Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
DepartmentofBiology
Biology4430FallQuarter,2015
Dr.KenCurr
LectureSchedule
SciN418;8852629(WillChange)M/W6:007:50p.m.
email:kenneth.curr@csueastbay.edu
SSci213
OfficeHours:M34:30p.m.
W34:00pm
Byappt.
Textbook:Kuby:Immunology6thor7thEditionbyKindt,GoldsbyandOsboorne.
(Note:Kuby Immunology, 6th Edition can be Downloaded for free online)
Course Basics:
This is a tough course on basic molecular and cellular immunological principles. Because
of the nature of the discipline, this is by default a very tough course. Since we only have
ten-weeks to cover the material, you will already be expected to know several topics
extremely well. This includes DNA Replication, RNA Transcription, Protein Translation,
Gene expression and Molecular Genetic Techniques such as molecular cloning. People
who have a hard time in this course do not understand these principles. Additionally, you
should understand basic chemical principles (i.e. pH, functional groups, nucleophilic
attack reactions)
You will be graded on your performance in four quizzes, two midterm exams and a final
exam, which will be comprehensive. If you dont understand the material from the early
part of the course it will be very difficult for you to pass the second half of the course.
This course is one of the mot important courses you can take if you plan on moving to a
medically related career, a pharmaceutical career, veterinary medicine, basic or clinical
research or a CLS program. It does not matter what instructor you take this topic is
complex. I suggest you only take this course only if you are serious about learning the
subject. If you really put 100% into the course I will guarantee you will come out of the
course having an excellent foundation in immunological principles.
Course Description:
The course will cover all of the major immune cells in the body, the molecules and
anatomy in place to provide both innate and adaptive immune responses against
biological threats. We will spend much of the first half of the course studying the innate
immune response, immune organelles and experimental immunology, followed by
detailed understanding of the adaptive response. The end of the course will deal with such
topics such as the mechanisms governing autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, cancer,
hypersensitivity and transplant rejection. We may not get through all, but most of these
final topics. I only have 2 hours /class with you. It is up to you to take the requisite
amount of time after class to master the details of the topics covered.
1
40 pts/ea
20 Points
120 pts/ea
150 Points
120 Points
20 Points
360 Points
150 Points
650 Points
A curve will be based on the top and lowest scores of the course.
Please do not ask me to change the grade at the end of the course because you have
to pass the course with a high grade. You know what you have to do to receive the
grade you earn. You can come to office hours, e-mail me with questions, read
material at the library, go onto the internet, create study groups, look on You Tube,
read the primary literature and I will see about obtaining tutors. Powerpoints will
only be given after the entire lecture is finished, please dont ask to have it placed
onto BB beforehand. This means there is an enormous amount of supplementary
help and material for you to get an A or B in the course. If I find that the majority of
the class is seriously above the curve, I will do away with the curve and give you the
grade you deserve if the entire class gets As so be it. I have no problem giving the
entire classes As and Bs.
Since I am grading on a curve that means at any given moment I will not know what your
grade is because it is based on the lowest and top scores. However, you should be able to
have a good idea where you stand based on the class average. I will always give you the
high/low scores for each quiz and exam and the average of the class. If you are
consistently with the average you are doing C work, above the average B work, way
above the average A work, the same in the opposite direction. Thus, saying you have no
idea what your grade is in the course is only because you are not paying attention to your
scores.
There are no make-up exams in the course. If you have a valid reason I will double your
next quiz or exam. If you miss the third quiz I will use the score of your second quiz.
Everyone must take the final on the day of the final. Only emergency exceptions will be
tolerated. So, if you plan on leaving for winter break, make sure you get your tickets after
the final date. If you have already purchased your tickets, you will need to change the
date or take the course at another time. I will always give you enough time for the exams.
List of Course Topics:
Introduction to the Course and Overview of Immunity
The Immune System (Hematopoiesis, Lymphoid Tissues, Organs and Vessels,
Lymphocyte Migration)
Innate Immunity
Experimental Immunology
B Cell Development; Antibody Structure and Function
T Cell Development and Function
The Major Histocompatibility Complex and Antigen Presentation
Cytokines
Autoimmunity
Immune Response to Infectious Disease and Vaccines
Hypersensitivities
Immunodeficiencies
Cancer and the Immune System
Transplantation
Journals: I will give you several journal articles from the primary literature throughout
the course. Three of them will be tested on within the three major exams. I will tell you
which journal articles they will be. I will have a copy of the journal article as part of the
exam, so you will be able to look for the information, you may not use your own copy.
Amino Acid Exam: September 30th
Exam I: Thursday October 28th
Exam II: Thursday November 18th
Final Exam: TBA
Golden Rule:
Finally, the number one rule is that there should be no cell phones out for any reason
PERIOD!!! They are disruptive and rude and show a lack of respect. Please turn them
off before you come into class. You are all adults and now know the policy; there is no
reason to forget this policy, as it is the same that you know not to go 50 MPH in 25 MPH
zone. I do not want to see a phone, hear a phone or see someone texting for any reason.
That means you cant look anything up on your phone. Look it up after class. However, I
realize that some people may have an emergency and is expecting an important call or
news (though this is usually rare). You may put your phone on vibrate and leave the class.
Do not take your phone out until you are in the hallway. If I see or hear a phone,
everyone gets a five-point quiz. This is not enough to alter your grade, but it will let you
know I am serious. What can alter your grade is if phones keep going off as I double the
quiz score each time there is a phone quiz. I forgot to turn it off is not a valid excuse.
ImportantGradingPolicy:
Itisimportantthatifyouneedhelpintheclassyoudoitbeforeitistoolatetohelpyou
ontheexam.Youneedtodecideinthebeginningofthequarterwhetherornotyouwant
totaketheclassforcreditornocredit,lowgradeswillnotbechangedtoCr/NCr.Grades
willnotbechangedbecauseyoureceivealowgradeandyouneedahighergradeinthe
class(i.e.CtoaC)Whatyouearniswhatyouget!!Finally,Ispendagreatdealoftime
correctingyourexamsandmoreoftenthannotIgiveyouthebenefitofthedoubt.Thus,
beggingpointswongetyouanywhere,ifyoubelieveyouhaveavalidquerythencome
andseeme.Iwillnothaggleforoneortwopoints,astheycannotchangeyourgrade
ever.