Spring
Dates: Tuesday and Thursdays
Times: 9-11 AM
Room: Levin Hall 3.320
Course Number: MICR 6408
Textbook and Reading Materials
There is no required textbook for this course. For each lecture, instructors will provide background reading, usually in the form of review articles and a current research manuscript from the immunology literature. These materials will be sent to students
a week in advance of the lecture. Students should come to class prepared to discuss relevant materials.
Course Description:
View on GSBS website
Advanced Immunology is designed to provide the basic scientist with an enhanced understanding of immunological concepts and techniques applicable to research in immunology and related fields. Specifically, the goal is to familiarize students with the
current immunological concepts, paradigms, and techniques that are applicable not only to research in immunology but are also increasingly necessary for an enhanced understanding of all biological disciplines.
The course will be offered in the spring semester and taught by a number of expert lecturers. Advanced Immunology will be taught in lecture format (2 hr/lecture; 2 lectures/week), which will include classical didactic experiences, instructor-guided discussions
of relevant scientific literature, and student-led discussions of cutting-edge topics in immunology. Additionally, students will give oral presentations, approximately 30 minutes in length, on selected topics in Immunology. A list of topics appropriate
for presentations will be provided by the Course Directors at the beginning of the course.
Course Objectives
The Advanced Immunology course is intended for graduate-level students to build upon a basic level of understanding of the immune system. The topics that will be covered include: innate and acquired immune responses; cellular and molecular mechanisms
of immunity; antigen processing and presentation; tissue-specific immune responses; immune-mediated pathologies; and vaccination. The primary objective is to provide the basic scientist with an enhanced understanding of immunological concepts that are relevant to a wide range of biological fields. Additional exercises that are structured to promote self-learning and critical evaluation skills include:
- Student-lead mini-lectures on immunological tools and techniques will enhance student understanding of basic concepts in immunology, the experimental approaches that can be taken to address immunological problems, and an improved ability to understand
and critically evaluate immunological literature.
- Instructor-guided, student-lead discussions of relevant scientific literature will promote the students’ ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and their ability to design meaningful experiments.
- Student familiarity with the immunological literature and self-learning are enhanced through inclusion of student-selected and student-lead discussions of “cutting edge” topics in immunology and through a more extended and thorough oral
presentation of selected topics in Immunology. Student presentation skills and critical evaluation skills are enhanced in these exercises through evaluations provided by both course directors and student peers.
Grades
Three exams will be given over the duration of the course on the dates indicated on the course schedule. All exams will be of the essay type and will be taken in class. The exams will comprise 75% of the final grade (25% each). Oral presentations and
class participation will comprise 25% of the final grade.
Make-up tests will only be allowed in emergency situations which would preclude the student from physically being present. Emergency situations are defined as incapacitating illnesses or family emergencies. There will be no deviation from this policy.
Any appeals for grading changes must be submitted to the lecturers responsible for the writing and grading of the questions within 5 business days after the return of the graded examination to the student. The lecturers must report changes in grades to
course co-Directors.
Final course letter grades will be determined using the following grading scale:
- 90-100 = A
- 80-89 = B
- 70-79 = C
- 69 or below = F
Grade Appeals
Any appeals for grading changes must be submitted to the instructors responsible for the writing and grading of the question within 5 business days after the student has been notified to pick up the graded assessment. The instructors must report any grade changes to the course directors.
Course Evaluation
According to the Texas Education Code, to preserve the anonymity of evaluations classes with fewer than five students will not require course evaluations. In a desire to continue to correct issues or recognize outstanding professors, we encourage students in these small classes to reach out to the course director, or program director, to discuss any comments they have regarding the course. Additionally, the GSO nominates outstanding professors for recognition each year, and we encourage students to reach out to their GSO representatives to put forward names of any outstanding educators.
Professional Etiquette
Courtesy should be extended to both the lecturers and students to ensure an optimal learning atmosphere. Please come to class prepared, ready to participate, and on time. To
ensure an environment for constructive academic dialogue, the use of cell phones is not allowed during class time.
Excused Absences
The GSBS policy states that students taking a full-term graduate course offering are allowed up to three (3) excused absences from any required activity and is determined at the discretion of the course directors. If a student is absent during a session that contributes to the final grade, it will be up to the Course Directors to determine if the student can perform a ‘make-up’ activity, provided that the reason for the absence is a legitimate one. Arrival 10 minutes into the lecture will constitute an absence. You are allowed one unexcused absence. Two unexcused absences will result in loss of 5% of the final grade. No participation points will be awarded if a small group or critical thinking discussion is missed. Once a student exceeds and misses more than allowed for the length of the course, the course directors must notify the GSBS Student Affairs Dean, who will then contact the appropriate Program Director.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
All work submitted in this course is to be done entirely by students. This includes all process work, drafts, and final works, whether in group or individual work. The following are violations of academic honesty: using generative AI tools such as ChatGPT, Scite.ai, Jenni.ai, having other people or entities do any portion of a graded assignment, whether for hire or not.
MICR 6408 Advanced Immunology Topics