Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- develop the ability to think critically and work collaboratively;
- develop the ability to evaluate data and scientific literature;
- develop the ability to problem solve, expand technical skills, and design rigorous and reproducible experiments;
- develop the ability to communicate their scientific findings and knowledge via both written and oral methods to a variety of audiences; and
- prepare for independent careers as leaders, investigators, and educators in cutting-edge research, teaching, and service in basic and applied immunology.
The Doctor of Philosophy in immunology requires 72 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00 to earn the degree. The program provides interdisciplinary training in the concepts and methodologies of basic and applied immunology.
Students complete coursework in immunology and related disciplines, and are directly involved in laboratory research throughout their study. Immunology graduate courses are offered not only to teach students the current concepts and paradigms within the field, but to emphasize the scientific approaches and methods used to attain this understanding.
The PhD with a major in immunology requires the following coursework.
Core Curriculum
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| IMMU:6201/MICR:6201 | Graduate Immunology | 3 |
| IMMU:6211 | Immunology Seminar | 1 |
| IMMU:6221 | Rigor and Reproducibility in Immunology | 1 |
| IMMU:6231 | Research in Immunology | arr. |
| IMMU:6241 | Writing a Scientific Proposal | 2 |
| IMMU:6247/MICR:6247 | Graduate Immunology and Human Disease | 4 |
| IMMU:7221/MICR:7207 | Advanced Topics in Immunology | 3 |
| BMED:5207 | Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology | 3 |
| BMED:7270 | Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research I | 0 |
| BMED:7271 | Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research II | 0 |
| PCOL:5204 | Basic Biostatistics and Experimental Design | 1 |
| Elective | 3 | |
Typical Curriculum
First Year, Fall
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| IMMU:6211 | Immunology Seminar | 1 |
| IMMU:6231 | Research in Immunology | arr. |
| IMMU:6247/MICR:6247 | Graduate Immunology and Human Disease | 4 |
| BMED:5207 | Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology | 3 |
| PCOL:5204 | Basic Biostatistics and Experimental Design | 1 |
First Year, Spring
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| IMMU:6201/MICR:6201 | Graduate Immunology | 3 |
| IMMU:6211 | Immunology Seminar | 1 |
| IMMU:6231 | Research in Immunology | arr. |
| Elective (optional) | 1-3 | |
Second Year, Fall
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| IMMU:6211 | Immunology Seminar | 1 |
| IMMU:6221 | Rigor and Reproducibility in Immunology | 1 |
| IMMU:6231 | Research in Immunology | arr. |
| IMMU:6241 | Writing a Scientific Proposal | 2 |
| IMMU:7221/MICR:7207 | Advanced Topics in Immunology | 3 |
| BMED:7270 | Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research I | 0 |
| Elective (optional) | 1-3 | |
Second Year, Spring
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| IMMU:6211 | Immunology Seminar | 1 |
| IMMU:6231 | Research in Immunology | arr. |
| BMED:7271 | Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research II | 0 |
| Elective (optional) | 1-3 | |
Electives
The following are possible elective choices.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACB:5218/BIOL:5218/MICR:5218 | Microscopy for Biomedical Research | 3 |
| BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| BMB:7251 | Introduction to Protein Structures | 1 |
| BMB:7252 | Enzymes, Carbohydrates, Nucleic Acids, Lipids, and Membranes | 1 |
| BMB:7253 | Introduction to Metabolism | 1 |
| BMB:7254 | Metabolism I | 1 |
| BMB:7255 | Metabolism II | 1 |
| BMB:7256 | Molecular Biology | 1 |
| MICR:6240 | Graduate Eukaryotic Pathogens and Human Disease | 2 |
| MICR:6259 | Graduate Bacteria and Human Disease | 3 |
| MICR:6267 | Graduate Viruses and Human Disease | 4 |
| MICR:6268 | Biology and Pathogenesis of Viruses | 2 |
| MICR:6270 | Graduate Microbial Genetics and Physiology | 3 |
| MMED:6220/ACB:6220/MPB:6220 | Mechanisms of Cellular Organization | 3 |
| MMED:6226/ACB:6226/MPB:6226 | Cell Cycle Control | 1 |
| MMED:6227/ACB:6227/MPB:6227 | Cell Fate Decisions | 1 |
| PATH:5270/IGPI:5270/MMED:5270 | Pathogenesis of Major Human Diseases | 3 |
| PCOL:6207 | Ion Channel Pharmacology | 1 |
| PCOL:6225 | Growth Factor Receptor Signaling | 1 |
Additional Requirements
Laboratory Rotations
Prior to selecting a laboratory for dissertation work, students are expected to perform three laboratory rotations, with each rotation lasting approximately 12 weeks in duration. During the first semester, students should become acquainted with the research interests of the faculty members in the immunology program. This learning process is facilitated by faculty presentations in IMMU:6211 Immunology Seminar during the fall semester. Students also are encouraged to meet with specific faculty to discuss their research programs. This enables students to make an informed decision about their laboratory rotations, with the guidance and approval of their advisor and the graduate studies committee.
At the latest, students should begin their first rotation within the first week of graduate study. Medical Science Training Program (MSTP) students and students with MS degrees that included a research-based dissertation may be excused from one rotation. Students having difficulty choosing a laboratory for dissertation work may perform a fourth rotation.
The rotations are graded either satisfactory or unsatisfactory. This grade is based upon a number of criteria including attendance and work habits. When not in classes or seminars, students are expected to spend the remaining portion of the day in the laboratory. Without a strong commitment to the rotation project, it is difficult to fulfill the purpose and aims of the rotation. A satisfactory grade is required in each of the laboratory rotations. If a satisfactory grade is not received in one of the rotations, an additional rotation is assigned. Failure to receive a satisfactory grade in the extra rotation results in the student being placed on academic probation. Following each rotation, an evaluation is given to each student by the faculty member and submitted to the graduate studies committee.
Teaching
Students complete a teaching requirement lasting one semester. A variety of courses are available in several departments, and the program leadership place students in courses based upon interest, expertise, and scheduling.
Publication Requirements
It is expected that the dissertation project be of sufficient breadth, depth, and novelty to result in first-author research publications in high quality peer-reviewed journals. A minimum of one peer-reviewed paper must be published or in press prior to the completion of the PhD. In addition, a second publication, in which the student is a coauthor on a peer-reviewed article, a review, or book chapter must be published or in press prior to the completion of the degree. Students are not permitted to schedule a dissertation defense until it has been demonstrated that both of these requirements have been met.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination is generally taken in the spring semester of the second year of study. MSTP students or students entering the program with an MS may choose to take the examination in the fall semester of their second year.
Students taking the comprehensive examination prepare a single abstract of an original research proposal. The examination committee determines if the abstract topic is appropriate as nonoverlapping, and if the abstract is scientifically sound to potentially serve as the basis for a defensible research proposal. After the abstract is accepted, students are given four weeks to complete and submit the written comprehensive examination proposal. The oral defense is scheduled 10–14 days after the exam is submitted, depending on availability of the committee members. The comprehensive exam is written in the form of a NIH-style pilot grant proposal based on the abstract and instructions from the comprehensive examination. A detailed student handbook is available on the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology website.
Final Examination
The five members of the thesis committee serve as an advisory body for preparation of the thesis. The committee meets with each student to review the material that they expect to be incorporated into the thesis. Although meetings with the committee should be yearly, the candidate, thesis advisor, or the committee can request a meeting at any time. A final draft of the thesis must be given to all members of the committee two weeks before the final examination.
The final examination takes the form of a seminar presented to the program. This presentation is announced according to Graduate College policy. Questions, comments, and discussion follow. After the seminar, the candidate meets with the committee for the final thesis defense. In some cases revisions may be required. The degree is not awarded until the thesis is signed.
PhD/MD
Students may work toward the Doctor of Medicine degree and a PhD in immunology in a combined degree program offered by the Graduate College and the Carver College of Medicine. Applicants must be admitted to both programs before they may be admitted to the combined degree program. See the Medical Scientist Training Program (Carver College of Medicine) in the catalog.
For information regarding admission and application procedures, visit the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology website.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
Tuition and fees are paid for, and students receive a competitive stipend as well as health and dental benefits. Continued support beyond the first year is guaranteed, provided that progress toward degree completion of requirements is satisfactory. Sources of support include departmental funds, training and research grants, and individual fellowships. Visit Funding on the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Immunology website for information on financial support.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Immunology, PhD
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 72 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| Graduate College program GPA of at least 3.00 is required. b | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| BMED:5207 | Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology | 3 |
| IMMU:6211 | Immunology Seminar | 1 |
| IMMU:6231 | Research in Immunology | 6 |
| IMMU:6247 | Graduate Immunology and Human Disease | 4 |
| PCOL:5204 | Basic Biostatistics and Experimental Design | 1 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| IMMU:6201 | Graduate Immunology | 3 |
| IMMU:6211 | Immunology Seminar | 1 |
| IMMU:6231 | Research in Immunology | 8 |
| Elective course c | 3 | |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Any Semester | ||
| Elective course (at least 3 s.h. if needed) c | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| Fall | ||
| BMED:7270 | Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research I | 0 |
| IMMU:6211 | Immunology Seminar | 1 |
| IMMU:6221 | Rigor and Reproducibility in Immunology | 1 |
| IMMU:6231 | Research in Immunology | 8 |
| IMMU:6241 | Writing a Scientific Proposal | 2 |
| IMMU:7221 | Advanced Topics in Immunology | 3 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Spring | ||
| Exam: Doctoral Comprehensive Exam | ||
| BMED:7271 | Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research II | 0 |
| IMMU:6211 | Immunology Seminar | 1 |
| IMMU:6231 | Research in Immunology | 14 |
| Hours | 15 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| IMMU:6211 | Immunology Seminar | 1 |
| IMMU:6231 | Research in Immunology | 1 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Spring | ||
| IMMU:6211 | Immunology Seminar | 1 |
| IMMU:6231 | Research in Immunology | 1 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| IMMU:6211 | Immunology Seminar | 1 |
| IMMU:6231 | Research in Immunology | 1 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Spring | ||
| IMMU:6211 | Immunology Seminar | 1 |
| IMMU:6231 | Research in Immunology | 1 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| IMMU:6211 | Immunology Seminar | 1 |
| IMMU:6231 | Research in Immunology | 1 |
| Hours | 2 | |
| Spring | ||
| IMMU:6211 | Immunology Seminar | 1 |
| IMMU:6231 | Research in Immunology | 1 |
| Exam: Doctoral Final Exam d | ||
| Hours | 2 | |
| Total Hours | 72 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- Graduate College program GPA is comprised of all courses that are approved degree requirements. If a student takes more than the minimum required number of semester hours to complete the degree, but all courses taken are eligible to count toward the degree, those courses will be included in the Graduate College program GPA.
- c
- Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate elective coursework and sequence.
- d
- Program seminar followed by the dissertation defense.