Immunology

Immunology: Introduction

Faculty Affiliation

Medicine

Degree Programs

Immunology

MSc

  • Fields:
    • Applied Immunology;
    • Fundamental Immunology

PhD

  • Field:
    • Fundamental Immunology

Combined Degree Programs

MD / PhD

Collaborative Specializations

The following collaborative specializations are available to students in participating degree programs as listed below:

Overview

The Department of Immunology provides a common forum for investigators in many areas of the University of Toronto and an interdisciplinary research experience in immunology. Members and students in the department are located on the St. George campus at the Medical Sciences Building, and on the University's Mississauga and Scarborough campuses; the Ontario Cancer Institute; and the research institutes of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, the Hospital for Sick Children, Women's College Hospital, St. Michael's Hospital, and Sunnybrook Hospital.

Contact and Address

Web: www.immunology.utoronto.ca
Email: graduate.immunology@utoronto.ca
Telephone: (416) 978-6382

Department of Immunology
University of Toronto
Medical Sciences Building
Room 7205, 1 King's College Circle
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A8
Canada

Immunology: Graduate Faculty

Full Members

Anderson, Michele - BS, PhD
Berger, Stuart - BSc, MSc, PhD
Berinstein, Neil - MD
Brooks, David - BS, PhD
Butler, Marcus - BA, MD
Cybulsky, Myron - MD
Danska, Jayne - AB, PhD
Ehrhardt, Goetz - MS, PhD
Epelman, Slava - MD, DrMed
Fish, Eleanor - BSc, MPH, PhD
Gehring, Adam - BA, PhD
Girardin, Stephen - BSc, PhD
Gommerman, Jennifer - BSc, PhD (Chair and Graduate Chair)
Guidos, Cynthia - BSc, PhD
Hirano, Naoto - MD, PhD
Inman, Robert - BA, MD
Iscove, Norman - MD, PhD
Jeschke, Marc - DrMed, PhD
Julien, Jean-Philippe - PhD
Kaul, Rupert - MD, PhD
MacParland, Sonya - BS, MS, PhD
Mak, Tak - BSc, MSc, PhD
Mallevaey, Thierry - MSc, PhD (Associate Chair, Graduate Studies)
Martin, Alberto - BSc, MSc, PhD
McGaha, Tracy Lynn - BSc, MS, PhD
Miron, Veronique - PhD
Mortha, Arthur - MSc, PhD
Ohashi, Pam - BSc, PhD
Ostrowski, Mario - MD
Paige, Christopher - BSc, PhD
Philpott, Dana - BS, PhD
Piguet, Vincent - BM, DrMed, PhD
Radvanyi, Laszlo - BSc, MSc, PhD
Ratcliffe, Michael - PhD
Robbins, Clinton Shane - BS, PhD
Roifman, Chaim - MD
Rottapel, Robert - BA, MD
Sacher, Adrian - DrMed
Serghides, Lena - BSc, PhD
Siminovitch, Katherine - MD
Tikhonova, Anastasia - PhD
Tsui, Florence - BSc, MSc, PhD
Wall, Donna - MD
Watts, Tania - BSc, PhD
Wither, Joan - MD, PhD
Woo, Minna - MD
Yeung, Rae - DrMed, MD
Zhang, Li - MSc, MD, PhD
Zuniga-Pflucker, J.C. - BSc, PhD

Members Emeriti

Julius, Michael - BSc, PhD
Letarte, Michelle - BSc, PhD
Levy, Gary - BSc, MD
Poussier, Philippe - MD
Shulman, Marc - AB, PhD
Wu, Gillian - BSc, MSc, PhD

Associate Members

Amith, Ray - BSc, MSS, PhD
Aung, Aereas - BS, PhD
Edgar, Landon - PhD
Eiwegger, Thomas - MD
Harding, Shane - PhD
Lee, Nana Hyung-Ran - PhD
Maxson, Michelle - PhD
Rojas, Olga Lucia - PhD
Saibil, Samuel - MD, PhD
Singh, Jastaran - BSc, PhD
Tsui, Hubert - BSc, MD, PhD
Wang, Chao - PhD

Immunology: Immunology MSc

The Master of Science (MSc) program is offered in two fields:

  • The non-thesis Applied Immunology field provides advanced training in designing, implementing, and evaluating immunological techniques that measure immune responses.

  • The thesis-based Fundamental Immunology field provides advanced training in an area of specialization, with a particular emphasis on the acquisition of experience in the strategies and experimental methods of modern, original, scientific research.

Students in the Applied Immunology field (including the advanced-standing option) are not eligible to participate in collaborative specializations.

Immunology: Immunology MSc Field: Applied Immunology

MSc Program; Field: Applied Immunology

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Immunology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate BSc, or its equivalent, normally with at least a B+ average and a strong background in molecular and cellular biology. Applicants lacking adequate training in immunology or biological or natural sciences may be advised to do extra coursework necessary for their research.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements. Applicants educated outside Canada are required to provide Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (general) scores with their application.

  • Before starting the program, applicants may be required to complete SCS 3128 (at the discretion of the Department of Immunology).

  • Please note that the Applied Immunology field is unable to accept international students at this time.

Completion Requirements

  • Students must complete any courses conditional of acceptance.

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 7.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • Year 1:

      • IMM1450Y Major Research Project in Immunology (I) and IMM1550Y Major Research Project in Immunology (II)

      • 1.0 FCE selected from: IMM1428H Molecular Immunology, IMM1429H Developmental Immunology, IMM1430H Clinical Immunology, IMM1431H Immunotherapy

      • IMM1436H Techniques in Immunology

    • Year 2:

      • IMM1050H Easton Seminar Series (I) and IMM1075H Special Topics in Immunology

      • IMM1650Y Major Research Project in Immunology (III)

      • IMM1651H Applied Research in Immunology

      • 1.0 FCE selected from the elective course list below.

  • Students are required to participate full-time until the program requirements of research and coursework have been completed.

Elective Courses

Students may take any graduate-level course available to fulfil the elective portion of their degree requirements from Immunology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Medical Biophysics, Medical Science, Molecular Genetics, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Physiology.

Students may take a course offered outside the above listed departments towards the elective portion of their degree requirements, but will require the approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS-FWS)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time

 

MSc Program; Field: Applied Immunology (Advanced-Standing Option)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants with an Immunology specialist or major undergraduate degree from the University of Toronto, may be eligible for advanced standing.

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Immunology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate BSc from the University of Toronto (including those with an Immunology specialist or major undergraduate degree), normally with at least a B+ average and a strong background in molecular and cellular biology. Applicants lacking adequate training in immunology or biological or natural sciences may be advised to do extra coursework necessary for their research.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements. Applicants educated outside Canada are required to provide Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (general) scores with their application.

  • Applicants must have completed the following University of Toronto undergraduate course or its equivalent: IMM450H1.

  • Applicants must have completed the following University of Toronto undergraduate courses: two of IMM428H1, IMM429H1, IMM430H1, IMM431H1, and MIJ485H1.

  • Applicants must already have a graduate research supervisor who is a graduate faculty member in the Department of Immunology.

  • Please note that the Applied Immunology field (advanced-standing option) is unable to accept international students at this time.

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. Successful completion of 5.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • IMM1550Y Major Research Paper in Immunology (I), completed in the first Summer session

    • IMM1650Y Major Research Paper in Immunology (II)

    • IMM1050H Easton Seminar Series (I)

    • IMM1075H Special Topics in Immunology

    • IMM1436H Techniques in Immunology

    • IMM1651H Applied Research in Immunology

    • 1.0 FCE selected from the elective course list below.

Elective Courses

Students may take any graduate-level course available to fulfil the elective portion of their degree requirements from Immunology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Medical Biophysics, Medical Science, Molecular Genetics, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Physiology.

Students may take a course offered outside the above listed departments towards the elective portion of their degree requirements, but will require the approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: S-FWS)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time

 

Immunology: Immunology MSc Field: Fundamental Immunology

MSc Program; Field: Fundamental Immunology

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Immunology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • An appropriate BSc, or its equivalent, normally with at least a B+ average and a strong background in molecular and cellular biology. Applicants lacking adequate training in biological or natural sciences may be advised to do extra coursework necessary for their research.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements. Applicants educated outside Canada are required to provide Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (general) scores with their application.

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. Successful completion of 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs):

  • A satisfactory thesis embodying the student's research.

  • Upon of completion of the thesis, pass an oral examination.

Elective Courses

Students may take any graduate-level course available to fulfil the elective portion of their degree requirements from Immunology*, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Medical Biophysics, Medical Science, Molecular Genetics, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Physiology.

Students may take a course offered outside the above listed departments towards the elective portion of their degree requirements, but will require the approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies.

*Note: students in the MSc field in Fundamental Immunology cannot use IMM1428H, IMM1429H, IMM1430H, IMM1431H, IMM1436H, IMM1450Y, IMM1550H, IMM1650Y, or IMM1651H towards their degree requirements.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: FWS-FWS)
Time Limit: 3 years full-time

 

Immunology: Immunology PhD

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree is an advanced research degree intended to reflect a level of training consistent with the ability of the candidate to function as an independent research scientist.

Applicants may enter the PhD program via one of three routes: 1) following completion of an MSc degree; 2) transfer from the MSc in Immunology program, Fundamental Immunology field; or 3) direct entry following completion of a BSc degree. The PhD program has one field: Fundamental Immunology.

Immunology: Immunology PhD; Field: Fundamental Immunology

PhD Program

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Immunology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements. Applicants educated outside Canada are required to provide Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (general) scores with their application.

  • Applicants who have completed an MSc degree must have at least a B+ average in that degree.

  • Applicants may be accepted for direct entry with a BSc degree, with at least an A– average in the final two years.

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 4.5 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • IMM1000Y Recent Advances in Immunology

    • IMM1200H Scientific Skills for Immunologists; in the event the student has taken this course to complete the MSc in Immunology, Fundamental Immunology field, a substitute course will be taken with approval of the Graduate Coordinator

    • IMM2000H PhD Proposal in Immunology

    • IMM2025H Student Seminar Series (II)

    • IMM2050H Easton Seminar Series (II)

    • IMM2075H Special Topics in Immunology (II)

    • 1.0 elective FCE at the graduate level from either Immunology or outside the department as relevant to their thesis topic (examples are provided in the elective course list).

  • Students must complete a qualifying exam within 24 months of starting the PhD program, Fundamental Immunology field.

  • Candidates must submit a thesis and defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.

  • Students are required to participate full-time until the program requirements of research and coursework have been completed.

Elective Courses

Students may take any graduate-level course available to fulfil the elective portion of their degree requirements from Immunology*, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Medical Biophysics, Medical Science, Molecular Genetics, Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Physiology.

Students may take a course offered outside the above listed departments towards the elective portion of their degree requirements, but will require the approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies.

*Note: students in the PhD field in Fundamental Immunology cannot use IMM1428H, IMM1429H, IMM1430H, IMM1431H, IMM1436H, IMM1450Y, IMM1550H, IMM1650Y, or IMM1651H towards their degree requirements.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 4 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 6 years full-time

 

PhD Program (Transfer)

Transfer Requirements

  • Transfer applicants must be enrolled in the MSc Immunology program, Fundamental Immunology field.

  • Applicants must pass a reclassification (transfer) exam within 24 months of initial registration in the MSc Immunology program, Fundamental Immunology field.

  • Successful completion of IMM1200H and IMM1000Y with at least a B+ overall average, prior to taking the reclassification exam.

  • Completion of, or concurrent registration in: IMM1025H, IMM1050H, and IMM1075H.

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • IMM1000Y Recent Advances in Immunology

    • IMM1025H Student Seminar Series (I)

    • IMM1050H Easton Seminar Series (I)

    • IMM1075H Special Topics in Immunology (I)

    • IMM1200H Scientific Skills for Immunologists

    • IMM2000H PhD Proposal in Immunology

    • IMM2025H Student Seminar Series (II)

    • IMM2050H Easton Seminar Series (II)

    • IMM2075H Special Topics in Immunology (II)

    • 1.0 elective FCE at the graduate level from either Immunology or outside the department as relevant to their thesis topic (examples are provided in the elective course list).

  • Students must successfully complete the reclassification transfer exam within 24 months of starting the MSc Immunology program, Fundamental Immunology field.

  • Candidates must submit a thesis and defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.

  • Students are required to participate full-time until the program requirements of research and coursework have been completed.

Elective Courses

Students may take any graduate-level course available to fulfil the elective portion of their degree requirements from Immunology*, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Medical Biophysics, Medical Science, Molecular Genetics, Physiology, and Pharmacology and Toxicology.

Students may take a course offered outside the above listed departments towards the elective portion of their degree requirements, but will require the approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies.

*Note: students in the PhD field in Fundamental Immunology cannot use IMM1428H, IMM1429H, IMM1430H, IMM1431H, IMM1436H, IMM1450Y, IMM1550H, IMM1650Y, or IMM1651H towards their degree requirements.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 

PhD Program (Direct-Entry)

Minimum Admission Requirements

  • Direct entry is available for highly qualified BSc graduates who completed the undergraduate Immunology specialist program or an appropriate undergraduate program in the life sciences from a recognized university, with a minimum A– average in the final two years and relevant research experience.

  • Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Department of Immunology's additional admission requirements stated below.

  • Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements. Applicants educated outside Canada are required to provide Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (general) scores with their application.

Completion Requirements

  • Coursework. Students must successfully complete a total of 6.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) as follows:

    • IMM1000Y Recent Advances in Immunology

    • IMM1200H Scientific Skills for Immunologists

    • IMM1025H Student Seminar Series (I)

    • IMM1050H Easton Seminar Series (I)

    • IMM1075H Special Topics in Immunology (I)

    • IMM2000H PhD Proposal in Immunology

    • IMM2025H Student Seminar Series (II)

    • IMM2050H Easton Seminar Series (II)

    • IMM2075H Special Topics in Immunology (II)

    • 1.0 elective FCE at the graduate level from either Immunology or outside the department as relevant to their thesis topic (examples are provided in the elective course list).

  • Students must complete a qualifying exam within 24 months of starting the PhD program, Fundamental Immunology field.

  • Candidates must submit a thesis and defend it at a Doctoral Final Oral Examination conducted by the School of Graduate Studies.

  • Students are required to participate full-time until the program requirements of research and coursework have been completed.

Elective Courses

Students may take any graduate-level course available to fulfil the elective portion of their degree requirements from Immunology*, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Medical Biophysics, Medical Science, Molecular Genetics, Physiology, and Pharmacology and Toxicology.

Students may take a course offered outside the above listed departments towards the elective portion of their degree requirements, but will require the approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate Studies.

*Note: students in the PhD field in Fundamental Immunology cannot use IMM1428H, IMM1429H, IMM1430H, IMM1431H, IMM1436H, IMM1450Y, IMM1550H, IMM1650Y, or IMM1651H towards their degree requirements.

Mode of Delivery: In person
Program Length: 5 years full-time (typical registration sequence: Continuous)
Time Limit: 7 years full-time

 

Immunology: Courses

Course CodeCourse Title
IMM1000YRecent Advances in Immunology
IMM1025HStudent Seminar Series (I)
IMM1050HEaston Seminar Series (I)
IMM1075HSpecial Topics in Immunology (I)
IMM1200HScientific Skills for Immunologists
IMM1428HMolecular Immunology
IMM1429HDevelopmental Immunology
IMM1430HClinical Immunology
IMM1431HImmunotherapy
IMM1436HTechniques in Immunology
IMM1450YMajor Research Project in Immunology (I)
IMM1550YMajor Research Project in Immunology (II)
IMM1650YMajor Research Project in Immunology (III)
IMM1651HApplied Research in Immunology
IMM2000HPhD Proposal in Immunology
IMM2025HStudent Seminar Series (II)
IMM2050HEaston Seminar Series (II)
IMM2075HSpecial Topics in Immunology (II)
IMM2200HGraduate Professional Development 2.0
IMM2300YImmunology Preprint Article Review Club
IMM2400HTranslational Immunology
IMM2500HRecent Advances in Clinical Immunology