Immunology (4cr)

Objective

By the end of the course, the student will be able to explain the basics of the body's immune defense and its functioning and regulation principles from a medical perspective. The student will understand the immunological mechanisms behind symptoms and physiological manifestations related to health and diseases. The student will be able to integrate immunological knowledge with the mechanisms of disease development, diagnostics, and treatment in future studies.

Content

The basics of innate and adaptive immunity. The function and significance of the immune system in the mechanisms of disease development (e.g., infectious diseases, autoimmune diseases, allergic diseases, cancers). Utilization of immunological reactions in disease diagnostics. Principles of modulating immune defense in disease treatment. The significance of abnormal immunity in medicine.

Qualifications

Prerequisites and co-requisites No prerequisites. Recommended optional programme components The course has to be completed during the first two years of medical and dental studies.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1)

The course is graded on a pass/fail scale.

Materials

Book: Immunologia, Kustannus Oy Duodecim 2024, soveltuvin osin Book: Basic Immunology, functions and disoerders of the immune system, Elsevier, latest edition, soveltuvin osin. Self-study online materials, University of Oulu Moodle

Further information

Language of instruction Finnish Timing The course starts autumn period continuing to spring. Second year, C3 and C4 Target group Medicine and dentistry students Person responsible Professor of medical microbiology and immunology Timo Hautala Working life cooperation Experts from the local primary health care units, hospitals and diagnostic companies may give some of the clinical introductory lectures.

Execution methods

Self-study of online materials: 30 hours Classroom teaching: 14-16 hours Immunology examination: 2 hours Independent work: 48 hours

Accomplishment methods

The teaching consists of online materials and classroom instruction. The online materials related to classroom instruction must be mastered beforehand. In classroom instruction, the topics are discussed based on medical questions and applicable patient cases. There are questions and tasks in the classroom instruction that can earn additional points for the successful completion of the course. The immunology exam takes place after the immunology study module.