MICRO 2505 - Immunology & Virology II (Biotechnology)

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

This course introduces Immunology and Virology and is complementary to Microbiology II and equivalent courses. An integrated approach is used to study the mechanisms by which our immune system deals with pathogens. Emphasis is also given to the fundamental roles of Immunology and Virology in Biotechnology. Topics covered in the Immunology section comprise innate and adaptive immunity, including T and B cell development, cell mediated and humoral immunity; receptors and cytokines; inflammatory responses; tolerance and autoimmunity; immunity to intra- and extra-cellular organisms such as bacteria, viruses and macroparasites. Topics covered in the Virology section include: information on structure, replication and classification of eukaryotic viruses; virus-host interactions; epidemiology of virus infections; virus vaccines, antiviral drugs and viral diagnostics. Students enrolled in this course will attend one or more of Practicals A, B and C offered by the School of Molecular and Biomedical Science. Refer to Current Students Online Enrolment information at www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au for further information.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MICRO 2505
    Course Immunology & Virology II (Biotechnology)
    Coordinating Unit School of Biological Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 5 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites BIOLOGY 1101 & BIOLOGY 1201 or BIOLOGY 1202
    Incompatible MICRO 2501, MICRO 2503, MICRO 2003B or equivalent
    Assumed Knowledge MICRO 2504, MICRO 2002 or MICRO 2004
    Restrictions Available to B Sc (Biotechnology) students only
    Course Description This course introduces Immunology and Virology and is complementary to Microbiology II and equivalent courses. An integrated approach is used to study the mechanisms by which our immune system deals with pathogens. Emphasis is also given to the fundamental roles of Immunology and Virology in Biotechnology. Topics covered in the Immunology section comprise innate and adaptive immunity, including T and B cell development, cell mediated and humoral immunity; receptors and cytokines; inflammatory responses; tolerance and autoimmunity; immunity to intra- and extra-cellular organisms such as bacteria, viruses and macroparasites. Topics covered in the Virology section include: information on structure, replication and classification of eukaryotic viruses; virus-host interactions; epidemiology of virus infections; virus vaccines, antiviral drugs and viral diagnostics. Students enrolled in this course will attend one or more of Practicals A, B and C offered by the School of Molecular and Biomedical Science. Refer to Current Students Online Enrolment information at www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au for further information.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Christopher Wong

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    The anticipated knowledge, skills and attitude to be developed by the student are:

    1 The basic replication strategies of viruses and the fundamentals of interactions between viruses and the host;
    2 The role and importance of innate and adaptive immunity to host defence against micro-organisms;
    3 The functions and properties of different cell types and organs that comprise the immune system;
    4 The processes involved in immune cell development;
    5 The assembly and expression of antigen receptor molecules during lymphocyte development;
    6 The cellular interactions and activation of immune cells in response to foreign antigen and cytokines;
    7 The generation of immune memory and tolerance;
    8 Antibody structure and how this relates to antibody functions;
    9 The importance of MHC molecules in activation of adaptive immunity;
    10 The complement system & Hypersensitivity reactions
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-10
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1-10
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1-10
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1-10
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1-10
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 1-10
    A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community. 1-10
    An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities. 1-10
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Lectures
    An average of three lectures per week which are recorded for MyUni

    Tutorials
    An average of one tutorial per week

    Practicals
    An average of 20 hours per semester
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week Topic Lecturer
    Week 1 Animal Viruses – Classification and Structure Dr. Mohammed Alsharifi
    Virus Infection of Single Cells Dr. Mohammed Alsharifi
    Replication of RNA Viruses Dr. Mohammed Alsharifi
    Week 2 Replication of DNA Viruses Dr. Mohammed Alsharifi
    Virus-Host Interactions - Transient Infections Dr. Mohammed Alsharifi
    Virus-Host Interactions - Persistent Infections Dr. Mohammed Alsharifi
    Week 3 Epidemiology of Virus Infections Dr. Mohammed Alsharifi
    Control of Virus Infections Dr. Mohammed Alsharifi
    Diagnosis of Virus Infections Dr. Mohammed Alsharifi
    Week 4 Innate Immunity Dr. Iain Comerford
    Cells & Tissues Involved in Mounting Immune Responses I Dr. Iain Comerford
    Cells & Tissues Involved in Mounting Immune Responses II Dr. Iain Comerford
    Week 5 Complement Dr. Chris Wong
    Antibody: Structure and Function Dr. Chris Wong
    No lecture
    Week 6 No lecture
    No lecture
    No lecture
    Week 7 Mid-Term Test (50 min)
    Mechanisms of Humoral Immunity I Dr. Chris Wong
    Mechanisms of Humoral Immunity II Dr. Chris Wong
    Week 8 Antibody Technology Dr. Chris Wong
    Antigen Processing and Presentation Dr. Iain Comerford
    The Roles of T Cells: Help to B cells, CMI and Memory Dr. Iain Comerford
    Mid Semester Break
    Week 9 Labour Day Holiday
    Cytokines & Receptors in the Immune Sys I Dr. Iain Comerford
    Cytokines & Receptors in the Immune Sys II Dr. Iain Comerford
    Week 10 Lymphocyte Development & Differentiation I Prof. Shaun McColl
    Lymphocyte Development & Differentiation II Prof. Shaun McColl
    Immunological Tolerance Prof. Shaun McColl
    Week 11 Autoimmunity Prof. Shaun McColl
    Immunodeficiences Prof. Shaun McColl
    Hypersensitivity Reactions Pt 1 Dr. Olivier Fahy
    Week 12 Hypersensitivity Reactions Pt 2 Dr. Olivier Fahy
    No lecture
    No lecture
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Hurdle Weighting Learning Outcome
    Practicals Summative

    No

    20%
    Tutorials Formative and Summative No 20%
    Mid-Term Test Summative No 20%
    End of Semester Exam Summative No 40%
    Assessment Detail
    The assessment methods used for this course are designed to address a number of the B. Sciences graduate attributes. The indicators provided were reviewed and where appropriate incorporated into the following assessment components, which are:

    Practicals (20%)
    Students are required to participate and complete the MBS Practical A/B/C.
    Students enrolled in this course will attend one or more of Practicals A, B and C offered by the School of Molecular and Biomedical Science. Refer to Current Students Online Enrolment information at www.sciences.adelaide.edu.au for further information.

    Tutorials (20%)
    The tutorials are designed as both summative and formative assessments.
    The summative assessment is an MCQ/SAQ test held during the first 10 min of the tutorial. Then for the remaining 40 min, students will discuss tutorial questions (released the week before) pertaining to concepts taught in preceeding lectures (formative assessment).
    Of 8 tutorials that students will be attending, 6 will be assessed and the best 5 will be taken into account in the final mark. The remaining 2 tutorials will be non-assessed revision tutorials.

    Mid-Term Test (20%)
    This is a 50 min summative assessment that will be held during a nominated lecture time slot. Students will be tested on their knowledge and understanding of concepts taught in Virology and Immunology. The assessment will be marked and returned to the the students as feedback.

    End of semester examination (40%)
    This is a 2 h summative assessment which comprehensively tests the learning outcomes of the Immunology and Virology component of the course. Students will be tested on their knowledge and understanding of the content taught since the beginning of this course.
    Submission
    Late Submission
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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