Overview
The epidemiology and pathogenesis of infectious diseases, the response of the immune system to microbial antigens, and how the response is measured.
Microbes and their human hosts co-exist in a delicate balance. The immune system has evolved multiple mechanisms to fight infection by disease-causing microbes and maintain homeostasis. On the other hand, infectious organisms have developed ways to evade the immune system. Understanding this intricate host-pathogen interplay requires a clear understanding of the mechanisms microbes use to infect cells, individuals and communities and an in-depth knowledge of the cells and processes of the immune system.
About this paper
| Paper title | Infection and Immunity |
|---|---|
| Subject | Microbiology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,318.20 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- (HUBS 191 or PTWY 131) and 90 further points
- Restriction
- MELS 223
- Recommended Preparation
- MICR 221
- Schedule C
- Science
- Eligibility
- Appropriate for students majoring in Microbiology, Immunology, and all Biological and Health Sciences.
- Contact
- Teaching staff
Convener: Associate Professor Jo Kirman
Other Lecturers:
- Paper Structure
Lectures address the following issues:
- How infectious diseases spread and the principles and limitations of antimicrobial therapy
- The sources of infection and how to prevent disease transmission
- Microbial virulence mechanisms
- Inflammation; Immune systems
- How to prevent disease through vaccination
- How to detect infectious disease
These concepts are further explored in laboratory exercises and through clinical case studies.
- Teaching Arrangements
Thirty-two lectures and six 4-hour laboratory sessions.
- Textbooks
Essential: Prescott's Microbiology by Willey, Sandman and Wood, 12th edition, 2023, McGraw-Hill Publishers.
Recommended: Kuby Immunology, published by Palgrave Macmillan. 8th edition, 2019.
OR
Janeway’s Immunobiology, 8th edition (Immunobiology: The Immune System).- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of microbiology and immunology in preparation for advanced laboratory skills in 300-level and in graduate papers
- Display a practical knowledge of fundamental microbiology and immunology, with the ability to assimilate complex information on a spectrum of interdisciplinary topics and to use this knowledge for applications in the workplace
- Develop an ability to communicate ideas about science
- Assessment details
- Laboratory and lecture test I 15%
- Laboratory and lecture test II 15%
- 3-hour final exam 70%
Overview
The epidemiology and pathogenesis of infectious diseases, the response of the immune system to microbial antigens, and how the response is measured.
Microbes and their human hosts co-exist in a delicate balance. This paper addresses how bacteria and viruses cause disease, how infections are transmitted and how bioinformatics can be used to understand the epidemiology of infection. The paper also examines some of the mechanisms used by the immune system to fight infection by disease-causing microbes and maintain a healthy status and how the immune system can be exploited to diagnose, prevent and treat infection, diseases of the immune system and cancers.
About this paper
| Paper title | Infection and Immunity |
|---|---|
| Subject | Microbiology |
| EFTS | 0.15 |
| Points | 18 points |
| Teaching period | Semester 2 (On campus) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for 2027 have not yet been set |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Prerequisite
- (HUBS 191 or PTWY 131) and 90 further points
- Restriction
- MELS 223
- Recommended Preparation
- MICR 221
- Schedule C
- Science
- Eligibility
Appropriate for students majoring in Microbiology, Immunology and all Biological and Health Sciences. MICR 223 builds knowledge of microbiology and immunology introduced in HUBS 191 and MICR 221 and is designed to support further study in biological and health sciences.
- Contact
Dr Warren McBurney: warren.mcburney@otago.ac.nz
- Teaching staff
Conveners: Associate Professor Matloob Husain and Associate Professor Jo Kirman
Other Lecturers:
- Paper Structure
Lectures cover the following areas:
- Virology and viral epidemiology
- Clinical Microbiology: infection, transmission and antimicrobial therapy
- Health Microbiology: pathogenesis and virulence mechanisms
- Immunology II: B and T cells responses, immune regulation and memory immunity
- Immunology III: applied immunology including diagnostics, therapeutics and vaccines for disease prevention
- Teaching Arrangements
30 lectures and 6 four-hour laboratories.
- Textbooks
Therea are no essential textbooks.
Recommended: Kuby Immunology, published by Palgrave Macmillan. 8th edition, 2019.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Interdisciplinary perspective, Lifelong learning, Scholarship, Communication, Critical thinking, Research, Self-motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
Students who successfully complete this paper will:
- Be able to demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of microbiology and immunology in preparation for advanced laboratory skills in 300-level and in graduate papers
- Display a practical knowledge of fundamental microbiology and immunology, with the ability to assimilate complex information on a spectrum of interdisciplinary topics and to use this knowledge for applications in the workplace
- Develop an ability to communicate ideas about science
- Assessment details
To be confirmed.