Program Information
OVERVIEW
Ph.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. candidates are admitted into the Immunology Training Program through either the Department of Microbiology or the Department of Pathology. The course requirements vary somewhat for students admitted into the different departments, but all students are expected to develop a strong background in diverse areas of the biomedical sciences.
In addition to the successful completion of the prescribed course work, Ph.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. candidates must also complete laboratory rotations, participate in seminars and journal clubs, pass a qualifying examination, and successfully defend a dissertation based on original laboratory research.
ADMISSIONS
Students enter the Immunology Training Program through either the Department of Microbiology or the Department of Pathology. Applicants must apply for admission through the Division of Graduate Medical Sciences of the Boston University School of Medicine. Departmental Preference should be noted on the application. Application can be made on line through the Division Office, or you can request an application packet on line through the Division Office or by calling (617) 638-5120, or by requesting information in writing at:
Division of Graduate Medical Sciences
72 East Concord Street, L-317
Boston, MA 02118
Phone: (617) 638-5120
Fax: (617) 638-4842
Contact: Susan Wilcox
Specific information about the Department of Microbiology and its graduate programs can be obtained by contacting the Microbiology Office.
CRITERIA FOR ADMISSIONS
Students must have received a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university with a strong background in biological and physical sciences. The applicant’s academic record, references, GRE test results and related work experience are considered in the admissions process. The GRE General Test is required. The GRE Subject test is not required. International students must demonstrate competence in English. Candidates are encouraged to take the GRE tests in October and to complete their applications before December 31.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
All Ph.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. students who are admitted to the Department are automatically considered eligible for full financial aid. Financial aid consists of a stipend, tuition, activity fees and health insurance. For the 2008/2009 academic year, the stipend is set at $30,000 for entering students, and $31,000 for students who have passed their qualifying exams. For the 2009/2010 academic year, the stipend will be $30,500 for entering students, and $31,500 for students who have passed their qualifying exams.
Students are also eligible to compete for support from outside agencies, such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. While in graduate school, students are also eligible to compete with other students in the Division for research and travel awards from the Department and Boston University School of Medicine.
COURSE WORK
The curriculum for students in the ITP offers flexibility in training and is designed with the interests of the student and his/her prior background and training. Formal coursework emphasizes breadth and depth in various areas of immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, cell biology and biochemistry. There are slight differences in the coursework for students in the Department of Microbiology and Pathology.
Formal coursework is normally completed within the first 2 years of study, with the majority of courses taken during the first year. Students complete 28 hr of graded coursework, taken from an approved list of required and elective courses.
LABORATORY ROTATIONS
All predoctoral students are required to complete laboratory rotations. The purpose of laboratory rotations is to help students choose an area of interest and identify a major advisor for their dissertation research. Students are normally required to rotate through 3 laboratories before choosing one for their dissertation research. Students are strongly encouraged to begin their laboratory rotations during the first semester of their first year of graduate study.
SEMINARS
Seminars are an important component of training at all stages of a scientific career and all students are encouraged to attend seminars in a variety of disciplines. In addition, all Immunology Training Program students are expected to attend and participate in their respective Departmental seminars throughout their graduate career. Students are expected to give at least one formal seminar a year.
Throughout the year, guest speakers are also scheduled for seminars and graduate students are expected to attend these seminars as well. In addition to the individual departmental seminars, the Immunology Training Program also has a weekly seminar series. Following the Immunology guest speaker seminars, students are strongly encouraged to meet with the guest speakers over lunch to discuss research.
All students are strongly encouraged to attend additional seminars offered within the Boston University Medical School and within the greater Boston scientific community.
FRIDAY’S @ 4
Two student lead journal clubs are available to Microbiology and Microbiology and Immunology students as part of the Friday’s @ 4 series. Announcements of Friday’s @ 4 are posted on the Microbiology (www.bumc.bu.edu/microbiology) and Immunology (www.bumc.bu.edu/immunology) websites and on the Graduate Student Bulletin Boards. Journal clubs are held on a rotating basis with Research in Progress talks and a “variable” topic week.
All (Microbiology, CMB, HPI, Immunology) first and second year graduate students in the Department of Microbiology are required to attend and participate in Friday’s @ 4. First and second year Immunology students in the Department of Microbiology are required to attend and participate in the Immunology journal club as well. Attendance and participation by more senior students is strongly encouraged.
TEACHING
Teaching is an integral part of the learning process. In order to provide students with some teaching experience, all students in the Department of Microbiology are expected to assist faculty in the laboratory portion of a microbiology course for one semester, or more at the student’s discretion. Students receive remuneration for this service.
QUALIFYING EXAMINATIONS
Ph.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. candidates in the Department of Microbiology typically take their qualifying exams during their second year of graduate study. The goals of the examination are two-fold: 1) to test the student’s ability to research a scientific area, identify gaps in the field that are important to resolve and are amenable to experimentation, and to develop rational approaches to address these issues; and 2) to allow the faculty to assess the student’s accrued knowledge and understanding of the major areas of biomedical sciences that should be important for his/her future scientific career. The basis of the exam is a research proposal that is developed and presented by the student. This proposal forms the basis for the written and oral components of a qualifying exam. The topic of the proposal is chosen by the student, and is distinct from the subject of the student’s proposed thesis work.
Please see the Department of Pathology website for specifics on the format for the Pathology qualifying examination.
LABORATORY RESEARCH
Research is the central part of the graduate student’s training, and as such most of the time spent in graduate school is devoted to original laboratory research. This is carried out in the laboratory of a chosen faculty member who serves as the student’s mentor and scientific advisor. A faculty research advisory committee, composed of scientists who provide additional expertise to the student, meets regularly to help direct the course of research. Students are expected to publish the results of their original research in refereed scientific publications.
DISSERTATION - Ph.D. PROGRAM
As part of the Ph.D. requirements, a written dissertation describing the student’s research accomplishments must be submitted and defended.
