Home
About the Group
Admission
Curriculum
Faculty
Announcements
Financial Assistance
Degree Requirements
Emphasis in Biotechnology
Contact Us

Curriculum

PhD Study Plan    Dual Degree Study Plan

The Graduate Group in Immunology brings together faculty and students from diverse disciplines. The diverse nature within the group mirrors the presence of Schools of Veterinary and Human Medicine and Colleges of Agriculture and Biological Sciences, providing a unique and rich research environment. Emphasis of study within the Graduate Group in Immunology includes aspects of Infection and Immunity, Inflammation and Nutrition and Immunity.

Students are required to take a number of immunology classes (see list below), which form the backbone of their graduate education in immunology. Those classes are designed to teach the student the current knowledge base in immunology and enhance their ability to critically evaluate current literature. Students are also required to take classes in outside areas of study. Those areas depend on their interest and their particular field of study. Classes in those outside areas might pertain, but are not limited to topics in microbiology, molecular biology, neurobiology and pathology. Those classes should be chosen after consultation with the mentor and the assigned graduate student advisor. More information on those classes may be found at relevant websites.

The following courses are required for graduate students in the group: IMM 201; IMM 293; IMM 294 (masters students may take IMM 295); IMM 295 (masters students may take IMM 294); IMM 296; RAL 209 (2 quarters per year); PMI 291A (2 quarters per year).

Following below is a short description for graduate level immunology classes currently offered at the University of California, Davis. An overview of these and additional classes is also provided.

IMM 201 Basic Immunology (I)
IMM 201 is a required graduate level course for first year Immunology Graduate Students. This course is a comprehensive introduction to basic principles of immunology and a prerequisite to IMM 293. Course content includes lectures based on immunology textbooks, in addition to discussion of current literature pertinent to lecture topics. Letter grading is based on one writing assignment, 2 midterms and a comprehensive final exam.

IMM 293 Current Concepts in Immunology (II)
This is an advanced level graduate course in Immunology. IMM 201 is a prerequisite for this class that is designed for Graduate Students in Immunology. It is a required course for all Immunology Graduate Students. Topics include: Anitmicrobial peptides and other innate immune defenses, Inflammation and leukocyte migration, Macrophage and Dendritic cell biology, T and B cell development and function and current models of immunology. The class is divided into a lecture and a discussion part. In the lecture part of the class students read recent literature reviews as background to obtain and comprehend up-to-date information on various aspects of both innate and adaptive immunity. In the second part of the class research papers on those topics are reviewed and discussed to enhance the students ability to design and critically evaluate experiments. Letter grading is based on 2 comprehensive take-home exams, a written evaluation of a recent research article and participation in discussion.

IMM 294 Clinical Immunology (III)
This is an advanced level graduate course in immunology designed for Immunology Graduate Student in their second year. This is a required course for all PhD students in the Immunology Graduate Group. Masters students may take IMM 295 instead. The class focuses on particular aspects of clinical immunology including tumor immunology, allergy, autoimmunity, and the immunology of transplantation. Classes are divided between lecture and paper discussion in which students review and present papers to the class. Weekly paper critiques are required and the final assignment involves writing a short (6-8 pages) grant using a standard format. Grants are then reviewed by fellow students following typical study section guidelines incorporating primary and secondary reviewers.

IMM 295 Cytokines (III)
This course examines the role of cytokines in immunity, inflammation, tissue injury, and disease. This is a required course for all Ph.D. students in the Immunology Graduate Group. Masters students may take IMM 294 instead. Current knowledge of the molecular structure and mechanisms of action of cytokines and their receptors will be covered by reference to the literature in immunology, cell biology and molecular biology.

IMM 296 Advanced Topics in Immunology (I)
This course offers presentations by faculty on advanced topics in immunology and their research. It is a required course for all Immunology Graduate Students. Recent topics encompassed studies of integrins, galectins, chemokine and antigen receptors in varied research areas such as pulmonology, dermatology, autoimmune and infectious diseases. Students are expected to complete one short writing assignment.

IMM 297 Mucosal Immunology (II – anticipated start date 2006)
This class will be held in a journal club format. Expert lecturers will assign recent research papers on various aspects of immunology as it pertains to immune defense at different mucosal surfaces of the body, including respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract and urogenital tract. Following a short overview lecture by faculty to provide the context of current knowledge in the field, students will be selected to participate in presenting the major findings of the paper.

RAL 209 Current Immunology (I, II)
In this course original articles or topic lectures in current immunology is presented by the students enrolled. The topics are based upon current advanced immunology research. Two quarters each year need to be taken by all Graduate Group in Immunology students until they advance to candidacy (Ph.D.) or finish required coursework and pass exam (Masters students).

PMI 291A Seminars in Immunology (I, III)
This course stresses student participation in presentations and discussion relating to a topic selected by the students in the seminar. Two quarters each year need to be taken by all Graduate Group in Immunology students until they advance to candidacy (Ph.D.) or finish required coursework and pass exam (Masters students). Each quarter students choose a topic in Immunology. Students (1 or 2) then sign up to present a seminar. Each week the student(s) in charge choose an experimental paper relevant to the topic and make copies available for the other students to read prior to the seminar day. On the day of the seminar, a general overview of the immunology involved in the study described in the paper is presented. This is followed by an in depth discussion of the paper by the student(s) presenting. Appropriate statistical analysis of data is discussed as well as relevant methodology. After formal presentation of the paper, students in the class are expected to ask questions and to participate in an active discussion. Attendance is mandatory and a sign-in sheet is circulated.

PHR 222 Avian Immunology (III)
Prerequisite: basic immunology course or consent of instructor. Normal structure of the avian immune system, quick review of basic immunology, comparison between mammalian and avian immune systems and generation of immune responses, immunodiagnostics and vaccination.

PTX 292 Immunotoxicology (I, alternate years)
This course has lectures on the principles of toxicology and the application of immunology to research and public health issues in toxicology. Students present on a topic of their choice.

PMI 270 Advanced Immunology (III, alternate years)
In this seminar-style course current aspects of immunology are presented.

PMI 298-42 Immunology Breakfast Club (I, II, III)
This is a student-run discussion group intended for students before they advance to candidacy (or masters exit exam). Students decide each quarter on a topic of choice. Faculty may be invited to discuss particular areas of interest.

NUT 251 Nutrition and Immunity (II, alternate years)
This course explores the mechanisms by which nutrition and diet affect the immune system and resistance to infectious diseases and cancer. It also explores the impact of an immune response on metabolism, appetite, and nutritional needs. The class has both lectures and discussions.