LQB292 Principles of Infection and Immunity

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Infection and immunity is the study of pathogenic organisms and how human immune mechanisms mediate disease progression.This area of study requires the co-ordinated knowledge of both microbiology and immunology to fully understand microbial detection, disease progression and ultimately treatment and prevention. Both research and industry career options in infection and immunity require a solid understanding of theoretical and practical aspects of microbiology and immunology.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Differentiate classes of microorganisms by basic structure and function and understand their basic role in disease.
2. Describe basic immunological pathways and how these aid in protecting against microbial pathogens and disease development.
3. Demonstrate introductory critical thinking skills to analyse scientific data derived from laboratory activities and report interpretations and conclusions.
4. Describe biomedical laboratory technologies that you learn and apply in practical laboratory classes.

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit will be team taught and as such will employ a variety of teaching and learning models. You may also be provided with a series of self-directed learning activities designed to assist you in monitoring your own learning outside of the classroom.

A context-based approach will help you construct your knowledge and understanding in this unit. Theory and practice will be closely aligned to each other through integrating theory modules with laboratory learning experiences. You should view theory modules as an opportunity to develop and refine your knowledge and understanding of learning concepts through the provision of an open forum where learning is constructed rather than delivered. Wherever appropriate, laboratory concepts or techniques will be introduced in the theory modules and then be followed up in the technical workshop and laboratory classes. Thus, there will be a seamless transition in your learning from the theoretical space to the laboratory environment.

Technical laboratory and workshop sessions will support your learning, and develop the ability to critically analyse and evaluate laboratory processes and results/data. Apart from discipline specific knowledge and practical understanding, you will also develop basic written communication skills, as well as the ability to work individually or as a team in an ethical, culturally sensitive and professional manner.

Your learning activities and assessment tasks will be focused on developing and demonstrating these skills and capabilities.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Throughout the semester you will be provided with feedback on your learning by completing formative assessment tasks and discussing them with your classmates and teaching staff during tutorials. You can also receive immediate feedback on your own progress by completing the self directed learning activities available to you on Canvas, where available. Feedback on summative assessment items will be provided and you should use this feedback to identify areas you might need to focus on for further learning.

Assessment

Overview

Summative
Your ability to meet learning milestones embedded in this unit is critical to successful completion of this unit while ensuring that learning outcomes and aims have been met. Your first unit milestone will be a portfolio focused on microbiology content covering both theoretical and technical concepts learned during the practical classes.  This assessment will develop your ability to present and analyze data. Your second milestone will be a case study of both autoimmune and infectious disease which will develop your understanding of immunology concepts and related technical laboratory processes. You will also further develop critical thinking skills and the ability to present and analyze scientific results and data. Your final learning milestone assessment will be conducted in the central examination time slot and will assess all of the unit microbiology and immunology content, and whole-of-unit learning experiences.

Formative
A series of formative question and answer sets for you to work through outside of the classroom and also during tutorial classes are included at the end of your practical notes and lecture notes. Additional formative question and answer sets may be made available on Canvas.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Portfolio

You will complete a portfolio summarizing and reflecting on laboratory skills you have learnt in practical classes (weeks 2-7, 6 practical sessions). In this portfolio you will also need to demonstrate how these techniques are being used in biomedical research and in a medical clinical laboratory setting. Participation in the practicals will be necessary for the completion of this assessment.

This assessment is an assignment for extension purposes

Assessment: Case study

You will write a case study based on your immunological findings in your practical sessions (from weeks 9-12, 4 practicals). The case study is based on a scenario in which you are working in a clinical pathology laboratory and are conducting blood analyses / assays on patient samples to identify immunological responses in the context of chronic disease. You will write a report presenting and analysing your findings. Participation in the practicals will be necessary for the completion of this assessment. 

This assessment is an assignment for extension purposes.

Assessment: Final Exam

A final exam designed to assess your understanding of microbiology and immunology theory. Examination will include clinical questions combining all theoretical concepts from the entire unit.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.

The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.

You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.

Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Requirements to Study

Costs

Cost of lab gowns and safety protection glasses are the students responsibility.

Resources

Resource Materials

Prescribed text(s)

Learning Resources:

1. Immunology (eBook): Cellular and Molecular Immunology. Abbas, Abul K., author.; Lichtman, Andrew H., author.; Pillai, Shiv, author.; Abbas, Abul K.; Ninth edition. 2018

QUT library permalink: https://qut.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61QUT_INST/1g7tbfa/alma991009424379004001

Microbiology: An Introduction (current edition) Tortora, Funke and Case. Pearson. ISBN-13 9780321929150

Safety and protective equipment

Practicals will require personal protective equipment supplied by each student:

1. Laboratory Gown - Rear fastening 100% cotton or polyester/cotton mix
2. Safety eye protection glasses - selected and used in accordance with Australian Safety Standards
3. Fully enclosed non-slip shoes

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit includes a laboratory component. In order that you become proficient in necessary practical skills, you will be trained in the handling of equipment, materials and specimens normally associated with this discipline. You are required to view a Health & Safety Induction video and complete an online health and safety quiz prior to being permitted into the laboratory, to access please follow this link Health & Safety Induction. A passing score of 10/10 is required and will be checked prior to entry to the first laboratory session. You may repeat the quiz until this score is achieved. You are also referred to the Faculty of Health's Health & Safety Web Site for further information.

If you have an underlying health condition you are encouraged to consult the lecturer in charge of the unit, as you may be required to take additional precautions on occasions.

Course Learning Outcomes

LS40 Bachelor of Biomedical Science

1. Critically review, analyse and synthesise foundational knowledge in a broad range of biomedical discipline areas and in depth theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in specialised discipline areas.
   Relates to: Portfolio, Case study, Final Exam
2. Demonstrate the technical skills required to solve multi-disciplinary problems in biomedical research, industry and clinical settings and do so in an ethical, safe and responsible manner.
   Relates to: Portfolio
3. Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
   Relates to: Case study, Final Exam

LS47 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

1. Discipline Knowledge
   Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Portfolio, Case study, Final Exam
2. Professional (including OHS and QA) Knowledge
   Relates to: Case study, Final Exam
3. Technical proficiency
   Relates to: ULO3, Portfolio, Case study, Final Exam
4. Analysis and interpretation of data
   Relates to: Portfolio, Case study, Final Exam

LV41 Bachelor of Biomedical Science

1. Critically review, analyse and synthesise foundational knowledge in a broad range of biomedical discipline areas and in depth theoretical, technical and practical knowledge in specialised discipline areas.
   Relates to: Portfolio, Case study, Final Exam
2. Demonstrate the technical skills required to solve multi-disciplinary problems in biomedical research, industry and clinical settings and do so in an ethical, safe and responsible manner.
   Relates to: Portfolio
3. Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
   Relates to: Case study, Final Exam