The aim of the course is for the student to develop their knowledge and understanding of the immune system and its function and organisation. The aim is further for the student to develop knowledge about immunological methods and biointerfaces at cellular and molecular level.

The course is based on cellular, molecular and biomedical immunology. The organisation and the function of the immune system will be described as well as different biointerfaces. The theoretical and practical tools for understanding applications of immunology in research, biomedicine and in the clinic will be discussed and described. Relevant and commonly used immunological methods will be presented, both theoretically and practically.

Upon completion of the course the student should be able to:

1. describe the organization of the immune system,

2. identify the cells and tissue in the immune system,

3. explain diseases within the immune system,

4. operate and justify the choice of appropriate methods for characterising different populations of cells and molecules of the immune system,

5. describe different biointerfaces within the immune system, and

6. apply biomedical methods and illustrate their relevance for biomedical technologies.

To reach learning outcomes 1-3 and 5, lectures, seminars and group discussions are used as learning activities. To stimulate the student’s active participation and reflection, independent laboratory work, oral presentations and written assignments will be used together with laboratory experiments for reaching learning outcome 4 and 6.

Learning outcomes 1-3 and 5 are examined through group discussions and a written individual home exam. To examine learning outcomes 4 and 6, the performance in the practical methodology part is assessed, together with oral presentations, written assignments and a written individual home exam. Detailed assessment criteria are available in the study instructions.

A student who fails to achieve a passing grade in the course examination will be given the opportunity to be re-examined twice according to same course content and with the same requirements. In addition, students also have the right to be examined on the same course the next time the course is offered according to the same regulations. If the course has been discontinued or undergone major changes, the student has a right to re-examination on two occasions within one year, based on the syllabus that was in place at the time the student registered for the course. Examination and re-examination take place at the times specified in the schedule.

Murphy K, Travers P, Walport M, (2011) Janeway´s Immunobiology, 8th edition. N. Y.: Garland Publishing Inc, pp. 887.

Scientific articles will be added.

The course coordinator/examiner is responsible for ensuring that two course evaluations will be conducted for the course. A preliminary course evaluation will be conducted upon the completion of half of the course. The results will be compiled and relayed to the students as soon as possible. The results will be presented on the course website and will be relayed to students during lesson time. A summary course evaluation will be conducted in connection with the completion of the course. The course coordinator will relay the results to the students at a prearranged time. Memory notes from the feedback, including proposals for changes to the course, will be documented and made available on the course website, and will also be relayed to the students who begin the course the next time it is given.