MSc Clinical Immunology

Indicative content of the Unit includes:

•    Fundamental immunological processes and immune components.
•    Contextualised immunity in mucosal tissues and in response to pathogenic infection and vaccination.
•    Tumour immunology and immunosurveillance.
•    Inborn errors of immunity, comprising immune deficiencies and immune regulatory disorders.
•    Secondary immunodeficiencies.
•    Laboratory assays used to assess immune components and immune functionality.
•    Immunotherapy, comprising chemical, biological and cellular approaches.

Students on the NHS Scientist Training Programme, this unit corresponds to S-CI-S1 in the NSHCS Curriculum Library.
 

Pre-requisite unit:
MEDN67111 Introduction to Clinical Immunology OR
MEDN63021 Introduction to Blood Sciences
 

This Unit aims to provide you with an advanced understanding of the immune system and the clinical significance of immunity as applied to pathogenic infection and cancer. You will develop knowledge of the integrated role of components within the immune system in response to pathogenic infections and the fundamental principles of tumour immunology.  In parallel, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of the causes of immune deficiency by becoming familiar with the immune pathology and diagnostic strategies for a range of suspected immune deficiency or immune dysregulation conditions that affect different arms of the immune system. You will gain experience of the interpretation of diagnostic test results in a variety of clinical settings and their clinical significance. Finally, you will develop an understanding of the use of immunotherapeutic options available to either enhance or inhibit the immune system’s potency linked to the condition that they are designed to treat and how the immune system can be exploited in a therapeutic setting.

Seminars and workshops, supported by self-directed online learning materials including clinical case studies, audio lectures, discussion boards and recommended reading.
 

Students should/will be able to:

•    Explain the coordination of the components of the immune system during an immune response.
•    Discuss the role of the immune system in defence against infection and in response to cancer.
•    Describe how the features of clinical presentation indicate immunodeficiency.
•    Explain the primary and secondary causes of immunodeficiency.
•    Discuss how immune deficiencies help to define the function of components within the immune system.
•    Critically evaluate the design, operation and performance of laboratory tests and assays used to investigate and define immunodeficiency.
•    Explain the principles of immunotherapy with relation to the immune system
•    Describe and monitor the impact of immunotherapeutic treatments.
•    Discuss and justify appropriate immunotherapeutic strategies and treatment regimens for patients with a range of immune disorders and cancer.

Students should/will be able to:

•    Critically analyse scientific and clinical data.
•    Present scientific and clinical data appropriately.
•    Formulate a critical argument.
•    Evaluate scientific and clinical literature.
•    Apply the knowledge of clinical immunology to address specific clinical problems.

Students should/will be able to:

•    Present information clearly in the form of verbal and written reports.
•    Communicate complex ideas and arguments in a clear and concise and effective manner.
•    Work effectively as an individual or part of a team. 
•    Use conventional and electronic resources to collect, select and organise complex scientific information.
 

Students should/will be able to:

•    Present complex ideas in simple terms in both oral and written formats.
•    Consistently operate within sphere of personal competence and level of authority.
•    Manage personal workload and objectives to achieve quality of care.
•    Actively seek accurate and validated information from all available sources.
•    Select and apply appropriate analysis or assessment techniques and tools.
•    Evaluate a wide range of data to assist with judgements and decision-making.
•    Interpret data and convert into knowledge for use in the clinical context of individual and groups of patients.
•    Work in partnership with colleagues to solve problems.

Coursework - 50%

Examination(s) - 50%

Marks and feedback will be provided online in accordance with the University of Manchester's Policy on Feedback to Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Students.