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Introduction

Immunology is a new branch of the medical sciences which has recently gained prominence as a field of study in its own right, but which continues to draw on the more traditional disciplines of Microbiology, Pathology and Biochemistry. In essence, Immunology is the study of the physiological responses which result when foreign (i.e. non-self) materials are introduced into a vertebrate organism such as man. Traditionally, the discipline has focussed on the body’s response to infectious micro-organisms, with the purpose of developing effective vaccines. However, the scope of modern Immunology now encompasses all aspects of self vs. non-self recognition phenomena including organ transplantation, tumour immunology and autoimmune diseases. Recent major advances in our understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of the immune response promise to provide us with a new generation of prophylactic, therapeutic and diagnostic reagents of relevance to human and animal health.

The Department of Immunology in collaboration with Trinity College co-ordinates a specialist program in Immunology. The emphasis of this program is to provide students with a sound theoretical understanding of the cellular and molecular basis of non-self recognition, together with sufficient laboratory experience to enable the students to consider embarking on a career in the discipline. Immunologists may have careers in universities and other centres of learning and research, as well as in the biotechnology industries, diagnostic laboratories and various government agencies.

Courses in this specialist program are drawn from offerings by the Department, together with courses from other Departments, taught in some cases by members of the Department of Immunology. As enrolment in the specialist program is restricted, please consult specific requirements outlined in the program description section.

Undergraduate Secretary:

Dr. J.C. Zúñiga-Pflücker (978-0926)

Enquiries:

Department of Immunology, Room 5271, Medical Sciences Building (978-8360)

More information is available on our website: www.immune.med.utoronto.ca

IMMUNOLOGY PROGRAMS

IMMUNOLOGY (Hon.B.Sc.)
Sponsored by the Department of Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, and Trinity College
Enrolment in the Immunology Specialist program requires a minimum CGPA of 3.5 and completion of five courses including the first-year Life Sciences prerequisite courses (see below). Students should enrol at the end of their first year of studies. It is possible to enrol at the end of second year of studies (see coordinator) provided that students have a minimum CGPA of 3.5 and completed 10 courses including the first and second year prerequisites.

Specialist program:
(14 full courses or their equivalent, including at least one 400-series course)

First Year:
BIO 150Y; CHM 138H, 139H; MAT 135Y/137Y; PHY 110Y/138Y/140Y (PHY 138Y recommended)

Second Year:
BCH 242Y; BIO 250Y, 260H; CHM 220H, 247H

Third Year:
BCH 371H; IMM 335Y; MGB 311Y; MBY375Y

Fourth Year:

1. JBI 428H; IMM 429H, 430H, 435H
2. IMM 450Y or one full course equivalent at the 400-series level in ANA, BCH, LMP, MBY, MGB, or ZOO