LISC 400 Neuro-Immune Interactions in Health & Disease

Fall 2023 (On-Campus), Winter 2024 (On-Campus)

Year 4 Optional Course

11-12 hours/week

3 units

Available

On-Campus Course

This course is designed to advance critical thinking skills, as well as oral and written communication skills, via an inquiry-based approach in neuroimmunology. Teams of students identify the critical cellular and molecular processes regulating neuro-immune interactions in health and disease. Assessments include presentations and a manuscript.

Prerequisites

Minimum 3rd year (Level 3) standing, registration in a LISC/BCHM/BHSc Major or SSP, a GPA of 2.5, and one of [(PHGY 290/3.0 and MICR 270/3.0); LISC 300/3.0; NSCI 323/3.0; NSCI 324/3.0; MICR 360/3.0; MICR 386/3.0].

Note: Priority will be given to students with 4th year (level 4) standing.

Learning Outcomes

After completing LISC 400, students, as individuals and a member of a team, will be able to:

Accumulate relevant scientific evidence through scholarly review of the neuroimmunology literature and critically evaluate the content as it relates to the proposed topic
Identify gaps in knowledge and/or paradoxes and/or obstacles in the collected neuroimmunology literature with regard to limitations in resolving fundamental questions in the specific area under study
Communicate (verbal and written) their knowledge, insights and a conceptual framework to their peers and a lay audience; providing justification/rationale that investigation of the critical issues they have identified provide a constructive strategy to advance the field of neuroimmunology
Capitalize on the power of group dynamics, to support and advocate for team members, and manage diverse opinions and personalities
Provide thoughtful, logical and innovative questions to the projects proposed by other groups

Assessments

Assessment 1 and 2: Full Presentations (25% each)

Groups will prepare two presentations (20 + 10 min Q&A) as follows:

Presentation in the format of a 4th year lecture providing the contribution of their assigned cell to the healthy state of the central nervous system.
Presentation in the format of a 4th year lecture providing the contribution of their assigned cell to a specific disease state of the central nervous system (as determined by students at the start of the term).

Assessment 3: Short Presentation (10%)

Groups are randomly re-assigned after completion of the second assessment to integrate their findings in the context of a specific disease, decided upon at the start of the term. The new groups will prepare a short (10 +10 min Q&A) as follows:

Integrating evidence from two or more cell types presented in the course in the context of neuroimmunity.

Assessment 4 – Final Written Report (40%)

Each group will submit a 5-page research grant proposal, written in the CIHR format, for final assessment

Time Commitment

Students can expect to spend approximately 12 hours a week (135 hours per term) in study/practice and online activities for LISC 400.

Textbooks and Materials

None

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