Admissions Requirements
Applicants with proven scientific ability, indicated through performance in a college level science program and/or in a research laboratory. Prior research laboratory experience ensures that students have basic skills and are familiar with the laboratory research environment. We strongly encourage applications from qualified underrepresented minorities. The Program and members of our training faculty have a strong commitment to inclusivity and a solid history of success in training minority and other under-represented student populations.
Applications will open September 1.
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS IS DECEMBER 1st.
There are 3 ways to enter the Immunology Program:
- Apply directly to the Immunology Graduate Program.
- Apply to the Biomedical Sciences Umbrella Program and join the Immunology Graduate Program after your 1st year.
- Those interested in pursuing an MD/PhD with research interests in Immunology may apply to the Medical Scientist Training Program and complete their PhD portion through Immunology. Note: the MSTP follows a separate application process with different deadlines. Please visit the MSTP website for more information.
Applications will open September 1, and all application and supplemental materials are due no later than December 1. Applications received after December 1 may not be considered.
To apply for admission applicants must submit the following:
- Online Graduate School application
- A $50.00 domestic and $75.00 international non-refundable application fee.
- One (1) official transcript of all academic work completed to date. To be considered "official", the transcripts must come directly from the issuing institution.
Electronic Transcripts should be sent to graduate.school@cuanschutz.edu
OR
Mail a physical copy to:
University of Colorado Denver
Graduate School
Mail Stop C5000
13001 E. 17th Place
Aurora, CO 80045
- Three to five (3-5) letters of recommendation. Letters should be from individuals such as college professors or faculty mentors who are familiar with your academic and/or laboratory achievements. Such letters should be submitted electronically through the on-line application.
- GRE scores are no longer required for admission.
- International Applicants only: Students whose native language is not English or who have completed their studies at an institution where English was not the language of instruction, must demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or its equivalent. Visit International Admissions for more information.
Degree Requirements
First Year
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| IMMU 7650 | Research in Immunology 001 | 1-5 |
| IMMU 7650 | Research in Immunology 002 | 1-5 |
| BMSC 7806 | Core I: Foundations in Biomedical Sciences | 6 |
| BMSC 7810 | Core Topics in Biomedical Science (Topic A) | 2 |
| BMSC 7810 | Core Topics in Biomedical Science (Topic B) | 2 |
| BMSC 7820 | Statistics and Data Analyses for the Biomedical Sciences | 3 |
| Hours | 15-23 | |
| Spring | ||
| IMMU 7650 | Research in Immunology 001 | 1-5 |
| IMMU 7662 | Immunology | 6 |
| Hours | 7-11 | |
| Summer | ||
| IMMU 8990 | Doctoral Thesis | 1-10 |
| Hours | 1-10 | |
| Total Hours | 23-44 | |
Second Year
| Second Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | |
| IMMU 6110 | Introduction to Bioinformatics | 3 |
| IMMU 7607 | Science as a Profession | 1 |
| IMMU 7650 | Research in Immunology 0V3 | 1-5 |
| IMMU 7602 | Special Topics in Cancer Immunology | 1 |
| IMMU 7604 | Special Topics in Signal Transduction in the Immune System | 1 |
| IMMU 7608 | Immunology of Infection | 1 |
| IMMU 7609 | Immunology of Autoimmune Diseases | 1 |
| Hours | 9-13 | |
| Spring | ||
| IMMU 7650 | Research in Immunology 0V3 | 1-5 |
| IMMU 7605 | Workshop in Scientific Writing | 1 |
| IMMU 7603 | Special Topics-Immunologic Basis of Human Disease | 1 |
| Hours | 3-7 | |
| Summer | ||
| IMMU 8990 | Doctoral Thesis | 1-10 |
| Hours | 1-10 | |
| Total Hours | 13-30 | |
Learning Objectives
Graduate education in general | Post-baccalaureate education is an essential component in the development of future leaders, academicians, and scientists. The influence of graduate education on society reaches essentially all aspects of our lives including our safety, economy, health, and overall quality of life.
Immunology program in specific | The immune system has evolved to defend host organisms against the vast number of foreign agents that may be encountered throughout life and that are capable of compromising health and leading to possible death. A doctoral education in Immunology specifically trains individuals to not only define the mechanisms by which the immune system accomplishes this task but also to establish possible interventions that preclude, attenuate or neutralize these threats.
The PhD program in immunology trains graduate students to become proficient and successful investigators who are able to:
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of central concepts in the biomedical sciences.
- Understand the current concepts in immunology.
- Read and critically evaluate the scientific literature.
- Formulate hypotheses based on current concepts in the field and design, conduct, and interpret their own research projects.
- Present research results in peer-reviewed publications and in a dissertation.
- Communicate research results effectively through oral presentations at scientific seminars, conferences, and other venues.
- Write a competitive application for research funding.
- Develop ancillary skills, where necessary, to obtain positions outside of scientific research.
Courses
Program Calendar
August – Department of Immunology & Microbiology Scientific Conference & Retreat
October – Immunology Program & Microbiology Program Student (only) Retreat
October – MPID T-32 Mini-symposium
Weekly – Research in Progress Seminar with the Microbiology Program
Weekly- Immunology Student Journal Club
Weekly – Speaker Series with Microbiology Program
Twice per year – Student Invited Speaker Seminar and meetings
Contact Us
Beth Tamburini, PhD
Associate Professor
Co-Program Director
Beth.Tamburini@cuanschutz.edu
Ross Kedl, PhD
Professor
Co-Program Director
Ross.Kedl@cuanschutz.edu
Sabrena Heilman
Program Administrator
Sabrena.Heilman@cuanschutz.edu
IMMU@cuanschutz.edu
Immunology Graduate Program
Mail Stop C290
13001 E. 17th Place
Aurora, CO 80045