MICRO 2505 - Immunology & Virology II (Biotechnology)
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code MICRO 2505 Course Immunology & Virology II (Biotechnology) Coordinating Unit Molec & Biomedical Science Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 5 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Prerequisites (BIOLOGY 1101, BIOLOGY 1101ND, BIOLOGY 1401 or BIOLOGY 1001) and (BIOLOGY 1201 or BIOLOGY 1202) Corequisites One of SCIENCE 2200, SCIENCE 2201 or SCIENCE 2202; This co-requisite is the practical component that is worth 20% of your course. Incompatible MICRO 2501, MICRO 2503, MICRO 2003B; or equivalent Assumed Knowledge MICRO 2504, MICRO 2002 or MICRO 2004 Restrictions Available to BSc (Biotechnology) students only Assessment Test, tutorial and practical assessment Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Christopher Wong
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
At the end of the course, students should achive the following in the field of Virology and Immunology:
1. Understand how viruses transmit, infect and replicate in different host cells
2. Discuss how viral some viral infections are transient or persistent and the disease they cause
3. Describe how viral infections are controlled and diagnosed
4. Appreciate the role and importance of innate and adaptive immunity to host defence against micro-organisms
5. Describe the functions and properties of different immune cells and organs that comprise the immune system
6. Describe antibody structure and how this relates to antibody functions
7. Discuss the importance of MHC molecules in activation of adaptive immunity
8. Describe the assembly and expression of antigen receptor molecules during lymphocyte development
9. Discuss the cellular interactions and activation of immune cells in response to foreign antigen and cytokines
10. Describe central and peripheral tolerance in lymphocytes and how failure this process can lead to autoimmunity
11. Discuss the over-reaction of our immune system to some antigens in hypersensitivity reactions
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12. Work as a team to develop answers to questions asked on any of the above topics (1-11) during face-to-face tutorials
13. Conduct experiments to visualise concepts taught in the above topics 1-11University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1-11 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
12,13 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
12,13 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
12,13 Attribute 7: Digital capabilities
Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.
12,13 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
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Learning Resources
Required Resources
Title: Basic Immunology: Functions and Disorders of the Immune System
Author(s): Abbas, Licthman and Pillai
Publisher: ElsieverOnline Learning
Teaching materials and course documentation will be posted on the MyUni website (http://myuni.adelaide.edu.au/). -
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course will be delivered by the following means:
27 lectures
8 tutorials
4x 4 hours of laboratoryWorkload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student enrolled in a 3 unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).Learning Activities Summary
Practicals (20%)
Students are required to participate and complete the MBS Practical A/B/C. Students enrolled in this course will attend one or more of Practicals A, B and C offered by the Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science. Refer to Current Students Online Enrolment information at
This summative and formative activity will assist students to develop an understanding of the observational and experimental character of science, to value the close relationship between scientific research and development of new knowledge, develop practical laboratory skills, appreciate the need for experimental design, develop skills to interpret raw experimental data. The practical exercises are designed to develop teamwork, objective criticism and high level numerical and computing skills. The skills to effectively communicate the outcomes in written and oral reports is a significant part. The laboratory exercises will give students opportunity to learn skills made available by new technologies. The practicals include laboratory based exercises, computer based exercises to develop data handling skills, use of online databases and bioinformatics applications, and online journal and abstracting systems for preparation of review style reports. The practicals are assessed by a combination of written reports and oral presentations.
Tutorials (20%)
All tutorials are compulsory. The aim of tutorials is to develop a student’s knowledge, scientific curiosity for virology and immunology, and an appreciation of the role of both disciplines for society and the environment.
Students are required to complete online quizzes prior to attending their face-to-face tutorials. The online test which consist of an assortment of questions (brief answer questions, pulldown options and True/False. Students are assessed on lectures covered in the preceeding week. The assessments will be marked and returned to the the students as feedback.
Students are then required to attend and participate at their nominated face-to-face tutorials. Students will work in groups to discuss tutorial questions (released the week before) pertaining to concepts taught in preceeding lectures.
Internal Tests (3x 20%)
There will be 3x 50 min summative assessment that will be held during nominated lecture time slots throughout the semester. Students will be tested on their knowledge and understanding of concepts taught in Immunology or Virology. The internal tests are paper-based assessments and consist of questions in MCQ and SAQ formats.
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Task Type Hurdle Weighting Outcomes Assessed Practicals Summative No
20% 1-13 Tutorials Summative No 20% 1-13 Internal Tests Summative No 60% 1-11 Assessment Detail
The assessment methods used for this course are designed to address a number of the B. Sciences graduate attributes.
Practicals (20%)
Students are required to participate and complete the MBS Practical A/B/C. Students enrolled in this course will attend one or more of Practicals A, B and C offered by the Department of Molecular and Biomedical Science. Refer to Current Students Online Enrolment information at This summative and formative activity will assist students to develop an understanding of the observational and experimental character of science, to value the close relationship between scientific research and development of new knowledge, develop practical laboratory skills, appreciate the need for experimental design, develop skills to interpret raw experimental data. The practical exercises are designed to develop teamwork, objective criticism and high level numerical and computing skills. The skills to effectively communicate the outcomes in written and oral reports is a significant part. The laboratory exercises will give students opportunity to learn skills made available by new technologies. The practicals include laboratory based exercises, computer based exercises to develop data handling skills, use of online databases and bioinformatics applications, and online journal and abstracting systems for preparation of review style reports. The practicals are assessed by a combination of written reports and oral presentations.
Tutorials (20%)
All tutorials are compulsory. The aim of tutorials is to develop a student’s knowledge, scientific curiosity for virology and immunology, and an appreciation of the role of both disciplines for society and the environment.
Students are required to complete open-book online quizzes prior to attending their face-to-face tutorials. The online test consist of an assortment of formats including brief answer questions, pulldown options and True/False options. Students are assessed on lectures covered in the preceeding week. The assessments will be marked and returned to the the students as feedback.
Students are then required to attend and participate at their nominated face-to-face tutorials. Students will work in groups to discuss tutorial questions (released the week before) pertaining to concepts taught in preceeding lectures.Theory Tests (3x 20%)
There will be 3x 50 min summative assessment that will be held during nominated lecture time slots throughout the semester. Students will be tested on their knowledge and understanding of concepts taught in Virology and/or Immunology.
The theory tests are closed-book paper-based assessments and consist of questions in Multiple Choice Questions and Short Answer Question formats.Submission
If you are unable to work on the tutorial online quizzes, or attend the face to face tutorial or sit for the theory test for medical and compassionate reasons, please e-mail christopher.wong@adelaide.edu.au with the appropriate documentation.Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through .
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.
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