Approved by Faculty Senate, October 20, 2003

University Studies Course Approval

Department or Program: Biology

Course Number: BIOL 445

Number of Credits: 3

Course Title: Immunology

Student Information: Course Syllabus

Catalog Description: Immunology- 3 S.H. An introduction to the theory and practice of modern immunology.  Emphasis on the immune response in humans. Lecture only. Prerequisites: Biol 308, Biol 310, and Chem 340. Offered yearly.

This is an existing course that has previously been approved by A2C2: Yes

This is a new course proposal: No.

(If this is a new course proposal, the WSU Curriculum Approval Form must also be completed as in the process prescribed by WSU Regulation 3-4.)

Department contact Person for this course: Kimberly M. Bates

Email: kbates@winona.edu

A2C2 requires 55 copies of the proposal

The proposed course is designed to satisfy the requirements in (select one area only):

Course Requirements:

A. Basic Skills:

     1. College Reading and Writing ____

     2. Oral Communication ____

     3. Mathematics ____

     4. Physical Development and Wellness ____

B. Arts & Sciences Core:

     1. Humanities ____

     2. Natural Sciences ____

     3. Social Science ____

     4. Fine & Performing Arts ____

C. Unity and Diversity:

     1. Critical Analysis ____

     2. Science and Social Policy ____

     3.a. Global Perspectives ____

        b. Multicultural Perspectives ____

     4.a. Contemporary Citizenship ____

        b. Democratic Institutions ____

D. Flagged Courses

     1. Writing    X 

     2. Oral ____

     3.a. Mathematics/Statistics ____

        b. Critical analysis ____

Approval/Disapproval Recommendations

Department Recommendation:  Approved _____  Disapproved _____      Date ___________

Dean's Recommendation:  Approved _____ Disapproved _____     Date __________

USS Recommendation:  Approved _____    Disapproved _____      Date__________                   

A2C2 Recommendation:  Approved_____  Disapproved _____       Date __________                  

Faculty Senate Recommendation:   Approved ______   Disapproved _____   Date ______                   

Academic Vice President's Recommendation:  Approved_____ Disapproved_____   Date                    _____________

President's Decision:  Approved______    Disapproved _____  Date ____________                   

Material Submitted for Course Approval

Overview of  BIOL 445 Immunology:  Immunology is designed as an introductory course describing the mechanisms involved during an immune response.  Students also are exposed to different failures of the immune system, hypersensitivity responses, autoimmune disorders, vaccine devlopement and some clinical and diagnostic immunology.  Students are expected to have completed BIOL 308 (Cell Biology), BIOL 310 (Genetics) and CHEM 340 (Organic Chemistry) before taking Immunology.  This is important in that this course assimilates much of the second year sequence into the understanding of the immune system.  Virtually all of the students in BIOL 445 have taken English 111 with exception of some transfer students.  However, I have found over the years that writing skills vary tremendously among these students, even with similar curricular backgrounds.  This course aims to add numerous opportunities for students to learn to write better including peer-reviewed research papers, essay exams, scientific journal writing and short reports.  With the exception to the essay exams, all writing in this class will critically critiqued with an opportunity to re-write for a final grade.

Outcomes Grid

1. Requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to:

practice the processes and procedures for creating and completing successful writing in their fields.

This requirement will be addressed as students write essay exams, a formal research paper and short topic papers in immunology. Students will have formal writing assignments which stress the concept of scientific writing.  However, while scientists often write for scientific communities and not the general public, the style and content is dictated by the discipline.  In this class, both styles of writing will be addressed as students write a scientific research paper aimed at the scientific community and as they write short reports that will be aimed at the general public.  I believe every scientist should have the ability to communicate with both communities through their writing. Students will have these assignments edited both by the professor and by at least two students in the class.  This allows students to focus on the mechanics of writing as well as the content.   Students will leave Immunology with a better understanding of the mechanics of good scientific and popular writing.

2. Requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to:

understand the main features and uses of writing in their fields.

Students will address this outcome in the essay exams, research paper and short reports that they will write throughout the semester.  The research paper in particular will promote solid scientific writing while the essay exams and short reports will allow them to summarize in a concise manner the important information on that topic. 

Appropriate scientific style will be taught and will also be available in the ancillary text for the course A Short Guide to Writing About Biology, 4th Edition, by Jan A. Pechenik.

3. Requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to:

adapt their writing to the general expectations of readers in their fields.

Students will have the opportunity to rewrite their research paper and short reports.  In addition, all students will have the opportunity to edit other students reports and papers which should allow students to understand what is expected of them.

4. Requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to:

make use of the technologies commonly used for research and writing in their fields.

This requirement is satisfied with the research paper and short reports. Students must find and acquire appropriate higher level sources using available technology and then use the resource materials to extend their knowledge and understanding of topics beyond that presented in their course textbook or lectures. Web sources are specifically excluded from being appropriate higher level sources unless documented as reliable (i.e CDC, WHO or similar). Ideally, students find recent journal articles using appropriate search engines and then use these materials for independent learning. Students use their computers to write, edit, transfer, graph, insert tables and print their manuscripts.

5. Requirements and learning activities that promote students’ abilities to:

learn the conventions of evidence, format, usage, and documentation in their fields.

The research paper demands that students write in the format that is appropriate for immunology (and other biological sciences).   The research paper and short reports also require proper documentation of sources of information.  The editing process will ensure that all students are better scientific writers by the end of the process.  Essay exams will assess the student’s ability to assimilate information and to document their understanding in an organized, logical manner.

Biology 445:  Immunology

Fall 2003

Instructor:             Dr. Kim Bates

Lectures:             T, R  10:30-11:50 PM, Stark B8

Office Hours:             Posted on door and by appointment

                        231 Pasteur Hall, 457-5458

                        E-mail:    kbates@winona.edu

Text:                 The Immune System by Peter Parham, Garland Publishing

Web Pages:     http://bio.winona.edu/bates/

Prerequisites: Biology 308 (Cell Biology), Biology 310 (Genetics) and Chemistry 340 (Organic Chemistry Survey) or permission from instructor.

Course Description:    

This course is intended to introduce students to the theory and application of modern immunology.  As immunology is a dynamic discipline, students will be expected to engage in outside reading which will keep them informed of the latest immunological findings.  Examples of these outside sources include newspapers, news related magazines (i.e. Time, Newsweek, U.S. News and World Report), and scientific journals (i.e. Science, Nature).  Audio/visual sources (i.e. Network News, National Public Radio, or the internet) can also be used to help keep abreast of the latest immunology related news.

This course satisfies 3 s.h. writing flag requirement for University Studies

University Studies writing flag has 5 goals.  These goals are encompassed in requirements or learning activities that promote students’ abilities to:

a)  practice the processes and procedures for creating and completing successful writing in their fields.

b).  understand the main features and uses of writing in their fields

c).  adapt their writing to the general expectations of readers in their fields

d).  make use of the technologies commonly used for research and writing in their fields

e)  learn the conventions of evidence, format, usage and documentation in their fields.

These goals will be fulfilled the following ways:

Through the use of essay exams (both in-class and take-home), a research paper, 2 short reports and by student editing.  The short reports will introduce students to scientific journal writing while the essay exams and research paper will include aspects of literature review, organization skills, communication skills and editing skills. Students should finish Immunology with a better understanding of the mechanics of good scientific and popular writing.  Due dates and topics will be announced throughout the semester. Papers will drop 5 points for each day they are late.  Papers that are more than 3 days late will receive an F.

Outcomes of each of the above goals are presented on the following Outcomes Grid.

Lecture Policy:  

Attendance is not mandatory, but is highly recommended.  Immunology can be confusing and lecture may provide information that is not adequately covered in the text.  Students missing a lecture are responsible for obtaining the missed notes from another student.  Lecture exams will be based mostly on lecture material, although some parts of the textbook may be assigned and not covered thoroughly in class.  Assigned readings that are not discussed in lecture could also be exam material.

Exams:

Exams will be given as scheduled.  Make-up exams will only be administered due to an extreme emergency.  Make-up exams may be comprehensive.  There will be three hourly exams (100 points each), and a final exam (150 points, partially cumulative) and weekly quizzes (10 points each).  You may drop your lowest quiz grade.  The hourly exams will be a combination of take-home and in-class material, mostly essay.  Essay answers should be organized and carefully written.  Grammar and spelling will be graded in take-home exams.

Tentative Schedule (Guaranteed to Change)

Grading:

                        Lecture Exams (100 points each) x  3                       300

                        Weekly quizzes (10 points each) x  7            70

            Research Paper (100 points)                               100

                        Short Reports (50 points each) x2             100

                        Peer-review Evaluations (3 x 25 pts. each)      75

                        Final Exam (150 points)                           150

_______                                                                                     Total                         795

Grades:

A total of 795 points can be obtained.  Those students that earn 90-100% of those points will earn an A, 80-89% of the points will earn a B, 70-79% of the points will earn a C, 60-69% of the points will earn a D, and anything below 60% of the points will earn an F.