Integrative Immunology

Grading

Grading in the class will be based on 2 measures: 1) participation in the class and the paper discussions, and 2) weekly take-home challenge questions and final exam.

100 points total:
33% participation in class and paper discussions
67% worksheets and final exam

Paper discussions

After a lecture covering a topic is given, a journal article on that topic will be discussed the following class. All students are expected to read the paper and participate in the discussion via the following format:

Each week, a group of 4-6 students will be assigned the paper, and will organize amongst themselves how to present it to the class. The presenters have flexibility to organize themselves for how they present it, but we suggest that 1-2 students present a background on the subject of the paper, and then 1-2 students present each figure. 1 student should also present the main conclusions and future directions. Non-presenting students in class are expected to ask questions and provide critical evaluation of the paper of what they liked and didn't like. Instructors may call upon individual students to ask for their opinions or input. Special attention should be paid to: whether the authors' conclusions are supported by data, whether appropriate statistical tests were used, how robust the phenotypes are, whether the experimental flow is logical, and what impact the paper has on the field.

The remaining students are expected to ask questions and provide critical evaluation of the paper.

Participation:  Participation in class is mandatory.  This includes attendance, the quality of your presentations in the journal discussions, and asking questions and/or providing insight/analysis in the lectures and journal discussions.  Each instructor will assign a participation grade based on these items.

Weekly worksheets: After each journal discussion (Thursdays), the students will receive 3-4 questions as a take-home assignment, and will have until the next lecture (the following Tuesday) to upload their answers in CANVAS. Students may discuss the problems and their answers in groups, but must submit their own answers in their own writing.  It is encouraged to work on these in small groups and discuss answers with your peers, but you must understand the answers and write them yourself.  You are also accountable for the answers you provide, including if a peer gave you an answer that was generated through prohibited use of AI (see next section).

Admissible use of AI: Students are permitted to utilize AI as a study aid. Specifically, AI usage is allowed to i) perform searches for sources of information; ii) confirm the students’ understanding of complex concepts, iii) check grammar (but NOT to generate answers – see next paragraph). If any student uses AI for these allowed purposes, a sentence declaring the specific purpose of AI usage and how it was used (including which software) must be included in their answers.

Prohibited use of AI: The use of AI to generate the answers to the worksheets’ questions, including copying and pasting from an AI agent, is strictly forbidden. Rather, the students will use their own ability to analyze and synthesize the concepts learned in the lessons and write the answers on their own. Blatant use of AI to produce answers to the assignments will be sanctioned by a grade of 0 on the specific assignment (first offense). In cases of multiple offenses, the course directors will determine the appropriate course of action.

Final Exam

The final will be in person and hand written, with no notes or computers allowed.  The format will be similar to the weekly worksheets but will include questions spanning the entire class.  The test is designed to be easy for those who completed the worksheet questions and understood the answers.