Program in Immunology Courses

Courses Offered

Immunology 201. Principles of Immunology

Michael Carroll and Uli von Andrian, and faculty

Half course (Fall semester)
As a comprehensive core course in immunology, the topics include a broad but intensive examination of the cells and molecules on the immune system. Special attention is given to the experimental approaches that led to the general principles of immunology. Note: Background in genetics and biochemistry is strongly recommended. Prerequisite: this course is intended for students who have had prior exposure to immunology at the undergraduate level. In the absence of such exposure, students MUST obtain the permission of the Course Director.

Immunology 202. Advanced Principles of Immunology

D. Branch Moody and Martin Hemler

Half course (Spring Semester). Tu., Th., 1:30-3:30

Continuation of Immunology 201 as an intensive core course in fundamentals of the immune system. Emphasis on systems of immunity. Critical reading of primary literature.

Prerequisite: Immunology 201 or its equivalent.

Immunology 204. Critical Reading for Immunology

Shannon Turley and Carl Novina

Half course (Spring semester)
Critical analysis of original research articles in an intensive small group discussion format. Papers from different fields -- including biochemistry, genetics, and cell and developmental biology* -- will be analysed in terms of background, hypothesis, appropriate use of experimental methods, and objective interpretation of results. This is a discussion class and participation in the discussions will be required. On Tuesday afternoons, students will meet without faculty to discuss the paper and familiarise themselves with its background, results, implications, and relation to the rest of the field. On Thursday afternoons, they will meet with faculty to discuss the same paper again. Grading will be based on class participation, extent of preparation, and performance in midterm and final exams (written critiques of papers handed out 5 days earlier).

Required for first-year immunology students; open to second-year students. No auditors allowed. Attendance is required at all classes.
*In general, papers will be drawn from outside immunology. Papers from quad-based HMS labs and Harvard immunology labs will be excluded.

Immunology 219. The Primary Immunodeficiencies

Cox P. Terhorst

Half Course (Spring semester 2006). M., 4-6

This course discusses the mechanisms that underlie the pathogenesis of genetically determined primary human immunodeficiencies and selected human autoimmune diseases. Evaluates the use of animal models for study and therapy of human disease states.
Note: Given in alternate years. The two quarters may be taken together as a half course, or individually as a quarter course under Immunology 300.
Prerequisite: Course in basic immunology.

Immunology 300. Clinical Sessions

David Hafler

Quarter Course (Spring semester)

I. Course Objectives:

a. to give graduate students exposure to clinical medicine in an understandable and real way

b. to provide a setting for students to understand how animal models fit into the human disease experience

c. to give an overview of the clinical disease in humans vs. the immunological disease in animals (experimental interventions can be done with animals)

II. Course Schedule:

a. frequent meetings with the course director, David Hafler, will be scheduled over lunch. These meetings will be used to discuss issues, questions and experiences that arose during the clinical sessions.

b. First 5 weeks: rotations in clinics

Students, in pairs (to be assigned) will visit each of the clinics once.

The time commitment for the actual clinic observations will be approximately 2 hours/week.

c. Second half of the semester: focus in one clinic

Students will focus on one disease/one clinic.

III. Course Requirements:

a. READINGS

Papers/reviews will be provided as overview background material for each clinic. Students will be expected to have read and be familiar with this material prior to observing each clinic.

b. TIME COMMITMENT

The time commitment for the actual clinic observations will be approximately 2 hours/week.

c. FINAL PROJECT

Each student will be required to write a final project in the form of a 5 page proposal (Immune Tolerance Network protocol). Each student will select a disease state and design a novel immunotherapeutic treatment based upon the IMM300 course.

Immunology 301. Immunology Seminar

Michael Carroll

Half Course (Fall semester)

Gives students exposure to research topics in immunology. Students prepare for the weekly seminar through readings and discussion with seminar speakers. These discussions are facilitated by members of the Committee on Immunology.

Note: Designed primarily for first-year and second-year Immunology graduate students.

2005-2006 Schedule: Immunology Seminars

Immunology 328r. Introduction to Research

Michael Carroll and faculty members

Three required laboratory rotations in immunology each lasting 8-12 weeks per laboratory. To be arranged by students with investigators affiliated with the immunology program.