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Division of Infection and Immunity

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BSc Infection and Immunity

A research-informed BSc programme that provides students with real insight into how discovery science is carried out at the very highest level.

Image shows researcher holding up pipette tip and PCR tube

This new degree provides in depth coverage of the immune system and infectious agents in health and disease, cell and molecular biology, and the function of the human body. The programme will provide insight into current thinking and research in the biology of infectious agents, the pathogenesis, prevention and control of infectious diseases, mechanisms of immunity and immune dysfunction. Students will become familiar with the language and concepts of the highest level of discovery research.

Our aim is to deliver core basic science content in an infection and immunity research context. Infectious agents are fantastic tools for discovery in cell and molecular biology, immunology, human biology and evolution, so the BSc Infection and Immunity is a great way to acquire a broad biomedical science knowledge.

Key information and entry

UCAS Code
C550

Duration
3 years (full-time)

Entry requirements

  • A-levels: AAA-AAB. Biology and Chemistry required plus mathematics preferred.
  • GCSEs: English Language and Mathematics at grade B or 6. For UK-based students, a grade C or 5 or equivalent in a foreign language (other than Ancient Greek, Biblical Hebrew or Latin) is required.
  • IB Diploma: 36-38 Points. A total of 17-18 points in three higher level subjects including Biology and Chemistry, with no score below 5. 

For further information about entry requirements visit the UCL Undergraduate Degrees website.

Degree benefits

Students will gain:

  • An in depth understanding of the role of the immune system and infectious agents in health and disease
  • A broad knowledge of human organs and systems, cellular and molecular biology
  • Insight into current research in the pathogenesis, prevention and control of infectious diseases, mechanisms of immunity and immune dysfunction.

Throughout the programme emphasis will be placed on current research, communication and critical analysis. Right from the start, students will be exposed to the very latest thinking. They will learn the language and concepts of infection and immunity, gain insight into the scientific method and learn to read and critically assess scientific literature. Through this, they will gain scientific self-confidence and begin to think like a scientific investigator.

Structure

Year 1

Core modules cover the function of human organs and systems; accompanying tutorials provide an infection and immunity context. Students also take two programme specific modules:

  1. Infection and Immunity: Meet the Labs
    Divisional scientists and their labs host sessions to discuss their current research.
  2. Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology from a virus's perspective
    Molecular and cell biology presented by following the progress of a virus through a cell.

Compulsory modules:

  • Foundations in Health and Disease
  • Cardiovascular and Respiratory Function in Health and Disease
  • The Gut, Liver and Drug Metabolism
  • Musculoskeletal Systems in Health and Disease
  • Infection, Inflammation and Repair
  • Kidneys, Hormones and Fluid Balance
  • Data Interpretation and Evaluation of Science
  • Fundamentals of Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Infection and Immunity: Meet the Labs
Year 2

Three modules provide continued training in scientific and experimental skills: Molecular Basis of Disease; Techniques in Molecular Medicine: A Practical Approach; Statistics for Medical Scientists.

Increasing focus on infection and immunity through modules in Infection (Term 1) and Immunology (Term 2) accompanied by Infection and Immunity: Journal Club, (terms 1 and 2) which focuses on reading and understanding current literature in infection and immunology, linked to the content of the Infection and Immunology modules. Students will also choose one Faculty of Life Sciences module from a selection covering topics in cell and molecular biology.

Compulsory modules:

  • Infection
  • Immunology
  • Infection and Immunity Journal Club
  • Molecular Basis of Disease
  • Statistics for Medical Scientists
  • Techniques in Molecular Medicine

Optional modules (choose one; list may vary year-on-year):

  • Fundamentals of Molecular Biology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • General Biochemistry of Health
  • The Principles of Cellular Control
  • Energy and Evolution
  • The Biology of Development
Year 3

Focus on accessing the state of the art in infection and immunity research, developing critical skills, learning to communicate science, improving scientific self-confidence, learning to think like a scientific investigator.

Modules are research based, drawing on current expertise in the Division of Infection and Immunity and beyond. Small group tutorials provide opportunity to discuss recent papers.

An original laboratory research project will be available to the best performing students, the remainder will do a literature-based project.

Compulsory modules:

  • Immunology in Health and Disease
  • Infectious Agents
  • Cellular Pathology
  • Laboratory-based or Literature-based Research Project

Optional modules (choose two):

  • Immunodeficiency and Therapeutics
  • The Immunological Basis of Autoimmune Disease
  • Viruses and Disease
  • Microbial Pathogenesis
  • The Immune System, Cancer and its Treatment
  • Mathematical Modelling in Biomedicine
  • Global Eradication of Viruses
  • Evolution and Infectious Diseases
  • HIV Frontiers from Research to Clinics
  • Frontiers in Tuberculosis

Modular structure

The degree has a modular structure. In each year of the degree students take a number of individual modules, valued at 15, 30 or 45 credits, adding up to a total of 120 credits for the year. Modules are assessed in the academic year in which they are taken. The balance of compulsory and optional modules varies from year to year. 15 credits is considered equivalent to 7.5 credits in the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS).

For further module information visit our undergraduate modules page.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching is delivered through a mix of blended learning, lectures, laboratory work, journal clubs and tutorials. Most year one and some year two content is delivered through an innovative blended learning system: students learn at their own pace from short online videos followed up by group tutorials to discuss content and explore topics in greater depth.

Year one teaching is mostly at UCL's Royal Free Campus in Hampstead, year two teaching is split between the Royal Free and the main UCL campus at Bloomsbury, year three teaching is entirely Bloomsbury based. Modules at the Royal Free Campus are shared with the UCL Applied Medical Sciences degree.

We use a diverse selection of methods for formative and summative assessment: online and written examinations (question formats include: multiple-choice, short-answer, long answer, data analysis); poster presentations; coursework essays and commentaries; oral presentations; practical skills assessment; online participation; research project dissertation.

Fees and funding

For further information about current tuition fees and funding support visit the UCL Undergraduate Degrees website.

Careers

The study of infection and immunity is intrinsically interdisciplinary, a hallmark of good science and a great basis for working in almost any field. Together, infections, immune responses and immune dysfunction contribute to a vast array of diseases, so far from being too specialised, a deep understanding of infection and immunity provides an outstanding basis for a career in biomedical sciences.

Graduates will have a robust and fundamentally transferable skill set: critical analysis, data interpretation, communication and independent thinking. They will be well placed to apply to the most competitive postgraduate programmes and well equipped for a career in research, teaching, or associated biomedical professions.