PHILADELPHIA UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF SCIENCE AND HEALTH

Immunology BIOl-215 (Prerequisites – BIOL-221 Microbiology, grade of C or better in BIOL-104, Biology II)

This is a writing intensive course

Spring 2009

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the innate mechanisms by which the human body prevents infection as well as those involved in specifically acquired immunity. Topics include the structural, functional and genetic aspects of a fully competent immune system which can successfully prevent attack by millions of microorganisms each day and an exploration of the many medical conditions which result from hyperactive or impaired immune systems including allergy, autoimmunity, cancer and AIDS. This course will also incorporate 2 “Virtual Immunology” laboratories, linked to the Immunology Web Site. Students will observe computer animations of immunofluorescence, hemagglutination, complement fixation and monoclonal antibody manufacture and these will be followed by a series of case history, multiple choice and critical thinking questions.

Recommended Textbook: Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune System (2006), Abul K. Abbas and Andrew H. Lichtman, 2^nd Edition, W.B. Saunders Press

Immunology Notes: Essential for lectures, packet on sale in bookstore.

Writing component of course: Writing intensive courses have the basic tenet that writing is a tool of learning and communication and that guided writing practice, feedback and support are essential components to a student’s success in both the learning and interpretation of their courses. During the course, students will be instructed in the discipline of Immunology, whilst at the same time developing a critical attitude and perspective on what they are learning. The three writing assignments of the course are designed so that students can examine the theoretical and historical aspects of Immunology, whilst at the same time generating novel ideas and perceptions of the ideas being explored (writing to learn). The final assignment will be a classroom discussion in which the students will be asked to produce persuasive arguments in support of retaining one component of the immune system, whilst removing the others. To challenge the students, communication of their ideas will be made in up to three written formats; a newspaper article, a letter/ diary article and a scientific paper. Students are encouraged to use the learning center to assist them in the preparation of these assignments.

Lectures: The chapters focused on each week are given in the course outline. Weeks in which “rough drafts” of the assignments are submitted will have time set aside during lecture for discussion of these informal papers

Assignments: The topics will be given out during the second week of classes and have rough and final dates as stated on the syllabus. You will be given topical articles to assist in your completion of the assignments. If you are absent from class it is your responsibility to obtain class material and assignments. Assignments which are later than one week past the due date will receive a zero grade.

Academic Honesty: Neither cheating on exams nor plagiarism on written assignments will be tolerated. In the case of written assignments, ideas and descriptions are to be made independently and not discussed with your fellow pupils. Students guilty of infractions face immediate action as described in the student handbook.

Attendance policy: You are expected to attend all classes and laboratories and be punctual (not late by more than 10 minutes). Chronic absence or tardiness will result in a lowering of your final semester grade by as much as a full letter grade.

Evaluation: NB your assignments and exams can not be made up. There will be four, one hour exams which consist of short answer questions (multiple choice, fill in the blank, definitions, short essays) and case history analyses. Your grades for lecture work will be assessed as follows:

Grades:  Your final letter grades will be assigned as follows with below 60 as failing grade.

Course outline: The topics and chapters to be read in the textbook each week are indicated, as are the due dates for the rough and final drafts of the three writing assignments plus the lecture period in which the classroom debate will take place.