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Courses
First
Year
Immunology 202: Introduction to Immunologic Methodology. Rotations
of 8 –10 weeks in four laboratories provide exposure to a range of technologies
and topics for research. The Student Advisor assists students in selecting
laboratories. Brodeur, Members of the program.
Biochemistry 223: Graduate Biochemistry. A graduate-level discussion of
the structure and function of biologically important molecules. Emphasis will
be placed on problems of protein and nucleic acid biochemistry. Schaffhausen
and members of the Biochemistry program.
The next four
courses are taken in sequence
Immunology
212 (Fall): Introduction to Immunology. A survey based on
lectures, texts, problem-solving and small group tutorials. Topics
range from the cellular basis of innate and adaptive immune responses,
the mechanism of antigen receptor gene rearrangement, principles
of tissue transplantation, and the genetic and mechanistic problems
underlying autoimmune and hypersensitivity diseases. Wortis,
Brodeur and Gounari.
Immunology 225/226 (Winter/Spring):
Immunogenetics. The course covers the genetic basis for lymphocyte
differentiation, receptor gene rearrangement, T and B cell antigen-receptor
diversity and selection, tolerance, autoimmunity and gene expression Huber,
Poltorak, Roy, and Selsing.
Immunology 227/228 (Late Fall/Late Spring): Immunochemistry. The
chemical basis for specificity of antigen-antibody
reactions, structure /function analysis of lymphocyte
proteins. The course includes a problem-based introduction
to bioinformatics. Brodeur and Thorley-Lawson.
The following
non-didactive courses meet once a week
Immunology
206A: Journal Club. First-year students meet with the course
director to discuss articles essential for an understanding of contemporary
immunology. The development of analytic skills is emphasized. Imanishi-Kari.
Immunology 206B: Seminar Series. Scientists, who also meet with students,
present their current work. Includes speakers invited by students. The current
schedule is available for viewing. Roy and members of the program.
Immunology 206C: Student Workshop. Students
present progress reports on their research for question
and constructive criticism as well as experience
in presenting data and leading discussion. Brodeur
and members of the program.
Qualifying Examination
In June of the first
year, the student must pass a qualifying exam in order to begin full-time
research toward a thesis. This requires the preparation and defense
of an original research proposal based on reading. The exam is designed
to measure originality and independence and requires that the student
suggest a feasible and interesting problem, outline a potential experimental
approach to its solution, and discuss the likely data that could be
obtained. A brief oral defense of this proposal is designed to probe
the ability of the student to integrate and evaluate material learned
in more abstract settings. Thorley-Lawson
Required Courses - Year
Two and Beyond
Immunology
215: Immunological Mechanisms
in Disease. Covers the pathogenesis of major infectious
diseases including current knowledge of immune responses, and approaches
to prevention, diagnosis and treatment. Current studies of autoimmunity,
hypersensitivity, leukemia and lymphoma are also covered. Pereira
and members of the program.
Immunology 206D: Advanced Journal Club. Students in the research portion
of their training meet with faculty members to present and discuss recent papers
of importance. Members of the program.
Immunology 206B: Seminar Series. Weekly
presentations by invited speakers of results of their
own studies. Roy and members of the program. The current
schedule is available for viewing.
Immunology 206C: Student Workshop. Students
present informal progress reports on their work and
in return receives suggestions, criticism, and experience
in presenting data. The current
schedule is available for viewing. Brodeur
and members of the program.
Immunology 293H: Ethical Aspects of Science. Issues
of continuing concern (e.g., conflicts of interest,
plagiarism, fraud, responsibilities to patients,
animal experimentation, harassment, racism) are studied
using a case-based approach. Wortis and members
of the program.
One Elective (Year 2 and after)
Some typical choices:
Biochemistry 230A&B: Biochemistry
of Gene Expression and Signal Transduction. The molecular mechanisms
underlying signaling, transcription, RNA processing, translation
and DNA replication are highlighted. In the second half of the
course the integration of these processes into the regulation of
proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis is discussed. Yee
and faculty.
Molecular Biology 214: Animal Virology. A
survey of animal viruses, emphasizing on the
molecular aspects of viral replication and virus-host
cell interactions. Rosenberg, Lazinski and
Coffin.
Genetics 203: Cancer Genetics. This
course reviews widely held ideas and current
research on the genetic aspects of carcinogenesis. Rosenberg.
Molecular Microbiology 294C: Mechanisms
of Pathogenesis. The goal of this course
is to familiarize students with current work
in the field of bacterial pathogenesis. Isberg
Immunology 220: Molecular and Cellular
Basis of Parasitic Infections. An introduction
to major human parasitic diseases emphasizing
current approaches to prevention, diagnosis and
treatment. Pereira, Stadecker, and Ward.
Phys 245: Bioinformatics and
Genomics in Biomedical Research. Training
in the use of bioinformatics tools and resources.
Intended for students with considerable computer
experience who wish to apply bioinformatics and
genomics to their research. Sahagain
and faculty
Note: Requirements for transfer applicants and students entering with advanced
degrees, are to be determined prior to admission by the Program in consultation
with the applicant, and agreed to in writing.
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