• Three 10-12-week research rotations in the laboratories of three Immunology Program Faculty.
• Students present a short oral presentation after each laboratory rotation to their classmates and program faculty.
• Students choose their laboratory, in consultation with the program, and begin their thesis research at the end of their third rotation.
• Note: MSTP students typically do not complete rotations but due present their research during a rotation talk.

• Fall
  • Graduate Immunology and Human Disease
  • Basic Biostatics and Experimental Design
  • Principles of Molecular and Cellular Biology
  • Immunology Graduate Student Seminar
  • Research in Immunology
• Spring
  • Graduate Immunology
  • Immunology Graduate Student Seminar
  • Research in Immunology

• Students, with their research advisor’s assistance, pick a dissertation committee prior to the start of Fall year 2. The committee is composed of:
  • Five faculty, including the research advisor.
  • At least four faculty must be members of the Immunology Graduate Program. One faculty may be from outside the program.
  • If the student has a Mentor of Record (see student handbook for information) that faculty member is assigned the role of Chair.

• Conduct thesis research.
• Students present their thesis research at their first thesis committee meeting in Fall.

• Fall
  • Rigor and Reproducibility in Immunology
  • Advanced Topics in Immunology
  • Writing a Scientific Proposal
  • Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research 1
  • Immunology Graduate Student Seminar
  • Research in Immunology
• Spring
  • Scholarly Integrity/Responsible Conduct of Research 2
  • Electives
  • Immunology Graduate Student Seminar
  • Research in Immunology

There are two parts to the comprehensive exam, a written document and an oral examination. The written document requires students to prepare an off-topic abstract (differing from the thesis research), which is developed into a full proposal. Once the proposal is accepted by the committee, the committee will conduct an oral comprehensive exam of the students’ knowledge of the subject matter. The comprehensive exam is completed during the spring semester of the second year. MSTP students may elect to take the exam in the fall of year two.

Students perform one teaching assistantship (TA) in one of a number of courses. The course the TA will take place in is assigned by the Program based on interest, expertise, and scheduling. Students with an interest in teaching may perform additional TA with research advisor approval. 

• Conduct thesis research.
• Participate in thesis committee meeting.
• Electives if not yet completed.
• Immunology Graduate Student Seminar
• Research in Immunology

• Conduct thesis research.
• Participate in thesis committee meeting.
• Submit first and middle author publications.
• Immunology Graduate Student Seminar
• Research in Immunology
• The goal of the student is to defend their dissertation and graduate by Spring of year 5.