Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module BISS2281: Immunology & Microbiology

Department: Biological and Biomedical Sciences (Biomedical Sciences) [Queen's Campus, Stockton]

BISS2281: Immunology & Microbiology

Type Tied Level 2 Credits 20 Availability Available in 2010/11 Module Cap None. Location Queen's Campus Stockton
Tied to Biomedical Sciences (B940)

Prerequisites

  • None.

Corequisites

  • None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • None.

Aims

  • To develop a knowledge and understanding of cellular and molecular aspects of the immune system.
  • To develop a knowledge and understanding of cellular and molecular principles of microbiology.
  • To provide practical experience in modern techniques for investigating this subject.

Content

  • Molecular medical microbiology.
  • Antibiotic resistance.
  • Innate immunity.
  • Adaptive immunity.
  • Immunological techniques
  • Immunodeficiency.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • To understand the molecular and cellular basis of antigen receptor diversity, clonal selection and immunological specificity and memory.
  • Discuss the cellular and molecular basis of adaptive and innate immunity.
  • Understand aspects of immunopathology related to specific immunodeficiencies.
  • Discuss the role of the immune system in vaccination and immune prophylaxis.
  • Discuss modern techniques in assessing immune function.
  • Understand normal human flora and the nature of antibiotic resistance.
Subject-specific Skills:
  • Practical and intellectual training in core areas of Biomedicine.
Key Skills:
  • Practical training with microbes and immunological assays.
  • Be able to express in writing key concepts in infection and immunity and expression of immunological ideas through web design.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Lectures, Workshops, Lab work, Group work, Unseen exam, Data handling and Essays.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Lectures 17 Weekly 1-3 hours 42
Practicals 5 Termly 4 hours 20
Workshops/CAL 1 2 hours 2
Tutorial 1 1 hour 1
Preparation & reading 135
Total 200

Summative Assessment

Component: Examination Component Weighting: 60%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Unseen formal examination 2.5 hours 100%
Component: Continuous Assessment Component Weighting: 40%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Web assessment 33.33%
Essay 33.33%
Practical report 33.34%

Formative Assessment:

Web assessment Essay Practical report


Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University