Introduction

Basic and clinical immunology classes are offered, covering various areas in cellular and molecular immunology. Students are extensively educated in immune cell development, signal transduction, regulation of immune responses, apoptosis, allergy, as well as in immunopathogenesis of diseases. Courses in molecular biology and biotechnology are required to be taken. Students are also expected to choose two out of the four seminar courses offered, which cover the most recent publications in the field of immunology, current developments in immunology, the latest information regarding immunology of infectious diseases, and in-house research progress reports. The goals of these seminar courses are to train our students in critical thinking, in critiquing and learning from research in immunology, in asking questions, and in organizing and presenting scientific findings.

An introductory course in immunology is offered to non-major students. The goal of this class is to cover the basic principles of immunology so that undergraduate and graduate students, as well as physicians, can learn the fundamentals of basic and clinical immunology.

Our M.S. students are to complete a thesis in addition to their 24-credit requirement from coursework, and are expected to acquire the ability to do independent research. Ph.D. students are to complete a Ph.D. thesis in addition to meeting a 28-credit requirement from coursework. They are expected to become independent researchers equipped with the ability to design experiments, to critique scientific data and to solve problems related to research.

Our faculty members are actively engaged in immunology research. Their research areas encompass hematopoiesis, infection, cancer, autoimmunity, T cell regulation, and T cell differentiation.