Immunology（Elaborate Courses）

Immunology is one of the most important subjects within the sphere of Biomedical Science, which includes Classical Immunology and Clinical Immunology. Classical immunology studies on the mechanisms behind tremendous immune phenomena, including interactions among immune molecules, proliferation and differentiation of immune cells, and relations between pathogens and immune system. Clinical immunology focuses on diseases resulting from disorders of the immune system, including a large number of destructive diseases, such as autoimmune diseases, transplant rejection and even cancer. Currently Immunology is in its rapid development and could be related to other disciplines of science and almost all aspects of life activities. By applying multiple biological techniques of state of the art, Immunology has obtained dramatic achievements involving rapid diagnosis, vaccine producing and other predominant findings or applications. However, the stage of this subject is still huge and keeps expanding, since there are a lot of life mysteries awaiting interpretation or resolution by the knowledge of Immunology.

Department of Immunology at Jiangsu University was established in 2006, but Immunology course had already been implemented upon undergraduate students much earlier, and served as a core course contributing to each success of its administrative discipline “Clinical Laboratory Technology” (Authorization of Master’s degree program of Medical Laboratory Technology in 2003, authorization of Master’s degree program of Immunology in 2005, certified as Jiangsu Provincial key discipline in 2006). Later, Immunology course itself was approved as Jiangsu Provincial Excellent Course in 2008. Meanwhile, Immunology also developed into an independent discipline in Jiangsu University. Since then, Immunology course has become one of the most efficient and attractive course for medical students because it never stops updating. The classes designed for this course includes theory studying and practical part, every student is permitted to freely communicate with lecturers upon any subject-related topics during classes, additionally, M.S. students or Ph.D students are encouraged to perform frequent lab work and afterwards discussion in an international setting in order to improve their professional and social ability, also, they are required to get involved in undergraduates’ practical classes and supply counsels based on a previous settled schedule, which can efficiently help both undergraduates and postgraduates.

The faculty team in Department of Immunology is an international one. Each member has the oversea training experience, additionally, the department has guest professors from United States, Canada and other countries or regions and at least once per semester they give lectures about the latest findings or frontier technologies in Immunology field, so that students can enjoy the knowledge feast and advance with the world. In addition, the hardware part of the department is outstanding as well. The affiliated laboratory with full-scale equipments supplies a practical platform for students to learn and perform immunological tests, molecular manipulation and other experiments, which are essential for whom wants to further involve in Immunology, no matter in research or in industry.

Taken together, Immunology is a momentous part of current science, and the Department of Immunology is delivering the requisite content of it with full of patience and passion to gifted students, assisting them to take the step towards their futures, or even, the science’s future.

Course description:

Part Ⅰ: Fundamental Immunology

This part consists of an integrated series of lectures designed to familiarize students with cellular, molecular and biochemical aspects of the development of the immune system and the immune response. The course focuses on the development of the immune system and the function of its major components.

Part Ⅱ: Clinical Immunology

Clinical Immunology is an advanced immunology course in which fundamental immunology concepts are both reinforced and extended through the study of human diseases of the immune system. Diseases discussed in this course include hypersensitivity, immunodeficiencies, lymphoproliferative disorders, and autoimmunity (both systemic and organ specific). Discussion focuses on clinical presentations, mechanisms (including genetics), and the therapeutic approaches used to treat them. The course format includes brief lecture time and extended discussion of case studies of each disease. Didactic lectures on the basic concepts of tumor immunology, vaccine development and transplantation are also included in this course.

Part Ⅲ: Practical Immunology

This course focuses on the logic of experimental design and the development of scientific communication skills, with particular emphasis on performing skills. Students design, compose, and present their own research proposals and evaluate their colleagues' proposals in small-group discussion sessions with the aid of faculty advisors.

Course objective

To provide basic and advanced knowledge employed in the field of immunology.

Specific Objectives

To provide a broad based knowledge and understanding of immunology of medical importance.

To teach basic diagnostic techniques designed by immunological principles.

To encourage critical analysis in the diagnosis, interpretation and discussion of data related to immunological detections.

Teaching arrangement

This course is mainly conducted in form of lectures, classroom discussion, and presentation. The course is structured as follows:

Evaluation and Assessment

This would be covering the following areas:

Attendance -10%

Student presentation -15%

Practical performance -15%

End of semester examination -60%