Immunology

Study in Immunology is offered by the Discipline of Infectious Diseases and Immunology in the School of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health. Units of study in this minor are available at standard and advanced level.

About the minor

The immune system is an integrated network of cells and specialised organs that can respond to external and internal threats. It can be mobilised to protect humans from infections and cancer while simultaneously being the underlying mechanism of major acute and chronic pathologies.

The Immunology minor examines how it is that our immune system can be both the cause and the cure of disease in humans and animals. This is important, as an understanding of immunological and pathological mechanisms allows us to think about how our immune system can be manipulated to prevent and treat disease. This minor draws together studies in immunology, pathology, microbiology, biology, biochemistry, and physiology.

Studies in immunology are important because they are leading to advances in clinical medicine and clinical science, including helping develop new vaccines and immuno-therapies. In addition, immunological techniques are widely used in biology, endocrinology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, neurobiology and genetics.

Requirements for completion

The Immunology minor requirements are listed in the Immunology unit of study table.

Contact and further information

W sydney.edu.au/medicine/infectious-diseases-immunology/contact/

Professor Scott Byrne
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Learning Outcomes

Students who graduate from Immunology will be able to:

1. Exhibit a broad and coherent body of knowledge of how the cells and molecules of our immune system cooperate to maintain health.
2. Exhibit an integrated knowledge of the role of the immune system in both the cause of pathology and the cure of disease.
3. Critically evaluate the application of a range of immunological techniques/skills.
4. Communicate concepts and findings in immunology and pathology across a range of modes for a variety of purposes and audiences, using evidence-based arguments that are robust to critique.
5. Apply immunological concepts and approaches to a diverse range of disease contexts and solve complex immunological and pathological problems.
6. Design, evaluate and test diagnostic pathology assays using knowledge of immunology and of industry standards in assay development and regulation.
7. Develop creative and innovative approaches to problem solving in the fields of immunology and pathology research and work effectively, responsibly and safely in individual and collaborative contexts.
8. Evaluate how therapeutic approaches that target cells and molecules of our immune and other organ systems lead to breakthroughs in human disease detection, treatment and management, and examine how these are handled from different community and cultural perspectives.