Academic Calendar

Immunology, Ph.D.

Degree Requirements

Candidates admitted directly into the Ph.D. program or wishing to transfer from the M.Sc. to the Ph.D. program must pass a thesis proposal defence taken within the first 18 or 16 months, respectively, of their admission into the Department. In addition, the candidacy examination required of all students in the Ph.D. program will be in the form of a research proposal. 

Expected Time to Graduate: 4 - 5 years

Progression Chart

Students Entering With a Master's Degree in Immunology (9 Credit Hours)

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Hours
GRAD 7300 Research Integrity Tutorial 0
GRAD 7500 Academic Integrity Tutorial 0
 Hours0
Year 2
IMMU XXXXSelected from the following: 6
IMMU 7030
 Seminars in Immunology  
IMMU 7090
 Selected Topics in Immunology  
IMED 7190
 Medical Immunology  
CRSE 7XXXApproved coursework designated 7000 level 3
Thesis Proposal 1  
 Hours9
Year 3
GRAD 8010 Doctoral Candidacy Examination 2 0
 Hours0
Year 4
GRAD 8000 Doctoral Thesis 0
 Hours0
 Total Hours9
1

The thesis proposal is normally initiated within 18 months of beginning graduate studies in the Department, and must be completed within two years of starting the program. 

2

The Ph.D. candidacy exam is usually initiated within 3 years of beginning Ph.D. studies. The Ph.D. candidacy exam should be completed at least one year prior to expected graduation. The written component of the exam is in the form of a grant proposal to a major funding agency.

Notes:

  • Course requirements represent minima, and higher requirements may be set by the Department or a student's advisory committee depending on the student's academic background, prior exposure to immunology and the specific course of study undertaken by the student.
  • All students are required to attend the weekly Immunology Research Seminar and weekly Immunology Journal Club for the duration of their program (2 hours per week Sept-May), and do a presentation once per year in each program. A minimum 80% attendance is required.
  • Within the first 3 months of the program, advisory committee members should be presented with an outline of the proposed research.

Students Entering With a Master's Degree and Without Adequate Background in Immunology (15 Credit Hours)

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Hours
GRAD 7300 Research Integrity Tutorial 0
GRAD 7500 Academic Integrity Tutorial 0
IMMU 7070 Introductory Immunology 3
IMMU 7100 Advanced Topics in Immunology 3
 Hours6
Year 2
IMMU XXXXAt least one of the following: 3
IMMU 7040
 Immunological Methodology  
IMMU 7090
 Selected Topics in Immunology  
IMED 7190
 Medical Immunology  
CRSE 7XXXApproved coursework designated 7000 level 6
Thesis Proposal 1  
 Hours9
Year 3
GRAD 8010 Doctoral Candidacy Examination 2 0
 Hours0
Year 4
GRAD 8000 Doctoral Thesis 0
 Hours0
 Total Hours15
1

The thesis proposal is normally initiated within 18 months of beginning graduate studies in the Department, and must be completed within two years of starting the program. 

2

The Ph.D. candidacy exam is usually initiated within 3 years of beginning Ph.D. studies. The Ph.D. candidacy exam should be completed at least one year prior to expected graduation. The written component of the exam is in the form of a grant proposal to a major funding agency.

Notes:

  • Course requirements represent minima, and higher requirements may be set by the Department or a student's advisory committee depending on the student's academic background, prior exposure to immunology and the specific course of study undertaken by the student.
  • All students are required to attend the weekly Immunology Research Seminar and weekly Immunology Journal Club for the duration of their program (2 hours per week Sept-May), and do a presentation once per year in each program. A minimum 80% attendance is required.
  • Within the first 3 months of the program, advisory committee members should be presented with an outline of the proposed research.

Students Entering Directly From an Honours Bachelor Degree (18 credit hours)

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Hours
GRAD 7300 Research Integrity Tutorial 0
GRAD 7500 Academic Integrity Tutorial 0
IMMU 7070 Introductory Immunology 3
IMMU 7100 Advanced Topics in Immunology 3
IMMU XXXXAt least one of the following: 3
IMMU 7040
 Immunological Methodology  
IMMU 7090
 Selected Topics in Immunology  
IMED 7190
 Medical Immunology  
 Hours9
Year 2
CRSE 7XXXApproved coursework designated 7000 level 9
Thesis Proposal 1  
 Hours9
Year 3
GRAD 8010 Doctoral Candidacy Examination 2 0
 Hours0
Year 4
GRAD 8000 Doctoral Thesis 0
 Hours0
 Total Hours18
1

The thesis proposal is normally initiated within 18 months of beginning graduate studies in the Department, and must be completed within two years of starting the program. 

2

The Ph.D. candidacy exam is usually initiated within 3 years of beginning Ph.D. studies. The Ph.D. candidacy exam should be completed at least one year prior to expected graduation. The written component of the exam is in the form of a grant proposal to a major funding agency.

Notes:

  • Course requirements represent minima, and higher requirements may be set by the Department or a student's advisory committee depending on the student's academic background, prior exposure to immunology and the specific course of study undertaken by the student.
  • All students are required to attend the weekly Immunology Research Seminar and weekly Immunology Journal Club for the duration of their program (2 hours per week Sept-May), and do a presentation once per year in each program. A minimum 80% attendance is required.
  • Within the first 3 months of the program, advisory committee members should be presented with an outline of the proposed research.

Transfer from the Immunology Master's Program to the Ph.D. Program

Students Who Hold a B.Sc. at Initial Admission to the Immunology Master's Program
Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Hours
GRAD 7300 Research Integrity Tutorial 0
GRAD 7500 Academic Integrity Tutorial 0
Students must complete a total of 18 credit hours of courses at the 7000 level 18
 Hours18
Year 2
Thesis Proposal 1  
 Hours0
Year 3
GRAD 8010 Doctoral Candidacy Examination 2 0
 Hours0
Year 4
GRAD 8000 Doctoral Thesis 0
 Hours0
 Total Hours18
1

The thesis proposal is normally initiated within 18 months of beginning graduate studies in the Department, and must be completed within two years of starting the program. 

2

The Ph.D. candidacy exam is usually initiated within 3 years of beginning Ph.D. studies. The Ph.D. candidacy exam should be completed at least one year prior to expected graduation. The written component of the exam is in the form of a grant proposal to a major funding agency.

Notes:

  • Course requirements represent minima, and higher requirements may be set by the Department or a student's advisory committee depending on the student's academic background, prior exposure to immunology and the specific course of study undertaken by the student.
  • All students are required to attend the weekly Immunology Research Seminar and weekly Immunology Journal Club for the duration of their program (2 hours per week Sept-May), and do a presentation once per year in each program. A minimum 80% attendance is required.
  • Within the first 3 months of the program, advisory committee members should be presented with an outline of the proposed research.
Students Who Hold a Master's Degree With a Non-Immunology Background at Initial Admission to the Immunology Master's Program
Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Hours
GRAD 7300 Research Integrity Tutorial 0
GRAD 7500 Academic Integrity Tutorial 0
Students must complete a total of 15 credit hours of courses at the 7000 level 15
 Hours15
Year 2
Thesis Proposal 1  
 Hours0
Year 3
GRAD 8010 Doctoral Candidacy Examination 2 0
 Hours0
Year 4
GRAD 8000 Doctoral Thesis 0
 Hours0
 Total Hours15
1

The thesis proposal is normally initiated within 18 months of beginning graduate studies in the Department, and must be completed within two years of starting the program. 

2

The Ph.D. candidacy exam is usually initiated within 3 years of beginning Ph.D. studies. The Ph.D. candidacy exam should be completed at least one year prior to expected graduation. The written component of the exam is in the form of a grant proposal to a major funding agency.

Notes:

  • Course requirements represent minima, and higher requirements may be set by the Department or a student's advisory committee depending on the student's academic background, prior exposure to immunology and the specific course of study undertaken by the student.
  • All students are required to attend the weekly Immunology Research Seminar and weekly Immunology Journal Club for the duration of their program (2 hours per week Sept-May), and do a presentation once per year in each program. A minimum 80% attendance is required.
  • Within the first 3 months of the program, advisory committee members should be presented with an outline of the proposed research.

Registration Information

Students should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies ‘GRAD’ courses applicable to their program. If you have questions about which GRAD course(s) to register in, please consult your home department/unit.

All new and returning students must meet with their advisor to determine their program of study prior to registration. Once the student has met with their advisor and subsequently receives approval from the Department Head, they must contact the Administrative Assistant, who will register the student in their courses.  

All course additions and withdrawals (registration revisions) must be approved in the same manner.

Regulations

Students must meet the requirements as outlined in both Supplementary Regulation and BFAR documents as approved by Senate.

Supplementary Regulations

Individual units may require specific requirements above and beyond those of the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, and students should consult unit supplementary regulations for these specific regulations. 

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR)

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR) represent the core academic requirements a graduate student must acquire in order to gain, and demonstrate acquisition of, essential knowledge and skills.

All students must successfully complete:

  • GRAD 7300 prior to applying to any ethics boards which are appropriate to the student’s research or within the student’s first year, whichever comes first; and
  • GRAD 7500 within the first term of registration;

unless these courses have been completed previously, as per Mandatory Academic Integrity Course and Mandatory Research Integrity Online Course.

Students must also meet additional BFAR requirements that may be specified for their program.

General Regulations

All students must:

  • maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+,
  • meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum course requirements, and
  • meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum time requirements (in terms of time in program and lapse or expiration of credit of courses).

Courses

Immunology

IMMU 7000  Science Communication: Foundations & writing methodologies  3 cr  
This course will provide an overview of the primary methodologies governing science communication writing.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: Bachelor's Degree.
IMMU 7010  Science Communication: Audio-video methodologies  3 cr  
This course will provide an overview of the primary audio-visual methodologies used for science communications.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: Bachelor's Degree and Minimum grade of B in IMMU 7000.
IMMU 7020  Immunobiology  6 cr  
This course provides a broad perspective of the evolving concepts of the mechanisms underlying the regulation of the immune response. Students admitted to this course will be expected to have sufficient background knowledge of general biology.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: IMMU 7070 plus cognate courses in molecular biology, or by consent of instructors.
IMMU 7030  Seminars in Immunology  3 cr  
Presented by senior graduate students on advanced research topics not directly related to the student's thesis subject. The purpose of this course is to test the student's ability to evaluate critically a specialized topic both orally and in an essay form. This course is graded pass/fail.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: IMMU 7110 or IMMU 7020 or by consent of instructors.
IMMU 7040  Immunological Methodology  3 cr  
This lecture course is designed to provide an understanding of modern methods used for basic research in Immunology or other biomedical disciplines utilizing immunological techniques.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisite: IMMU 7070 or by consent of instructors.
IMMU 7070  Introductory Immunology  3 cr  
This course provides a broad survey of modern immunology, covering such topics as molecular concepts of antigenic specificity, chemistry of antibodies and their interactions with antigens and cells, regulation of the immune response, transplantation and tumor immunology.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: general courses in chemistry, biochemistry and biology, or by consent of instructors.
IMMU 7090  Selected Topics in Immunology  3 cr  
Assigned reading and written literature review on topics not normally covered in other IMMU courses. Course content will vary depending on the advances in the field and interests of the students.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: IMMU 7070 or IMMU 7100 or consent of instructors.
IMMU 7100  Advanced Topics in Immunology  3 cr  
Lectures and assigned reading providing an advanced level understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing the immune response. The course will build on basic knowledge learned in IMMU 7070 and emphasize recent advances and recently-developing concepts in the field of Immunology.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: IMMU 7070 or by consent of instructors.
IMMU 7110  Molecular Immunology  6 cr  
This course covers in depth the structure, molecular biology and function of immunoglobulins, histocompatibility antigens, regulatory factors receptors and adhesion molecules on cells of the immune system; mechanisms of immunochemical reactions and the immunogenicity of antigens.
PR/CR: A minimum grade of C is required unless otherwise indicated.
Prerequisites: IMMU 7070 plus undergraduate courses in organic chemistry, physical chemistry and biochemistry, or by consent of instructors.