MICR 386 Fundamentals of Immunology in Health and Disease
MICR 386, Fundamentals of Immunology in Health and Disease is designed to integrate the key principles of immunology to facilitate learning of immunology as it relates to human health and disease. This course offers real-life case studies, problems encountered and solutions applied, immunology virtual laboratory simulation, and extensive coverage of the basic science underlying each topic in the module. The learning modules offer a mix of clinical examples, videos, and interactive learning activities to help students maximize their learning experience. These immersive trainings will be of value to students interested in the health professional fields as well as scientists in industry and academic research groups. Students who may want to enter new fields and to those working in supportive roles will benefit from an in-depth learning of the role of immunology in healthcare fields.
*Previously BMED 386, Fundamentals of Immunology in Health and Disease.
Minimum 3rd year (level 3) standing and one of (BCHM 218/3.0 or BCHM 270/3.0), and one of (MICR 270/3.0; MICR 271/3.0; MICR 221/3.0).
BMED 386/3.0.
MICR 360/BMED 877.
Online format with materials, communication, discussion boards, quizzes, and midterm tests completed all via Brightspace (onQ).
In MICR 386 students are assessed on the following course learning outcomes and goals which exceed the national and international standard of knowledge- and competency-based understanding of the subject of immunology:
- Explain the fundamentals of immunology and describe key principles of the immune system, mechanisms of immune reactions, aspects of antibody formation, and cell-mediated immunity in health and disease.
- Dissect a problem into its key features by thinking in an integrated manner and interpret immunological data from a virtual lab to identify consistent and inconsistent components.
- Advocate for ethical issues in the immunological approach to health and life sciences by effectively researching major issues at the forefront of the discipline.
- Assess immunology resources critically (e.g. videos, virtual lab, and clinical images) and use precise written responses to present the work to both a science literate and general audience.
- Communicator
- Scholar
- Advocate
- Professional
- Leader
Assessment 1- Quizzes (10%)
The purpose of this assessment is to test student’s understanding of module content which has been strategically placed throughout the course (e.g, Quiz 1 includes module 1 and 2, Quiz 2 – module 3 and 4, Quiz 3 – modules 5, 6, and 7, Quiz 4 – module 8A, Quiz 5 – module 8B). Each quiz is worth 2% of the final mark. Quiz questions will be type 1 multiple choice questions (MCQ) and will include one or two examples from the design your own MCQ assessment based on quality of discriminator. Quizzes will have 8 questions and is timed at 16 minutes.
Assessment 2- Discussion Boards (15%)
Students will be able to apply what they are learning in modules to real life application-based or clinical cases through participation in 3 discussion board assignments. Using precision language (e.g. detailed markers on a cell, specific receptors, cytokines, protein structure etc.) within a 100-word limit, students will describe the details of the immune response presented in a specific scenario. Students will gain a profound understanding of the language of immunology and the implications of the field of immunology to health and disease. Students will discuss the scenarios and articles with peers in their groups to draw conclusions on the material and will be required to include a follow up post to a peer. Material covered in discussion boards will be included in either the midterm and/or final exams. Example topics covered in discussion boards will include vaccines, antibodies, adaptive and innate immune responses, T cell development and maturation, cytokines, cell-mediated immune responses, complement, hypersensitivity and inflammation.
Assessment 3- Design your own MCQ Type 1 and Short Answer Question (20%)
The purpose of this assessment is to accurately apply the precision language of immunology to design your own multiple choice questions, short answer questions and corresponding marking rubric. The breadth of this assignment is to identify an aspect of the associated modules (e.g. T-lymphocytes) and include precise details within their discriminators as answers to display full competency in students’ understanding of the content. Students must also create a thoughtful short answer question and corresponding rubric that they would recommend they use to mark it. Students will be required to assess the quality of their peers MCQs and associated discriminators. TA’s will use a rubric to identify these discriminators, short answer questions, and rubric; peer assessment marks will only be awarded if they match the TA’s assigned mark. Approved MCQs and short answer questions may be included in quizzes, the midterm, and the final exam.
Assessment 4 and 5- Midterm (20%) and Final Exam (35%)
The questions used in the midterm and final exam will reflect module topics, interactive learning exercises, and videos throughout the course. Students will have 1.5 minutes per multiple choice question, and 3 minutes for short answer and matching. Students will have 3 hours to finish the final exam. Examples of questions that could be asked on the midterm and final exam will be as follows:
- MCQ – Type 1
- Matching – definition based
- Short summary answer – precision language required
- Skin graft and MHC clinical application questions (Interactive learning exercise)
- Tests on knowledge about MHC molecules expressed on different tissues for different individuals to test the learning outcome of immunological graft rejection (tissue transplantation- the clinical example)
- Student must choose whether a tissue transplant would be accepted or rejected based on provided information and why
- Test on videos and key graphics via short answer/ fill in the image
- Eg. (3 Pts) What specific process is this graphic illustrating with the arrows linking the Combined V-region genes for the heavy chain in the generation of antibody diversity?
- Test on Virtual Lab Interaction (e.g. antibody-titre) via short answer
- Describe the immune process taking place in a clinical image
Students can expect to spend approximately 9-10 hours a week (108-120 hours per term) in study/practice and online activities for MICR 386.
Students will use course modules posted online. If students would like additional resources, recommended but optional textbooks are:
Janeway’s Immunobiology (eBook formats for iPod, iPad & iPhones ) (9th Edition)
GS Garland Publisher 2011
Kenneth Murphy (Editor)
Cost at VitalSource: $180
Kuby Immunology (eBook) (7th Edition)
Owen, Judy; Punt, Jenni; Stranford, Sharon
Publisher: W.H. Freeman & Company
Cost at VitalSource: $102