LQB292 Principles of Infection and Immunity

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, 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 microorganims by basic structure and function and understand their basic role in disease.
2. Understand 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 workshop and laboratory activities and report interpretations and conclusions.

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. 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 your learning on.

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 progress examination focused on microbiology content covering both theoretical and technical concepts. The format of this checkpoint will mimic the final examination milestone. This checkpoint will allow the teaching team and yourself to monitor your performance in the unit and provide, where needed, the opportunity for you to seek feedback and assistance from the teaching team. Your second milestone will develop your understanding of technical laboratory processes and ability to analyse scientific results and data. This checkpoint will allow you to assess your ability to comprehend and accurately present scientific/medical information. Your final learning milestone assessment will be conducted in the central examination time slot and will assess both immunology component and whole-of-unit learning experiences.

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

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Laboratory Technical Assessment

An assessment of laboratory based understanding undertaken at the end of each technical laboratory or  workshop.

This represents an in class assessment.

Assessment: Progress Exam

A progress exam designed to assess your understanding of the microbiology theory and technical components within the microbiology content of the first half of the semester.

Assessment: Final Exam

A final exam designed to assess your understanding of the immunology theory and technical components within the second part of the semester. Examination will include clinical thinking questions combining all theoretical concepts from the entire unit.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties 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: Laboratory Technical Assessment, Progress Exam, 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: Laboratory Technical Assessment
3. Demonstrate the cognitive skills required to find solutions to scientific problems.
   Relates to: Progress Exam, Final Exam

LS47 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

1. Discipline Knowledge
   Relates to: Laboratory Technical Assessment, Progress Exam, Final Exam
2. Professional (including OHS and QA) Knowledge
   Relates to: Progress Exam, Final Exam
3. Technical proficiency
   Relates to: Laboratory Technical Assessment, Progress Exam, Final Exam
4. Analysis and interpretation of data
   Relates to: Laboratory Technical Assessment, Progress Exam, Final Exam