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Faculty Syllabi
Fall 2015
BIOL 374
Geoffrey Holm
Colgate University, [email protected]
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Part of the Immunology and Infectious Disease Commons
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Recommended Citation
Holm, Geoffrey, "BIOL 374" (2015). Faculty Syllabi. Paper 43.
http://commons.colgate.edu/syllabi/43
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BIOLOGY 374: IMMUNOLOGY
SYLLABUS
LECTURE: T/TH TIME: 12:00PM-1:15 PLACE: BLDG. 10, FAES CLASSROOM 7/8
(NOTE: CLASS WILL BE HELD IN BLDG. 31 ROOM 2A48 ON 12/8)
Instructor: Geoff Holm (Bldg. 50 Room 2537, [email protected])
Office hours: T/Th 4:30-5:30 in Bldg. 50 lobby or pre-arranged location, and by appointment
Text: Primer to The Immune Response, 2nd Edition; Mak, Saunders, and Jett, 2014, AP Cell
Press.
Primary literature readings will be made available as assigned.
Goals and Objectives
In Immunology, we will study the molecular and cellular components of the human immune
system. We will investigate the general principles that govern different components of the
immune system, and integrate those principles to create a broad picture of how the immune
system functions to eliminate infectious diseases. We will examine the consequences of
malfunctions in the immune system, and how researchers and clinicians can manipulate the
immune system to positively impact human health. In addition, we will emphasize how
immunologists understand what they do about immune system function, as well as discuss
research methods that allow for investigation of new questions about how the immune
system functions. Additionally, this course aims to enhance your ability to communicate your
knowledge to classmates and a general audience, and to work efficiently in groups.
Upon completion of this course, you will be expected to:
1 Recognize the basic cell types and macromolecules that comprise the immune system.
2. Understand how the innate immune system functions to control nascent infections.
3. Describe how the adaptive immune system responds to pathogens and understand the
processes by which these pathways generate immunologic memory
4. Understand how cells of the immune system communicate with the extracellular
environment, and integrate signals from the environment to cause changes in cell
structure and/or function.
5. Analyze how various components of the immune system work together to form an
integrated response to infectious diseases.
6. Explain how malfunctions of the immune system impact human health.
7. Describe how the immune system can be manipulated to positively impact human
health.
8. Analyze important techniques used by immunologists and apply this knowledge to
novel experiments probing immune structure and function.
9. Critique primary journal articles within the field of immunology, and communicate
your insights orally and verbally.
10. Effectively communicate your knowledge of immunology to a general audience.
Format: Lecture and discussion/workshops. Occasionally throughout the semester, the
class will divide into smaller groups to discuss a current journal article relevant to the week’s
theme, or to solve an in-class group problem. These problems may be given without prior
notice, and the results will be reflected in the final grade assessment.
Course Information
Determination of Grades: Course grades will be based upon scores earned on the following
assignments in the lecture portion of the course.
Assignment:
2 unit exams (100 pts ea)
Cumulative final exam
Weekly quizzes (10 pts each)
Seminar summaries (20 points each)
Total Points
Point Value
200 pts
200 pts
~80 pts
60 points
~540 pts
Unit and Final Exams: Exams I and II will be unit exams covering material presented in the
lectures, reading assignments, and discussions. They will take place in class on the dates
indicated on the syllabus. A comprehensive final (50% covering unit III and 50%
cumulative) will be self-scheduled during finals week. Exam questions will require you to
independently integrate material from topics presented across multiple lectures. Exams also
will require you to apply the major concepts to situations not covered directly in class.
Quizzes: Educational literature indicates that concept retention is enhanced when students
are routinely quizzed on their knowledge. To accomplish this in a low stress manner (rather
than having “pop quizzes” in class), and to reinforce the main themes of the course, there
will be routine Moodle quizzes (10 points each) based on the assigned readings, which must
be completed by noon on the date indicated on the syllabus.
Group discussion problems: Throughout the semester, we will set aside class time for
“process oriented guided inquiry learning” (POGIL)-style workshops, based on a current
primary literature paper. During these class meetings, you will work in groups to
assess/analyze the paper, and relate it to the material covered in previous lectures. These
problems will allow you to apply your knowledge and extend it to novel situations. All
students should come to class having read the paper, and be prepared to answer questions
regarding the paper content and the unanswered questions that the paper raises. More
information on the POGIL workshops will be provided on the course Moodle site.
Seminar Attendance: One of the major benefits of being at the NIH is the access to multiple
seminar series on any number of different topics in the biological sciences (you may not
appreciate this now, but trust me, as good as the Colgate Bio department and NASC seminar
series are, one of the things I miss most about being at an academic medical center is the
lack of seminars related to my scientific interests!). Unfortunately, I scheduled the Journal
Club course at the same time as the weekly NIH Immunology seminar series (Wed. at
4:15…doh!). However, there are many other seminars on going, including some on
immunology-related topics. Your assignment is to attend 3 seminars (on any topic, but
ideally related to something we are discussing in the course) and write a ~3 paragraph
summary of the seminar, including a description of two research-related questions you have
based on the seminar and how you might go about answering these questions (i.e. what type
of experiments would you do to address these issues?). These summaries will receive a “-“
(14 pts) , “+/-“(16 pts) , “+” (18 pts) or “++” (20 pts) grade, and the quality of the
questions you propose will have a significant effect on your grade.
Attendance Policy
Attendance will not be taken at class meetings, but it is important to remember that class
participation and open discussion are important components of this course. It is impossible
to participate when absent. In addition, attendance at all class meetings is highly correlated
to success in the course. I rely heavily on material covered in class (and sometimes NOT
covered in the text book) when I write exams. Depending on relevance to the course,
attendance may be required at occasional NIH seminars.
Exam and Honor Code Policies
All students must take the exam on the scheduled exam date. Please contact me prior to the
exam if you have a serious conflict.
Answers to the exam questions will be posted after each exam and students must consult the
answer key before contesting a grading decision on a specific question. All such grading
issues must be addressed within one week of receiving the grade.
In addition, you are reminded of the Academic Honor Code in place at Colgate University.
All tests and other graded assignments fall under the auspices of this policy. Unless
otherwise indicated all graded materials must contain only work that you have completed
yourself. Appropriate citation of the work or ideas of others is expected in all writing
assignments. Cases of plagiarism will be referred to the Colgate Student Conduct Board.
Students are reminded that convictions of violations of the Academic Honesty Policy of
Colgate result in the grade of F for the entire course, not for the individual assignment.
Plagiarism will not be tolerated.
Other important policies and information:
The classroom is a shared learning environment, and respectful and cordial interactions
within the classroom are expected at all times. To show respect for the instructor and your
fellow students, please: ensure that all cell phones are turned off during class; do not leave
during class unless absolutely necessary; and restrict computer usage to material directly
relevant to class.
Polite constructive criticism of the course in general and of specific assignments and/or
exercises is welcome. Expressing constructive criticism in this course will not adversely
affect your grade. I will consider your suggestions but may or may not implement them.
Students with documented disabilities needing academic adjustment or accommodation are
encouraged to see one of us as soon as possible. All discussions will remain confidential. If
you have not already done so, contact Lynn Waldman, Director of Academic Program
Support (x7225), to discuss your request for accommodations.
Schedule of Events
Date
Sept.
Course Theme
Lecture Topic
Reading
Cells of the Immune
System
Cells of the Immune System
Chpt. 1; Chpt. 2, p. 21-34
15 B Cells
17
22
24 Antigen Presentation
B Cell Receptor
B Cell Development
B Cell Functions/Paper #2
MHC I and II
Chpt. 4
Chpt. 5, p. 111-123; Quiz 2
Chpt. 5, p. 123-140
Chpt. 6; Quiz 3
29
Antigen Processing and Presentation
Chpt. 7
1
6 Mid-term Recess
8
13 T Cells
15
20
Exam I
1
3
Cell Communication and Movement
Chpt. 2, p. 34-52
8 Innate Immune Responses Pathogen Recognition
Chpt. 3, p. 55-66; Quiz 1
10
Complement and Inflammation/Paper #1 Chpt. 3, p. 66-81
Oct.
22 Peripheral Immune
27 Responses
29 Integration of Immune
Nov. 3 Responses
5
10
12
17 Manipulation of Immune
19 Processes
24 Thanksgiving
Dec. 1 Immune Disorders
3
8
10 Integration: HIV-1
T Cell Receptor
T Cell Development
T Cell Function/Paper #3
Chpt. 8
Chpt. 9, p. 197-211
Chpt. 9, p. 211-223.
Tolerance
Variations on a T cell theme
Mucosal Immunity/Paper #4
Chpt. 10; Quiz 4
Chpt. 11
Chpt. 12
Immunity to Bacteria
Immunity to Viruses, etc.
Immune Evasion/Paper #5
Chpt. 13, p. 296-306; Quiz 5
Chpt. 13, p. 307-326
Chpt. 13, Evasion Strategies
sections
Exam II
Vaccines
Transplantation
Chpt. 14, 333-348, 364-372
Chpt. 17
Tumor Immunology
Immune Hypersensitivity/Paper #6
Autoimmune Diseases
HIV -1
Chpt. 16; Quiz 6
Chpt. 18
Chpt. 19; Quiz 7
Chpt. 15
Unit III and Cumulative Final will be held at a time and place TBD.