Graduate Program

The Immunobiology (IMB) Department recruits graduate students for their graduate program via the Arizona Biological and Biomedical Sciences (ABBS) umbrella program.

 

Visit the ABBS website: http://abbs.arizona.edu for application information, deadlines and other details pertinent to the ABBS plan of action.

 

Of import, please note that in order for applications to be considered for enrollment for Academic Year 2014-2015 (Fall entry only) they must be received by December 1, 2013.

 

A PDF copy of the graduate student handbook is available below:

 

IMB Graduate Student Handbook

 

Jeffrey Frelinger, PhD, Director of IMB's Graduate Program

Felicia Goodrum, PhD, Graduate Advisor

 

 

OVERVIEW

The Department of Immunobiology (IMB) is one of six graduate program that recruits students to its PhD program through the Arizona Biological and Biomedical Sciences (ABBS) umbrella program: http://abbs.arizona.edu/

 

Students are admitted to ABBS with no formal commitment to a particular PhD program. Entering students will perform three laboratory rotations with faculty in any of the participating graduate programs. This provides maximum flexibility for students to explore various fields of study. Students with identified goals can focus immediately on a particular research area and program. During the 24-week rotation period, students will be part of research-based interest groups led by one of the six programs. At the end of the rotation period, students join a lab and matriculate into one of the six participating graduate programs. Students take classes relevant to their interests and backgrounds.

 

Once the students join the IMB program, they conduct research in the following areas:

  • Infection and Immunity
  • Microbial Pathogenesis and Commensalism
  • Dysregulation of Immunity and Inflammation
  • Immunotherapy and Immune Intervention

OUTCOMES

Writing – written communication in Immunobiology focuses on scientific communication

[Written proposals are evaluated by faculty who have proven experience in a) manuscript review for peer reviewed journals and, b) national grant review panels]

Ability to present a cogent, well-written, compelling argument that takes in consideration the audience and purpose of text

Problem Solving – problem solving in Immunobiology centers on the creation of answerable questions in the laboratory and in model building to explain those answers

Ability to construct a clear and concise problem statement and then applying and implementing a strategy that illustrates comprehension of the problem and finally analyzing the result

Quantitative Literacy – a.k.a numeracy and quantitative reasoning in Immunobiology illustrates competency and comfort in working with vast numerical data

Understanding and creation of sophisticated arguments supported by quantitative evidence as evidenced by the use of tables, graphs, mathematical equations, etc.

 

ACTIVITIES

Activities implemented to assess student progress:

  1. Introductory coursework IMB 502 A & B wherein students are required to identify a problem and propose a method to address it.
  2. The comprehensive examination which consists of written (proposal) and oral components.
  3. Student has regular and frequent interactions with his/her Dissertation Committee.
  4. And finally the capstone, the written dissertation and the oral defense.