Immunology Multidisciplinary Training Area

In accordance with graduate school policy, all incoming students will be designated as "flexible entry" and assigned an advisory committee composed of two faculty members, at least one of which will be a member of the Immunology training faculty. The principle task of the advisory committee is to help students choose appropriate course work and rotation preceptors. Once students have chosen a preceptor to conduct their thesis research, the advisory committee will be reformulated to include the preceptor plus three other faculty members.

Year 1

In addition to the Core I, Core II and Biostatistics required of all students, first year students in the Immunology program are required to take Fundamentals in Immunology (serving as the Core III). Concurrent with their course work, students will conduct a minimum of two laboratory rotations. Preceptor choices can be made from the Immunology faculty, although choosing a preceptor from outside of the Immunology faculty is possible if the student so desires and the advisory committee agrees. Students are required to choose a preceptor by the beginning of the second-year spring semester.

Year 2

Second year students are required to take Advanced Topics in Immunology which covers diverse topics in Immunology on a rotating basis, and additional electives appropriate to the students' research interests. All students are also required to attend a weekly Journal Club and Works-in-Progress Seminar Series and a monthly Immunology Seminar Series.

Qualifying Exams

The Qualifying Exam will consist of two parts. Part I (general knowledge) will be administered by four committee members and will be taken at the beginning of Year 2. Part II of the Qualifying Exam consists of a written thesis proposal followed by an oral examination overseen by a committee of five faculty members. Part II of the Qualifying Exam must be completed by the end of the fall semester of Year 3.

Thesis Defense

After completion of the project, the student, preceptor, and at least two members of the steering or senior advisory committee will meet and decide whether suitable work has been completed to proceed with the preparation of a dissertation and a thesis defense. If approval is granted, the preceptor will guide the student regarding the dissertation preparation and the presentation of his or her work in an open seminar-format thesis defense.

M.D./Ph.D. Students

The curriculum and requirements for M.D./Ph.D. students in the Immunology program follow the general guidelines described in the Student-Faculty Handbook. They must take the Core I and Core II during their first two years of Medical School or during the first year of their Ph.D. studies. They also must take Biostatistics, as well as Fundamentals in Immunology (serving as the Core III). Six credits of advanced course work also are required. Once they enter the Ph.D. phase of their training, M.D./Ph.D. students in the Immunology program should attend the Immunology Journal Club, as well as the Seminar Series.