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Coursework and Research Schedule

PhD Students - Proposed Future Coursework

Update Spring 2026: All text in italics are proposed changes to past curricula and are not final.

YEAR 1
Fall
  • IMUN 5060 Immune Mechanisms
  • IMUN 6010 Cellular Immunology
  • IMUN 6990 Laboratory Rotations 1 and 2
  • Journal Club

 
Spring
  • BIOM 5550 Regulation of the Genome
  • IMUN 8990 Predissertation Research/optional rotation 3
  • Journal Club

 
Summer
  • IMUN 8990 Predissertation Research
  • Possibly: begin to assemble thesis committee

 


 
YEAR 2
Fall
  • BIOM 6000 Cell Biology and Biochemistry
  • IMUN 8990 Pre-Dissertation Research
  • Possibly: finalize thesis committee and schedule first meeting for January
  • Journal Club
  • Elective (optional)
Spring
  • IMUN 8990 Pre-Dissertation Research
  • IMUN 6070 Grant Writing
  • Possibly: first thesis committee meeting
  • Journal Club
  • Preliminary Exam (May)
Summer
  • Dissertation Research



 
YEARS 3+
Fall
  • Dissertation Research
Spring
  • Dissertation Research
Summer
  • Dissertation Research

Combined Degree (MD/PhD and VMD/PhD) Students - Proposed Future Coursework

Note: Combined Degree Students complete two laboratory rotations over the spring/summer of Year 1. See the MD/PhD and VMD/PhD websites for more information.

YEAR 3
Fall

IMUN 5060 Immune Mechanisms
IMUN 6990 Lab Rotation 3 or IMUN 8990 Pre-Dissertation Lab
Journal Club
Rotation Talk
 
Spring

BIOM 5550 Regulation of the Genome
IMUN 6070 Grant Writing
IMUN 8990 Pre-Dissertation Lab
Journal Club
Preliminary Exam (June)
Summer

Dissertation Research




 
YEAR 4
Fall

Dissertation Research
Elective (optional)
Journal Club
Spring

Dissertation Research
Journal Club

 
Summer

Dissertation Research

 
YEARS 5+
Fall

Dissertation Research
Spring

Dissertation Research
Summer

Dissertation Research

PhD Students - Current Coursework

YEAR 1
Fall
  • BIOM 6000 Cell Biology and Biochemistry
  • IMUN 5060 Immune Mechanisms
  • IMUN 6010 Cellular Immunology
  • IMUN 6990 Laboratory Rotation 1
  • Journal Club

 
Spring
  • BIOM 5550 Regulation of the Genome
  • IMUN 5070 Immune Responses
  • IMUN 6990 Laboratory Rotation 2
  • Journal Club

 
Summer
  • IMUN 6990 Laboratory Rotation 3
  • Rotation talk at end of rotation

 


 
YEAR 2
Fall
  • BIOM 6100 Biostatistics
  • IMUN 8990 Pre-Dissertation Research
  • Journal Club
  • Elective (optional)
Spring
  • IMUN 8990 Pre-Dissertation Research
  • IMUN 6070 Grant Writing
  • Journal Club
  • Preliminary Exam (May)
Summer
  • Dissertation Research



 
YEARS 3+
Fall
  • Dissertation Research
Spring
  • Dissertation Research
Summer
  • Dissertation Research

Combined Degree (MD/PhD and VMD/PhD) Students

Note: Combined Degree Students complete two laboratory rotations over the spring/summer of Year 1. See the MD/PhD and VMD/PhD websites for more information.

YEAR 3
Fall

BIOM 6100 Biological Data Analysis
IMUN 5060 Immune Mechanisms
Lab Rotation 3 or Pre-dissertation Lab
Journal Club
Rotation Talk
 
Spring

BIOM 5550 Regulation of the Genome
IMUN 6070 Grant Writing
IMUN 8990 Pre-Dissertation Research
Journal Club
Preliminary Exam (June)
Summer

Dissertation Research




 
YEAR 4
Fall

Dissertation Research
Elective (optional)
Journal Club
Spring

Dissertation Research
Journal Club

 
Summer

Dissertation Research

 
YEARS 5+
Fall

Dissertation Research
Spring

Dissertation Research
Summer

Dissertation Research