BioMS 3150

Basic Immunology
SYLLABUS

BASIC IMMUNOLOGY
BIOMS 3150
FALL SEMESTER 2015
Time

TTh: 8:40am-9:55 a.m. (1.5 periods, 75 minutes class time).

Place

125 Riley-Robb Hall

Course Director

Prof. Avery August

Professor of Immunology
Department of Microbiology & Immunology
College of Veterinary Medicine
Office:
Phone:
Email:
Hours:

C5171 Veterinary Medical Center

253-3401 (office)
averyaugust@cornell.edu
By Appointment Only

Course Instructors

Prof. Avery August

Prof. Cynthia Leifer
Dr. Beth Rhodes
Prof. Brian Rudd
Prof. Margaret Bynoe
Prof. Rodney Dietert

Teaching Assistant

Angela Yan
Office: C-5119 Veterinary Medical Center
Email: ay296@cornell.edu
Hours: F 9:00-10:00 am
Chern Bee
Office: C-5119 Veterinary Medical Center
Email: cb626@cornell.edu
Hours: M 4:45-5:45 pm

Textbook
Unless otherwise indicated, all reading assignments will be from the textbook, The
Immune System, 4th edition, by Parham, published by Garland Science
Copies of this book will be placed on reserve in Mann Library and the Veterinary College
Library.
Course Content

BioMS 3150

Basic Immunology

The goal of this course is to introduce students to the field of immunology. Students will acquire
an understanding of the cells, molecules and tissues that comprise the immune system,
together with the ways that these components participate in the immune response. Diseases of
the immune system and defense mechanisms that operate against infectious agents, cancerous
cells, or transplanted tissues will be covered.
Course information
All lecture materials, assignments and other information will be posted on Blackboard. Paper
handouts will not be provided.
Attendance Policy
Although attendance will not be taken daily, it is important that you attend regularly. The
lecture material will build upon itself, therefore if you miss a class be sure to ask a colleague for
notes.
Course Policies
Examinations and Exam Policy
Quizzes
There will be 11 quizzes, 1 after each chapter. Each quiz is worth 10 point each for a total of
110 points. The total quiz points will count for ~31% of the overall grade. Quizzes will be
administered online and you will have 48 hours in which to complete the quiz.
Short papers
There will be 2 one page (1 inch margins, single spaced, 12 pt, Arial font) writing assignments.
Assignments will require research and synthesis of information. Each paper is worth 20 points
for ~11.4% of the course grade. Each assignment will be made well in advance of the due date,
so late papers will not be accepted and will be graded as a zero. Every effort will be made to
return graded papers within one week.
There will be two preliminary examinations and one comprehensive final examination. Exams
are multiple choice. Examinations will cover the material indicated on the course lecture
schedule. Topics covered on the examinations will be limited to material that has been
presented and discussed in class. There will be an evening review session prior to each prelim.
Come prepared to ask questions on material that is unclear to you as there will be no planned
presentation for these sessions.
1. Examination question sheets must be handed in and will not be returned. Exams will be
available for perusal after the exam is graded. If there is a disagreement relative to the grading
of a question, the entire examination will be reviewed. Questions relative to grading will only be
considered within 2 weeks after the day exams are returned to the class.
2. Each prelim will be worth 50 points towards your overall grade (~14% each). The final will be
worth 100 points towards your grade (~29%).
3. Make-up examinations will be given in cases of unavoidable conflicts or illness.

BioMS 3150

Basic Immunology

Examinations will be given during the regularly scheduled class period, therefore
conflicts will be considered a HIGHLY unlikely event. In no instance will a make-up
examination be given unless arrangements have been made prior to the scheduled exam.
Failure to take the regularly scheduled exam without contacting the instructor and
making prior arrangements will result in a zero for that exam.
4. Grading in this course is by a letter grade with an S/U option. It is the student's responsibility
to arrange his/her desired grading option. Grades of I (incomplete) will be given strictly
according to University policy.
Cornell University Code of Academic Integrity
Each student in this course is expected to abide by the Cornell University Code of Academic
Integrity. Any work submitted by a student for academic credit will be the student's own work.
For this course, collaboration is allowed only in the form of discussing the paper assignments.
All writing must be the student's own work.
Classroom Etiquette
The lectures will start on time. Please try to be prompt and not leave before the lecture is over.
Talking, shuffling papers, and eating during the lectures are distracting both to other students
and the lecturer and will not be tolerated. Please turn off cell phones or place them on silent.
Please wait until the lecture is over before you begin to gather your belongings. This large
classroom is only one of the many meetings you will attend in your professional life. Practicing
basic etiquette will make it a more positive experience for everyone.

BioMS 3150

Basic Immunology
Schedule of Classes

Date

Lecture Topic

Reading Assignment

8/25

Course Introduction and Elements of the Immune System

Ch 1

8/27

Immediate Immune Responses to Infection

9/1

Induced Responses to Infection

Ch 2 and
Ch 3-11 to 3-12
Ch 3-1 to 3-14

9/3

Innate immunity to Viruses

Ch 3-13 to end

9/8

Antigens and Antibodies

Ch 4-4.6

9/10

Antigen Presentation and the MHC

Ch 5-6 to end

9/15*

Antibodies and immunoglobulin genes

Ch 4-7 to end

9/17

B cell development

Ch 6-1 to 6-8, 6-11 to 615

9/22

Prelim (includes material through 9/10)

9/24

T cell development

Ch 5-2 to 5-5, Ch 7

9/29

T cell activation

Ch 8-1 to 8-8, 8-12

10/1

Cytolytic T cells and TH1 and TH2 cells

10/6

Other T helper cells and memory T cells

Ch 8-9 to 8-11,
8-13 to 8-18
Ch 8-19 to 8-20
11-3 to 11-5, 11-10

10/8**

B cell activation

Ch 9-1 to 9-6,
Ch 6-14 to 6-15

10/15

Diversification of Antibodies

Ch 9-7 to 9-14
Ch 4-14 to 4-15

10/20

Effector functions of antibodies

10/22
10/27

Mucosal Immunity
Prelim (includes material through 10/15)

Ch 9-15 to 9-24
Ch 4-16 to 4-17
Ch 10

10/29
11/3

Immunological Memory
Vaccination

Ch 11-1 to 11-13
Ch 11-14 to 11-28

11/5

NK cells and T cells

Ch 12

11/10

Immune deficiencies

Ch 13-8 to 13-16

11/12

HIV and AIDS

Ch 13-17 to 13-25

BioMS 3150

Basic Immunology

11/17
11/19

Cancer
Research Lecture

11/24*

When good responses go wrong: Autoimmune diseases (Part I) Ch 16 (select topics)

11/26

Thanksgiving

12/1

WGRGW: Allergy (Part II)

Ch 14

12/3**

The Hygiene Hypothesis

supplemental

12/TBD Final exam (50% review, 50% new material)

*Sign up deadline
**Paper due by end of day of Class meeting

Ch 17
Ch 15 (select topics)