Switch to low bandwidth version Close

Continuing Professional Development - MSc Programme Modules (London-based)

IMMUNOLOGY OF PARASITIC INFECTION: PRINCIPLES (3177)

ORGANISERS: Dr Quentin Bickle, Dr Helena Helmby

DATES: 22 February 2012 to 23 March 2012 (2.00pm Wednesday to 5pm Friday)


AIM
To develop an understanding of the diverse nature and consequences of the interaction between parasites and the host immune response.


OBJECTIVES
By the end of this module students should be able to:

  1. demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the various different types of immune responses elicited by parasites;
  2. evaluate how such immune responses and the balance between them are, or might be, controlled;
  3. compare the mechanisms used by parasites to avoid/exploit the immune response;
  4. describe the outcomes of the interaction between the immune response and the parasite, for example immunopathology and immunity to infection/disease;
  5. distinguish the most important immunological features relating to the major parasitic infections of man;
  6. evaluate how parasitic infections can bias the nature of the immune response to concurrent infections;
  7. assess the direction of current research in this field.


CONSTITUENCY
This module covers current knowledge of the immune response in parasite infection. It is designed for students with at least a basic knowledge of immunology. Sufficient introduction to the parasites themselves will be given during the course.


CONCEPTUAL OUTLINE 
The following main areas are encompassed by the course:

  1. Brief review of basic immunological principles and basic parasitology.
  2. Immunology of trypanosomatids, Toxoplasma, gut protozoa.
  3. Immunology of malaria.
  4. Immunology of schistosomes, filarial worms and gut nematodes.


TEACHING STRATEGY
Lectures will comprise the bulk of the teaching time but groupwork, classroom discussions and student presentations are also included. Certain topics will be covered by guest visiting lecturers.


LEARNING TIME 
The module is made up of 150 Notional Learning Hours – 32 hours contact time, 51 hours directed self-study, 28.5 hours self-directed learning, and 38.5 hours assessment, review and revision.


ASSESSMENT
A 2 hour short answer test at the end of the module based on lecture material.

Back to top