analyze findings in immunological research

Required Readings 

All reading material will be provided by DIS
Punt, J., Stranford, S., Jones, P., Owen, J. Kuby Immunology. Eighth Edition. 2019

Murphy, Kenneth. Janeway’s Immunobiology, 8th Ed., 2012.

Assorted Readings posted on Canvas 

Approach to Teaching

Lectures, class discussions, case studies, individual study questions, critical analysis of research (the immunological research assignment), group presentations and field studies.

There will be three tests spaced as evenly as possible throughout the semester. There is no final, but instead, the class wraps up with the immunology research assignment. 

Participation

Participation is determined by attendance, tardiness and engagement in class. You are expected to attend all DIS classes and activities when scheduled, and we will actively monitor attendance. Absences will jeopardize your grade and your standing at DIS. Allowances will be made in cases of illness, but you will need to email your instructor in advance. If you miss multiple classes the Director of Academic Support, and the Director of Student Affairs will be notified and they will follow-up with you to make sure that all is well. 

To prepare for each day, you are required to read all assigned material and prepare study questions when they are assigned for class or fields studies. Additionally, for those students that did not have a chance to give their input in class, you will have the opportunity to do so on Canvas. On the discussion board there will be an open “Continue today’s class discussion/debate”, where students can share thoughts/questions related to the topic discussed in class. Participating actively in class, on the discussion board and on fields studies by asking and answering questions and taking part in discussions will be taken into consideration when the student’s participation assessment is made. 

 
Evaluation and Grading

The final grade for this course will be based on in-class tests, a final project, and participation:

Component

Weight

Participation

10%

Test 1

25%

Test 2

25%

Test 3

25%

Immunology Disease Res. project

15%

**Note**:  To be eligible for a passing grade in this class you must complete all of the assigned work.  

Field Studies

There will be two field studies, where you will be visiting immunological relevant research places at a university, hospital or at a biotech company. The dates for the fields studies are: 

Wednesday, September 18th , 13:00-17:00

Wednesday, October 16th, 8:30-12:30

 

Tests: 

There will be three tests throughout the semester, covering the following topics:

Test I: the innate immune system and specific antigen recognition by T and B cells.

Test II: the adaptive Immune system including lymphocyte development, activation, differentiation, and effector responses

Test III: Immunology of Infections, failure of host defenses, tumor immunology, allergy, autoimmunity, and Vaccines

You will take the tests in class. The tests will include shorter questions, true and false statements, and extended answers. The exam questions will be a combination of information recall and concept explanation. Tests will generally last 40 minutes unless otherwise stated

 

Immunology Research Assignment:

As a group, you will write about an immunological relevant disease and use the immunology you have learned in class to discuss some of the latest research on the disease topic you have chosen. When you describe the disease, you should identify and explain the immunological problems of the disease.

For the research part, you should choose one or two peer-review papers and in general be able to describe and discuss the research and relevant experiments central for conclusions.  You should include critical immunological arguments and considerations of the paper(s). You will do a final presentation of your research project to the class. The project report is graded as a group effort, while grades for the project presentation are a combination of group and individual performance.

 

Questions and feedback

If you have questions to the readings, lectures, or assignments, you are always welcome to contact me by email (jwe@dis.dk). Alternatively, you can email Program Assistant Jennifer Schulz, jsc@dis.dk, to setup an appointment or ask a question. 


Policies 

Use of Laptops or Phones in Class

Use of phones in class is not allowed. Laptop use is allowed for group and project work only. 

Policy on late papers and/or assignments

Late papers will be accepted, but your grade for the paper will be reduced by half a letter grade for each day that it is late.

 Academic Regulations  

Please make sure to read the Academic Regulations on the DIS website. There you will find regulations on:

  DIS - Study Abroad in Scandinavia - www.DISabroad.org

Course Summary:

Date Details Due