Infection and Immunity

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this major, students should be able to demonstrate:

• Broad knowledge of the diverse range of infectious microbial agents, and the ways in which they interact with their hosts, the environment and each other
• Ability to describe and explain the molecular basis of various infectious microbial agents to cause disease, together with strategies to interrupt these processes, including the development of new anti-microbial agents and vaccines
• Understanding of the fundamental concepts of microbial agent replication and transmission
• Understanding of the principles, procedures and techniques involved in the identification and characterisation of microbial agents
• Understanding of infectious disease in local and global contexts
• Broad knowledge of the immune system and other mechanisms that defend the body
• Understanding of strategies to modulate immune responses to improve human health
• Understanding of the principles and procedures involved in isolating and characterising immune cells and their function
• Expertise in the selection and application of practical and/or theoretical techniques or tools in order to conduct an investigation
• Skills in accurate recording of experimental data, critical analysis and evaluation of scientific data to form evidence-based conclusions
• Effective communication of scientific ideas and findings, in both oral and written form
• Understanding of safe scientific work practices in the laboratory, including personal and collective laboratory safety
• High level of professional integrity, and adherence to ethical requirements regarding plagiarism and accurate data reporting
• Independent and self-directed learning, and effective management of time and priorities
• Capacity to work in groups on activities, both within and outside of the Laboratory.