Syllabus

Post Baccalaureate in Pre-Health

BIOL 1060: Immunology – Accelerated – 8-week (Fall 1 2023)

Credits - 3

Description

This immunology course provides students with an in-depth understanding of the human immune system. It first introduces students to the structure, functions and capabilities of immune cells, tissues, and organs. Globally, the course informs students of different modes of action and the ability of immune effector populations in combating various types of infections. This course will also emphasize current immunological techniques such as recombinant antibody, flow cytometry, and ELISPOT technology. Further, issues related to vaccine development and therapeutics will also be included in the course. Finally, students will develop disciplinary appreciation through reviews of case studies, research articles, and current perspectives in the field of immunology.

Materials

Textbooks

Web Resources

  • Provided literature material in each week including review articles. original research, and notes. 
  • Online videos and other information

Hardware

An external webcam is required for proctored exams. If you do not have one, you may order one here: External Webcam.

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

Program Outcomes

In lecture courses, students should be able to:

  • Communicate scientific concepts and information clearly.
  • Illustrate fundamental laws, theories, and principles of scientific disciplines.
  • Apply knowledge and critical thinking skills to scientific problems.

Course Objectives

  • Identify the cellular and molecular basis of immunity and immune systems.
  • Summarize the cellular effector populations involved in generation of immunity.
  • Distinguish between the contribution of the immune system in maintaining balance in healthy versus diseased conditions
  • Recognize and distinguish triggers of immunological response
  • Differentiate between the types of immunological responses and the types of effector cell populations involved 
  • Critique molecular events involved in generating humoral and cell mediated immunity
  • Determine the immunological basis of vaccinations
  • Explore the history and development of immunity against diseases and pandemics
  • Discriminate between the immunological basis of autoimmunity, cancer, and neurological diseases.

Assignments

Weekly Quizzes

Weekly Project and Presentation Work

  • Infographics (3)
  • Powerpoint Presentations (2)
  • Prospective Write-up and Project Design (2)
  • Editorial Assignments (2)

Formative Practice Activities

  • Summary Assignments (2)
  • Note Write-Ups (4)
  • Diagrams and Tables (3)
  • Discussion Board Posts (3)

Research Article-Based Assignments

  • Graphical Abstract
  • Discussion
  • Presentation

Final Immunology Presentation

Final Exam

NOTE: There is a highly recommended Practice Proctored Exam available to all students. The first attempt is free. This exam does not cover course material and is not included in your overall course grade. It prepares test takers for what the testing environment will be like, what forms of identification are needed, and provides a chance to test your external webcam with a live proctor. This is a great way to become familiar with and prepare for your exam!

A maximum of two attempts will be allowed for proctored exams.

Grading Policy

Your grade in this course will be determined by the following criteria:

Grade Breakdown

CategoryPoints Available
Weekly Quizzes10%
Formative Assignments15%
Major Assignments20%
Research Paper Assignments 10%
Research Paper Presentation10%
Cancer Presentation15%
Final Exam20%
Total100%

Grade Scale

Grade Points Grade Point Average (GPA)
A 94 – 100% 4.00
A- 90 – 93% 3.75
B+ 87 – 89% 3.50
B 84 – 86% 3.00
B- 80 – 83% 2.75
C+ 77 – 79% 2.50
C 74 – 76% 2.00
C- 70 – 73% 1.75
D 64 – 69% 1.00
F 00 – 63% 0.00

Schedule

Week dates: Wednesday – Tuesday

Week 1: Sep 6 – Sep 12
Week 2: Sep 13 – Sep 19
Week 3: Sep 20 – Sep 26
Week 4: Sep 27 – Oct 3
Week 5: Oct 4 – Oct 10
Week 6: Oct 11 – Oct 17
Week 7: Oct 18 – Oct 24
Week 8: Oct 25 – Oct 31

Week  Modules Due Dates
1 Modules 1-4; Introduction to Immunology & Immunological Triggers

Discussion Initial Post Due Sunday by 11:59 PM EST, Response Post Due Tuesday by 11:59 PM EST

Assignments & Quiz Due Tuesday by 11:59 PM EST

2 Modules 5 & 6; Humoral Immunity

Assignments & Quiz Due Tuesday by 11:59 PM 

3 Modules 7 & 8; Cellular Immunity

Discussion Initial Post Due Sunday by 11:59 PM, Response Post Due Tuesday by 11:59 PM

Assignments Due Tuesday by 11:59 PM

4 Module 9; Immunological Assays

Discussion Initial Post Due Sunday by 11:59 PM EST, Response Post Due Tuesday by 11:59 PM EST

Assignments Due Tuesday by 11:59 PM EST

5 Modules 10 – 11; Vaccination Assignments & Quiz Due Tuesday by 11:59 PM 
6 Module 12; Vaccines continued

Assignments Due Tuesday by 11:59 PM 

7 Modules 14 & 14; Allergy, Immunology, Cancer

Assignments & Quiz Due Tuesday by 11:59 PM 

8 Modules 15 & 16; Autoimmunity and Immunodeficiency

Assignments Due Tuesday by 11:59 PM 

Proctored Exam must be completed by Tuesday 11:59 PM EST.

 

Student Resources

Online Student Support

Your Student Support Specialist is a resource for you. Please don't hesitate to contact them for assistance, including, but not limited to course planning, current problems or issues in a course, technology concerns, or personal emergencies. Questions? Email: prehealth@une.edu.

Online Peer Support

Togetherall is a 24/7 communication and emotional support platform monitored by trained clinicians. It’s a safe place online to get things off your chest, have conversations, express yourself creatively, and learn how to manage your mental health. If sharing isn’t your thing, Togetherall has other tools and courses to help you look after yourself with plenty of resources to explore. Whether you’re struggling to cope, feeling low, or just need a place to talk, Togetherall can help you explore your feelings in a safe supportive environment. You can join Togetherall using your UNE email address.

Instructor and Support Contact Information

Check Brightspace for specific instructor and support specialist contact information.

UNE Libraries

Further Assistance

Your student service advisor monitors course progression and provides assistance or guidance when needed. They can assist questions regarding ordering course materials, University policies, billing, navigating the course in Brightspace, and more.

Policies

Attendance Policy

Online students are required to submit a graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET of the first week of the term. If a student does not submit a posting to the graded assignment/discussion prior to Sunday evening at 11:59 pm ET, the student will be automatically dropped from the course for non-participation. Review the full attendance policy.

Assignments

Late assignments will be accepted up to 3 days late; however, there is a 10% grade reduction (from the total points) for the late submission. After three days the assignment will not be accepted. Discussion posts: If the initial post is submitted late, but still within the discussion board week, there will be a 10% grade reduction from the total discussion grade (e.g., a 3 point discussion will be reduced by 0.3 points). Any posts submitted after the end of the Discussion Board week will not be graded. Please make every effort ahead of time to contact your instructor if you are not able to meet an assignment deadline. Arrangements for extenuating circumstances may be considered by faculty.

Proctored Examinations

The University of New England has contracted with ProctorU to provide students with the most convenient online exam proctoring system. This system provides a simple, no cost to the student, secure, online proctor for exams and allows the student to take all the exams at home and on their own schedule.

Upon enrollment into the course, each student will register with ProctorU and establish a login name and password. This will give the student access to all of ProctorU's services. When ready, students will schedule each of their proctored exams with ProctorU. Exams must be scheduled at least 72 hours in advance to avoid fees. Prior to taking their exams, students must be sure that they have downloaded the ProctorU Chrome or Firefox extension and are using the most current version of Chrome or Firefox. They must also be sure their testing site's connection meets the minimum requirements by using ProctorU's "Test It Out" utility.

Upon the exam day and hour, students will log in to ProctorU and click on "exams". After following the procedures outlined at ProctorU's website, the student will log in to Brightspace and locate their correct exam. The proctor will then allow student access to that exam.

Students must use ProctorU and must follow all proctoring requirements for their exams to be credited.

Information about exam attempts can be found in your course.

Technology Requirements

Please review the technical requirements for UNE Online Programs: Technical Requirements

Course Length

A schedule of lectures and assignments is included in this syllabus.

Courses in the program are equivalent to one-semester courses designed to be completed in 6 or 8 weeks

  1. Enrollment in the course begins the day your section opens which is listed in the Academic Calendar found on the Student Success Portal.
  2. Course due dates, start and end dates are in respect to Eastern Time.

Withdrawal and Refund Policies

Please review the policies in your confirmation email. Contact PreHealth@une.edu with any questions.

Grade Policy

Students are expected to attempt and complete all graded assignments and proctored exams by the end date of the course. Contact support with any questions.

Transcripts

Due to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, only the student may request official transcripts. This may be done online by going to the University of New England Registrar website and following the directions on the page.

Academic Integrity

The University of New England values academic integrity in all aspects of the educational experience. Academic dishonesty in any form undermines this standard and devalues the original contributions of others. It is the responsibility of all members of the University community to actively uphold the integrity of the academy; failure to act, for any reason, is not acceptable.

Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

  1. Cheating, copying, or the offering or receiving of unauthorized assistance or information.
  2. Fabrication or falsification of data, results, or sources for papers or reports.
  3. Action which destroys or alters the work of another student.
  4. Multiple submission of the same paper or report for assignments in more than one course without permission of each instructor.
  5. Plagiarism, the appropriation of records, research, materials, ideas, or the language of other persons or writers and the submission of them as one's own.

Charges of academic dishonesty will be reviewed by the Program Director. Penalties for students found responsible for violations may depend upon the seriousness and circumstances of the violation, the degree of premeditation involved, and/or the student’s previous record of violations. Appeal of a decision may be made to the Dean whose decision will be final. Student appeals will take place through the grievance process outlined in the student handbook.