Course Coordinator:Kate Mounsey (kmounsey@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Biomedicine
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC Moreton Bay |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
This course will advance your understanding of the complex and interesting world of your body's defence system. Immunology studies the body's defences against invading microorganisms, and the way in which these defences can break down and lead to disease. You will also discover that the immune system is impacted by physiological and environmental factors as well as aging and the course links immunological theory to the broader populations and social context.
| Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
| Blended learning | |||
| Learning materials – Online learning modules including interactive concept checks and formative exercises. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 12 times |
| Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Weekly interactive e-Lectorials will be delivered via Zoom | 1hr | Week 1 | 12 times |
| Tutorial/Workshop 2 – Fortnightly tutorials will be delivered on campus, odd weeks of Trimester, commencing week 1. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 6 times |
| Laboratory 1 – Laboratory classes are on-campus and delivered during even weeks of trimester, commencing week 2 | 3hrs | Week 2 | 5 times |
| Information session – Student poster conference, week 12 only, on campus | 4hrs | Week 12 | Once Only |
This course covers all of the key areas of contemporary immunological knowledge including:
300 Level (Graduate)
12 units
| Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | Professional Standard Mapping * Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists | |
| 1 | Explain, describe and analyse practical lab results, principles, theories and concepts underlying immunology. |
Knowledgeable Empowered |
1.1.6, 1.3.2, 1.3.7, 1.5.2, 1.5.3, 1.5.4, 1.6.2, 2.1.1, 2.2.1, 3.3.2, 6.2.3, 6.2.4 |
| 2 | Articulate some aspects of the place and importance of immunological science in the prevention and treatment of disease | Sustainability-focussed |
6.2.3, 6.2.4, 7.3.1 |
| 3 | Utilise scientific research and link immunological issue to a broader population or social context. | Sustainability-focussed |
6.2.3, 6.2.4, 7.3.1, 7.4.1, 9.1.1, 10.1.1, 10.3.2, 10.3.3, 10.4.2, 10.4.3, 10.4 |
| CODE | COMPETENCY |
| Australian Institute of Medical and Clinical Scientists | |
| 1.1.6 | Ensure the appropriateness of sample collection procedures: Collection is performed, consistent with established protocols and safe working practices. |
| 1.3.2 | Evaluate specimen suitability prior to analysis: Confirmation is made that the nature of the specimen is consistent with requested analysis. |
| 1.3.7 | Evaluate specimen suitability prior to analysis: Specimens are prepared for analysis. |
| 1.5.2 | Process specimen utilising appropriate techniques: Appropriate standards and controls are selected and prepared and testing is organised in accordance with the analytical procedures/protocol to be undertaken, the urgency, and the clinical condition being investigated. |
| 1.5.3 | Process specimen utilising appropriate techniques: Appropriate reagents are selected and prepared to ensure maintenance of quality and suitability for use. |
| 1.5.4 | Process specimen utilising appropriate techniques: Processes are performed in accordance with prescribed methods, quality procedures and accepted safe working practices. |
| 1.6.2 | Read and validate results - Equipment based testing: Validity of test results is confirmed in terms of protocols (including standards, quality control data and performance of analytical systems) and problems are identified and remedied or notified to the appropriate staff member. |
| 2.1.1 | Assess validity of data/results against possible range of outcomes: Initial observation and limited interpretation for significance of the raw data/results is undertaken. |
| 2.2.1 | Validation of results: Possible causes for implausible or inconsistent results or outcomes are determined. |
| 3.3.2 | Ensure that results with important diagnostic or treatment implications are communicated as per established protocols: Results are interpreted in the light of clinical information provided and knowledge of the test(s) and limitations. |
| 6.2.3 | Maintain and update scientific/technical knowledge and skills: Relevant scientific literature is monitored. |
| 6.2.4 | Maintain and update scientific/technical knowledge and skills: Opportunities to enhance learning from investigation of unusual clinical cases and/or results are pursued. |
| 7.3.1 | Demonstrates knowledge of contemporary ethical issues impinging on Medical Science: Data and events are critically analysed from an ethical perspective. |
| 7.4.1 | Knowledge of new tests and their potential in the laboratory: Ongoing review of current literature for information on new or improved tests or procedures is performed. |
| 9.1.1 | Research, prepare and deliver appropriate presentations: Educational topics are researched, prepared and presented to health workers and others. |
| 10.1.1 | Contribute to planning and design of research and development projects: Initiative in identifying problems and questions, which require investigation is demonstrated. |
| 10.3.2 | Evaluate results and the need for further experimental work: Contributions are made to the interpretation of results and conclusions. |
| 10.3.3 | Evaluate results and the need for further experimental work: Requirements are determined for further experimental work in consultation with collaborators. |
| 10.4.2 | Prepare and deliver report: Preparation of verbal and/or written reports or article (including for publication) is undertaken. |
| 10.4.3 | Prepare and deliver report: Report is presented for peer review. |
| 10.4 | Contribute to planning and design of research and development projects: Prepare and deliver report |
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
LFS202 or LFS203 or (LFS112 and enrolled in Program SC301, SB301, SA301, SA308, SE303, UB001)
LFS203 and enrolled in Program SC357 or SC355 (Associate Degree Medical Laboratory Science pathway only)l
Not applicable
Not applicable
Standard Grading (GRD)
| High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Early feedback will be provided through formative online quizzes and other activities via Canvas. Answers to Task 1B laboratory questions will be discussed during laboratory sessions.
| Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
| All | 1 | Portfolio | Individual | 25% | Approximately 300 words x 5 sub-tasks (Weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) |
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) | In Class |
| All | 2 | Quiz/zes | Individual | 40% | varies, up to 40 minutes per quiz |
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) | In Class |
| All | 3 | Activity Participation | Group | 35% | A0 size Poster |
Week 10 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All - Assessment Task 1:Laboratory portfolio | |||||||||||||
| Goal: | To demonstrate your understanding and of key theoretical and practical concepts covered in weeks 1-10 of the course, including development of laboratory techniques relevant to immunology. |
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| Product: | Portfolio | ||||||||||||
| Format: | Data presentation, analysis, and responses to short questions related to laboratory activities completed in class in weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10. This will include online pre-laboratory quizzes completed prior to laboratory sessions and worksheet completion within laboratory classes. The week 6 activity will be submitted in the format of a brief laboratory report. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy |
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| All - Assessment Task 2:Review Quizzes | |||||||||||||
| Goal: | To demonstrate your understanding of key theoretical, practical, and clinical concepts covered in weeks 1-10 of the course |
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| Product: | Quiz/zes | ||||||||||||
| Format: | Quizzes consisting of multi-choice and short answer questions, completed in weeks 3, 7 and 11 |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy |
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| All - Assessment Task 3:Poster Assignment | ||||||||||||||||
| Goal: | To demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of immunological issues and how they relate to a broader population or social context. You will work collaboratively to produce a scientific poster and develop critical appraisal skills through active participation in an end-of-semester poster conference. |
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| Product: | Activity Participation | |||||||||||||||
| Format: | Standard scientific poster: see Canvas for information and details. This assessment also includes submission of team evaluation and critical review components. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Collaboration, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy |
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A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.
| Required? | Author | Year | Title | Edition | Publisher |
| Recommended | Sharon Stranford,Judith Owen,Patricia Jones,Jenni Punt | 0 | Kuby's Immunology, Media Update (International Edition) | 8th Edition | n/a |
To complete this course, students will need personal protective equipment (PPE) to be used within the laboratory classes. This includes: a clean laboratory coat, fully-enclosed footwear and safety glasses. Students must present with this PPE to gain entry to laboratory classes and assessments. Students are required to complete the online Laboratory Induction prior to gaining entry to the laboratory. To successfully complete the UB001 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Pathology) and meet accreditation requirements of AIMS, UB001 students enrolled in BIM331 must attend and participate in all on-campus practical classes. All theory assessments will be invigilated.
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
Late submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty
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For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.
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