About the Immunology Graduate Program

Program Description
 
The purpose of the Immunology Program is to provide education leading to a Ph.D. in Immunology.
This Program is under the responsibility of the Committee on Immunology at Harvard. The Committee
includes 98 faculty representing the main immunology laboratories. Click here to view the list of
Immunology Faculty Members.
Our goal is to educate scientists in investigative and academic medicine, preparing them to contribute
to immunological research with a full awareness of the potential impact of immunology. Our program
combines an education in basic biology, a sophisticated training in immunology, and exposure to the
immunological and non-immunological problems of disease.
 
The requirements for obtaining the Ph.D. degree are:
 
1) Course Work in Immunology plus electives, such as biochemistry, microbiology, genetics, cell
biology, and/or tumor biology. Courses are typically completed within the first year. The students take
courses mostly from the curriculum of Harvard Medical School or Harvard University. Click here to
review Courses in Immunology.
2) Laboratory Rotations.  Each student must complete 3 laboratory rotations before selecting a
dissertation lab. During rotations, the student learns different immunological methods and
experimental approaches. The rotation through the laboratory also serves to orient the student in
his/her choice of Dissertation project and Dissertation advisor. Clickhere to review Faculty Research
Interests.
3) Preliminary Qualifying Exam (PQE). By the end of December of the second year, students must
successfully complete a proposal-based preliminary qualifying exam (PQE). The goal of the PQE is to
evaluate the student's potential and ability to think independently and creatively in laboratory
experimentation. The written proposal will be presented to the exam committee in an oral
presentation and defense format.
4) Research Project and a Dissertation Defense. The Dissertation Advisory Committee (DAC),
along with the Dissertation Advisor, determines when sufficient laboratory work has been completed
so that the student may begin to write the dissertation. For the defense, the candidate will give a
public 1-hour seminar, prior to a private defense of the dissertation with the selected Examination
Committee. Click here to view recent Dissertation topics.
 
The training facilities are extensive, including the facilities of various groups doing immunology
research at Harvard University, Harvard Medical School and its hospitals. The major groups involved
include: Departments of Pathology and Genetics at the Harvard Medical School, Departments of
Medicine and Pathology at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute,
Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel Hospital and the Department of Pediatrics at Children's
Hospital Medical Center and the Harvard School of Public Health. Also available are the transplantation
units and various biochemistry and molecular genetic laboratories. Each of these various units contain
facilities for biochemical analysis, animal handling, gene cloning, etc.

History
 
The Ph.D. Program in Immunology at Harvard Medical School developed in 1974 when the Medical
School decided to restructure its educational program in immunology. Immunology had acquired great
strength in the various teaching hospitals and institutions affiliated with the Medical School, and there
was a great need to create a structure that would integrate and coordinate the educational efforts.
The Committee on Immunology was created with Dr. Albert Coons as its first chairman. In 1974, the
Committee on Immunology was authorized by the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of Harvard University
to grant a Ph.D. degree in Immunology. The Committee then applied to the National Cancer Institute
for a Training Grant which continues to support Immunology students today.
The strength of our Program is based on a multidisciplinary approach where students are exposed to
all major areas in the expanding field of immunobiology. With the financial support of the National
Institutes of Health, our Immunology Program has successfully developed with the creation of new
courses and the organization of faculty efforts. The Immunology Program at Harvard Medical School
became the model of an integrated educational program in a growing discipline that now spans several
of the classical fields of medical biology (microbiology, genetics, pathology, clinical medicine,
biochemistry, etc.). It is noteworthy that students are combining a strong training in immunobiology
with an exposure to the basic aspects of biology.
 
The Graduate Program in Immunology now has a total of 73 students. Approximately 12 new students
enter the program per year. Click here for information on the Division of Medical Sciences' Admissions
and Financial Support.
 
Over the past two decades, over 100 students have graduated from our program, based inBoston and
The Longwood Medical Area. Over 75% of our alumni are continuing research in an academic
institution, and many others are in industrial research positions.
 
Curriculum

It is expected that students will take approximately five years to complete their Ph.D. The following is
a general outline of the various stages of the Ph.D. program.
 
First Year
 
The first year of study will include most of the required coursework. Students take courses mainly
from offerings of the Division of Medical Sciences, which coordinates medical education at Harvard
Medical School. Tuition exchange programs also allow all DMS students to select courses offered at
Harvard University and MIT. Students must maintain a grade point average of 3.0 (B).
 
It is important to get to know faculty members and their research interests so that students can
choose an advisor with whom to work. It is also important that the advisor be someone with whom the
student can interact. Students are expected to attend seminars, dinners, poster sessions, retreats,
journal clubs, etc. to meet the faculty. The laboratory rotation serves as the best way to select a
dissertation advisor.
 
Students complete three lab rotations during the first year. Students select their advisor by
September of their second year. An advisor can be anyone listed as a participating faculty member of
the immunology program. Click here to review the list of Faculty and Research Interests.
 
Students are strongly encouraged to attend the weekly Wednesday Immunology Seminars.
Click here for further details about Immunology Seminars.
 
Second Year
 
Students have typically completed all of their course requirements and, by the end of September,
joined their dissertation lab. During the second year,  students will serve as a Teaching Assistant for
an Immunology course, as well as complete their Qualifying Exam.
 
Qualifying Exam
 
By the end of December of the second year, students must successfully complete a proposal-based
preliminary qualifying exam (PQE). The goal of the PQE is to evaluate the student's potential and
ability to think independently and creatively in laboratory experimentation. The written proposal will
be presented to the exam committee in an oral presentation and defense format. Within 6 months of
this exam, students will have their first Dissertation Advisory Committee (DAC) meeting.
 
Dissertation Advisory Committee
 
The student, in conjunction with the Head of the Immunology Program, nominates a Dissertation
Advisory Committee (DAC), consisting of at least one member of the Immunology Graduate
Committee. Students meet with their DAC at least twice a year throughout Graduate School during the
dissertation research phase of the program. The purpose of the Committee is to approve the research
topic as to its adequacy in fulfilling requirements for the desired degree, and to critically evaluate
research progress. The review committee can be extremely helpful in offering the individual the
expertise of its members and their unbiased opinion. Prior to each meeting with their review
committee the student must prepare a progress report summarizing the status of his/her research
project.
 
Third and Subsequent Years
 
Optional courses in elective areas (usually third year students audit courses instead of taking classes
for credit).
 
Students should be well along on their dissertation work. As the dissertation comes to a conclusion,
the dissertation advisor and the dissertation advisory committee members must approve the quality,
quantity and originality of the work before the student may write the dissertation.
 
The final dissertation defense includes a public lecture and a formal dissertation defense before a
panel of four ad hoc experts, including one member from outside the university. Notices are emailed
by the university to all faculty and students within the Division of Medical Sciences at Harvard
University two weeks in advance of the dissertation defense.
 
Contacts
 
Program in Immunology Administration
 
Program Head, Graduate Program in Immunology
Michael C. Carroll
Tel: (617)713-8700
Email: carroll[at]idi.harvard.edu
 
Associate Program Head, Graduate Program in Immunology
Shannon Turley
Tel: (617)632-4990
Fax: (617)632-6430
Email: shannon_turley[at]dfci.harvard.edu
 
Program Manager, Graduate Program in Immunology
Susan Fahlbeck
Tel: (617)432-4057
Fax: (617)432-7327
Email: Susan_Fahlbeck[at]hms.harvard.edu
 
Division of Medical Sciences Administration
 
Associate Dean for Graduate Studies
David Cardozo
Tel: (617)432-1824
Fax: (617)432-2644
 
Director of Finance
Valerie Sherman
Tel: (617)432-0071
Fax: (617)432-2644
 
Director of Academic Administration
Leah Simons
Tel: (617)432-2029
Fax: (617)432-2644
 
Faculty Director, Diversity Programs
Jocelyn Spragg
Tel: (617)432-1342
Fax: (617)432-2644
 
Admissions and Financial Aid
 
 Important Information for Applying to DMS Programs in Biological and
Biomedical Sciences (BBS), Immunology, Neuroscience and Virology for 2011-2012.
 These are four of the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (HILS) member
programs.
 DMS program description in the GSAS Natural Sciences Bulletin.
 More information on the HILS application process.
 Apply Online: use the HILS application at the bottom of the page.

The Student Body

 
Each year, about 90 students begin graduate study. Enrollment as of 2009-2010 is
approximately 600, with affiliated faculty numbering around 400. Our students come
from a variety of undergraduate insitutions throughout the United States and from
many foreign countries. Women account for about one-half of the enrollment.

Student Qualifications
 
To qualify for admission, applicants must demonstrate strong enthusiasm and ability for
the vigorous pursuit of scientific knowledge. Minimal requirements include a bachelor's
degree and undergraduate preparation in calculus, physics, biology, and chemistry,
both physical and organic. Strong consideration is given to letters of recommendation,
particularly to comments from individuals who have firsthand knowledge of the
applicant's research experience. Some programs may request a personal interview.

Applying to a Program in DMS

 
Applicants wishing to do research in Biochemistry, Cell Biology, DRB, Pathology,
Genetics, LHB, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Pharmacology and New
Pathway usually apply through the Biological and Biomedical Sciences (BBS) Program.
Applicants wishing to do research in Immunology, Neuroscience, orVirology should
apply directly to the relevant program.
 
If you are unsure which program is best for you, please clarify this in an additional
letter accompanying your application. Once enrolled, degree candidates may arrange
rotations in laboratories affiliated with other programs. Transfer between programs may
be accommodated if justified. We welcome discussion with applicants who would like
assistance in determining the most appropriate program for their interests.

Application Deadline
 
Applications for the 2011 - 2012 academic year will likely open in late September,
2010. Applications must be submitted in early December, 2010 5:00 PM EST in order to
be considered.  A completed application includes submission of the online application
form, scores from the Graduate Record Examination (General Test), and official
transcripts. Applicants whose native language is not English, and who have not received
a bachelor's degree from an English language institution, must meet minimum score
requirements on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). For more details
on a complete application, see Important Information on the Application Process. For
more details, see Important Information on the Application Process.
 
All materials, including letters of recommendation and official reports of the GRE,must
be received by the application deadline. GRE tests should be taken no later
than October 2010 for official scores to arrive in time.

Contact Information
Division of Medical Sciences
Student Affairs
TMEC 435; Harvard Medical School 
260 Longwood Ave
Boston, MA 02115
Telephone: (617) 432-0162
E-mail: dms@hms.harvard.edu
 
Please be sure to read Important Information on the Application
Processbefore contacting DMS.
 
Harvard University's policy is to make decisions on the basis of the individual's
qualifications to contribute to Harvard's educational objectives and institutional needs.
It is unlawful, and contrary to Harvard University policy, to discriminate against
individuals on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, national
or ethnic origin, political beliefs, veteran status, or disability unrelated to job or course
of study requirements.

Financial Aid
 
Division of Medical Sciences students receive full tuition and stipend support while they
are enrolled and making satisfactory progress toward the Ph.D. degree. The division
strongly encourages applicants to apply for support from extramural agencies. Students
who receive competitively funded extramural fellowships, which will be used toward our
student support upon matriculating to our programs, may be eligible to receive an
educational allowance from the division.