PhD and MS Curriculum Requirements for Immunobiology

Immunobiology students should include in their academic plan a core of courses offered by departments cooperating in the Immunobiology major (Animal Science; Biochemistry, Biophysics, & Molecular Biology; Biomedical Sciences; Entomology; Kinesiology; Veterinary Diagnostic & Production Animal Medicine; Veterinary Microbiology & Preventive Medicine; and Veterinary Pathology) which will provide a broad coverage of the basic program in immunobiology. Formal courses should include immunology, biochemistry, and cell biology. Immunobiology students must select and take courses from a menu that includes advanced immunology and cell biology courses as well as courses providing pertinent technical expertise in biochemistry and statistics. All students are expected to take the Immunobiology seminar and workshops each year. Please refer to the specific curriculum requirements for the degree you wish to seek.

PhD candidates majoring in Immunobiology must take at least 72 graduate credits.  These 72 credits include the core course requirements (below) and applicable research credits earned.  Credits taken during a student's MS program in Immunobiology at Iowa State University may count towards their PhD in IMBIO. 

Additional coursework for both PhD and MS degrees may be selected by the student in consultation with the committee to meet departmental requirements and to satisfactorily prepare the student for their research project. 

Graduate credits of "B" or better earned at another institution may be transferred at the discretion of the committee and with the approval of the Immunobiology Program and the ISU Graduate College. 

Graduate Courses specific to Immunobiology

IMBIO 6020 - Current Topics Workshop in Immunology
1 credit per semester, Repeatable, Offered in the Fall
Lectures provided by off-campus experts. Students are required to participate in discussion sessions with lecturers.

IMBIO 6040 - Seminar in Immunobiology
1 credit per semester, Repeatable, Offered in the Spring
Student and faculty presentations in Immunobiology

IMBIO 6900 - Special Topics
Credits variable each time taken, Repeatable, Offered in Fall/Spring/Summer
Advanced study of specific topics in a specialized field of Immunobiology

IMBIO 6970 - Graduate Research Rotation
Credits variable each time taken, Repeatable while on rotation, Offered in Fall
Graduate research projects performed under the supervision of selected faculty members in the Immunobiology Program. Students must complete three lab rotations during their first semester in the program.

IMBIO 6990 - Thesis Research IMBIO 6990 - Thesis Research
Credits variable each time taken, Repeatable, Offered in Fall/Spring/Summer

Additional information relating to credits required for graduate degrees can be found in the ISU Graduate College Handbook.

Immunobiology Core Curriculum requirements include:

Take each of the following:

Take one of the following two:

PhD At least 2 courses (MS take at least one) from the following options:

PhD TOTAL CORE CURRICULUM CREDITS 18-20 CREDITS**

MS TOTAL CORE CURRICULUM CREDITS 15-16 CREDITS**

**Exclusive of seminar, workshop, and research credits.

Non-native English speakers must pass the English Requirement as established by the university.  Depending on the results of this exam additional courses may be required to meet English proficiency standards. 

Immunobiology graduate students need to teach one semester as part of their training for an advanced degree. Students whose first language is not English must take and pass the Oral English Certification Test (OECT) to be eligible to teach.