Principles of Immunology (MIIM30002)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

Availability
Semester 1
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This subject will describe the development, function and regulation of cells of the immune system; immunoglobulins; cytokines; immunological mechanisms operating in immunity to infectious disease; autoimmunity; hypersensitivity; and transplantation and tumour immunology. Content will be presented across five modules that involve investigations into innate immunity, immune recognition, adaptive immunity immunoregulation and immune memory, as well as the involvement of the immune system in disease. Students will engage with the content through a variety of activities including lectures, active workshops and flipped classroom-style discussions. Through understanding each module in this subject, students will gain an appreciation of the fundamentals and underlying mechanisms of the immune system, which will build a foundation for further studies in Immunology.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this subject, students should be able to:

  • correlate the relationship between structure and function of antibodies;
  • examine the development, function and regulation of cells of the immune system;
  • characterise the molecular and cellular basis of innate immune responses;
  • characterise the molecular and cellular basis of recognition of antigen by T cells;
  • evaluate the basis of immune mechanisms underlying immunity to infection and autoimmune disease, hypersensitivity reactions, immunodeficiency diseases
  • integrate knowledge acquired throughout the subject and apply it to novel scenarios.
  • interpret experimental evidence that supports exemplar immunological concepts

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: 20 March 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

B. Science students

One of

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BCMB20002 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Semester 2 (On Campus - Parkville)
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5
MIIM20001 Principles of Microbiology & Immunology
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 12.5

B. Biomedicine students

Code Name Teaching period Credit Points
BIOM20001 Molecular and Cellular Biomedicine
Semester 1 (On Campus - Parkville)
 25

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

Recommended background knowledge

The 200 level prerequisite subjects should have provided a solid background in Microbiology and Immunology. An understanding of the molecules, genes and biology of the cell is important.

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: 20 March 2025

Assessment

DescriptionTimingPercentage

Mid Semester Test

  • 45 minutes
From Week 5 to Week 620%

Mid Semester Test

  • 45 minutes
From Week 10 to Week 1120%

Online Quiz x5

  • 10 minutes (each)
Throughout the teaching period10%

Written exam

  • 2 hours
During the examination period50%

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Dates & times

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.

Last updated: 20 March 2025

Further information

Last updated: 20 March 2025