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Unit outline_

IMMU3903: Immunology in Human Disease (Advanced)

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit is available to students who have performed well in Introductory Immunology (IMMU2101) IMMU2X11 Immunobiology and MIMI2X02/MEDS2004 Microbes, Infection and Immunity. Advanced students will complete the same core lecture material as students in IMMU3202 but attend a series of specialized seminar and research based tutorial classes.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
A WAM of 70 and a mark of 70 or above in (IMMU2101 or BMED2404 or MEDS2004 or MIMI2X02 or IMMU2X11)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
IMMU3202
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Allison Abendroth, allison.abendroth@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Carl Feng, carl.feng@sydney.edu.au
Alexandra Sharland, alexandra.sharland@sydney.edu.au
Jamie Triccas, jamie.triccas@sydney.edu.au
Mainthan Palendira, umaimainthan.palendira@sydney.edu.au
Georges Grau, georges.grau@sydney.edu.au
James Yun, james.yun@sydney.edu.au
Lauren Stern, lauren.stern@sydney.edu.au
Roger Garsia, r.garsia@sydney.edu.au
Stephen Adelstein, stephen.adelstein@sydney.edu.au
Kylie Shaddock, kylie.shaddock@sydney.edu.au
Alex Stoyanov, alex.stoyanov@sydney.edu.au
Allison Abendroth, allison.abendroth@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Written exam
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Tutorial quiz Quizzes
Practical lab quizzes
5% Multiple weeks 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Presentation Workshop oral paper presentation
Oral presentation and participation
15% Multiple weeks 17 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO5 LO3
Assignment Practical assignment
Practical assessment
15% Week 09
Due date: 25 Sep 2024 at 23:59
1250 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4
Presentation Poster presentation
Poster presentation. Students will present either Mon or Thurs in week 12.
15% Week 12 12 minute talk and 250 word abstract
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Final Exam: Failure to sit this exam without permission will result in a mark of zero.----Practical Practical Class Quiz: Failure to sit this quiz without permission will result in a mark of zero.----Written assignment: Late submission without permission will incur a late penalty equal to 5% of the maximum awardable mark per day. These deductions will continue for 10 calendar days or until the solutions for the assignment are released or marked assignments are returned to other students. At that point the mark awarded will be zero. ---- Oral presentation: Failure to present in your scheduled session and order without permission will incur a late penalty equal to 25% of the maximum awardable mark and your presentation will be rescheduled. Failure to present in your rescheduled session and order will result in a final mark of zero. -----Poster presentation: Failure to present in your scheduled session and order without permission will incur a late penalty equal to 25% of the maximum awardable mark and your presentation will be rescheduled. Failure to present in your rescheduled session and order will result in a final mark of zero.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction and course overview; Immunology of pregnancy Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Week 02 Workshop 1. Interactive seminar Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO5
Neonatal Immunology Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Week 03 Practical 1.Introduction to the IMMU3903 practical class; Viral Case studies - Investigating infection, immunity, and diagnosis of varicella zoster virus infections (part 1) Practical (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Immunity to infectious pathogens I: Intracellular and extracellular bacteria; Immunity to infectious pathogens II: viruses and immune evasion Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Week 04 Immunity to infectious pathogens III: parasites and immunopathology Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Workshop 2. Interactive Seminar Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO5
Week 05 Practical 2. Viral case studies: investigating infection, immunity, and diagnosis of varicella zoster virus infections (part 2) Practical (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Immunity to infectious pathogens IV: fungal infections; Immunodeficiency-Acquired immunodeficiency-HIV Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Week 06 Workshop 3. Oral journal paper presentation Presentation (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Primary immunodeficiences: Molecular basis of primary immunodeficiences Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Week 07 Vaccination and novel vaccine approaches; Self-tolerance and autoimmunity Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Practical 3. Immunodeficiency case studies: acquired and congenital immunodeficiency cases Practical (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 08 Autoimmune diseases Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Workshop 4. Oral journal paper presentation Presentation (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5
Week 09 Skin Immunology; Neuroimmunology Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Practical 4. Immune-mediated case studies; Immune-mediated haemolysis and autoimmune disorders Practical (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Week 10 Advances in Technology-Omics Era in Immunology of Human Disease Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Week 11 Workshop 5. Interactive Seminar Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO5
Allergy and Allergic Diseases; Tumor Immunology and therapy. Lecture (2 hr) LO1
Week 12 Transplantation Immunology Lecture (1 hr) LO1
Poster presentation Presentation (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 13 Practical 5. Allergy, snake bite and immunotherapies Practical (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4
Aging immune System and Immunosenescence; Make up lecture slot/Revision Lecture (2 hr) LO1

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Satisfactory attendance at all workshops and practical classes is therefore a requirement to pass this course. For Immunology in Human Disease, satisfactory attendance is defined as ≥ 80% which means that if you miss more than 2 workshops or 2 practical classes without approved special consideration for illness or misadventure, or pre-approved Special arrangement, you will not be allowed to pass this unit of study. Students who arrive more than 30 minutes late to a workshop or practical class will be recorded as being absent.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • Cellular & Molecular Immunology, 10th Ed 2022, AK Abbas, AH Lichtman & Pillai, Elsevier.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. understand how principles of immunology are applied to the understanding and treatment of human diseases
  • LO2. demonstrate effective skills in retrieving, analysing, and interpreting scientific information from current literature sources
  • LO3. demonstrate advanced oral and written communication skills
  • LO4. demonstrate knowledge of and training in analysis and interpretation of laboratory based experiments.
  • LO5. To demonstrate the capacity to work in a tutorial setting to question key aspects of current immunology in human disease research

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

minor changes to tutorial/seminars

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.