MSc Clinical Immunology / Course details

Indicative content of the Unit includes:

Allergy
•    Classification and immune pathogenesis of hypersensitivity reactions.
•    The spectrum of allergic disease including genetic and environmental triggers.
•    Clinical indications and presentation of allergic disease.
•    Diagnostic strategies for allergic disease.
•    Current approaches to therapeutic management of tissue-specific and systemic allergic disease, including mechanism of action and monitoring of effective response.

Autoimmunity
•    The spectrum of autoimmune disease including genetic and environmental triggers.
•    Regulation of immune tolerance and failure in the onset of autoimmune disorder.
•    Immune pathogenesis of tissue-specific and systemic autoimmune disorders.
•    Diagnostic strategies for tissue-specific and systemic autoimmune disorders.
•    Current approaches to therapeutic management of tissue-specific and systemic autoimmune disorders, including mechanism of action and monitoring of effective response.

Haematological Malignancy
•    Current understanding of the clinical features, pathogenesis, molecular mechanisms, diagnosis and management of haematological malignancies.
•    Classification of haematological malignancies in accordance with recognised criteria.
•    Diagnostic strategies for haematological malignancies.
•    Current approaches to therapeutic management of haematological malignancies, including mechanism of action and monitoring of effective response.

For students on the NHS Scientist Training Programme, this Unit corresponds to S-CI-S2, S-CI-S3 and S-CI-S4 in the NSHCS Curriculum Library.

The aims of this Unit are to provide you with a deepened knowledge and understanding of the immunological mechanisms, pathology and clinical investigation of disorders acquired during lifetime that affect the functionality of the immune system.  This 30-credit Unit is sub-divided into 3 distinct components, each covering a distinct element of Clinical Immunology.  In each of Allergy, Autoimmunity, and Haematological Malignancy, you will understand the clinical presentation and diagnostic investigation of a range of conditions, become familiar with strategies used to investigate immune function in these diseases and gain experience of the interpretation of patient clinical histories and diagnostic test results in a variety of clinical settings. 

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:

Allergy
1.    Explain and distinguish the immunopathological mechanisms between the different classifications of hypersensitivity reaction.
2.    Explain the processes of sensitisation and elicitation reactions.
3.    Discuss the important features of clinical presentation and history in the investigation of allergy.
4.    Compare and contrast the indications and performance of clinical and laboratory tests used to diagnose allergy.
5.    Evaluate the pharmacological treatments available in the management of allergic reactions in relation to the immunopathological mechanisms of the disorder.

Autoimmunity
1.    Describe the key features used to classify autoimmune disorders.
2.    Discuss the processes of immunological self-tolerance and immune regulation.
3.    Explain the causes and immunopathological mechanisms of autoimmune disorders and relate these features to the clinical presentation.
4.    Explain the role of autoantibodies and autoreactive T-lymphocytes in the progression of autoimmune disease.
5.    Compare and contrast the indications and performance of laboratory tests used to investigate autoimmune disorders.
6.    Evaluate the pharmacological treatments available in the management of autoimmune disorders in relation to the immunopathological mechanisms of disease.

Haematological Malignancies 
1.    Describe and explain the underlying pathogenesis of a range of haematological malignancies.
2.    Demonstrate a critical awareness of the classification of haematological malignancies as defined by WHO international guidelines.
3.    Critically evaluate the design, operation and performance of diagnostic assays used in the investigation and monitoring of haematological malignancies.
4.    Critically appraise the therapeutic approaches used in clinical management of haematological malignancies.
5.    Explain the importance of integrated diagnosis and the implementation of national and international guidelines on the diagnosis and management of haematological malignancies.
 

Students should/will be able to:

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

Students should/will be able to:

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

Students should/will be able to:

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

Coursework - 25%.
Examination(s) - 75%

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