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, cancer and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and insulin-dependent diabetes, as well as the development of new vaccines. This unit of study will provide an understanding of the components and functions of the immune system at the molecular and cellular level, the mechanisms of pathological immune processes and immune system dysfunction, mechanisms of immune responses to microorganisms and immunological techniques used in clinical diagnostic and research laboratories.
The unit components will be delivered so as to develop skills in problem-solving, evaluation of scientific literature, and oral and written communication. Lectures will provide an overview of the immune system and an update of fundamental facts. Problem/case-based scenarios together with invited guest/specialized lectures, hands-on practical work, literature research and group discussions ('tutorials') will provide in-depth analysis of particular chosen topics.

This unit aims to equip graduates with an in-depth knowledge of medical virology and cell technology that will enable them to work effectively as laboratory personnel in relevant hospital laboratories, clinics or research institutions. Students will develop skills in evaluation of scientific literature, in problem-solving and in scientific communication that will enable them to develop careers as administrators or policy-makers in hospitals, health care organisations or government bodies. The core of the program is a series of lectures, given face-to-face and/or available online. Practical classes will focus on the identification of viruses and cell culture technology, and on techniques used in research investigations and will be conducted in an appropriately equipped student laboratory.

This unit of study aims to build on the student's basic knowledge of microbiology to provide an awareness of modern concepts and the latest knowledge of medical bacteriology relevant to the susceptibility and response of the host to pathogenic bacteria, with special emphasis on the host-pathogen relationship at the cellular and molecular levels regarding symptoms, virulence factors, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, control and prevention. The practical component will allow candidates to become familiar with modern molecular-based bacteriological techniques used to identify the characteristic genetic features of bacterial species that cause infections. The unit will provide the advanced scientific and intellectual basis to augment knowledge and understanding, at a postgraduate level, in a career involving medical microbiology or in a related subject area. Lectures will be used to impart knowledge and understanding as well as review key themes of the module, and many of these will be given by experts in the current field. Tutorials will utilise activities such as journal review and topic presentation which enable develop their skills by presenting research on a range of issues including advances in knowledge on bacterial pathogenesis, identification and treatment in Australia and worldwide. The use of case studies will enable candidates to examine breakouts of disease and their investigation by the clinical laboratory. Laboratory sessions will enable students to apply the theoretical concepts of laboratory investigation at the molecular level using advanced molecular techniques of DNA, RNA and protein purification and analysis.

The unit aims to equip graduates to use hospital laboratory services and the research literature in the recognition of individual cases of communicable disease, trace the source of outbreaks and provide a scientific basis for development of institutional infection control policies. There are four specific learning objectives: to know how to estimate the risk of transmission of infection and to assess the value of control measures; to understand the methods used to determine the efficacy of antimicrobial drugs both for treating individual patients and in terms of policy guidelines; to understand the scientific basis of vaccination and its value and limitations in the field; to appreciate the human factors involved in achieving effective infection control. The core of the program is a series of lectures, practical classes and tutorials based on important current or historical examples of epidemic infectious diseases.

This unit aims to equip graduates with an in-depth knowledge of medical mycology and parasitology that will enable them to work effectively as laboratory personnel in relevant hospital laboratories, clinics or research institutions. The course will allow students to develop skills in evaluation of scientific literature, in problem-solving and in scientific communication that will enable graduates to develop careers as administrators or policy-makers in hospitals, health care organizations or government bodies. The course structure involves lectures on diseases caused by fungal, protozoan and helminthic agents, laboratory classes on identification of fungal and parasitic infections, molecular typing techniques used to investigate potential disease outbreaks, techniques used in research investigations and specific tutorials (e.g. clinical cases, investigation of outbreaks of disease and prevention strategies). Seminars consisting of presentation of specified topics researched by individual students will also form part of the course. Specific lectures will be given by clinical and basic science specialists in the field.

The course will have two concurrent themes. Clinical: this theme will concentrate on the immunological methods used to evaluate human disease and will include the theoretical basis for tests of immune function, practical laboratory application of assays based on these principles and case-based seminars. The application of these methods to translational immunology will be discussed in a range of immune-mediated diseases. Research: This theme will focus on understanding the investigation of immune function with lectures and practical sessions reviewing current molecular and cellular approaches and seminars based on study of current literature and classic papers in Immunology. Instruction will comprise lectures on the immunopathology of disease, the immunological methods used in diagnosis and research and translation into new immunological interventions; laboratory classes on methods and techniques used in clinical diagnosis and research investigations; and tutorials involving clinical cases, journal article reviews, review of laboratory problems and seminars consisting of presentation of specified topics researched by individual students. The learning objectives of this unit are to understand the immunological basis for infection and immunity and how these concepts are core to and applied in the diagnostic pathology laboratory; to understand how the immune system causes and prevents disease, the use and performance of immunological tests in the investigation of disease and methods of investigation of the immune system; to develop effective skills in problem-solving and self-directed learning and to foster advanced verbal and written communication skills.

This unit of study will provide students with knowledge about detection, monitoring and control of existing and emerging pathogens, and with the necessary skills to plan epidemic preparedness strategies, to identify optimal strategies for disease prevention, containment or eradication and to evaluate their effectiveness. This module offers a multidisciplinary framework for understanding the principles of interventions against infectious diseases and focuses on the study of global infectious disease threats in the context of their routes of transmission and potential intervention strategies, as well as the reasons for the success or failure of control programs. The core of this unit is a series of lectures, practical demonstrations and problem-solving tutorials describing real-life examples of diagnostic and surveillance strategies and vaccination policies, community outbreak investigations and epidemic/pandemic preparedness planning. A significant proportion of the lectures are delivered by invited expert infectious disease practitioners and laboratory scientists. The main principles will be illustrated using examples from epidemic influenza, arbovirus diseases, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis and food- and water-borne bacterial infections. A large portion of this unit is based at the State reference laboratories of the Institute of Clinical Pathology and Medical Research at Westmead Hospital, Sydney Medical School - Westmead Campus.

This unit aims to describe the epidemiology, microbiology, pathogenesis, clinical features and management strategies for the common sexually transmitted infections (STIs). At the end of this unit, students will be able to discuss the microbiology, pathogenesis and epidemiology of the common STIs. They will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the clinical spectrum of STIs, including asymptomatic infection, genital manifestations, extragenital manifestations and problems related to pregnancy. When discussing STI management, students will understand the impact of STIs at individual, relationship and community levels and how needs differ with risk activity group and geographical location. HIV infection will only be covered in the context of its interactions with other STIs. Course content will include the basic anatomy, physiology and clinical skills required for the investigation of STIs; the epidemiology, microbiology and clinical aspects of the following conditions: vaginal discharge, urethral discharge, genital ulceration, upper genital tract infections, sexually transmitted hepatitis, syphilis, anogenital warts and cancer, genital infestations, genital dermatology and other conditions likely to present in a sexual health context. Issues related to difficulties of access to treatment and the challenges faced in resource-poor settings will also be covered.

This unit aims to describe the epidemiology, biology, pathogenesis and clinical contexts of HIV infection. At the end of this unit, students will be able to understand the laboratory, clinical and social aspects of the diagnosis and management of HIV infection. Course content will include underlying scientific principles of diagnostics, virology, immunology and pathogenesis as applicable to HIV infection; clinical aspects of HIV infection, including seroconversion, asymptomatic infection, early symptomatic disease, major opportunistic infections (including AIDS-related conditions), tumours and death. Emphasis will be placed on the roles of prophylaxis, antiretrovirals and the management of associated conditions. Legal, ethical and social contexts will also be discussed.