4 ECTS credits
110 h study time

Offer 1 with catalog number 1018031ANR for all students in the 2nd semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.

Semester
2nd semester
Enrollment based on exam contract
Impossible
Grading method
Grading (scale from 0 to 20)
Can retake in second session
Yes
Enrollment Requirements
Je hebt 'De cel: biomoleculen en metabolisme', 'De cel: Structuur en functie', 'De cel: Moleculaire biologie en signaaltransductie' en 'De cel: Van cel tot weefsel' gevolgd, alvorens 'Basisconcepten van ziekte: immunologie' op te nemen.
Taught in
Dutch
Faculty
Faculteit Geneeskunde en Farmacie
Department
Basis (bio-) medische wetensch
Educational team
Karine Breckpot
Joeri Aerts (course titular)
Activities and contact hours
30 contact hours Lecture
20 contact hours Independent or External Form of Study
Course Content

•   Chapter 1: Introduction to the immune system 

–    Nomenclature, general characteristics and components of the immune system.

•   Chapter 2: Innate immunity  Hoofdstuk 2: ‘Innate’ immuniteit

–    Immediate defence against infection

•    Chapter 3:  Antigen absorption and presentation to lymphocytes

–  What do lymphocytes see? 

•     Chapter 4: Antigen recognition in the adaptive immune system

–   Antigen receptor structure and the development of the immune repertoire

•    Chapter 5: Cell-mediated immune responses

–   Activation of T-lymphocytes by cell-associated microbes  

•     Chapter 6: Effector mechanisms of cellular immunity

–    Destruction of intercellular microbes

•    Chapter 7: Humoral immune responses

–    Activation of B lymphocytes and the production of antibodies

•     Chapter 8: Effector mechanisms of humoral immunity

–    Removal of extracellular microbes and toxines

•     Chapter 9: Immune tolerance and autoimmunity

–   Self and Nonself discrimination

•     Chapter 10: Immune response to tumors and transplants

–    Immunity to noninfectious transformed and foreign cells

•    Chapter 11: Hypersensitivity diseases

–    Diseases caused by immune responses

•     Chapter 12: Congenital and acquired immune dificiencies

–    Diseases caused by reduced immune activity

Course material
Digital course material (Recommended) : Cursus Immunologie, Verklarende tekst (Power-Point handouts) wordt ter beschikking, Kris Thielemans, Canvas, het ZSCJ of de jaarafgevaardigden
Handbook (Required) : Basic Immunology, Functions and Disorders of the Immune System, Abul K. Abbas, Andrew H. Lichtman, 6de, Elsevier Saunders, 9780443105197, 2023
Additional info

For additional information, contact the lecturer: joeri.aerts@vub.be or co-lecturer: karine.breckpot@vub.be

Learning Outcomes

general competencies



  • the student progressively acquires knowledge about the physiology of the immune system


  • the student has knowledge about the recent developments in immunologic research


  • the student acquires knowledge about different pathologies in which the immune system is involved


  • the bachelor knows the development of the immune system


  • the bachelor knows the structure of cells, tissues and organs involved in the immune system and the underlying processes of an immune response


  • the bachelor knows the basic techniques and methodology of immunologic research


  • the bachelor can make the connection between immunologic processes and symptoms


  • the bachelor has a good knowledge of immunology

Grading

The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Oral Exam determines 100% of the final mark.

Within the Oral Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:

  • Examen Andere with a relative weight of 100 which comprises 100% of the final mark.

    Note: Het examen is een verplicht mondeling examen. Zie de aanvullende informatie mbt de examinering voor meer informatie.

Additional info regarding evaluation

The exam covers the subjects taught during the lectures and gauges both knowledge and insight in the subjects covered during the courses. 

The exam exist of two parts: a first part existing of multiple choice questions and a second part existing of open questions. 

The multiple-choice questions will be examined ONLY orally and will be quoted as half of the total mark.

The open questions will be examined ORALLY after a written preparation and will also be quoted as half of the total mark.

After receipt of a list of questions, the student has the time to answer the multiple-choice questions and for a written preparation of the open questions; the lecturer will use this preparation during the oral examination about the open questions. 

In order to pass for the complete course, a total mark of at least 10/20 must be obtained. If the student obtains a mark of 8 or less for one of the parts (multiple choice or oral examination), this will become the final grade of the examen.  The exam in the second session follows an identical course as in the first session.

Allowed unsatisfactory mark
The supplementary Teaching and Examination Regulations of your faculty stipulate whether an allowed unsatisfactory mark for this programme unit is permitted.

Academic context

This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Medicine: Standard track (6 years) (only offered in Dutch)