IMMU3903: Semester 2, 2025

Units IMMU3903 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

IMMU3903: Immunology in Human Disease (Advanced)

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This unit is available to students who have performed well in Introductory Immunology (IMMU2101) IMMU2X11 Immunobiology and MIMI2X02/MEDS2004 Microbes, Infection and Immunity. Advanced students will complete the same core lecture material as students in IMMU3202 but attend a series of specialized seminar and research based tutorial classes.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Department of Medical Sciences
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	A WAM of 70 and a mark of 70 or above in (IMMU2101 or MEDS2004 or MIMI2X02 or IMMU2X11)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	IMMU3202
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Allison Abendroth, allison.abendroth@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam ?	Final exam Written exam	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-class quiz	Quizzes Practical lab quizzes	5%	Multiple weeks	10 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Workshop oral paper presentation Oral presentation and participation	15%	Multiple weeks	17 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Practical assignment Practical assessment	15%	Week 08 Due date: 24 Sep 2025 at 23:59	1250 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Poster presentation Poster presentation. Students will present either Mon or Thurs in week 12.	15%	Week 12	12 minute talk and 250 word abstract	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Final Exam: Failure to sit this exam without special consideration will result in a mark of zero.----Practical Practical Class Quiz: Failure to sit this quiz without special consideration will result in a mark of zero.----Written assignment: Late submission without permission will incur a late penalty equal to 5% of the maximum awardable mark per day. These deductions will continue for 10 calendar days or until the solutions for the assignment are released or marked assignments are returned to other students. At that point the mark awarded will be zero. ---- Oral presentation: Failure to present in your scheduled session without special consideration will result in a final mark of zero. -----Poster presentation: Failure to present in your scheduled session without special consideration will result in a final mark of zero.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction and course overview; Immunology of pregnancy	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Workshop 1. Interactive seminar	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 02	Neonatal Immunology	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 03	Practical 1.Introduction to the IMMU3903 practical class; Viral Case studies - Investigating infection, immunity, and diagnosis of varicella zoster virus infections (part 1)	Practical (4 hr)
Week 03	Immunity to infectious pathogens I: Intracellular and extracellular bacteria; Immunity to infectious pathogens II: viruses and immune evasion	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Immunity to infectious pathogens III: parasites and immunopathology	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 04	Workshop 2. Interactive Seminar	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	Practical 2. Viral case studies: investigating infection, immunity, and diagnosis of varicella zoster virus infections (part 2)	Practical (4 hr)
Week 05	Immunity to infectious pathogens IV: fungal infections; Immunodeficiency-Acquired immunodeficiency-HIV	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Workshop 3. Oral journal paper presentation	Presentation (2 hr)
Week 06	Primary immunodeficiences: Molecular basis of primary immunodeficiences	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 07	Autoimmune Diseases; Self-tolerance and autoimmunity	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Practical 3. Immunodeficiency case studies: acquired and congenital immunodeficiency cases	Practical (4 hr)
Week 08	Advances in Technology-Omics Era in Immunology of Human Disease	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 08	Workshop 4. Oral journal paper presentation	Presentation (2 hr)
Week 09	Skin Immunology; Neuroimmunology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Practical 4. Immune-mediated case studies; Immune-mediated haemolysis and autoimmune disorders	Practical (4 hr)
Week 10	Vaccination and novel vaccine approaches	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 11	Workshop 5. Interactive Seminar	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 11	Allergy and Allergic Diseases; Transplantation Immunology	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Tumor Immunology and therapy.	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 12	Poster presentation	Presentation (4 hr)
Week 13	Practical 5. Allergy, snake bite and immunotherapies	Practical (4 hr)
Week 13	Aging immune System and Immunosenescence; Make up lecture slot/Revision	Lecture (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Satisfactory attendance at all workshops and practical classes is therefore a requirement to pass this course. For Immunology in Human Disease, satisfactory attendance is defined as ≥ 80% which means that if you miss more than 2 workshops or 2 practical classes without approved special consideration for illness or misadventure, or pre-approved Special arrangement, you will not be allowed to pass this unit of study. Students who arrive more than 30 minutes late to a workshop or practical class will be recorded as being absent.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Cellular & Molecular Immunology, 10th Ed 2022, AK Abbas, AH Lichtman & Pillai, Elsevier.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand how principles of immunology are applied to the understanding and treatment of human diseases
LO2. demonstrate effective skills in retrieving, analysing, and interpreting scientific information from current literature sources
LO3. demonstrate advanced oral and written communication skills
LO4. demonstrate knowledge of and training in analysis and interpretation of laboratory based experiments.
LO5. To demonstrate the capacity to work in a tutorial setting to question key aspects of current immunology in human disease research

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

minor changes to tutorial/seminars

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links