Year One Fall courses include (credits):

• BSR1012 Biomedical Science (6)
• Biostatistics; one of three: BIO6400 Biostatistics for Biomedical Research (3); MPH0300 Intro to Biostatistics (3); or BSR1715 Modern Statistics for Modern Biology (4)
• BSR1021 Responsible Conduct of Research (.5)
• BSR1006 Lab Rotation (4)

Year One Spring courses include:

• BSR1013 Biomedical Science (6)
• BSR1022 Rigor and Reproducibility (.5)
• BSR1007 Lab Rotation (4)

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 faculty. We do give you the choice to select a preceptor outside of the Immunology faculty if you desire and your advisory committee agrees. You must choose a preceptor by the beginning of the second-year fall semester.

In addition to the below course requirements, we offer electives that match your interest. At least three additional credits of elective courses are a requirement during your second or third year.

Year Two Fall courses include:

• Fundamentals in Immunology
• Seminars in Immunology
• Immunology Journal Club
• Dissertation Research

Year Two Spring courses include:

• Advanced Topics in Immunology
• Seminars in Immunology
• Immunology Journal Club
• Dissertation Research

Fundamentals

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:

• Seminars in Immunology
• Immunology Journal Club
• Dissertation Research

Year Three Spring courses include:

• Seminars in Immunology
• Immunology Journal Club
• Dissertation Research

Electives

Our program requires nine advanced credits starting the second year. These are acquired through advanced courses, which include Fundamentals in Immunology, Advanced Topics in Immunology, and Advanced Electives. Electives can be selected appropriate to your research interests. You will also be attending a weekly journal club, a weekly work-in-progress seminar, and a monthly immunology seminar. The Work-in-Progress Seminar and Immunology Seminar are part of the Seminars in Immunology one-credit course.

Advanced Topics in Immunology

Advanced Topics in Immunology is a three-credit modular course which covers diverse topics in immunology, that differ each year on a rotating basis. Each module consists of a one-credit course and highlights a specific area of immunology for in-depth study. By the end of the course, you will have mastered the selected topics and should be able to critically present the literature, identify important questions, and formulate an experimental plan to address them.

Advanced Course in Immunology

A second-year requirement is attendance of the Advanced Course in Immunology offered by the American Association of Immunologists. You take this one-week intense and rigorous course the summer after Year Two. The course is held at a different location each year. In addition to learning from leaders in the field of immunology, the course offers you the opportunity to meet with these leading scientists and with other students from various institutions across the nation.

Seminars in Immunology is a one-credit course. This course combines two seminar series hosted by the Marc and Jennifer Lipschultz Precision Immunology Institute.

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 attend a luncheon with the speaker, which provides you with an opportunity to meet with the speaker and ask questions or engage in discussions.

The second series is a weekly work-in-progress seminar presented by Immunology Institute students and postdocs, relating to their own research. You are required to present in this seminar series starting in your third year.

The Qualifying Exam consists of a written thesis proposal followed by an oral examination overseen by a committee of five faculty members (one of the co-directors of Immunology training area serves as chair, plus three 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 two members of the steering or senior advisory committee will meet and decide whether enough work has been completed to proceed with your preparation of a dissertation and a thesis defense. 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.

Biomedical Sciences I and II courses are a requirement during your first two years of medical school or during the first year of your PhD studies. Courses in biostatistics, as well as other courses as outlined above are also requirements, along with the completion of nine credits of advanced coursework.

Advanced coursework courses include Fundamentals in Immunology, Advanced Topics in Immunology, and Advanced Electives. Once you enter the PhD phase of your training as an MD-PhD student, attendance at the weekly Journal Club, as well as the Immunology Institute Works-in-Progress and Seminars in Immunology series enable you to keep abreast of the newest and latest developments in immunology.