The antigen-specific immune response will be considered in depth. The course will cover aspects of:

• Development and differentiation of B and T lymphocytes
• Antigen processing and presentation
• Lymphocyte activation and immune regulation.  

Topics for further study will be selected from:  

• Immunotherapy
• Autoimmunity
• Transplantation
• Immunodeficiency
• Mucosal immunity
• Lymphoproliferative diseases
• Cytokines
• Tumour immunology
• Viral immunology

Practical work will focus on immunology related to disease states involving 'research directions' seminars given by researchers at ANU, class discussions or tutorials, and literature research assignments.  

Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Predict how the immune system will respond to disease, cancer or pathogens
2. Think strategically about developmental aspects of immunity and potential immunotherapies
3. Apply diagnostic reasoning to understanding disease states and their immunological cause
4. Interpret experimental data on research in immunology and evaluate research papers in terms of their contribution to the field
5. Read and summarise the literature critically and formulate hypotheses for further experimentation

Assessment will be based on:

• Assignments (30%; LO 1, 2, 3, 4)
• Research essay (30%; LO 3, 4, 5)
• Examinations (40%; LO 1, 2, 3, 4)

Two lectures and up to three hours of practical, seminar or tutorial work per week.

Bachelor degree; with second year Microbiology and first year Chemistry.

Requires Bachelor of Science or equivalent with a major in the field of biological sciences with relevant experience or academic achievement; specific knowledge in the area of microbiology and molecular biology is required.