Immunology Undergraduate Education
- About immunology
- 2nd year Immunology units
- 3rd year Immunology units
- Related units
- Research in Action unit
What is Immunology?
The immune system is crucial for our survival. It protects us from pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. Immunology is the study of the immune system in health and disease. It is the reason why we recover from a cold but also why we suffer from allergies, have diseases such as diabetes and why we reject tissue transplants.
Why study immunology?
Immunology is the basis of many health issues in our society. These include vaccination, tissue transplantation, cancer, allergies and autoimmunity. The Department is a leader in immunology teaching and research into fundamental and clinical immunology.
Your degree and immunology
The Department offers one immunology unit at 2nd year and four at 3rd year within both the Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Biomedical Science (BMS) degrees. At 3rd year, students can take one theory and one practical based unit per semester. Together these units provide a comprehensive coverage of immunology equipping students for a career in research, applied or diagnostic immunology.
2nd Year Immunology Units
IMM2011 - Basic Immunology: The body's defence system
Coordinators: Assoc Prof. Frank Alderuccio and Dr Kim Murphy
This unit is designed to introduce students to the immune system which has evolved to protect us from microbial pathogens. It involves both theory and practical based sessions on topics such as structure and development of the immune system, the generation of immune responses, major effector mechanisms involved in pathogen clearance, basic structure and function of viruses and bacteria and immunological techniques used in assaying immune responses to micro-organisms.
For more information on this unit please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook .
IMM2022 - Immunology in health and disease
Coordinators: Assoc Prof. Frank Alderuccio and Dr Kim Murphy
This unit will give students the opportunity to examine in more detail the role of the immune system in our world. A selection of immune based disease and health states will be examined in the contexts of understanding the role that the immune system plays but also the impact and implications of these diseases. Students will have the opportunity to develop their learning skills through defined assignements that will broaden their view of immunology.
For more information on this unit please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook.
3rd Year Immunology Units
IMM3031 - Molecular and cellular immunology
Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Mark Wright
This theory based unit examines in depth important features of development and function of the immune system in health and disease. Areas covered include development of the innate and adaptive immune system, antigen processing and presentation, maturation of the immune response, self tolerance and regulation. Students will learn the principles of advanced techniques in immunology including the relevance of genetic engineering and will acquire skills in reviewing the literature and assignment preparation.
For more information on this unit please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook .
IMM3051 - Principles of applied immunology
Coordinator: Dr Kim Murphy
This unit aims to develop students' practical skills and knowledge of laboratory immunology. The course is laboratory based with tutorials to ensure a thorough theoretical understanding of techniques. Students will learn about the anatomy of the immune system, antibody production and interactions and diagnostic immunology techniques. This unit gives students a firm understanding of techniques relevant to immunology and many other scientific disciplines.
For more information on this unit please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook .
IMM3042 - Clinical immunopathology
Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Robyn Slattery
This theory based unit examines regulation of the immune response and how this knowledge can be applied to improve disease treatment. Host-pathogen interactions are considered together with new strategies for vaccines. In addition, diseases of the immune system are examined including immunodeficiency, autoimmune and allergic diseases. As well students will study the role of the immune system in tissue transplantation and tumor eradication.
For more information on this unit please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook .
IMM3062 - Clinical and research laboratory immunology
Coordinator: Dr Kim Murphy
This unit examines advanced techniques used in clinical and research immunology laboratories. These include assays for lymphocyte proliferation, cytokines, cell-mediated cytotoxicity, detection of antigen/antibody reaction by immunoblotting and immunoprecipitation, and detection of transgene by polymerase chain reaction. In vivo experimental models of immune disorders such as graft-versus-host disease are also examined. The unit is laboratory based with tutorials to ensure a thorough theoretical understanding of techniques. In the final six weeks of the unit students are attached (in small groups) to a research or clinical laboratory where they conduct a mini-research project. Students plan, execute and report on their project and present their findings in a research forum.
For more information on this unit please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook .
Related Units
In addition to immunology the Department contributes to undergraduate teaching in human pathology and cell biology. Together with immunology these units provide students with a strong background in biological and biomedical sciences.
HUP3011 - Human Pathology 1: Understanding disease processes
Coordinators: Dr Simone Schoenwaelder and Assoc. Prof. Robyn Slattery
This unit introduces students to basic pathological processes, with particular reference to cell death, inflammation, disorders of immunity and neoplasia. Mechanisms for these processes are addressed, including their role in host response to injury, how these processes are modified in particular diseases and how these processes themselves may cause disease when normal regulatory controls are lost. Principles are illustrated by reference to specific diseases but are applicable across all systems. This approach provides students with an understanding of the language of pathology and appreciation of the causes and natural progress of human diseases.
For more information on this unit please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook .
HUP3022 - Human Pathology 2: The pathology of human diseases
Coordinators: Dr Simone Schoenwaelder and Assoc. Prof. Robyn Slattery
This unit adopts a systematic approach to the study of pathology. Organ systems are addressed in turn including the important diseases in each. These include cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension and ischaemia, gastrointestinal and liver diseases such as hepatitis and jaundice, haematological diseases such as anaemia, leukaemia and lymphoma and respiratory diseases such as pneumoconiosis and pulmonary infections. The aetiology, clinical presentation, treatment and course of the disease are discussed. Particular emphasis is placed on morphological aspects and how these vary from normal, together with other laboratory and radiologic investigations to provide an integrated approach to the diagnosis of specific diseases and general disease processes.
For more information on this unit please refer to the Undergraduate Handbook .
IMM3990: Research in Action (Immunology)
Unit convenor: Associate Professor Frank Alderuccio
Monash Handbook
6 point unit
This unit provides high achieving students the opportunity to join a research laboratory and conduct a research project within the Department of Immunology. On completion of this unit, students will have acquired skills in searching relevant databases, reviewing scientific literature in Immunology and preparing and presenting oral and written reports. They will be involved in the planning, conducting and analysis of experiments designed to address defined scientific questions.
Learning objectives of this unit:
- Develop skills in searching relevant scientific databases and reviewing literature in immunology
- Develop an advanced knowledge in a defined area of immunology associated with the research project
- Develop specific laboratory skills associated with a chosen research project
- Develop skills in experimental design, data analysis and interpretation, and record keeping
- Develop skills in data presentation through computer-based formats for oral and written presentations
- Develop skills in scientific writing centered on analysis of scientific literature and research data
- Experience and develop skills associated with working in a research team
- Develop skills in time management and goal setting
Organisation of the unit
This unit may be taken in either first or second semester.
The research project may be chosen from a list of projects available at the beginning of semester from the Department of Immunology. Approval for projects must be obtained from potential supervisor and unit convenor prior to enrollment. Students will work with a research supervisor or associated with the Department of Immunology to obtain data and prepare their assessment tasks.
Assessment comprises a written literature review and final report, and two oral presentations.
Eligibility:
Students must have completed all first and second level units in their approved major and complete at least 12 points at third year level in units relevant to area of study. Students must have a distinction average over 24 points at 2nd year level and 12 points at 3rd year level; associated with approved major. Students must organize approval for selected project with potential supervisor and obtain final permission from unit coordinator or head of department.
How to apply:
Students should choose a project from the list of projects listed in the IMM3990 Research Project Handbook. Eligible students should first contact potential supervisors and obtain agreement that they can be supervised in the designated laboratory. Student and supervisor should then complete the IMM3990 application form for approval by the unit convenor. Once approval has been obtained, enrolment can be completed by submitting a unit amendment form through the appropriate Faculty Office. Note, enrolments cannot be completed on-line.
IMM3990 Research Projects (pdf 2.66mb)
IMM3990 application form (doc 219kb)
IMM3990 application form (pdf 384kb)
Unit amendment form (pdf 58kb) (required once your application has been accepted)
