Immunology

Program of Study Recent rapid advances have transformed immunology from an adjunct to the diagnosis and control of infection into a major field of biology and medicine. The problems posed by studying the immune response and its role in inflammation and resistance to malignancy and infection attract scientists from every discipline. The Immunology Program offers education and research in a wide range of areas, including molecular genetics, cell activation, immunochemistry, cellular immunology, tumor immunology, allergic inflammation, immunogenetics, immunoparasitology, and immune deficiency.

Programs of study take into account the interests and goals of the individual student and may stress either the more chemical aspects of proteins, their synthesis, structure, and interaction, or the more biological aspects such as cell growth, cell control, and cell interaction. Students take both courses and at least three laboratory rotations. Students are expected to participate in weekly research seminars and journal clubs.

An oral qualifying exam is taken during year two. Students conduct thesis research, which can be carried out in a number of fields, including, but not limited to, the analytical study of lymphocyte receptors, activation and differentiation, cytodynamics of antibody formation, the mechanisms underlying methods of altering the immune response, the reactions and chemical mediators of immediate and delayed immune responses, and the immunogenetics of tissues and tumors.

For more information on the program, go to the Immunology Webpage.

 

Admissions

Students considering graduate work in Immunology must complete the online GSAS Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (HILS) admissions application; see GSAS Application Instructions and Information for more details, or contact the Graduate School Office of Admission and Financial Aid at:

 

Office of Admissions and Financial Aid

Harvard University
1350 Massachusetts Avenue

Holyoke Center 350

Cambridge, MA 02138-3654

telephone: 617-495-5315, 617-495-5396
e-mail: admiss@fas.harvard.edu

The Office of Admissions and Financial Aid is open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Eastern Standard Time.

 

Participating Faculty and Their Research Interests

A complete directory (searchable by research interest, name, and title) of faculty affiliated with the Immunology Program can be found at the HILS Faculty Directory's Immunology listing.