BIOL 4440 Vaccination and Immunity

No one could have imagined the devastating effects of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the etiological agent of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The impact and scale were unprecedented, especially that the richest and most advanced countries of the globe were the most affected. With a record-breaking speed of less than a year, 3 of COVID-19 vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Oxford/AstraZeneca) and later Johnson & Johnson/Janssen, received approval in Europe and the US. Millions of lives were saved but vaccine hesitancy is still prevalent worldwide. It is imperative that lessons be learned from COVID-19 and other major pandemics such as Zika, Influenza, Ebola and HIV.1- review basic concepts of human-pathogen interactions; 2- learn the basic principles of immunity and vaccination; 3- and discuss a few major infectious diseases through case studies

Course overview

Department
Biology
School
MCAS
Credits
3
Level
Undergraduate
Offered
Every Fall

Catalog details

Prerequisites
BIOL2000 and BIOL2040 and BIOL3090 or BIOL4140

Catalog text is imported from the reviewed Boston College course snapshot. Confirm eligibility in EagleApps.

Requirements fulfilled

  • Biology B.A.: 3000-level-or-higher Biology elective options (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)
  • Biology B.S.: 3000-level-or-higher Biology elective options (Current University Catalog; students should confirm their catalog year)

Requirement eligibility can vary by school, cohort, and section. Confirm the selected section in EagleApps or with an advisor.

Official evaluation summary

3.75 / 5

Based on 159 aggregate responses from BC Avalanche/Blue evaluations.

Data freshness

Course and evaluation data last updated 2026-08-02. Source details and limitations are documented in Data Sources and Methodology.

Instructors

  • Ismael Fofana
    Fall 2026, Fall 2025, Fall 2024, Fall 2023, Fall 2022, Fall 2021 · Official rating 3.93/5

Sections

  • Section 01
    Fall 2026 · Ismael Fofana · Campion Hall 204 TuTh 10:30AM-11:45AM · Offered