IMMU-3014 CREDITSFALL 2026MWF 10:00–10:50 AMBio Sciences Hall · Rm 204

Immunology 301

The Body's Defense Systems

From innate barriers to adaptive memory — decode how the immune system defends, remembers, and sometimes betrays us.

FACTYour bone marrow produces roughly 10 billion new white blood cells every single day.
01 — The Syllabus

Course Overview

IMMU-301 is an intensive survey of the vertebrate immune system, weaving together molecular mechanisms, cellular players, and clinical relevance. You'll move from the ancient innate defenses to the exquisite specificity of adaptive immunity — then explore what happens when the system goes rogue.

Learning Objectives

  • Distinguish innate from adaptive immune mechanisms
  • Explain clonal selection and immunological memory
  • Interpret ELISA, flow cytometry, and Western blot data
  • Analyze the molecular basis of antibody diversity
  • Evaluate the immunology behind modern immunotherapies

Prerequisites

BIOL-201 Cell BiologyBIOL-215 GeneticsCHEM-210 Biochemistry

Quick Facts

InstructorDr. E. Marceau
TermFall 2026
Credits4.0
MeetingsMWF 10 AM
LabThu 2–5 PM
LocationBio Sci 204
EnrollmentCap 120
02 — 14 Weeks

Weekly Schedule

0 of 14 weeks completed0%

Ready when you are. Innate systems, activate.

W1Sep 1 – Sep 5Innate Immunity

Introduction & Overview

The grand tour of your body's defense empire — self vs. non-self.

📖 Ch. 1, pp. 1–24Syllabus Quiz
W2Sep 8 – Sep 12Innate Immunity

Innate Immunity: Barriers & Cells

Skin, mucus, and the first responders that never sleep.

📖 Ch. 2, pp. 25–58
W3Sep 15 – Sep 19Innate Immunity

Complement & Inflammation

The cascade that punches holes in pathogens.

📖 Ch. 3, pp. 59–88Quiz 1
W4Sep 22 – Sep 26Adaptive Immunity

Antigens & Immunoglobulins

Antibodies: the guided missiles of the bloodstream.

📖 Ch. 4, pp. 89–120Lab 1 Report
W5Sep 29 – Oct 3Adaptive Immunity

Major Histocompatibility Complex

MHC: the body's molecular ID badges.

📖 Ch. 5, pp. 121–152Quiz 2
W6Oct 6 – Oct 10Adaptive Immunity

T Cell Development & Activation

Thymic bootcamp — where T cells earn their stripes.

📖 Ch. 6, pp. 153–188
W7Oct 13 – Oct 17Adaptive Immunity

Midterm Week + Review

Consolidate, review, conquer. You've got this.

📖 Review Ch. 1–6★ MIDTERM EXAM
W8Oct 20 – Oct 24Adaptive Immunity

B Cells & Antibody Diversity

How a handful of genes make billions of antibodies.

📖 Ch. 7, pp. 189–224
W9Oct 27 – Oct 31Adaptive Immunity

Cytokines & Immune Signaling

The chemical text messages that coordinate defense.

📖 Ch. 8, pp. 225–256Quiz 3
W10Nov 3 – Nov 7Adaptive Immunity

Immunological Memory & Vaccines

Why your body remembers — and how vaccines exploit it.

📖 Ch. 9, pp. 257–290Lab 2 Report
W11Nov 10 – Nov 14Disorders & Applications

Hypersensitivity & Allergies

When the immune system overreacts to harmless things.

📖 Ch. 10, pp. 291–322Quiz 4
W12Nov 17 – Nov 21Disorders & Applications

Autoimmunity & Immunodeficiency

When defense turns inward — or fails entirely.

📖 Ch. 11, pp. 323–358
W13Nov 24 – Nov 28Disorders & Applications

Tumor Immunology & Immunotherapy

Teaching the immune system to fight cancer.

📖 Ch. 12, pp. 359–392Lab 3 Report
W14Dec 1 – Dec 5Disorders & Applications

Transplantation + Final Review

Organs, rejection, and the road to the final.

📖 Ch. 13 + full review★ FINAL REVIEW
03 — Meet the Team

Course Staff

EM

Dr. Elena Marceau

Lead Instructor

Office Hours

Tue/Thu 2–4 PM

e.marceau@univ.edu
RK

Dr. Raj Kapoor

Lab Coordinator

Office Hours

Wed 10 AM–12 PM

r.kapoor@univ.edu
SD

Sofia Delgado

Teaching Assistant

Office Hours

Mon 3–5 PM

s.delgado@univ.edu
MC

Marcus Chen

Teaching Assistant

Office Hours

Fri 1–3 PM

m.chen@univ.edu
04 — How You're Assessed

Grading Breakdown

Final Exam30%
Midterm Exam25%
Laboratory Reports20%
Weekly Quizzes15%
Participation10%

Grading Scale

A93–100
A-90–92
B+87–89
B83–86
B-80–82
C+77–79
C70–76
D60–69
F< 60
05 — Toolkit

Resources