BIOMS 6150 - Essential Immunology

Fall. 3 credits. Student option grading.

Enrollment limited to: graduate students. Highly recommend prerequisite: basic courses in microbiology, genetics, and cell biology. Recommended for those planning to pursue careers in health-related fields, graduate or veterinary studies or those interested in how the body defends itself against diverse threats. Co-meets with BIOMS 4150.

B. Rhoades.

Course introduces the immune system and key concepts in immunology. Focuses on the human system and medically relevant pathogens and immunization. Course delves into the cell biology of signaling, genetic recombination & gene expression. Students will learn how immune cells develop, communicate and carry out immune responses. Students will learn how vaccines work and use clinical cases to apply knowledge of immune concepts. Course ends with a brief survey of immune-mediated diseases, cancer immunology and immunotherapies, topics that are covered in more detail in BIOMS 6250 in spring.

Outcome 1: State the purpose of the immune system & typical threats that it addresses.

Outcome 2: Relate the functions of cells, mediators & tissues involved in immune responses.

Outcome 3: Recount how extraordinarily diverse lymphocytes & antibodies meet evolving threats.

Outcome 4: Describe protective immune responses against pathogens in different tissues.

Outcome 5: Apply key immune concepts to clinical cases of immune deficiency.

Outcome 6: Explain how vaccines and monoclonal antibody therapies work.

Outcome 7: Practice science literacy skills on the topics of immunization and public health.