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Techniques in Immunology (MIIM30015)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
To learn more, visit 2023 Course and subject delivery.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 2
Academic Coordinators
Associate Professor Odilia Wijburg
Professor Karena Waller
Dr Daniel Clarke
Administrative Coordinator
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This capstone subject provides an:
- overview of common methods used to identify and characterise aspects of the immune system and its response against infectious pathogens;
- overview of effective strategies used in constructing and presenting scientific reports, both oral and written; and
- opportunity for completion of a student-lead research inquiry project which will be presented to student peers and academic staff members.
Laboratory techniques covered include molecular methods and functional assays used for the identification and characterisation of immunological tissues, activation markers and specific responses to pathogens, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR), flow cytometry, enzyme immunoassays, protein electrophoresis, western blotting, bioinformatics, and immunofluorescence assays. Non-laboratory sessions will be used for the introduction of practical topics, data analysis, critical discussion of scientific research publications, research ethics and integrity, as well as discussion of strategies used in constructing and presenting scientific reports, both oral and written.
Upon completion of the subject students will have:
- used molecular methods and functional assays to identify important characteristics of immune development and responses;
- used common bioinformatics methods to analyse protein sequence data that relates to bias/similarity in protein receptors;
- developed skills in constructing and presenting scientific reports, both oral and written;
- participated in group work activities, both within and outside the Laboratory; and
- developed safe scientific work practices.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of the subject, students should be able to:
- Describe and apply the principles of flow cytometry
- Describe and apply the principles and procedures involved in preparation and characterisation of immune cells, their products and their functions
- Describe and design an experimental approach, including appropriate controls, to test a hypothesis and interpret the resulting scientific data
- Keep clear and accurate laboratory records to enable critical analysis of scientific data, formation of evidence‐based conclusions and effective communication of scientific ideas and findings, in both oral and written forms
- Describe and apply the use of molecular and cellular techniques in addition to bioinformatics to identify and characterise immune responses
- Demonstrate the ability to perform practical techniques used in research laboratories in a safe, scientific work manner
- Effectively participate in group work activities and independently to generate and analyse scientific findings within and outside the Laboratory
- Demonstrate a high level of professional integrity, and conform to ethical requirements regarding plagiarism and accurate data reporting
Generic skills
On completion of this subject, students should have developed the following generic skills:
- the ability to interpret scientific literature and interpret data from electronic databases.
- the capacity to integrate knowledge across disciplines.
- the ability to comprehend a question, evaluate the relevant information and communicate an answer.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
This subject is only available to students enrolled in the Bachelor of Biomedicine and the Bachelor of Science
B. Science students
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MIIM20001 | Principles of Microbiology & Immunology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
BCMB20002 | Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
AND
One of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BCMB20005 | Techniques in Molecular Science |
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
|
12.5 |
GENE20004 | Applications of Genetics and Genomics | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
MIIM20002 | Microbes, Infections and Responses | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
PATH20003 | Experimental Pathology | Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
GENE20003 Experiments in Genetics
AND
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
MIIM30002 | Principles of Immunology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Students who have obtained 40 - 49% for MIIM30002 are advised to discuss the possibility of enrolling with the subject coordinators.
B. Biomedicine students
All of
Code | Name | Teaching period | Credit Points |
---|---|---|---|
BIOM20001 | Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
25 |
MIIM30002 | Principles of Immunology | Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville) |
12.5 |
Students who have obtained 40 - 49% for MIIM30002 are advised to discuss the possibility of enrolling with the subject coordinators.
Corequisites
Non-allowed subjects
526-324 Immunological Techniques (pre 2010)
526-332 Techniques in Microbiology and Immunology (pre 2011)
MIIM30013 Techniques in Microbiology and Immunology (pre 2014)
Recommended background knowledge
The prerequisite subjects should have provided a solid background in Immunology. An understanding of the molecules, genes and biology of the cell would be useful.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Oral presentation
| From Week 3 to Week 5 | 12.5% |
written report practice activity
| Week 6 | 2.5% |
Written report ( Expected to take about 10‐15 hours to complete outside of class), to be submitted in weeks 7-9
| From Week 7 to Week 9 | 12.5% |
Poster presentation, including completion of all preparation milestones and the final presentation; Completed in groups of approx. 4 students (Preparation milestones worth 7.5%, equivalent 250 words per student), with the final presentation in week 12, 2.5minutes per student; worth 15%)
| From Week 9 to Week 12 | 22.5% |
Written Exam
| During the examination period | 50% |
Hurdle requirement: Satisfactory use and completion of a Laboratory Notebook is required to pass this subject; Laboratory notebook to be submitted in Week 12. | Week 12 | N/A |
Hurdle requirement: Attendance is compulsory. Students who miss more than 20% of the practical component of this subject will not be eligible for final assessment. | Throughout the teaching period | N/A |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Odilia Wijburg Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 1 x 1hr tutorial per week plus up to 3hr practical per week (ie. up to 36hr practical per semester) plus 1hr lecture per week during semester Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 24 July 2023 to 22 October 2023 Last self-enrol date 21 July 2023 Census date 31 August 2023 Last date to withdraw without fail 22 September 2023 Assessment period ends 17 November 2023 Semester 2 contact information
Academic Coordinators
Associate Professor Odilia Wijburg
Professor Karena Waller
Dr Daniel Clarke
Administrative Coordinator
Time commitment details
170 hours
What do these dates mean
Visit this webpage to find out about these key dates, including how they impact on:
- Your tuition fees, academic transcript and statements.
- And for Commonwealth Supported students, your:
- Student Learning Entitlement. This applies to all students enrolled in a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP).
Subjects withdrawn after the census date (including up to the ‘last day to withdraw without fail’) count toward the Student Learning Entitlement.
Additional delivery details
An enrolment quota of 160 students applies to this subject.
For detailed information on the quota subject application process, refer to the Quota Subject link on the School of Biomedical Sciences Current Student Information webpage: http://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/study/current-student-information/quota-subjects
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Janeway's Immunobiology (Murphy et al) 9th ed, 2017
- Subject notes
This subject is available to students enrolled in the:
Pre-2008 B. Sc
NG B. Sc.
NG B. BiomedThis subject is a practical subject. It requires attendance at all scheduled sessions.
Whilst students will not be involved in the manipulation and handling of animals, reagents and media components derived from animals will be used in some experiments.
These experiments will be approved by the University of Melbourne Animal Welfare Committee.
Experiments contained in this unit will also be approved by the Biosafety and Gene Technology Committee.
Students wishing to register in this subject after the Quota Selection Date or after week 1 of a Semester should contact the subject coordinators.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Immunology Informal specialisation Science Discipline subjects - new generation B-SCI Informal specialisation Biomedical Biotechnology Informal specialisation Biomedical Biotechnology specialisation Major Immunology - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
quota subject - application deadline as per http://biomedicalsciences.unimelb.edu.au/study/current-student-information/quota-subjects
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 31 January 2024