Entry requirements

Completed courses of 120 credits including 60 credits in biology and 30 credits in chemistry. Proficiency in English equivalent to the Swedish upper secondary course English 6.

Learning outcomes

To give a broad and detailed overview of the field of immunology and detailed knowledge about many of the most important immunological technologies.

On completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• use immunological terminology
• account for the different haematopoietic cell groups regarding phenotype, function and distribution
• account for how these cells are formed and in which organs this take place and how the cells are governed by growth and differentiation factors as well as cell adhesion molecules
• explain differences between the adaptive and non-adaptive (innate) immune defence regarding specificity, memory and kinetics
• account for the different genetic - and selection mechanisms at the molecular and cellular level, that governs the formation of the enormous numbers of antigen-specific receptors, immunoglobulins and T-cell receptors, that are the basis for the adaptive immune defence in vertebrates
• account for the immune response against different pathogens and how these pathogens through different virulence factors influence the immune system possibilities to combat the infection
• account for the mechanisms and components that participate in an inflammatory response
• compare different immunological diseases and the genetic basis for these at the molecular and cellular level
• account for the immune response against tumours and transplanted tissue
• account for various types of immunotherapies and vaccinations
• account for different immunological methods and be able to apply a number of these
• analyse data from immunological trials, draw conclusions and generate hypotheses
• plan and carry out an immunological project with literature search and present the results written, in the form of a summary, and orally, in the form of a scientific presentation
• critically review both data - and review papers.

Content

The student achieves the aims by acquiring knowledge of the immune system, its subcomponents and molecular and cellular processes for development of the immune system, how the immune system functions in healthy people and in immunological disease, cancer and transplantation and how immunotherapies and vaccinations can be used to hamper or prevent disease. This knowledge is acquired through lectures that cover the whole field of immunology through self-studies and through laboratory sessions, where students learn important and common immunological methods. The student obtain a scientific work procedure and approach through careful documentation of his/her laboratory work in a laboratory journal and problem-solving at seminars, where scientific data are analysed (theoretical practical assignments).

Immunological projects with literature search, in addition to oral and written reports of scientific data, give skills in how to find information and how to structure and present this information.

Several parts of the course have labour market links:

• Bases in scientific work and approach.
• Skills in documentation and critical evaluation of scientific data
• Oral and written presentation in both English and Swedish.
• Through their broad and solid knowledge in immunology, the students will be attractive on the labour market for both small, medium, and large biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical industry and humanitarian aid projects.

Instruction

The teaching is given in the form of lectures, project work, theoretical practical assignments and laboratory sessions. Participation in project work, theoretical practical assignments and laboratory sessions are compulsory.

Assessment

Modules: Theory 9 credits; Laboratory session 3 credits; Exercise 3 credits

The theory module will be examined through two written tests, 1) theoretical knowledge, and 2) theoretical knowledge and theoretical laboratory skills and analysis of data and immunological problems. For the module laboratory sessions, accomplished laboratory sessions including laboratory reports, are required. The module Exercise requires implemented theoretical practical assignments that are presented orally, and active participation in project work that is presented in written form and orally.

If there are special reasons for doing so, an examiner may make an exception from the method of assessment indicated and allow a student to be assessed by another method. An example of special reasons might be a certificate regarding special pedagogical support from the disability coordinator of the university.