Immunobiology Interdepartmental Graduate Program
Work is offered for the master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees with a major in Immunobiology. Faculty are drawn from twelve university departments along with researchers from the National Animal Disease Center. Participating departments include: Animal Science; Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Molecular Biology; Biomedical Sciences; Chemical & Biological Engineering; Entomology; Food Science and Human Nutrition; Kinesiology; Natural Resource Ecology & Management; Veterinary Clinical Sciences; Veterinary Diagnostic & Production Animal Medicine; Veterinary Microbiology & Preventative Medicine; and Veterinary Pathology. The diversity of faculty expertise ensures a broad education while offering flexibility in choice of specialization. Ongoing research projects include areas such as: antibody and cell-mediated immunity, gene expression, immunochemistry, immunogenetics, immunomodulation, immunophysiology, mucosal immunity and nutritional immunology. Additional information about program faculty members is available at: www.immunobiology.iastate.edu.
Students may enter the Immunobiology program in one of two ways; prospective students may apply directly to the major, or current ISU graduate students may be admitted as a co-major or minor in Immunobiology. Ph.D. students admitted into the Interdepartmental Immunobiology major will take IMBIO 6970 Graduate Research Rotation during their first two semesters. From these rotations the student will select a major professor and join a home department. Affiliating with a major professor is done by the end of the second semester.
Before entering the Immunobiology program, prospective students should have a strong background in the biological sciences; typically including work in immunology, genetics and biochemistry. Prior research experience is highly encouraged.
Immunobiology students should include in their program of study a core of courses which will provide a broad coverage of the basic program in immunobiology. Formal courses should include immunology, biochemistry, and statistics. Additional coursework may be selected to satisfy individual interests or departmental requirements.
Graduates of the Immunobiology program will have a broad understanding of the interdisciplinary field of immunobiology and will be able to effectively integrate the principles of immunology with related disciplines. They are able to effectively communicate with scientific colleagues and the general public in both formal and informal settings. Graduates are able to integrate theory and research to address complex problems facing scientific professionals studying animal and human health, taking into account related ethical, social, legal and environmental issues. They are skilled at carrying out research, communicating research results, and writing persuasive grant proposals.