CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, EAST BAY

DepartmentofBiology
Biology4430FallQuarter,2015
Dr.KenCurr
LectureSchedule
SciN418;8852629(WillChange)M/W6:007:50p.m.
email:kenneth.curr@csueastbay.edu
SSci213
OfficeHours:M34:30p.m.

W34:00pm
Byappt.

Textbook:Kuby:Immunology6thor7thEditionbyKindt,GoldsbyandOsboorne.
(Note:Kuby Immunology, 6th Edition can be Downloaded for free online)
Course Basics:
This is a tough course on basic molecular and cellular immunological principles. Because
of the nature of the discipline, this is by default a very tough course. Since we only have
ten-weeks to cover the material, you will already be expected to know several topics
extremely well. This includes DNA Replication, RNA Transcription, Protein Translation,
Gene expression and Molecular Genetic Techniques such as molecular cloning. People
who have a hard time in this course do not understand these principles. Additionally, you
should understand basic chemical principles (i.e. pH, functional groups, nucleophilic
attack reactions)
You will be graded on your performance in four quizzes, two midterm exams and a final
exam, which will be comprehensive. If you dont understand the material from the early
part of the course it will be very difficult for you to pass the second half of the course.
This course is one of the mot important courses you can take if you plan on moving to a
medically related career, a pharmaceutical career, veterinary medicine, basic or clinical
research or a CLS program. It does not matter what instructor you take this topic is
complex. I suggest you only take this course only if you are serious about learning the
subject. If you really put 100% into the course I will guarantee you will come out of the
course having an excellent foundation in immunological principles.
Course Description:
The course will cover all of the major immune cells in the body, the molecules and
anatomy in place to provide both innate and adaptive immune responses against
biological threats. We will spend much of the first half of the course studying the innate
immune response, immune organelles and experimental immunology, followed by
detailed understanding of the adaptive response. The end of the course will deal with such
topics such as the mechanisms governing autoimmunity, immunodeficiency, cancer,
hypersensitivity and transplant rejection. We may not get through all, but most of these
final topics. I only have 2 hours /class with you. It is up to you to take the requisite
amount of time after class to master the details of the topics covered.
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Student Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the course students should be able to apply course content to current
issues related to the lecture material. Students should also be able to utilize their
knowledge in conjunction with quantitative skills and critical reasoning to answer
problem-based questions. Your grasp of immunological concepts will easily be apparent
by your ability to answer experimentally based conceptual questions. I will ask you to set
up an experiment with appropriate controls or I will give you a set of data and you will
have to interpret the data. Very little memorization will be needed for this course, though
the memorization required will be very important to you.
After completion of this course, the student will be able to:
1. Compare and contrast Innate and Adaptive Immunity
2. Understand B and T cell development (antibody structure and function).
3. Understand Major histocompatibility complex and antigen presentation
4. Understand how cytokines lead to cell signaling and immune function.
5. Appreciate how to manipulate self-antigens in autoimmunity and transplantation.
6. Understand the basics of cancer, microbes, and viruses and the immune system.
7. Understand laboratory techniques and procedures designed to foster immunology
discoveries.
8. You should be able to think independently using immunological concepts that you
learned from class.
9. Understand all three pathways of the Complement System
10. You will understand how the immune response defends you upon infectious disease,
how it can work against you in terms of genetic diseases, hypersensitivity reactions and
personal injury.
11. Understand how immune molecules and mechanism can understand how the cell
works and how you can use immune molecules for therapy.
Policy on Academic Dishonesty:
Cheating in the course will not be tolerated. Please review the following policy:
http://www20.csueastbay.edu/ecat/general-info/grading-and-academicstandards.html#academic-dishonesty
Basically, any cheating you will receive an F in the course, have an academic dishonesty
report written against you, you will have an academic hearing where I will recommend
dismissal from the program. A report will be added to your academic file and I will invite
the Chemistry and Physics Department to keep a close eye on you. I cant think of any
scenario where cheating is acceptable.
Emergency Preparedness:
Tips to keep safe while on campus can be found here:
http://www20.csueastbay.edu/emergency/
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Accommodations for Students with Disabilities:

If you have a documented disability and wish to discuss academic accommodations then
please see me as soon as possible.
Office Hours:
Please come to office hours prepared. Meaning, dont come in ask me to re-explain
something you have not read about first. This will help me get to the heart of your
problem quickly.
Course Content:
Success in the class will require an understanding of general concepts in genetics,
molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology. Though some general chemistry and
organic chemistry may be important. Please review this prerequisite material before
coming to class. Many students think they understand the concepts, but most do not. I am
telling you right now review these concepts so you know them extremely well, not just a
very basic understanding. I test in details. Although we will provide sufficient
background information to cover the concepts discussed in class, we will assume that
students feel comfortable with material covered in Biology 1401 or an equivalent course
in cell and molecular biology Principles of Genetics and general chemistry. The subject
of immunology is dense. In this regard, we will not cover everything in the book. Use
your book as a reference to back up material discussed in lectures. In addition, during
lectures there will be regular references to figures and tables in the book. Exams will be
solely based on material presented in class, unless otherwise specified.
Quizzes/Exams:
Quizzes and exams will be a mixture of short answer and objective style questions
(multiple choice, T/F, fill in the blank). Some of the questions will be designed to test
your ability to synthesize information and think critically. Keep in mind that immunology
is a subject that will require the understanding of simpler concepts to grasp more
complicated ones. Therefore, try not to fall behind as it will be very difficult to make up
ground in this course.
Exams
Three quizzes
Amino Acid Quiz
Two Midterms Exams
Final Exam
Total Points

40 pts/ea
20 Points
120 pts/ea
150 Points

120 Points
20 Points
360 Points
150 Points
650 Points

A curve will be based on the top and lowest scores of the course.

Please do not ask me to change the grade at the end of the course because you have
to pass the course with a high grade. You know what you have to do to receive the
grade you earn. You can come to office hours, e-mail me with questions, read
material at the library, go onto the internet, create study groups, look on You Tube,
read the primary literature and I will see about obtaining tutors. Powerpoints will
only be given after the entire lecture is finished, please dont ask to have it placed
onto BB beforehand. This means there is an enormous amount of supplementary
help and material for you to get an A or B in the course. If I find that the majority of
the class is seriously above the curve, I will do away with the curve and give you the
grade you deserve if the entire class gets As so be it. I have no problem giving the
entire classes As and Bs.
Since I am grading on a curve that means at any given moment I will not know what your
grade is because it is based on the lowest and top scores. However, you should be able to
have a good idea where you stand based on the class average. I will always give you the
high/low scores for each quiz and exam and the average of the class. If you are
consistently with the average you are doing C work, above the average B work, way
above the average A work, the same in the opposite direction. Thus, saying you have no
idea what your grade is in the course is only because you are not paying attention to your
scores.
There are no make-up exams in the course. If you have a valid reason I will double your
next quiz or exam. If you miss the third quiz I will use the score of your second quiz.
Everyone must take the final on the day of the final. Only emergency exceptions will be
tolerated. So, if you plan on leaving for winter break, make sure you get your tickets after
the final date. If you have already purchased your tickets, you will need to change the
date or take the course at another time. I will always give you enough time for the exams.
List of Course Topics:
Introduction to the Course and Overview of Immunity
The Immune System (Hematopoiesis, Lymphoid Tissues, Organs and Vessels,
Lymphocyte Migration)
Innate Immunity
Experimental Immunology
B Cell Development; Antibody Structure and Function
T Cell Development and Function
The Major Histocompatibility Complex and Antigen Presentation
Cytokines
Autoimmunity
Immune Response to Infectious Disease and Vaccines
Hypersensitivities
Immunodeficiencies
Cancer and the Immune System
Transplantation

Journals: I will give you several journal articles from the primary literature throughout
the course. Three of them will be tested on within the three major exams. I will tell you
which journal articles they will be. I will have a copy of the journal article as part of the
exam, so you will be able to look for the information, you may not use your own copy.
Amino Acid Exam: September 30th
Exam I: Thursday October 28th
Exam II: Thursday November 18th
Final Exam: TBA
Golden Rule:
Finally, the number one rule is that there should be no cell phones out for any reason
PERIOD!!! They are disruptive and rude and show a lack of respect. Please turn them
off before you come into class. You are all adults and now know the policy; there is no
reason to forget this policy, as it is the same that you know not to go 50 MPH in 25 MPH
zone. I do not want to see a phone, hear a phone or see someone texting for any reason.
That means you cant look anything up on your phone. Look it up after class. However, I
realize that some people may have an emergency and is expecting an important call or
news (though this is usually rare). You may put your phone on vibrate and leave the class.
Do not take your phone out until you are in the hallway. If I see or hear a phone,
everyone gets a five-point quiz. This is not enough to alter your grade, but it will let you
know I am serious. What can alter your grade is if phones keep going off as I double the
quiz score each time there is a phone quiz. I forgot to turn it off is not a valid excuse.
ImportantGradingPolicy:
Itisimportantthatifyouneedhelpintheclassyoudoitbeforeitistoolatetohelpyou
ontheexam.Youneedtodecideinthebeginningofthequarterwhetherornotyouwant
totaketheclassforcreditornocredit,lowgradeswillnotbechangedtoCr/NCr.Grades
willnotbechangedbecauseyoureceivealowgradeandyouneedahighergradeinthe
class(i.e.CtoaC)Whatyouearniswhatyouget!!Finally,Ispendagreatdealoftime
correctingyourexamsandmoreoftenthannotIgiveyouthebenefitofthedoubt.Thus,
beggingpointswongetyouanywhere,ifyoubelieveyouhaveavalidquerythencome
andseeme.Iwillnothaggleforoneortwopoints,astheycannotchangeyourgrade
ever.