This is a core requirement for Biomedical Science and is an option for those on other Life Science degree courses (Biological Sciences (Medical Biology route), Medical Biochemistry and Nutrition). The module builds on and applies the learning achieved in the level 5 Infection and Immunity (LS5008) module which is a prerequisite.
The module initially explores in detail diseases of: overactive immunity (eg. autoimmune disease and hypersensitivity); and of immune deficiency (eg. AIDS). It also explores other key areas of clinical immunology such as cancer immunology, monoclonal antibodies and laboratory diagnostics.
The module then explores infectious diseases and the principles and practise of the medical microbiology. Selected infectious diseases and their laboratory diagnosis are studied in depth using an organ system approach; for example, infections of the respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and urinary tract.
On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:
The teaching and learning strategy will include lecture sessions, tutorials, laboratory practicals, group work, directed private study, and self directed learning. The lectures will be used to provide a sound theoretical background in contemporary understanding of clinical immunology and medical microbiology. Lectures will explain concepts and define the principles, while case studies and disease studies will be included to develop critical evaluation, discussion and analytical skills. Practicals will allow students to develop experience of diagnostic techniques used for immunological and microbiological diseases. They will develop practical psychomotor skills, high-level functional analysis, teamwork, problem solving and experimental design. Critical evaluation of experimental and clinical data will be a feature of the practicals and the end of module examination.
Tutorials will be used to clarify points and to provide experience of evaluating data. Tutorials will include exam technique and practise writing and planning essays. Blended learning, such as videos of lectures/practical classes and CAL, will be used where possible to enhance learning.
| Definitive UNISTATS Category | Indicative Description | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled learning and teaching | 55 one hour lecture 8 one hour tutorial/workshop 7 hours lab practicals | 70 |
| Guided independent study | Directed private study (130) Self directed learning (100) | 230 |
| Total (number of credits x 10) | 300 | |
The module has a broad assessment strategy which caters for all learning styles. Summative assessment includes two practical assignments which develop practical psychomotor skills as well as high level functional analysis. They require critical interpretation of data and results. One practical assessment coursework requires a written report (25%) that develops research and summarisation skills; the other is a practical exam that requires prior learning and detailed interpretation of results and is assessed by MCQ (25%), providing rapid feedback.
The final examination (50%) contains a compulsory data interpretation question based on a 'seen' patient case study, plus two further essay questions chosen from clinical immunology and medical microbiology. Thus students are assessed for critical analysis of the case study and also breadth and depth of understanding.
Formative class tests will occur before the winter break and end of module to provide feedback and feedfoward. These formative assessments will allow students to develop essay writing skills as well as to assess their acquisition and communication of knowledge. Tutorials will be used to provide and discuss feedback and feed forward on summative and formative assessments.
| Learning Outcome | Assessment Strategy |
|---|---|
| 1) Discuss the pathogenesis and control of diseases associated with inappropriate immune responses and immunodeficiencies | Examination (S) Test (F) |
| 2) Discuss the immunology of cancer and differentiate types of malignancy of the immune system | Examination (S) Test (F) |
| 3) Demonstrate safe practical skills involved in the investigation of immunological and microbiological disease and critically evaluate the theoretical and practical basis of procedures employed in the clinical immunology and diagnostic medical microbiology laboratories. | Clinical Immunology diagnostics (ELISA) practical and report (S) Medical Microbiology practical (UTI) and MCQ (S) |
| 4) Evaluate relevant laboratory data; report writing and develop demonstrate skills in communication and independent learning | Clinical Immunology diagnostics (ELISA) practical and report (S) Medical Microbiology practical (UTI) and MCQ (S) Test (F) |
| 5) Review the aetiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis control and treatment of a variety of infectious diseases | Examination (S) Test (F) |
| Description of Assessment | Definitive UNISTATS Categories | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Written Exam | 3h end of module examination | 50 |
| Practical Exam | Practical MCQ | 25 |
| Coursework | Practical report | 25 |
| Total (to equal 100%) | 100% | |
It IS NOT a requirement that any major assessment category is passed separately in order to achieve an overall pass for the module.
Latest editions of:
Chapel H, Haeney M, Misbah S & Snowden N. Essentials of Clinical Immunology Blackwell Science
Hall A and Yates C Immunology. Fundamentals of Biomedical Science series Oxford University Press
Goering, R., Dockrell, H., Zuckerman, M., Wakelin, D., Roitt, I., Mims C. A. and Chiodini, P. Mims' Medical Microbiology, Mosby,
Latest editions of:
Murphy, K., Travers, P., Walport M. Janeway's Immunobiology Garland Press
Madigan, M.T., Martinko J.M., Dunlap P.V., and Clark D.P. Biology of Microorganisms Pearson Brock Education, Inc