Course Details in 2025/26 Session

Module Title	Immunity and Infection
School	Inst of Inflammation / Ageing
Department	Inst of Inflammation / Ageing
Module Code	02 27786
Module Lead	Dr Jennifer Marshall, Dr Claire Shannon-Lowe, Dr Amanda Rossiter
Level	Intermediate Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	It is a requirement that students achieve a mark of at least 35% in their summative exam
Contact Hours	Lecture-37 hours Tutorial-11 hours Practical Classes and workshops-10 hours Guided independent study-142 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	This module interweaves the study of human pathogens with the study of the main avenues for their control. The key biological features of viruses and bacteria and other pathogens are described together with their mechanisms of disease. The module introduces the cellular and humoral components of the innate and adaptive immune response and then moves on to discuss the complex interactions of these components with pathogens in the defence against infection. The development of antimicrobial agents and other clinical responses to infection are discussed. The mechanisms of the immune system will be placed in context with human disease by discussing the application of immunology to vaccine development as well as the description of the dysregulated immune response in autoimmunity and allergy. The practical sessions will integrate both immunology and infection related laboratory skills and illustrate the effector functions mediated by antibodies. The basic science underpinning immune responses in the context of infection are emphasized in a series of guided tutorials. These will be structured to combine discussion of material covered in the lectures and pre-set activities all designed to reinforce the understanding of immunity and infection and of their intimate relationship.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module the student will be able to: Demonstrate a detailed understanding of major virus and bacterial families in human disease. Demonstrate an understanding of the principal methods by which pathogens cause disease. Demonstrate an understanding of the processes involved in developing treatments for immune related disease. Describe the organisation of the immune system and the key properties of each of its major features. Describe the methods by which the immune system discriminates between pathogens and self and the complementary roles of both innate and adaptive immunity in control of disease. Apply their knowledge of the differentiation of components of the immune system to describe the basic processes leading to self tolerance. Explain the main cell types involved in the development of a T cell dependent antibody response and understand how they interact to produce high affinity antibodies. Apply their knowledge of the components of the immune system to predict how and why patients with genetic deficiencies affecting the function of immune cells are susceptible to various pathogens. Demonstrate an understanding of the basic determinants of immune homeostasis and the factors which lead to deficiencies in normal immunity. Demonstrate an understanding of how viruses adapt to life in the human host.
Assessment	27786-01 : Overall Module Mark : Mixed (100%)
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Module assessment will consist of a combination of a written unseen exam paper and a single in course assessment. Examination: 2 hour written unseen exam - 50%
Other	None
Reading List	Janeway’s Immunobiology. Murphy et al. (9th Edition) 2017. Garland Science 9780815345053 Microbiology : an evolving Science. Slonczewski & Foster (4th Edn) Norton & company ISBN: 978-0-393-61510-4 Principles of Virology (4th edition). Flint et al ASM press ISBN 10: 1555819338 ⁄ ISBN 13: 9781555819330 Principles of Molecular Virology, A. Cann, 6th Edition, available online via Library Immunology. Kuby et al. 7thth edition. Freeman ISBN-13: 978-1464137846