Immunology

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:

• Developmental Biology
  • Immunology, MSc, PhD
• Neuroscience
  • Immunology, PhD
• Resuscitation Sciences (admissions have been administratively suspended)
  • Immunology, MSc, PhD
• Sexual Diversity Studies
  • Immunology, PhD
• Women's Health
  • Immunology, MSc, PhD

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 at the Medical Sciences Building; the Ontario Cancer Institute; and the research institutes of Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, the Hospital for Sick Children, 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

Master of Science

Program Description

The 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.

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.

Program 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:

    • 2.0 FCEs: IMM1450Y, IMM1550Y

    • 1.0 FCE selected from IMM1428H, IMM1429H, IMM1430H, IMM1431H

    • 0.5 FCE: IMM1436H

  • Year 2:

    • 1.0 FCE: IMM1050H⁰, IMM1075H⁰

    • 1.0 FCE: IMM1650Y

    • 0.5 FCE: IMM1651H

    • 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.

Required Courses

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. Credit is given when the course is 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.

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: (F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

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, 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.

Program Requirements

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

  • 1.0 FCE: IMM1550Y, completed in the first Summer session

  • 1.0 FCE: IMM1650Y

  • 2.0 FCEs: IMM1050H⁰, IMM1075H⁰, IMM1436H, IMM1651H

  • 1.0 FCE selected from the elective course list below.

Required Courses

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. Credit is given when course is 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.

Program Length

4 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Master of Science

Program Description

The 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.

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.

Program Requirements

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

  • IMM1000Y Recent Advances in Immunology (1.0 FCE)

  • IMM1200H⁺ Scientific Skills for Immunologists (0.5 FCE)

  • IMM1025H⁰ Student Seminar Series (I) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • IMM1050H⁰ Easton Seminar Series (I) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • IMM1075H⁰ Special Topics in Immunology (I) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE).

• A satisfactory thesis embodying the student’s research.

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

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time

Required Courses

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. Credit is given when course is completed.

⁺ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

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

Doctor of Philosophy

Program Description

The 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.

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.

Program Requirements

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

  • IMM1000Y Recent Advances in Immunology (1.0 FCE)

  • IMM1200H⁺ Scientific Skills for Immunologists (0.5 FCE); 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 (0.5 FCE)

  • IMM2025H⁰ Student Seminar Series (II) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • IMM2050H⁰ Easton Seminar Series (II) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • IMM2075H⁰ Special Topics in Immunology (II) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • 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 (DEX5555Y, Credit/No Credit; 0.0 FCE) 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.

Required Courses

⁺ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded or credit is given when 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.

Program Length

4 years

Time Limit

6 years

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 (DEX5555Y, Credit/No Credit; 0.0 FCE) 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 (DEX5555Y).

• Completion of, or concurrent registration in, IMM1025H⁰, IMM1050H⁰, and IMM1075H⁰.

Program Requirements

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

  • IMM1000Y Recent Advances in Immunology (1.0 FCE)

  • IMM1200H⁺ Scientific Skills for Immunologists (0.5 FCE)

  • IMM1025H⁰ Student Seminar Series (I) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • IMM1050H⁰ Easton Seminar Series (I) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • IMM1075H⁰ Special Topics in Immunology I (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • IMM2000H PhD Proposal in Immunology (0.5 FCE)

  • IMM2025H⁰ Student Seminar Series (II) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • IMM2050H⁰ Easton Seminar Series (II) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • IMM2075H⁰ Special Topics in Immunology (II) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • 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 (DEX5555Y, Credit/No Credit; 0.0 FCE) 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.

Required Courses

⁺ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded or credit is given when 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, IMM1651H towards their degree requirements.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years

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.

• Applicants are selected by the departmental admissions committee on the basis of academic and research excellence. Admission to the program is finalized when a graduate faculty member agrees to supervise the student's research and guarantees a full stipend for the student.

Program Requirements

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

  • IMM1000Y Recent Advances in Immunology (1.0 FCE)

  • IMM1200H⁺ Scientific Skills for Immunologists (0.5 FCE)

  • IMM1025H⁰ Student Seminar Series (I) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • IMM1050H⁰ Easton Seminar Series (I) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • IMM1075H⁰ Special Topics in Immunology I (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • IMM2025H⁰ Student Seminar Series (II) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • IMM2000H PhD Proposal in Immunology (0.5 FCE)

  • IMM2050H⁰ Easton Seminar Series (II) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • IMM2075H⁰ Special Topics in Immunology (II) (Credit/No Credit; 0.5 FCE)

  • 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 (DEX5555Y, Credit/No Credit; 0.0 FCE) 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.

Required Courses

⁺ Extended course. For academic reasons, coursework is extended into session following academic session in which course is offered.

⁰ Course that may continue over a program. The course is graded or credit is given when 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.

Program Length

5 years

Time Limit

7 years