Immunology in the Bachelor of Science (BSc) Course

Immunobiology Major

What is immunology?

Immunology is the study of defence mechanisms that protect individuals against infections and cancers. Studies in immunology are leading to advances in clinical medicine, including understanding allergies, transplant rejection, autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and insulin-dependent diabetes, and the development of new vaccines. In addition immunological techniques are widely used in disciplines such as biochemistry, endocrinology, microbiology, molecular biology and genetics.

Why major in Immunobiology?

Immunology is a relatively recent discipline area in the life / biological sciences that has its origins in microbiology, biochemistry, pathology, physiology, molecular biology and genetics. The Major “Immunobiology” reflects this diverse background and draws together senior study in immunology with senior study in microbiology, biology, biochemistry, pathology or physiology. Graduates may proceed to Honours and Postgraduate study or they may find employment as immunologists in hospitals, in public and industry research laboratories specialising in immunology, cell biology and biotechnology, and in other biomedical sciences such as pathology, biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology and molecular biology.

A Major in Immunobiology requires successful completion of 12 credit points of Senior study in Immunology (IMMU 3002 or, from 2006, IMMU 3102 Molecular & Cellular immunology and IMMU 3202 Immunology in Human Disease) plus 12 credit points from elective Senior units of study in biochemistry, molecular biology and genetics, microbiology, pathology or physiology. Participants in the Immunobiology major will select an accompanying senior unit according to their particular interest. Concurrent study in these life science disciplines will add a depth of understanding in a particular aspect of immunology. Intending participants are invited to consult with Dr Helen Briscoe (hbriscoe@med.usyd.edu.au) and elective unit of study co-ordinators before selecting concurrent study units and should note that a unit of study taken as part of the Immunobiology Major cannot count towards a major in another science discipline area.

The elective units in 2005 are:

BCHM 3001/3901(adv) Molecular biology and structural biochemistry (12CP)
BCHM 3002/3902(adv) Cellular and medical biochemistry (12CP)
BIOL 3018/3918(adv) Applications of recombinant DNA technology (6CP)
BIOL 3026/3926(adv) Developmental genetics (6CP)
BIOL 3027/3927(adv) Bioinformatics and genomics (6CP)
CPAT 3001 Cell pathology A (12CP)
CPAT 3101 Pathological basis of human disease (12CP)
MICR 3001/3901(adv) General and medical microbiology (12CP)
PHSI 3004/3904(adv) Human cellular physiology (12 CP)

From 2006 all units offered in Faculty of Science are 6 credit points.

The Immunobiology elective units from 2006 are:

(a minimum of 12 credit points from the following Senior Elective units of study)

BCHM 3071/3971(adv), BCHM 3081/3981 (adv)
BCHM 3072/3972 (adv), BCHM 3082/3982 (adv)
BIOL 3018/3918 (adv)
BIOL 3026/3926 (adv)
BIOL 3027/3927 (adv)
CPAT 3201, CPAT 3202
MICR 3011/3911 (adv)
PHSI 3005/3905 (adv), PHSI 3006/3906 (adv)
VIRO 3001/3901 (adv)
VIRO 3002

Note that there are prerequisites and recommendations as to desirable concurrent study units and Intermediate prerequisites for the required Senior units of study. Junior and Intermediate units of study should be selected to permit progression to the Senior units of study. For example, IMMU2101 is a prerequisite for IMMU3002.

You should note that a senior unit of study taken as part of the Immunobiology major may not count towards a major in another science discipline area.

Junior and Intermediate study

24 credit points of Junior study from any of the science discipline areas is required for entry to the Intermediate unit Introductory Immunology (IMMU 2101). Junior studies should include units of study in biology and chemistry since these subjects are assumed knowledge for Introductory Immunology (IMMU 2101). Introductory Immunology is a prerequisite for senior Immunology (IMMU 3002). The choice of other appropriate intermediate units of study depends on the elective topic selected. The completion of Molecular Biology and Genetics (MBLG 2001/2101/2901) and Molecules, Metabolism and Cells (BCHM 2002/2102 /2902 is recommended.

Immunology Undergraduate study in Immunology is offered at Intermediate level; Introductory Immunology (IMMU 2101), Senior level; Molecular and Cellular Immunology (IMMU3102) and Immunology in Human Disease (IMMU 3202) and Immunology Honours. Immunology staff members are located on level 6, Blackburn Building DO6 and in Room 424, Blackburn Building DO6.

Further information from Helen Briscoe: telephone 02 9351 7308; email hbriscoe@med.usyd.edu.au