James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2003

MI5061:03

Advanced Immunology

Townsville HECS Band 2

36 hours lectures, 18 hours tutorials, 18 hours practicals. Semester 1.

Staff: Dr G Burgess.

Advanced aspects of the biology of the immune system and interaction with other body systems with emphasis on: the evolution of the immune system in warm and cold blooded vertebrates; immunophysiology, regulation of the immune system and the role of the immune system in parasitic and infectious diseases, reproduction, auto-immune diseases, tumour and transplantation biology as well as the potential to manipulate the immune system.

Learning Objectives:

  1. understand the physiological and functional interaction of the immune system with other body systems;
  2. describe at an advanced level the role of the immune system in infectious and noninfectious diseases;
  3. outline the evolution of the immune system in invertebrates, fish, birds and mammals;
  4. describe the ontogeny and the interactions between the different components of the immune system and their role in immunoregulation;
  5. critically evaluate the strategies used to gain a better understanding of immune mechanisms and ways in which the immune response can be modified.

Assessment by laboratory practicals (12%); tutorials (12%); assignment (16%); examination (60%).