NBIK13019U Principal Subject in Immunology and Metabolism: Module 1

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Biochemistry
Content

The course deals with the establishment of the innate and adaptive immune system, and how the interaction between the genome of the organism and the metagenome (the microbiota – the assembly of bacteria/microorganisms on and in an organism) regulates the development of the immune system, and how this interaction affects whole body metabolism. The course is based on novel peer-reviewed articles supplemented with reviews. Teaching comprises overview lectures by the teacher followed by presentation of articles by the students. During each teaching session, three original articles will be discussed. Each of these articles is presented by one student, and one student is selected to serve as an opponent. All students participate actively in the discussion of each article.

Learning Outcome

Knowledge:

During this course module, the student will acquire knowledge of:

1. How the innate and adaptive immune systems develop and function.

2. How establishment of the innate and adaptive immune systems are regulated by the genome and metagenome of the organism.

3. How the genome affects the metagenome and how this interaction regulates the immune system.

4. How the immune system and the metagenome affect whole body metabolism and energy balance.  

Skills

During this course module, the student will acquire the following skills.

  1. Reading of and understanding complicated articles within the topics of the course.
  2. Critical evaluation of data.
  3. Best practice for succinct and accurate presentation of articles and data.

Competences

During this course module, the student will acquire the following competences.

  1. The ability to combine diverse types of information and understand complex correlation – also between different scientific disciplines and topics. 
  2. The ability to formulate succinct and constructive criticism of presentations and results.
Literature
See Absalon.
The teaching takes the form of student colloquia and discussions based on reading of original research articles and data.
The teaching is open to MSc-students of biochemistry. Other MSc-students may be admitted, but priority will be given to MSc-students in biochemistry. Only one of the principal subjects (Immunology, Molecular Cell Biology, Molecular Genetics, Molecular Microbiology or Protein Chemistry) can be chosen. All modules (1, 2 and 3) must be within the same principal subject. It is mandatory for MSc-students of biochemistry to follow one of the principal subjects.
Teaching may be in Danish if all participants are conversant in Danish and agree.

Workload is indicating the total number of hours of all 3 modules.
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 16
  • Guidance
  • 8
  • Preparation
  • 182
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Course participation
The course is approved/not approved by the teachers on the basis of active participation (continuous evaluation). The criteria for active participation are 1)
the student has satisfactorily presented at least one seminar to fellow students during the course and 2) has participated actively with relevant questions/comments in at least 7 of the 9 sessions.
Marking scale
completed/not completed
Censorship form
No external censorship
Re-exam
There is no reexamination. If the course is not approved, the student has to follow the module again.
Criteria for exam assesment
Active participation. See under " Type of assessment".