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LSC-20015 - Module Specification
School of Life Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

LSC-20015 - Molecular, Cellular and Structural Immunology
Coordinator: Annette Shrive Room: HUX212A Tel: +44 1782 7 33419
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734414

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

In this module you will explore how the mammalian body copes with infection by various pathogens. This includes addressing the cellular basis of the immune system and the generation and selection of the immune repertoire. You will explore functional insights into immune protein structure and pathogen structure, including viruses and bacteria. You will also address the use of antibodies, accessing and using protein databases, and explore the structure/function relationship of proteins.

Aims
The aims of the course are to consider how the mammalian body copes with infection by various pathogens, to understand the cellular basis of the immune system and the generation and selection of the immune repertoire including the role of cell death, to consider the structure and function of immune proteins, viruses, bacteria and other pathogens, and to consider the use of antibodies in immunological techniques.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/lsc-20015/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

discuss and explain the key concepts of the mammalian immune system repertoire and its role in combating infection: 2
describe and critically evaluate the generation and selection of the immune repertoire: 2
explain the cell and molecular biology of cell death: 2
explain key concepts of the structure and function relationship with reference to proteins of the immune system: 2
explain in detail the key concepts of the structure, function and immune system recognition of viruses, bacteria and other pathogens: 2
explain and critically evaluate analytical methods used based on antibodies: 1
locate and use scientific information, protein sequences and protein structures from scientific databases: 1,2
describe in detail the cells mediating the immune response: 2
communicate the results of experimental investigations effectively in written form in a scientific laboratory report: 1

Study hours

14 hours of tutorials/discussion activities supporting asynchronous material and assessment
3x 2 hour workshops
9x 5 hours asynchronous (on demand) activities (engagement with pre-recorded materials)
2 hours exam
83 hours independent study; preparation for in-course assessment (practical report), and revision and engagement with directed reading to support end-of-semester exam

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Laboratory Report weighted 50%
Practical report based on experimental laboratory work
Laboratory report (maximum 2500 words) based on data collected in laboratory sessions delivered in LSC-20127, assessing the analysis and presentation (e.g. tables, graphs etc) of experimental data and an evaluation of outcomes in context to relevant literature, supported with additional workshops and tutorials

2: Exam weighted 50%
Unseen exam - multiple choice and short answer questions
The unseen exam will consist of multiple-choice and short-answer questions assessing lecture-based material. While the exam is designed to take approximately 1 hour, all students will be allocated 2 hours to ensure an inclusive and accessible assessment experience. Students will be permitted to take a double-sided A4 memory prompt of notes with them to the exam.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025