Immunology

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Dr G Walsh

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2ii or above from an appropriate academic institution in a science discipline. For international students only - an appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Overview

Course aims: To provide students with a refresher course in basic immunology.

Course objectives: To provide all students with the knowledge required for more advanced teaching.

Structure

Series of lectures and tutorials.

Assessment

Multiple Choice Exam (100%), Formative Essay.

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr G Walsh

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2ii or above from an appropriate academic institution in a science discipline. For international students only - an appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Overview

Course aims:
1. To introduce students to a research driven teaching and learning environment that is intellectually stimulating and challenging.
2. To encourage the development of independent critical powers.
3. To encourage the development of personal and transferable skills to equip students for carer situations either in a research environment or other working environment.

Main Learning Outcomes:
1. In-depth knowledge and understanding of major cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying immunological processes in health and disease.
2. Acquisition of self-directed learning skills.
3. Ability to apply knowledge gained to the solution of practial and theoretical problems, and to communicate these effectively in group situations.
4. To equip students with critical and analytical skills required for further studies in specialised areas of immunological or related research.

Structure

Series of lectures and tutorials.

Assessment

Examination (70%), essay (30%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr G Walsh

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2ii or above from an appropriate academic institution in a science discipline. For international students only- an appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Overview

Course aims: To provide an understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which the immune system can protect against, or cause disease.

Main Learning Outcomes:
- An understanding of the factors that determine the effectiveness of immune responses to micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses, parasites) and tumours and how protective immunity can be elicited by vaccination.
- An understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which the immune system can cause disease, including allergy, autoimmunity and transplant rejecting and potential methods for controlling such responses.

Structure

Series of lectures and tutorials.

Assessment

Examination (75%), essay (25%).

Credit Points

80

Course Coordinator

Dr G Walsh

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2ii or above from an appropriate academic institution in a science discipline. For international students only - an appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Notes

Overview

Course aims:
- to provide a stimulating and supportive environment for in depth study.

Main learning outcomes:
- efficient use of library and electronic resources
- IT skills in word processing, graphics and database handling
- time management skills, working to a deadline
- verbal skills in scientific discussion and communication
- practical and theoretical skills in research methodology
- team working

Content:
- each project is distinct and dependent upon work of supervisor's research group
- all proposed projects are reviewed by course co-ordinators and programme organisers before being offered to students.

Structure

Assessment

Thesis (60%), VIVA (10%), Presentation (20%), Supervisor's Mark (10%).

Credit Points

5

Course Coordinator

Dr I Crane

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2ii or above from an appropriate academic institution in a science discipline. For international students only - an appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Notes

Overview

Course aims:
- to provide students with practical skills in the laboratory environment
- to provide students with knowledge to proceed to further studies in a laboratory environment
- to allow development and practice of a range of transferable skills including software applications and data analysis.

Main learning outcomes:
- appreciation of health and safety issues regarding safe handling of biological materials and chemicals
- skills required for standard conduct of laboratory procedures
- skills in monitoring and recording of experimental processes
- ability to analyse and interpret data derived from laboratory observations.

Structure

Series of practicals.

Assessment

10x practical class reports (10% each).

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Neil Young

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2ii or above from an appropriate academic institution in a science discipline. For international students only - an appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Overview

Course aims:
- to provide students with the intellectual and study skills required for their Research project or dissertation
- to develop and refine critical appraisal skills applied to study of current literature including creative and original thought
- to develop personal and transferable skills for careers and situations not necessarily specific for their chosen subject
- students will acquire theoretical background to modern laboratory technology and techniques in immunology
- students will gain practical experience in the use of laboratory technology and techniques used in immunological and biomedical research.

Learning outcomes:
- an in-depth appreciation of current developments in cutting edge immunological research
- an understanding of what constitutes a key and important research paper
- an understanding of how information is derived from scientific study
- development of personal transferable skills required for scientific study including information retrieval, information analysis, and critical appraisal within the context of controversial or conflicting original literature.

Structure

Series of lectures and tutorials.

Assessment

Continuous assessment (100% as follows: Presentation 25%, Confocal Microscopy 25%,Written Experimental Protocol 25%, Project Essay 25%).

Credit Points

20

Course Coordinator

Dr G Walsh

Pre-requisites

Degree at 2ii or above from an appropriate academic institution in a science discipline. For international students only - an appropriate level of written and spoken English.

Overview

Course aims:
- to provide a stimulating and supportive environment for in-depth study.

Main learning outcomes:
- efficient use of library and electronic resources
- IT skills in word processing, graphics and database handling
- time management skills, working to a deadline
- verbal skills in scientific discussion and communication.

Content:
- each dissertation is distinct and dependent upon the student's interests and the work of supervisor's research group
- all proposed dissertations are reviewed by course co-ordinators and programme organisers before being offered to students.

Structure

Assessment

Dissertation (60%), oral presentations (20%), oral presentations (internals and others)(10%), supervisor's mark (10%).

Credit Points

10

Course Coordinator

Dr Phil Cash and Dr Simon Wong

Pre-requisites

Successful Completion of stage 1 of MRes Medical Mycology and Fungal Immunology

Co-requisites

MC5XXX - Research Project

Overview

Students will also develop practical skills in data acqusition and interpretation, communication as well as interpersonal and team-working skills. These represent transferable skills that will benefit students across a range of disciplines.

Structure

Seven 1-hour lectures, one 2 hour tutorial and 47 hrs practical during the course.

Assessment

Practical Report (30%); Confocal Microscopy & Flow Cytometry Reports (each 15%/2500 words); Essay (30%).

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Dr Simon Wong

Pre-requisites

Successful completion of stage 1 of MRes Medical Mycology and Fungal Immunology

Overview

Each project is unique and depends on the interests of the student and ongoing research work within the department. All proposed topics are reviewed by the Programme Coordinator and Wellcome Trust Research team before being offered to the students

Structure

No formal teaching. One to one meetings with supervisor

Assessment

Lab performance (10%), Thesis (up to 12500 words) (80%); presentation (10%)

Credit Points

60

Course Coordinator

Dr Simon Wong

Pre-requisites

Successful Completion of stage 1 of MRes Medical Mycology and Fungal Immunology

Overview

Each project is unique and depends on the interests of the student and ongoing research work within the department. All proposed topics are reviewed by the Programme Coordinator and Wellocme Trust Research team before being offered to the students

Structure

No formal teaching. One to one meetings with supervisor

Assessment

Lab Performance (10%). Thesis (up to 12500 words) (80%); presentation (10%)