LQB387 Clinical Immunology

Unit Outline: Semester 1 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

Many aspects of human health and illness rely on the interaction of the components of the immune system. The principles of some of these interactions are also used in the laboratory for the diagnosis of disease or physiological states, including for infectious and non-infectious presentations. In order for you to work effectively and with confidence as a medical laboratory scientist it is essential you have knowledge relating to the immune system and application of fundamental and investigative immunological procedures. This unit is positioned in the introductory to developmental phase of LS47 and assumes knowledge from LQB292. This unit also provides you with inter-related critical foundation knowledge and practical skills for subsequent clinical units in LS47 including clinical microbiology, biochemistry, haematology, transfusion and transplantation science, and Work Integrated Learning Internship.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Describe and discuss the components of the human immune system, including the immune processes that respond to and protect the host from infection or immune insult and causes and consequences of disrupted immune processes.
2. Identify and demonstrate understanding of key components, requirements, procedures and outcomes/results of immunological tests , including validity of results, for clinical interpretation.
3. Perform immunological procedures and apply fundamental reasoning, quality control principles and evidence-based knowledge to analyse, interpret and report on laboratory investigations that incorporate immunological principles.
4. Apply theoretical and practical immunological concepts and approaches to a diverse range of disease contexts to explain and solve complex immunological and pathological problems.

Content

Learning Approaches

The organisation of the unit consists of a recorded/online lecture presentation, a laboratory-based practical session and a tutorial most weeks. You will be encouraged to learn both independently and interdependently, and develop critical problem-solving skills as part of an integrated generic skills approach.  Lecture presentations progress from elements of the human immune system, their integration in immune responses, immunological detection approaches, to immunopathologies and manipulation of immune responses. The practical sessions will allow you to apply your learning by performing laboratory investigations that utilise immunological principles in determining results on patient or similar specimens.  Immunological assay purpose, design principles, results interpretation and quality aspects are emphasised.  Tutorial sessions review and consolidate the learning concepts and allow a forum for feedback and discussion on learning progress.

Practical activities require working with other students in the sharing of equipment and resources, and attaining assay results.  Task-readiness and the ability to work with others are professional attributes.  It will be assumed that you have prepared for your practical classes by reading the practical method/notes and studied the pre-laboratory presentations in advance as well as attending to the lectures related to the practical activities.  You are also expected to record data and take notes for all practicals, as they contribute to your skill development and comprise a significant component of the learning opportunities, contributing towards assessment and opportunities for feedback in this unit.  Of the practical activities, one will be the subject of a clinical report assessment, and formative weekly quizzes provide immediate consolidation of learning concepts. 

During learning sessions, you will be encouraged to participate and contribute to the learning environment. This may be in a group or on an individual basis with informal discussion on immunological topics for the benefit of the class.

Practical Class Attendance and Assessment
Participation in the practical classes is an integral part of your learning experience in LQB387. If you are unable to attend a practical session, you should inform the unit coordinator by email on or within two days of the missed practical session and provide supporting documentation for your absence, e.g. medical certificate, however general practical sessions won't be rerun. Subject to these conditions for advice and satisfactory documentation, alternate arrangements as determined by the unit coordinator will be accommodated on up to two occasions. Approved absences in excess of two occasions will need to be discussed with the unit coordinator. In the case of unapproved absence from practicals where assessment occurs, no marks will be given for related assessment.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Opportunity for formative feedback will be provided during discussions in practical classes and tutorials.  Laboratory class group or one-on-one discussions with academic staff will allow you to gain immediate and continuous feedback on your progress in this unit. Study questions and weekly formative quizzes are provided to test and consolidate your learning in theory and practical components and prepare you for the practical-based assessment scheduled for the final practical session of semester. You may make an appointment with the unit coordinator for further feedback and clarification on learning progress.  During and at the end of semester you will be provided with the opportunity to share your experiences and ideas by providing your feedback on the teaching and content of this unit. Your ideas and suggestions may be used to make changes to the unit, e.g. classroom activities or assessment where reasonable, to improve the learning outcomes for you and future students.

Assessment

Overview

In the case of unapproved absence from practicals, no marks will be given for any related assessment.
You are required to submit all written assignments through Canvas for collation and content matching checks.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Laboratory Practical Quiz

You will complete an online quiz, comprising of short questions including MCQs on the laboratory topics from weeks 1-5 of semester.

Assessment: Clinical Laboratory Report

Completion of a report based on a laboratory practical activity/investigation.  The topics will be assigned early in semester.

In a clinical immunology laboratory, medical laboratory scientists process many specimens in the investigation of physiological status and disease states. Underlying understanding of the immunological principles and purpose of the testing is essential to ensure pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical components of the test are maintained for a valid outcome. These principles may be translatable to similar tests and novel tests introduced to the laboratory.  Reporting of the applied test and its results, including clinical interpretation is necessary for clear communication of applied methods and outcomes of the test, particularly for consulting clinicians, regulatory requirements and preparation for scientific publications.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Theory examination

An examination that will cover all aspects and integration of the theory and practical material/techniques studied throughout the semester.

Question types include MCQs, short response and extended response style questions.

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

Requirements

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 protective non-slip shoes.

Costs

Cost of obtaining lab gown and safety glasses is the responsibility of the student.

Resources

Resource Materials

Recommended text(s)

Abbas, A. K., Lichtman, A. H., Pillai, S., & Abbas, A. K. (2021). Cellular and molecular immunology (Tenth edition). Elsevier.

Delves, P. J., & Delves, P. J. (2017). Roitt’s essential immunology (Thirteenth edition.). Wiley Blackwell.

Male, D., Peebles, S., & Male, V. (Eds.). (2020). Immunology (Ninth edition.). Elsevier.

Murphy, K. (Kenneth M. ., Weaver, C., Berg, L., & Janeway, C. A. (2022). Janeway’s immunobiology. (10th edition / Kenneth Murphy, Casey Weaver, Leslie Berg.). W.W. Norton & Company.

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

LS47 Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science

1. Discipline Knowledge
   Relates to: Laboratory Practical Quiz, Clinical Laboratory Report, Theory examination
2. Professional (including OHS and QA) Knowledge
   Relates to: Clinical Laboratory Report
3. Interpretation and application of protocols
   Relates to: Laboratory Practical Quiz, Clinical Laboratory Report
4. Analysis and interpretation of data
   Relates to: Laboratory Practical Quiz, Theory examination
5. Synthesis, judgement, and explanation
   Relates to: Clinical Laboratory Report, Theory examination
6. Scientific communication skills including information literacy and numeracy
   Relates to: Clinical Laboratory Report
7. Quality assurance
   Relates to: Clinical Laboratory Report