The Immunology Academic Program
Overview and Mission
The Graduate Program in Immunology, in cooperation with the Department of Molecular
Biology and Genetics, offers a program of study leading to the Ph.D. degree in immunology.
The mission of the Immunology Training Program is to provide outstanding pre-doctoral
training in the field of Immunology. We seek to provide trainees with the ability
to identify significant research questions in Immunology, to find solutions to these
questions, to think broadly and creatively about biological problems, and to communicate
ideas effectively to others. Our goal is to train the next generation of Immunologists
who, through active scholarship contribute to the generation of new knowledge on
the basic mechanisms of the immune system and the application of this knowledge
to the understanding and treatment of disease. We accomplish this mission by selecting
and supporting qualified trainees, providing relevant didactic coursework and through
the participation of highly qualified faculty who are skilled mentors and accomplished
researchers in Immunology.
Close interaction with faculty and a high faculty/student ratio are important features
of the program. Students also interact closely with the large graduate student body
at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and have access to the faculty
and facilities of all other basic science and clinical departments.
Program Recruitment/Interview
Process
Interviews for graduate student positions are held twice a year, in mid February
and early March. Each application is carefully reviewed by our faculty review committee.
Candidates are selected from a large pool of highly competitive applicants.
Transportation and hotel accommodation is provided and paid for by our program.
Candidates get to spend two days and two nights in Baltimore. Upon arrival, candidates
are greeted at the hotel by a group of upper-classmen, and taken on a brief tour
of the campus. Candidates also attend an informal reception given in their honor,
where they meet various faculty members, as well as current students.
Candidates interview with 4 faculty members, have lunch with the students, and given
a tour of some of the "core" technical facilities on campus. At the end of their
interview day, they are taken on a tour of Baltimore, and will also have the opportunity
to enjoy some of Baltimore's night life in the company of the current students.
Upper classmen also serve as "Email Buddy" contacts for each perspective candidate,
to help answer any questions they may have about the program, Hopkins, or living
in Baltimore.
The Academic Program
In the first year of study, each student needs to take a core set of courses emphasizing
basic molecular principles and how they apply to understanding immune function.
In addition, each student meets with the first year advisor and plans three 12 week
rotation experiences where he or she will carry out a short term research project.
In addition, students are expected attend Immunology related seminars, research
conferences and journal clubs.
Course work requirement
During the first year, Immunology Graduate Program students will take the following
courses:
- ME.440.717: Bioinformatics & Genomics - September (3 day course)
- ME.100.710: Biochemical & Biophysical Principles (Sep - Oct)
- ME.100.709: Macromolecular Structure & Analysis (Sep - Oct)
- ME.250.709: Immunology Core Course (Sep - May)
- ME.260.709: Molecular Biology & Genomics (Oct - Jan)
- ME.260.708: Genetics (Oct - Jan)
- ME.800.707: Computational Biology & Bioinformatics (Nov - Dec)
- ME.360.728: Pathways & Regulation (Dec - Feb)
- ME.340.703: Cell Structure & Dynamics (Jan - Mar)
- ME.250.703: Graduate Immunology (Jan - Man)
- ME.260.802: Special Studies and Research (All Year Course)
Immunology Core Discussion
The core discussion is a year-long course is required of all First-Year Immunology
Graduate students. The goals of the course are to help students learn how to critically
read and interpret scientific papers, and learn more about methods and the scientific
process. It also gives a chance to interact with the faculty more closely than in
lectures. The material will often enhance and/or complement lecture material, but
is not an integral part of the core courses. The course has several components.
The main component is a Journal Club. One paper will be assigned each week, and
students will lead discussion. The goal of the journal club is to provoke discussion,
and to develop an understanding of HOW and WHY experiments were done.
Research Rotation Projects
During the first year, each student engages in three short-term research projects.
Rotations begin on October 1, January 1, and April 1. Each project lasts three months
and is carried out under the direction of a faculty member. Additional rotations
may be scheduled based on student interest.. The projects are designed to give you
an introduction to experimental research and an opportunity to learn more about
specific areas of immunology prior to choosing a thesis laboratory and project.
After completing the research rotations, the student will select a mentor for his/her
thesis project.
Bi-Monthly Meetings
Our first year students meet as a group, twice a month with at least two faculty
members at each meeting. These (luncheon) meetings give the faculty a chance to
get to know the students and discuss on-going research in their labs. It also gives
the students an opportunity to discuss their classes as well as express any questions/concerns
he or she may have as a first year student.
Seminars
The Graduate Program in Immunology and the University wide Immunology Council sponsor
a weekly seminar series where national and international experts are invited. Speakers
span a wide spectrum of interesting fields of Immunology research. Each year graduate
students are given the opportunity to invite and host a speaker of their choice.
Research Conferences
The laboratories of the Graduate Program in Immunology host an informal weekly research
conference. Each conference is an opportunity for each laboratory to present recent
studies hypothesis to the Immunology program community. In general, the presentations
are given by pre- and post-doctoral trainees.
Immunology Program Retreat
This is an all day event held annually during the Fall. The retreat is attended
by faculty members, post-doctoral fellows, graduate students, as well as medical
students in the program. An invitation is also extended to trainees in other programs
as well as members of the Hopkins scientific community who are interested in Immunology
Research, Training and Education.
Electives
In addition to the required courses, students must take a total of four electives
during their graduate studies. In general these electives are School of Medicine
courses but relevant courses offered in other parts of the University are acceptable.
These electives are needed to complete their requirements, and the Program Director
must approve all electives. Taking the Advanced Topics course a second time can
count for one of these four courses (if the subject changes).
Academic Requirements
Coursework
Students must achieve a grade of B or better in all graduate level courses. The
graduate program requires a student to repeat a course if he/she obtains a grade
of C. If student receives two or more C's the steering committee will consider the
academic status of the student.
The oral exam is conducted by five full time faculty members
Two faculty members are from the department in which the student is doing his or
her dissertation research while the other three faculty members are from other Ph.D.-granting
departments within the University. The exam is designed to evaluate the depth and
breath of knowledge in the areas of genetics, biochemistry, cellular, and molecular
biology and immunology as covered in the core courses.
Meetings with the Dissertation Advisory Committee
After the first year of study is completed, each student chooses his or her dissertation
adviser and begins dissertation research. During the spring of the second year,
setup a dissertation advisory committee. The committee is a team consisting of your
dissertation adviser and three or four other faculty members. At the first meeting
the student will present a written dissertation research proposal prepared in the
format of an NIH grant. The committee will convene annually to discuss progress.
At the final meeting, the dissertation advisory committee recommends that the student
begin to write the final thesis.
Dissertation
To fulfill requirements for the Ph.D., the dissertation must be found acceptable
by two readers, your thesis adviser and one other full-time faculty member.
Dissertation Seminar
When the dissertation is complete, each student is required to present one formal
seminar on your findings before students and faculty members of the University.