BMD2014 : Immunology of Health and Disease (Inactive)
- Inactive for Year: 2025/26
- Module Leader(s): Dr Andrew Knight
- Co-Module Leader: Dr Vanessa Armstrong
- Lecturer: Dr Alessio Iannetti, Dr Christopher Nile
- Owning School: Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Scien
- Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.
| Semester 2 Credit Value: | 20 |
| ECTS Credits: | 10.0 |
| European Credit Transfer System | |
Aims
The aim of this module is to:
To expand students’ existing knowledge and understanding of the development and function of the immune system.
To support students understanding of how failures in various, in-built immunological control mechanisms can lead to a range of important human diseases.
To introduce students to how the immune system can be manipulated to treat/manage a range of diseases as well as to improve transplantation success.
Outline Of Syllabus
The module is divided into two strands:
A. Advanced immunological processes:
This strand will explore the genetic and cellular processes that allow the development of a diverse and yet tolerant immune system.
In addition, the strand will explore immune cell trafficking and the immune responses seen at specialized anatomical sites including mucosa.
B. Clinical immunology:
This strand considers immunity in the context of key infectious agents that can lead to human disease, as well as the process and consequences of immune-mediated pathology including inflammation.
The strand will also discuss how immune deficiency or failures in regulation can lead to human disease including autoimmune disorders and hypersensitivity (including allergies). Therapeutic approaches to either dampen or enhance immune responses for the treatment of these conditions as well as those to aide transplantation success or to enhance anti-cancer responses will also be explored.
Teaching Methods
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Lecture | 20 | 1:00 | 20:00 | In-person |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 50:00 | 50:00 | Preparation for poster presentation, PIE and revision for assessments |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | In-person poster presentation |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Small group teaching | 1 | 1:30 | 1:30 | In-person seminar |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | In-person scientific Paper Interpretation Exercise (PIE) workshop |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 1:00 | 1:00 | In-person PIE feedback session, end of module Q&A session for student queries related to the taught material. |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 1 | 124:00 | 124:00 | Assimilation of course material |
| Total | 200:00 |
Teaching Rationale And Relationship
Lectures will provide students with summaries of key information along with guidance for additional reading.
Poster presentation and paper interpretation workshop develop interpersonal communication and team work skills, increase understanding of lecture material and primary literature by discussion with peers and teachers and help prepare students for final exam.
Seminars will allow exploration of related material. Drop-in Q&A surgeries will allow students to discuss areas of the curriculum with lectures to consolidate learning. Private study will allow students to extend and reinforce their knowledge and understanding through reading of text books, journal articles and other recommended resources.
Assessment Methods
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Exams
| Description | Length | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Examination | 120 | 2 | A | 60 | Inspera, invigilated closed-book digital exam part 1: PIE (60 mins max 10 questions), part 2: SAQs max 4 questions from a choice of 6 |
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poster | 2 | M | 40 | In-person group poster presentation (15 mins. in total/group) Student groups will design and present a poster (that includes an embedded 5 min. video) summarising experimental data from a scientific research paper |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
The short answer question section of the examination will assess the students' knowledge and understanding of taught material along with their additional reading; the scientific paper interpretation (PIE) section of the examination will assess the students’ ability to use their knowledge and understanding to interpret appropriate research literature related to the modules content.
The poster presentation assesses information literacy, computer and media literacy, ability to interpret scientific papers, planning and organisation skills, group working skills and oral presentation skills.The formative PIE will allow students to prepare for the PIE element of the examination.
Reading Lists
Timetable
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- BMD2014's Timetable