Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE MLS2004

 
TITLE Immunology

 
UM LEVEL 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 5

 
ECTS CREDITS 4

 
DEPARTMENT Applied Biomedical Science

 
DESCRIPTION Objectives:

The study-unit aims to introduce basic concepts in Immunology, and progresses to provide a theoretical understanding of immunopathological processes and their laboratory assessment.

Content:

- Introduction;
- Innate Immunity;
- Neutrophils;
- The lymphoid organs / lymphatic circulation;
- B cells and T cells;
- Structure and function;
- Antibodies;
- Structure and function;
- Antibody production;
- Monoclonal antibodies;
- Antibody diversity;
- Complement System;
- MHC I;
- MHC II;
- T cells and development of T cell repertoire;
- T cell / antigen presenting cell interaction;
- The thymus;
- Concepts of Immunology;
- Recognition and effector mechanisms of adoptive immunity;
- Tolerance;
- Intracellular “messengers”;
- The immune system in infectious diseases;
- Bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infection;
- Mechanisms of immune evasion;
- Hypersensitivity;
- Autoimmune disease;
- Immunity and cancer;
- Immunological techniques.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding:
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- Discuss the fundamental characteristics of the immune system, of antigens, and of the immunoglobubin superfamily;
- Describe the genetics of an antibody, T-cell receptor and Major Histocompatibility Complex diversity;
- List the elements of natural immunity and their role in defense;
- Define the type, structure and distribution of the cells, tissues and organs of the immune system;
- Describe the processes involved in the control of the humoral and cellular immune responses; and
- Recall a range of basic immunologically based tests and assays.

Reading List:

- Male D, Borostoff J and Roitt I. Immunology 8th Edition 2012 (Saunders) ISBN 978-0323080583.
- Kenneth Murphy and Casey Weaver Janeway’s Immunobiology 9th Edition 2017, Garland Science ISBN 9780815345053.
- Angela Hall and Christopher Baldwin. Clinical Immunology (Fundamentals of Biomedical Science) 2nd Edition 2016, Oxford University Press ISBN 978-0199657650.

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Lecture

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Examination (2 Hours) SEM1 Yes 100%

 
LECTURER/S David Saliba

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit