Course Description

Bundled Courses: 
IMMU 403 I Basic Principles of Immunology and Hypersensitivity 
IMMU 421 I Immunoengineering and Immunotherapies

This bundle provides a comprehensive pathway from the fundamental biology of the immune system to the innovative techniques used to engineer immune responses for therapeutic benefit. IMMU 403 (Basic Principles of Immunology and Hypersensitivity) serves as the foundation, guiding students through innate and adaptive immune mechanisms, antigen recognition, signaling pathways, and the immune system’s role in infection, autoimmunity, cancer, and hypersensitivity. By developing a deep understanding of how immune responses are generated and regulated, students are equipped to recognize how immune balance contributes to both health and disease.

Building on this core knowledge, IMMU 421 (Immunoengineering and Immunotherapy) explores how the immune system can be modulated and redesigned to prevent or treat disease. Students will examine the development and application of engineered cell therapies, biologics, vaccines, cytokine-based strategies, and emerging immunotherapeutic platforms. Through real-world examples and recent clinical advances, the course emphasizes how immunoengineering is reshaping the treatment landscape for cancer, autoimmune disorders, and other chronic diseases.

Together, these courses prepare students to understand, critique, and contribute to evolving fields in immunology, biotechnology, and therapeutic development.

Learner Outcomes

When you complete these courses successfully, you will be able to:

• Describe the key components and regulatory mechanisms of the innate and adaptive immune systems.
• Explain how immune responses are initiated, amplified, and resolved, and how dysregulation contributes to hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, and cancer.
• Connect foundational immunological principles to the design and function of modern immunotherapies.
• Compare different classes of immunotherapies and immunoengineering strategies, including engineered cells, monoclonal antibodies, cytokine therapies, and vaccines.
• Evaluate how immunoengineering approaches modulate immune activity to achieve therapeutic outcomes.
• Assess the benefits, challenges, and clinical considerations associated with emerging immune-based therapies and their translation from research to practice.
• Communicate how advances in immunoengineering are driving the future of precision medicine.

Microcredential(s): 

These courses apply toward the Biomedical Sciences Endeavor digital badge.

Textbook Information

A textbook is available for these courses.

Click here to view a textbook list for FAES courses and purchasing information. Please note that tuition does not include textbooks.