Stockholm university
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Immunology

Discover the molecules, cells, and organs of the immune system that protect us from intruding pathogens, but that also balance our microbiome. Meet our experienced teachers and active scientists, and learn from laboratory practical teaching activities. The course will prepare you for further studies in many areas of biology and biomedicine.

Immunologi bild
Examples of Immune Responses to Coronaviruses. Created in "BioRender”.

The course will teach the basics of immunology with regard to both innate and acquired immunity. Your new knowledge will allow you to develop a proposal for a research project, which will be reported both in writing and as an oral presentation.  We will thoroughly discuss the induction and regulation of immune responses at organ- cellular- and molecular levels. We will further go into how the immune system combats infectious disease, how vaccines work, and diseases that are associated with immune dysfunction. Some important immunological methods will be applied in laboratory experiments, which also will illustrate important immunological principles.

  • Course structure

    The course is taught on campus where lectures, laboratory practical and other teaching activities take place. In the first week we introduce basic concepts in immunology, during the second week you will decide upon the project work to get more insight knowledge in an immunology topic of special interest for you and your peers. The third week contains extended time for self-studies and a diagnostic exam. The fourth and fifth weeks are devoted to laboratory practices on campus entire days. The last weeks contains lectures discussing defenses against bacteria, viruses and parasites as well as diseases associate with immunological defects or misguided immune responses. There are on campus activities virtually every day during the course, but also time for self-studies.

    Teaching format

    Learning opportunities will be provided by lectures, group activities, and laboratory exercises, as well as by formative assessments (diagnostic exam and lab reports). Participation in laboratory exercises, group activities, and teaching activities connected with these are mandatory. The lectures are really crucial for understanding what to focus on and for understanding difficult concepts.

    Assessment

    The course will be examined through written laboratory reports, project work assignment, oral presentation of the project work and a written exam at the end of the course.

    To pass the course the following is required:
    •    Passed final exam
    •    Passed laboratory reports
    •    Passed project presentation (oral and written)
    •    Obligatory attendance at the laboratory training, seminars and at project presentations
    •    Attendance at lectures is highly recommended

    Examiner

    Eva Sverremark
    eva.sverremark@su.se

    Anna-Lena Spetz
    anna-lena.spetz@su.se

  • Schedule

    The schedule will be available no later than one month before the start of the course. We do not recommend print-outs as changes can occur. At the start of the course, your department will advise where you can find your schedule during the course.
  • Course literature

    Note that the course literature can be changed up to two months before the start of the course.

    Kuby Immunology (8th edition; 2019) by Punt, Stranford, Jones & Owen. Publisher: WH Freeman & co.

  • Course reports

  • Contact

    Student office
    Study counsellor for advanced level