| Unit name | Infection and Immunity |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PANM22041 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Rivino |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Cellular and Molecular Medicine |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
Why is this unit important?
The unit covers several important topics pertaining to infectious diseases and our defence mechanisms: pathogenesis of infectious diseases; the nature of host immune responses; the mechanisms of viral and bacterial immune evasion; the strategies of chemotherapy and vaccination used to treat and prevent human infection.
The unit provides coverage of the immune system and immune responses to bacteria, viruses, protozoa and worms, as well as host-parasite interactions. It covers aspects of pathogenesis and how vaccination is used to prevent human infection.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The unit provides practical experience of immunological and microbiological experimental techniques. It prepares students on CMM programmes or the Biomedical Sciences BSc Cells and Molecules Pathway for Year 3 optional units including: Medical Microbiology, Medical Virology, Frontiers in Infectious Diseases, Cellular and Molecular Immunology, and Immunopathology and Applied Immunology. The unit also helps prepare students to engage in research projects in the areas of infection or immunology.
An overview of content
You will learn about:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
Students will be able to carry out the safe execution of immunological and microbiological experimental techniques. They will be able to give an oral presentation of complex scientific issues. They will also be able to demonstrate the skills of data interpretation and problem solving.
Learning Outcomes
At the end of the unit a successful student will be able to:
The unit is delivered using a series of integrated lectures, tutorials, a workshop, practical sessions and e-learning to support laboratory practicals via eBiolabs.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative)
With regard to attendance at practical sessions, electronic feedback will be provided for the pre and post-lab work via eBiolabs. There will also be verbal feedback provided by the staff and demonstrators during the practical sessions.
Verbal and written feedback will be provided in the tutorial sessions. Students are expected to ask questions and contribute to discussion.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative)
eBiolabs pre and post-lab work (10%)
Essay (20%)
Oral presentation (20%)
Examination (December) (50%)
To earn credit for this unit you must normally have made a reasonable attempt at each of the components of the unit assessment. A reasonable attempt requires a student to have undertaken the assessment activity and engaged with its purpose in the academic judgement of the relevant Unit Director, or nominee.
When an assessment does not go to plan'.
If you are unable to attend your oral presentation a mop-up session will be arranged for you with the same subject title.
If you are unable to take an end of unit exam, you will have the opportunity to take this in the reassessment period.
If you do not pass the unit, the examination board will agree what components they need you to take, and this may be during the summer or in the reassessment period.
If you fail to attend and/or engage with components of a unit, the matter will be referred to the Faculty Board of Examiners. If the Faculty Board decides that your attendance or engagement has not been sufficient to satisfy the unit’s Learning Outcomes, they may decide that you are unable to progress to the next year of study. If this is the case, you will be required to complete reassessment work to a satisfactory standard. This may include additional written work (to be completed during the summer) or a requirement to repeat part or all of the unit in a supplementary year.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PANM22041).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
