2025
Applied Immunology
Name: Applied Immunology
Code: CMS13734I
6 ECTS
Duration: 15 weeks/156 hours
Scientific Area:
Biochemistry, Biological Sciences
Teaching languages: Portuguese
Languages of tutoring support: Portuguese
Regime de Frequência: Presencial
Presentation
This UC aims to sensitize students to the current importance of immunology and to the knowledge of the organs, cells and molecules involved and to understand the maintenance of functional homeostasis and the mechanisms of immune responses.
Sustainable Development Goals
Learning Goals
1. Understanding of the functional homeostasis in animals through the immunological system. Life support.
2. Study of the organs, cells and molecules responsible for the immune responses.
3. Understanding of the immune mechanisms for the discrimination of self and non-self.
4. Laboratory exercises for the study of the immune responses of animals.
2. Study of the organs, cells and molecules responsible for the immune responses.
3. Understanding of the immune mechanisms for the discrimination of self and non-self.
4. Laboratory exercises for the study of the immune responses of animals.
Contents
1. Theoretical programme
a. Introduction to the immune system. General aspects.
b. Components of the immune system
c. Antigens and antibodies
d. Gene organisation and expression of immunoglobulins
e. Immune responses
f. Effector mechanisms of the immune response
g. The immune system in the health and disease
h. Monoclonal antibodies
i. Experimental immunology
2. Laboratory programme
a. Introduction. Programming of the course
b. Experimental immunisation
c. Purification of immunoglobulins
d. Test to the students natural immunity
e. Immunoprecipitation techniques
f. Observation of blood cells
g. ELISA
3. Autonomous laboratory work: chicken immunisation and its characterisation.
a. Introduction to the immune system. General aspects.
b. Components of the immune system
c. Antigens and antibodies
d. Gene organisation and expression of immunoglobulins
e. Immune responses
f. Effector mechanisms of the immune response
g. The immune system in the health and disease
h. Monoclonal antibodies
i. Experimental immunology
2. Laboratory programme
a. Introduction. Programming of the course
b. Experimental immunisation
c. Purification of immunoglobulins
d. Test to the students natural immunity
e. Immunoprecipitation techniques
f. Observation of blood cells
g. ELISA
3. Autonomous laboratory work: chicken immunisation and its characterisation.
Teaching Methods
The use of active learning methodologies will be privileged.
To this end, the contact sessions will include:
1. Sessions of a mostly expository nature, using audiovisual systems, whose objective is the introduction of concepts and themes of study;
2. Sessions that use flipped room methodologies to promote the application of previously acquired knowledge in expository sessions and through autonomous study through problem solving;
3. Experimental practical sessions promoting the development of technical and analytical skills.
To this end, the contact sessions will include:
1. Sessions of a mostly expository nature, using audiovisual systems, whose objective is the introduction of concepts and themes of study;
2. Sessions that use flipped room methodologies to promote the application of previously acquired knowledge in expository sessions and through autonomous study through problem solving;
3. Experimental practical sessions promoting the development of technical and analytical skills.
Assessment
Evaluation is an instrument of self-regulation and continuous improvement. The results of the assessment should show, in addition to the acquisition of knowledge and its application, the level of development of the required competences, skills, attitudes and values recommended. Continuous evaluation is privileged, carried out at times distributed throughout the semester, using different individual and group evaluation strategies and instruments.
For the individual assessment, it is planned to carry out formative written tests at the end of each module and a final summative test whose objective is to assess the level of learning acquired, namely, the integration of concepts, scientific rigor, acquisition of appropriate terminology and the ability to apply knowledge to new situations, including the ability to critically analyze. The completion of the training tests throughout the semester followed by a final test is based on a strategy that aims to contribute to promoting self-assessment and promoting interest in the continuous improvement of learning (formative tests) followed by a new opportunity to evaluate the same contents (final test). The result obtained in the training tests and in the final test will count, respectively, with 20% and 45% for the final grade.
The group evaluation will be based on the project work carried out in the practical classes, with experimental work developed in groups, promoting collaborative work and the development of skills and attitudes for teamwork. At the end of each experimental activity, the group should prepare a report and an oral presentation, contributing to assess the ability to analyze, interpret and integrate scientific data and oral and written communication skills, namely, the clarity and rigor of language. This component (PL) will have a weighting of 25% for the final grade.
In the continuous assessment component, attendance and punctuality in theoretical-practical classes and laboratory practices will contribute to the assessment and will have a weighting of 5% in the final grade.
Thus, the classification will be calculated as follows:
Final Grade = Formative Exams*0.20 + Final Exam*0.50 + Ass-Pont*0.05 + PL*0.25
The evaluation by exam will also have individual and group evaluation components. The experimental activities (group evaluation) with the characteristics described above will have a weighting of 30% and the final written test (individual evaluation) will have a weighting of 70%, with the final classification being calculated as follows:
Final Grade = Final Exam*0.70 + PL*0.30
For the individual assessment, it is planned to carry out formative written tests at the end of each module and a final summative test whose objective is to assess the level of learning acquired, namely, the integration of concepts, scientific rigor, acquisition of appropriate terminology and the ability to apply knowledge to new situations, including the ability to critically analyze. The completion of the training tests throughout the semester followed by a final test is based on a strategy that aims to contribute to promoting self-assessment and promoting interest in the continuous improvement of learning (formative tests) followed by a new opportunity to evaluate the same contents (final test). The result obtained in the training tests and in the final test will count, respectively, with 20% and 45% for the final grade.
The group evaluation will be based on the project work carried out in the practical classes, with experimental work developed in groups, promoting collaborative work and the development of skills and attitudes for teamwork. At the end of each experimental activity, the group should prepare a report and an oral presentation, contributing to assess the ability to analyze, interpret and integrate scientific data and oral and written communication skills, namely, the clarity and rigor of language. This component (PL) will have a weighting of 25% for the final grade.
In the continuous assessment component, attendance and punctuality in theoretical-practical classes and laboratory practices will contribute to the assessment and will have a weighting of 5% in the final grade.
Thus, the classification will be calculated as follows:
Final Grade = Formative Exams*0.20 + Final Exam*0.50 + Ass-Pont*0.05 + PL*0.25
The evaluation by exam will also have individual and group evaluation components. The experimental activities (group evaluation) with the characteristics described above will have a weighting of 30% and the final written test (individual evaluation) will have a weighting of 70%, with the final classification being calculated as follows:
Final Grade = Final Exam*0.70 + PL*0.30
Teaching Staff
- Célia Maria Miguel Antunes [responsible]
- Hunilla da Mata Amado Jacinto
Accreditations and Certifications
