Future Students

What is Immunology

The immune system is crucial for our survival. It protects us from pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. Immunology is the study of the immune system in health and disease. It is the reason why we recover from a cold but also why we suffer from allergies, have diseases such as diabetes and why we reject tissue transplants.

Why study immunology?

Immunology is the basis of many health issues in our society. These include vaccination, tissue transplantation, cancer, allergies and autoimmunity. The Department is a leader in immunology teaching and research into fundamental and clinical immunology.

Your degree and immunology

The Department offers one immunology unit at 2^nd year and four at 3^rd year within both the Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BMS) degrees. At 3^rd year, students can take one theory and one practical based unit per semester. Together these units provide a comprehensive coverage of immunology equipping students for a career in research, applied or diagnostic immunology.

2nd Year Immunology Unit

IMM2011 – Function of the immune system

Coordinator: Dr. Frank Alderuccio

This unit is designed to introduce students to the immune system which has evolved to protect us from microbial pathogens. It involves both theory and practical based sessions on topics such as structure and development of the immune system, the generation of immune responses, major effector mechanisms involved in pathogen clearance, basic structure and function of viruses and bacteria and immunological techniques used in assaying immune responses to micro-organisms.

For more information on this unit please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook .

3rd Year Immunology Units

IMM3031 – Molecular and cellular immunology

Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Mark Wright

This theory based unit examines in depth important features of development and function of the immune system in health and disease. Areas covered include development of the innate and adaptive immune system, antigen processing and presentation, maturation of the immune response, self tolerance and regulation. Students will learn the principles of advanced techniques in immunology including the relevance of genetic engineering and will acquire skills in reviewing the literature and assignment preparation.

For more information on this unit please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook .

IMM3051 – Principles of applied immunology

Coordinators: Dr. John Emmins and Dr Kim Murphy

This unit aims to develop students’ practical skills and knowledge of laboratory immunology. The course is laboratory based with tutorials to ensure a thorough theoretical understanding of techniques. Students will learn about the anatomy of the immune system, antibody production and interactions and diagnostic immunology techniques. This unit gives students a firm understanding of techniques relevant to immunology and many other scientific disciplines.

For more information on this unit please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook .

IMM3042 – Clinical immunopathology

Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Mark Wright

This theory based unit examines regulation of the immune response and how this knowledge can be applied to improve disease treatment. Host-pathogen interactions are considered together with new strategies for vaccines. In addition, diseases of the immune system are examined including immunodeficiency, autoimmune and allergic diseases. As well students will study the role of the immune system in tissue transplantation and tumor eradication.

For more information on this unit please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook .

IMM3062 – Clinical and research laboratory immunology

Coordinators: Dr. John Emmins and Dr Kim Murphy

This unit examines advanced techniques used in clinical and research immunology laboratories. These include assays for lymphocyte proliferation, cytokines, cell-mediated cytotoxicity, detection of antigen/antibody reaction by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation, and detection of transgene by polymerase chain reaction.  In vivo experimental models of immune disorders such as graft-versus-host disease are also examined. The unit is laboratory based with tutorials to ensure a thorough theoretical understanding of techniques. In the final six weeks of the unit students are attached (in small groups) to a research or clinical laboratory where they conduct a mini-research project. Students plan, execute and report on their project and present their findings in a research forum.

For more information on this unit please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook .

Linked Units

In addition to immunology the Department contributes to undergraduate teaching in human pathology and cell biology. Together with immunology these units provide students with a strong background in biological and biomedical sciences.

HUP3011 – Human Pathology 1: Understanding disease processes

Coordinator: Dr Simone Schoenwaelder

This unit introduces students to basic pathological processes, with particular reference to cell death, inflammation, disorders of immunity and neoplasia. Mechanisms for these processes are addressed, including their role in host response to injury, how these processes are modified in particular diseases and how these processes themselves may cause disease when normal regulatory controls are lost. Principles are illustrated by reference to specific diseases but are applicable across all systems. This approach provides students with an understanding of the language of pathology and appreciation of the causes and natural progress of human diseases.

For more information on this unit please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook .

HUP3022 – Human Pathology 2: The pathology of human diseases

Coordinator: Dr Simone Schoenwaelder

This unit adopts a systematic approach to the study of pathology. Organ systems are addressed in turn including the important diseases in each. These include cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and ischaemia, gastrointestinal and liver diseases such as hepatitis and jaundice, haematological diseases such as anaemia, leukaemia and lymphoma and respiratory diseases such as pneumoconiosis and pulmonary infections. The aetiology, clinical presentation, treatment and course of the disease are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on morphological aspects and how these vary from normal, together with other laboratory and radiologic investigations to provide an integrated approach to the diagnosis of specific diseases and general disease processes.

For more information on this unit please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook .

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