Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2026-2027
Module BIOL2421: Immune Systems
Department: Biosciences
BIOL2421: Immune Systems
| Type | Open | Level | 2 | Credits | 20 | Availability | Available in 2026/2027 | Module Cap | Location | Durham |
|---|
Prerequisites
- Level 1 Introduction to Physiology (BIOL1151); Level 1 Molecules and Cells (BIOL1281).
Corequisites
- At least one other Level 2 Biological Sciences Module selected from the following list: Ecology BIOL2461, Behaviour BIOL2511, Evolution BIOL2451, Plant Physiology BIOL2571, Cell Signalling BIOL2501, Development BIOL2471, Cell Biology BIOL2481, Molecular Biology BIOL2441, Metabolism BIOL2491, Integrated Physiological Systems BIOL2521, Microbiology BIOL2431, Biomolecules BIOL2591.
Excluded Combination of Modules
- None.
Aims
- To provide a thorough grounding in aspects of host defence in humans, animals, model organisms (including bacteria) and plants.
- To explore immunity at the molecular, cellular, tissue and whole organism level.
- To relate immunity to health and disease, caused by both endogenous and exogenous factors.
Content
- Innate Immunity.
- Adaptive immunity.
- Nutritional immunity.
- Host defence
Learning Outcomes
Subject-specific Knowledge:
- Knowledge of the cellular and molecular basis of adaptive and innate immunity.
- Understanding aspects of immune protection and immunopathology related to the mucosa.
- Knowledge of how host-defence operates in protecting plants and animals from pathogens.
Subject-specific Skills:
- Understanding practical techniques used in antigen detection, antigen characterisation and diagnostics development.
Key Skills:
- Numeracy, in data analysis, and calculations involved in data handling.
- Communication skills, using the written word and graphics, involved in practical reports.
- Team work.
- Self-motivation, in self-guided learning.
Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module
- Lectures deliver subject-specific knowledge.
- Workshops reinforce subject-specific knowledge and understanding gained from lectures and the development of key and subject-specific skills.
- Practical Exercises allow students to utilise subject-specific knowledge gained from lectures, and support the development of key and subject-specific skills.
- Tutorials give enhancement of the student learning experience, supporting attainment of all learning outcomes.
- Self-guided learning contributes to subject-specific knowledge and self-motivation.
- Practical Exercises are based on subject-specific knowledge and demonstrate subject-specific skills in understanding experimental work and data analysis.
- Problem Exercises (Data Handling) demonstrate subject-specific skills in data handling and key skills in numeracy.
Teaching Methods and Learning Hours
| Activity | Number | Frequency | Duration | Total/Hours | Attendance Monitored |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lectures | 12 | Weekly | 2 hours p / w | 24 | |
| Practicals | 3 | 1-2 per term | 3 hours | 9 | Yes ■ |
| Workshops | 4 | 2 per term | 1 hour | 4 | Yes ■ |
| Tutorials | 2 | 1 per term | 1 hour | 2 | Yes ■ |
| Preparation and Reading | 161 | ||||
| Total | 200 |
Summative Assessment
| Component: Continuous Assessment | Component Weighting: 100% | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Element | Length / duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
| Assignment | 50% | ||
| Exercise | 50% | ||
Formative Assessment:
Formative assessments will be provided to develop the skills for each summative assessment as appropriate.
■ Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.