Course Description

This course covers the science of immunology and serology through the study of theories and processes related to natural body defenses. Included are the immune response, principles of antigen-antibody reactions, and the principles of serological procedures as well as quality control, quality assurance, and safety. This includes performance of serological procedures used to aid in the detection or diagnosis of certain diseases. Throughout this course, special emphasis is placed on correlating of laboratory results with the patient's probable condition.

Transferability of workforce courses varies. Students interested in transferring courses to another college should speak with their Area of Study (AoS) advisor, Department Chair, and/or Program Director.

Prerequisite and Corequisites

The student must have earned credit for MLAB 1101 and be currently enrolled or completed MLAB 1311, MLAB 1415, MLAB 1335 and MLAB 1227. Program officials may make special exceptions to this requirement for prerequisites and corequisites.

Student Evaluation

Measurement, Didactic- constitutes 67% of the course grade.

Exams

Four (4) course examinations will be given over lecture and related laboratory material to comprehensively assess student’s knowledge of concepts, principles, techniques, and procedures. These examinations will be given online through Blackboard.

Blackboard Online System

A considerable portion of this course will be conducted via the computer online Blackboard Learning System. Announcements, email communication, and course examination activities will be conducted through the Blackboard platform. Students may use their home computers OR may access all materials, at any public computer, including those in the Learning Labs and libraries at all ACC campuses. 

Students are strongly advised NOT to use iPads, tablets or cell phones to take course examinations.  These devices may not be able to properly display the questions, graphics or photographs in the exam, as Blackboard may not be fully functional on these devices

BLACKBOARD EXAMINATION POLICY
Students are expected to exhibit the highest level of ethical and honest behavior.

1. Course examinations will be timed and may be taken in Blackboard Respondus LockDown Browser/Monitor or proctored by ACC faculty. Students who have provided their instructor with an SAS form, requesting accommodation(s) should meet with the instructor the first week of class.

1. Unless otherwise stated, NO unauthorized study materials are to be used during the examination. This includes, but is not limited to, internet resources, notes, lab materials, dictionaries, translators, or textbooks. In addition, cell phones must be set to “silent” or turned off during exams. The Program’s Corrective Actions/Disciplinary Measures policy will be implemented at the Probation level if a student is found using unauthorized materials.

1. Students are expected to take each test at its assigned time and within the posted time limit.
   1. If a student fails to take or complete a lecture exam, the grade of the comprehensive final exam will be averaged in the place of the first missed exam grade.
   2. A missed exam cannot be taken for “practice”. The Corrective Actions/Progressive Discipline process will also be initiated at the student conference level. If any additional exams are missed, grades of “0” will be recorded and a probation form administered.
   3. If the final exam is missed, a grade of “0” will be recorded unless there is an extenuating circumstance, such as severe illness/injury, death of an immediate family member, participation in legal proceedings or military duties. Additionally, students who miss the final exam due to extenuating circumstances must arrange time with the instructor to reschedule the missed final exam. A rescheduled final exam must be completed prior to the end of the semester. Note:  documentation of extenuating circumstances is required.  
   4. Exams taken off campus, will be marked in Blackboard as “force-completion” exams.  For example, if the exam is scheduled from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, the exam will close promptly at 7:00 pm. Give yourself plenty of time to begin the test and complete it. If you begin at 6:55 pm, the exam will automatically close at 7:00 pm. You will not be able to return back to the exam. The “force-completion” will also be in use for the allotted time window for an exam. For example, if the exam time limit is two hours, the exam will close automatically at the two-hour mark.”  If you have any questions, please review with the instructor. 
   5. Students who fail to take or complete the lab final exam, will be given a Version B lab final exam. Students will automatically be assessed a 20% deduction from the final score.
   6. Failing to complete an exam includes Internet access problems or personal computer problems. The Progressive Discipline process will also be initiated at the Student Conference level. If any additional exams are missed, grades of “0” will be recorded and a probation form will be administered.
2. Penalties for exceeding examination time limit.
   1. 1. Each examination must be completed in one sitting; once opened, the exam must be completed within the allowed time limit.
      2. It is the student’s responsibility to monitor the examination’s time. Students should set an external timer to assist in monitoring the time left.

1. Students arriving late to a scheduled on-campus exam will not receive additional time.
2. Extension of time on exams: Only students providing a current signed Student Accessibility Services (SAS) letter / form requesting an accommodation for extension of time for examinations will be permitted additional time for examinations. SAS letters/forms must be provided to the course instructor at the beginning of the semester, at which time, the instructor will consult with the Student Accessibility Services (SAS) office to make the needed arrangements. For more information, see STUDENT ACCESSIBILITY SERVICES section.

1. Students are strongly advised NOT to use iPads, tablets or cell phones to take course examinations.  These devices may not be able to properly display the questions, graphics or photographs in the exam, as Blackboard may not be fully functional on these devices.

1. Note: Students are forbidden from electronic copying or printing of any course examination or quiz. Electronic copying or printing of exams and/or quizzes will be considered an act of cheating and student will be subject to penalties outlined in the Scholastic Dishonesty policy.

1. Instructors will perform a limited review of exams, with the class, once they close. Students may review their exam, within one week of the exam closing, with the instructor during office hours or by appointment. Students scoring 75% or less on course exams will be required to meet with the instructor.

1. Respondus LockDown Browser Requirement
   This course requires the use of LockDown Browser for online exams. Additional information concerning the use of LockDown Browser for this course will be provided in Blackboard. Software for Respondus LockDown browser can be found by using the following link: https://download.respondus.com/lockdown/download.php?id=999134577

Admission Ticket

MLAB 1335 Immunology is a “hybrid” course. A portion of the lecture component is taught on campus and the remaining portion is self-directed learning. To ensure that students are committing the necessary time to prepare for the classroom lecture component, an Admission Ticket must be completed prior to coming to class. The questions will address the objectives, reading material and power points. The student will also be able to develop a list of questions to ask during the lecture presentation on topics they are having difficulty with and share these with the professor.

The admission tickets must be submitted by 8:30 am on day of the week that the material is covered in order to receive full credit. If the student does not complete the admission ticket prior to 8:30 am, a zero will be recorded. Admission tickets will not be accepted late. 

Measurement, Practical

Proficiency in clinical laboratory skills will be measured by performance of required skills within specific tolerance limits of each procedure. Points will be awarded for successful completion of laboratory exercises.

All laboratory exercises must be read before attending the laboratory period. A prelab assessment may be given over the scheduled laboratory to ensure review of the laboratory material.  A prelab assessment may be given at scheduled times to evaluate the student’s level of preparedness for laboratory activities. Students can use any course materials to complete these assessments.  

Prelabs must be submitted by 8:30 am on the day of the week the material is covered. If the student does not complete the prelab prior to 8:30 am, a zero will be recorded. Prelabs will not be accepted late. 

NOTE: Admission tickets and prelab assessments may contain comprehensive questions because the material in the MLT courses builds upon itself.

Study Questions and Lab Reports 

Study questions will reinforce theory and must be turned in on time. Lab Reports will be due by midnight of the day that the lab is completed. Unless otherwise noted, lab study questions are due the Friday of the week of the lab procedure. If you are absent for the lab, you are still required to submit the completed study questions by the stated deadline.  

Determination of Final Grade

Case Study Presentation

Students will present a one-two page case study over a topic approved by the instructor.  The case studies will be presented on the last day of class. Students will be graded on the accuracy of the information, references, and spelling/grammar. A sample and a rubric will be provided in the class schedule.

Submission of Work and Late/Missed Work

• Assignments, study questions, and laboratory exercises must be uploaded into the Dropbox found in the Blackboard course by the posted due date on the course webpage, unless otherwise directed by the instructor.
• Laboratory exercises are DUE the day of the laboratory by 11:59pm.
• Study questions will reinforce theory and must be turned in on time. Unless otherwise noted, lab study questions are due the Friday of the week of the lab procedure. If you are absent for the lab, you are still required to submit the completed study questions by the stated deadline.
• NO assignments will be accepted by email.
• Any assignments turned in after the due dates posted will receive a zero. NO exceptions. This includes laboratory exercises and study questions.
• It may not be possible to make up a missed laboratory assignment due to specimen, reagent and/or instructor availability.  However, the study questions can be turned in for full credit, if turned in by the posted due date.  It is the student’s responsibility to coordinate with the instructor regarding potential lab make-up time. Rescheduling must be done within 2 days of the absence. If rescheduling is not requested, a zero will be recorded on the lab report. 

A passing grade (75% or better) is required in both the lecture and laboratory components in order to receive a passing grade for this course.

                        A = 90-100%

                        B = 80-89%

                        C = 75-79%

                        D = 60-74%

                        F = 59% and below

Incomplete
To receive an “I”, a student must have a passing average (75% or better) and have completed at least 80% of the course work. An instructor may award a grade of “I” (Incomplete) if a student was unable to complete all of the objectives for the passing grade in a course. An incomplete grade cannot be carried beyond the established date in the following semester. The completion date is determined by the instructor but may not be later than the final deadline for withdrawal in the subsequent semester.

Attendance Policy: Lecture and Laboratory

Important announcements are made at the beginning of class and may not be repeated. Regular and punctual attendance is required at all lecture and lab sessions. Notification of your absence, by phone, text, or email must be provided to your instructor in a timely manner, preferably 30 minutes prior to class but within 2 hours of the class start time. Attendance demonstrates professionalism and regular and punctual attendance is the expectation in the professional workplace setting. Due to the nature of our courses, each class serves as a building block of knowledge for the next class session. Class role will be taken during each class period. Each student is responsible for all assignments, materials, examinations etc. when absent from class.  All missed lab exercises must be completed to verify completion of the objectives. Make-up exercises or alternative learning experiences will be planned according to the limits set by the professor. However, the amount of credit awarded for the exercise, will be no greater than 50%. Once a student has incurred 2 absences, for whatever reason, the Progressive Discipline Policy, as outlined in the MLT Student handbook will be initiated.

• Two (2) absences- verbal conference with professor that will define what policy is not being met, as well as set up an action plan with a follow up conference date
• Four (4) absences- conference report with professor stating what actions will be necessary to avoid probation
• Five (5) absences- probation
• Withdrawal- terms of probation were not met

Withdrawal is based on absences equal to or greater than 25% of the material. The attendance policy is subject to review and modification by department officials.

Leaving greater than 15 minutes before the end of class will incur the equivalence of a tardy. If a student leaves class early three days this will equal an absence. This rule applies to both class and clinical, unless class or student in clinical is dismissed by the instructor or clinical mentor.

Course Materials

• Recommended:  Stevens, C. & Miller, L. (2021) 5th edition. Clinical Immunology and Serology A Laboratory Perspective. Philadelphia: Davis.ISBN-13: 978-0803694408
• MLAB 1335 Course Outline/Objectives, PowerPoints, and Laboratory Manual (Available on Course Website)
• Teal Scrubs - appropriately fitting and professional in appearance. Refer to Dress Code in MLT Student Handbook
• Tennis shoes
• Gloves - latex or nitrile, not vinyl (Nitrile preferred due to latex allergies.)
• Pocket calculator
• Digital timer that indicates time in minutes and seconds. 
• Black or blue ink pen. (No work in pencil will be accepted)
• Sharpie or other permanent marker, fine point, black or blue
• Padlock, either combination or keyed (for Round Rock Campus only)
• Face mask or covering, if applicable
• Notebook/3 ring binder. Dividers should be labeled as objectives, lecture notes, lab exercises and assignments.

Instructional Methodology

• Lecture and Power Point Presentations
• Blackboard Learning Management System (http://acconline.austincc.edu/
• Laboratory Practice
• Audio-Visual Materials
• Internet Resources
• Computer/Software Programs

Course Outline and Schedule: http://sites.austincc.edu/health/mlab/courses/immunology/

This schedule is tentative. Do NOT print the schedule or course materials until instructed by the professor. The schedule is subject to change. Any changes will be communicated by the professor in class and posted as an announcement in Blackboard. Students will access and print out course materials from the course web site. Assessment activities are provided as a means of assisting students in determining their level of competence in given areas as well as to assist in reviewing for examinations. Assignments will be posted to enhance the student’s learning experience.

Course Goals

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Describe the principles involved in the immune response.
• Identify the structure, function, and characteristics of immunoglobulins.
• Perform testing according to instructions provided in reagent package inserts to obtain valid results.
• Explain the principles of serological tests as well as molecular testing.
• Perform serological and molecular procedures assigned during laboratory classes.
• Apply principles of safety, quality assurance, and quality control.
• Evaluate specimen acceptability.
• Evaluate laboratory results with patient disease states or conditions.
• Evaluate quality control results as required by the procedure.
• Demonstrate improvement in the affective traits of organizational skills, work habits, attitude, interpersonal skills, and problem-solving ability.
• Accept constructive criticism to correct deficiencies and improve performance.
• Promote respect and understanding of allied health professionals through renewed understanding of the clinical laboratory technician's role as a member of the allied health care team.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, the student will be able to:

1. Collect and process biological specimens for analysis.
2. Perform analytical tests on body fluids, cells, and products.
3. Recognize factors that affect procedures and results, and take appropriate actions within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated.
4. Monitor quality control within predetermined limits.
5. Perform preventive and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments or refer to appropriate source for repairs.
6. Demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals, and with the public.
7. Recognize the responsibilities of other laboratory and health care personnel and interact with them with respect for their jobs and patient care.
8. Apply basic scientific principles in learning new techniques and procedures.
9. Relate laboratory findings to common disease processes.

1. Relate laboratory findings to common disease processes.

Course Objectives

When you go to the course website, each unit will have a set of objectives. Print these out and use them to study the course materials. Exam questions are created from the course objectives. Each laboratory exercise will have objectives. One helpful way to study is write the objective on an index card and write the information pertaining to that objective on the back.