Year One Fall courses include (credits):

• BSR1012 Biomedical Science (6)
• Biostatistics; either MPH0300 - Introduction to Biostatistics (3) or BIO6400 - Biostatistics for Biomedical Research (3)
• BSR1021 Responsible Conduct of Research (.5)
• BSR1006 Lab Rotation (4)

Year One Spring courses include (credits):

• BSR1013 Biomedical Science (6)
• BSR1022 Rigor and Reproducibility (.5)
• BSR1007 Lab Rotation (4) or BSR8000 - Independent Research for Basic Science Research (10 credits) if a lab was declared in the Fall semester

Biomedical Sciences (Fall) and (Spring) are a requirement in Year One. Concurrent with your coursework, you complete a minimum of two laboratory rotations. You choose a preceptor, preferably from the Immunology MTA faculty. We do give you the choice to select a preceptor outside of the Immunology MTA faculty if you desire and your advisory committee agrees. You must choose a preceptor by the end of Spring Semester of the 1st year.

In addition to the below course requirements, we offer electives that match your interest. A total of 6 credits of elective courses are a requirement to graduate. IMM MTA students should take Fundamentals in Immunology (3 elective credits) + 3 credits in electives of their choice.

Year Two Fall courses include:

• BSR5501 - Seminar in Immunobiology (1 credit)
• BSR5502 - Works in Progress: Immunobiology (1 credit)
• BSR4501 - Immunology Journal Club (1 credit)
• BSR8000 - Independent Research for Basic Science Research (10 credits)
• BSR1501- Fundamentals in Immunology (3 credits/elective)

Year Two Spring courses include:

• BSR5501 - Seminar in Immunobiology (1 credit)
• BSR5502 - Works in Progress: Immunobiology (1 credit)
• BSR4501- Immunology Journal Club (1 credit)
• BSR8000 - Independent Research for Basic Science Research (10 credits)
• BSR 35XX - Topics on Immunotherapy/ Immunoschool (1 credit/elective)

Fundamentals in Immunology

Fundamentals in Immunology is a 3 credit advanced course that IMM students take in the second year. This course is intended to introduce students to the organization of the immune system and function of the immune response as it relates to health and disease.  Different topics and sections will be presented and discussed by faculty members who have expertise in the subject matter.  By the end of the course, students will have developed a solid understanding of immunological concepts, as well as the skills needed to conduct original research and undertake advanced studies in immunology.

Year Three Fall courses include:

• BSR5501 - Seminar in Immunobiology (1 credit)
• BSR5502 - Works in Progress: Immunobiology (1 credit)
• BSR4501- Immunology Journal Club (1 credit)
• BSR8000 - Independent Research for Basic Science Research (10 credits)

Year Three Spring courses include:

• BSR5501 - Seminar in Immunobiology (1 credit)
• BSR5502 - Works in Progress: Immunobiology (1 credit)
• BSR4501- Immunology Journal Club (1 credit)
• BSR8000 - Independent Research for Basic Science Research (10 credits)
• BSR 35XX - Topics on Immunotherapy/ Immunoschool (1 credit/elective) * can be taken multiple years, as topics change

Students need to complete a minimum of 72 credits, with an average grade of B or better in all required core courses (i.e., Biostatistics and Core) and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Of the 72 credits, at least 14 need to be letter-graded credits of coursework. Consult handbook for the most up to date information.

Seminars in Immunology is a one-credit course. This course combines a seminar series hosted by the Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute (required) and seminars hosted by other departments and institutes (student choice).

The first series features a monthly seminar given by an invited speaker who is a prominent scientist in immunology. As part of the course, you familiarize yourself with the speaker’s research areas. You have the opportunity to attend a luncheon with the speaker, to ask questions and engage in discussions.

Works in Progress: Immunobiology

Weekly work-in-progress seminars are presented by Immunology Institute students and postdocs, relating to their own research. You are required to present to your colleagues yearly after the defense of the thesis proposal.

The thesis proposal qualifying exam consists of a written thesis proposal followed by an oral examination overseen by a committee of at least 4 faculty members (one of the co-directors of Immunology training area serves as chair, plus two faculty members and a preceptor). The Qualifying Exam must be completed by the end of semester four or the end of your second year for PhD candidates, and semester six for MD-PhD candidates.

After completion of your project, you, your preceptor, and at least three members of the steering committee will meet and decide whether enough work has been completed to proceed with your preparation of a dissertation and a thesis defense (“green light”). If approval is granted, the preceptor will guide you regarding the dissertation preparation and the presentation of your work in an open seminar-format thesis defense.

MD-PhD students complete the Immunology PhD curriculum in coordination with the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) and the medical school curriculum. While academic standards, milestones, and degree requirements are identical to those of PhD-only trainees, the timing and structure of coursework and laboratory rotations differ during the MD phase.

MD Phase (years 1-2). During the MD phase, MD-PhD students complete the medical school curriculum while fulfilling selected graduate course requirements through MSTP.

Year One courses (credits), in addition to the MD curriculum and MSTP requirements:

• • BSR 1017 – Biomedical Science for MD-PhD (Fall)
  • BSR 5006 – Medical Scientist Grand Rounds (Fall)
  • BSR 1018 – Biomedical Science for MD-PhD (Spring)
  • BSR 1040 – MD-PhD Laboratory Rotation (if needed to identify a thesis mentor). Laboratory rotations during the MD phase are structured to accommodate the medical curriculum and are typically completed during summers between medical school years and/or other designated protected research periods.

Year Two courses (credits), in addition to the MD curriculum and MSTP requirements:

• • Declaration of thesis mentor by December of Year Two
  • BSR 2014 – MD-PhD Laboratory Rotation II (Spring, optional, only if needed to identify a thesis mentor)

PhD Phase. Once MD-PhD students enter the PhD phase of training, they follow the standard Immunology PhD curriculum, with the addition of MSTP-specific requirements.

PhD Year 1 (G1)

G1 Fall courses include (credits):

• • BSR 8000 – Independent Research for Basic Science Research
  • BSR 1021 – Responsible Conduct of Research
  • Biostatistics; one of the following:
    • MPH 0300 – Introduction to Biostatistics
    • BIO 6400 – Biostatistics for Biomedical Research
    • BSR 1715 – Modern Statistics for Modern Biology
  • BSR 5501 – Seminar in Immunobiology
  • BSR 5502 – Works in Progress: Immunobiology
  • BSR 4501 – Immunology Journal Club
  • BSR 5006 – Medical Scientist Grand Rounds (Fall)
  • Elective coursework, as required

G1 Spring courses include (credits):

• • BSR 8000 – Independent Research for Basic Science Research
  • BSR 1022 – Rigor and Reproducibility
  • BSR 5501 – Seminar in Immunobiology
  • BSR 5502 – Works in Progress: Immunobiology
  • BSR 4501 – Immunology Journal Club
  • BSR 5007 – Medical Scientist Grand Rounds (Spring)
  • Elective coursework, as required

PhD Year 2 (G2) and Beyond. From G2 onward, MD-PhD students follow the same curriculum, research expectations, seminar participation, qualifying exam timeline, and dissertation requirements as PhD Immunology trainees, while continuing to participate in Medical Scientist Grand Rounds and fulfilling MSTP requirements.