Undergraduate Course: Microorganisms and Immunity 2 (IBMS08007)
Course Outline
| School | Deanery of Biomedical Sciences |
College | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | Microorganisms and Immunity 2 aims to integrate micro-organism biology, infection biology, and immunology. Students will be provided with a foundation in the biology of infectious micro-organisms, how micro-organisms infect and interact with their hosts, an overview of the immune system and how it fights infection, and how disease may develop if the host fails to effectively deal with infection. The use of example pathogens alongside the understanding of core principles and knowledge relating to micro-organism biology, infection biology, and immunology will provide a foundation for integrated discussion and analysis of key biomedically relevant issues. |
| Course description |
Microorganisms and Immunity 2 will provide a foundation in the biology of micro-organisms, how micro-organisms infect and interact with their hosts, an overview of the immune system and how it fights infection, and how disease may develop if the host fails to effectively deal with infection. The course will provide an overview of infection, and how the immune system is organised. It will evaluate the characteristics, diversity, and fundamental biology of micro-organisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites and describe how the immune system exploits these characteristics to identify, respond to, and develop memory towards diverse types of infectious micro-organisms. Interactions between microorganisms and hosts will be investigated through analysis of how the biology of microorganisms has adapted to allow them to interact and live within their host, and the consequences to the host of failing to control infection. The cells that make up the immune system and the mechanisms by which they control and kill microbes will be examined alongside an analysis of how we are able to harness and use the immune system for our own goals, including how infections and diseases can be controlled through vaccination and immune therapies.
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Course delivered in China at the Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute. Only open to students on BSc Integrative Biomedical Sciences. |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2022/23, Not available to visiting students (SS1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 2 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 30,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 10,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 10,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
126 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
40 %,
Coursework
60 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Exam: 40% total course mark
Coursework: 60% total course mark, including: practical work assessment and literature comprehension assessment |
| Feedback |
Discussion and consolidation sessions each week provide opportunities to provide feedback on learning and skill development and all formats of assessed work. Written formative feedback will be provided as key academic skills are developed particularly in writing and presentational skills. Feedback will also be given following the summative evaluation of in-course assessments. |
| No Exam Information |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Describe the structural organization, metabolism, growth processes and genetics of microorganisms.
- Explain how pathogen structure and physiology relates to infection and survival within the host, and describe the mechanisms by which infection can lead to disease and immune pathology, using selected examples of microorganisms where appropriate.
- Describe the functions and characteristics of the innate and adaptive arms of the immune system. Recognise how uncontrolled immune responses can lead to disease and immune-mediated pathology.
- Describe how infection can be therapeutically controlled by immune (e.g. vaccination) and non-immune (e.g. drug treatments, hygiene) approaches.
- Extract, summarise, and interpret information contained within selected primary scientific research papers pertaining to the areas of infection and immunity. Perform practical procedures to produce accurate results, explain the theoretical basis of the techniques employed, and be able to apply information from lectures and practicals to interpret experimental data.
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Reading List
| Individual sources linked to lecture series. |
Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
A major focus will be on the development of the skills students require to support their learning throughout their university career in particular the development of use of scientific language and communication skills. The course will embed opportunities to encourage the development of graduate attributes and autonomous learning skills including information gathering, academic writing and reflective practice. Student support in these areas will be focused on the key provision of staged formative feedback and assessment practice. Facilitated group discussions and small group work based around developing keynote themes will promote skill development in: how to research a subject; academic writing; making lecture notes; effective reading; understanding expectations in addition to allowing development of an understanding of how skills that promote learning in a group format can facilitate the development as an independent learner in a learning community. Place clear emphasis on formative feedback. |
| Keywords | Biological Sciences,Biomedical Sciences,Immunology,Microorganisms,Infectious Disease. |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Richard Sloan
Tel: (0131) 242 6281
Email: |
Course secretary | Miss Natasha Goldie
Tel:
Email: |
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