Duration
27h Th
Number of credits
Lecturer
Coordinator
Language(s) of instruction
French language
Organisation and examination
Teaching in the second semester
Schedule
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents
Objectives:
The Master's course CHIM9321 - Immunology is designed to provide a solid foundation in immunology, offering the fundamental knowledge needed to understand the mechanisms that regulate the immune system in a health context. Additionally, the course aims to equip students with the critical insights required to comprehend immune dysfunctions that lead to immunopathologies. Lectures will be delivered remotely, supported by PowerPoint presentations, and also available as podcasts for further review.
The lectures are structured into distinct chapters, with key concepts deliberately repeated to reinforce understanding, while progressively introducing the intricacies that define the immune system. Since the immune system operates as an integrated whole, rather than in isolated compartments, students are expected to develop a holistic and comprehensive understanding of its functions by the end of the course.
Course Outline:
The course will cover the following topics:
- Introduction, historical overview, and the importance of immunology
- Fundamental concepts in immunology: cells, tissues/organs, and soluble molecules
- Innate immunity: barriers, complement system, receptors, innate cells, and the interplay between innate and adaptive immunity
- Adaptive immunity: BCR and TCR (structure and formation), and antigen recognition
- Activation and effector functions of B and T lymphocytes
- Immune memory
- Development of B and T cells: tolerance and autoimmunity
- Integrated dynamics of innate and adaptive immunity
- Failures of the immune system: immune evasion and immunodeficiencies
- Anti-cancer immunity
- Manipulation of the immune system: clinical applications and an introduction to research
The end-of-year evaluation will encompass all the material covered in the course and will consist of long-form, open-ended questions.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit
This program aims to integrate the foundational knowledge necessary for understanding the immune system in both health and disease contexts.
Additionally, by the end of the course, students should have acquired a comprehensive and cross-disciplinary understanding of the immune system.
Prerequisite knowledge and skills
Anatomy, Histology, Basics of Infectiology, Molecular Genetics
Planned learning activities and teaching methods
The courses will be delivered in lecture (amphi) or online (details will be provided). Podcasts will be available.
Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)
Course materials and recommended or required readings
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
- MyULiège
Further information:
Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus
- MyULiège
Further information:
Slides of the lectures available on MyULiege. Podcasts will also be made available
Janeway Immunobiology, 4th French edition, deboek edition, 2018.
Kuby immunology; Eighth Edition (most recent English version) or, the 2013 French version.
Exam(s) in session
Any session
- In-person
written exam ( open-ended questions )
Work placement(s)
Organisational remarks and main changes to the course
Contacts
Bénédicte Machiels
email: bmachiels@uliege.be