The Immune System and Disease
Explore the science behind the body’s defenses. Master the mechanisms of immunity, discover how we fight off pathogens, and learn what happens when the system fails.
What You Will Learn
This course provides a rigorous introduction to the immune system, from the basic biology of viruses to the complex orchestration of innate and adaptive immune responses. You’ll learn how immune cells recognize and eliminate threats, and why some defenses are immediate while others are highly specific.
Through 13 standalone lessons, you’ll analyze how immunity develops, how it can be disrupted, and the clinical consequences when the immune system malfunctions. Each module is designed to build a deep conceptual framework, preparing you for advanced study or clinical application in biology, medicine, or health sciences.
Finish with the ability to critically evaluate immune responses and understand the science that underpins vaccines, allergies, autoimmune diseases, and more.
Module 1: Viruses
Understand viral structures, replication, and how viruses interact with the immune system.
Module 2: Innate Immunity
Dive into the body’s immediate defense mechanisms and the cells that provide non-specific protection.
Module 3: Adaptive Immunity
Analyze the specificity and memory of immune responses, covering B cells, T cells, and antibody production.
Module 4: Disruptions in the Immune System
Investigate immune deficiencies, autoimmune disorders, and hypersensitivities—and their effects on health.
Advance your understanding of immunity and disease—lay the groundwork for impactful work in science, medicine, or public health.
Curriculum
- 4 Sections
- 13 Lessons
- 10 Weeks
- Viruses2
- Innate Immunity2
- Adaptive Immunity6
- Disruptions in the Immune System3
Instructor
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