Immunology
I. Background and Overview of Program
The MMSc in Immunology program (MMSc IMM) is a 64-credit, research-focused degree program.
The mission of the MMSc IMM is to provide a solid instructional and research-based foundation in both basic and clinical immunology. Courses start with the fundamentals and rapidly progress to cutting-edge knowledge, all taught by faculty members in the Program in Immunology at Harvard. This program serves the needs of students with a strong undergraduate biology background with an interest in medicine and seeking deeper knowledge of immunology as well as the needs of academic physicians from a range of specialties who seek an in-depth knowledge of Immunology in order to further their professional goals and research expertise.
The MMSc IMM has a close relationship with the Harvard PhD Program in Immunology and shares its faculty members.
The MMSc IMM curriculum is shown in section V below.
II. Degree(s) Offered
The Master of Medical Science in Immunology is offered; this is a 64-credit program to be completed on a full-time basis. On a case-by-case basis, a part-time option for the 64-credit program and a full-time, 56-credit program that is part of the dual degree MD-MMSc program will be considered. Prospective students should discuss these options with the program directors during the application process. See Section 2.06 for definitions of full- and part-time.
III. Prerequisites for Admission
In order to apply for the MMSc IMM, applicants must have a Bachelor’s degree with a strong background in biology and have an interest in immunology, medicine, or biomedical research. The program is also open to individuals who already possess a medical degree, such as an MD, a DO or an MBBS, or to individuals who have a degree in a health professions-related field.
Applicants must submit the following application materials:
· Online application
· Personal Statement
Curriculum Vitae
· Undergraduate and graduate transcripts
Three letters of reference
MCAT or GRE test scores. International applicants with MD or equivalent degrees are required to submit the GRE.
In addition to the requirements above, a language proficiency test is required for applicants for whom English was not the medium of instruction for their undergraduate or graduate degree. The master’s programs accept TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, IELTS Academic, or the Duolingo English Test. To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following minimum test score requirements:
TOEFL iBT: 103
TOEFL Essentials: 11
IELTS Academic: 7.5
Duolingo English Test: 130 and satisfactory programmatic review of the writing and video samples
Instructions to submit official test scores:
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Essentials:
Code 3151: Harvard Medical School Graduate Education Master’s Programs
IELTS Academic:
Contact the test center where you took the IELTS test to request that your scores be sent via E -Delivery to: admissions_masters@hms.harvard.edu
Account Name: Harvard Medical School Graduate Education Master's Programs
Address: Graduate Education Master's Programs
436 TMEC, 260 Longwood Ave Boston, MA 02115
United States
Duolingo English Test:
Search for “Harvard Medical School” and select the appropriate program.
Applications are open in November of each year, with a deadline date in April for international students, and May for domestic students. The Admissions Review Committee reviews applications on a rolling basis until all spots are filled.
IV. Academic Residence Requirements
The MMSc IMM requires that all didactic coursework and mentored research take place on Harvard’s campus (HMS or other Harvard Schools) or at an HMS-affiliated hospital.
V. Course of Study
1. The program currently does not offer concentrations.
1. Curriculum by term Fall Term Year One
Year 2 (32 credits)
In Year 2 students will primarily devoted to:
Mentored Research, including analyzing data and writing and defending the thesis.
1. Course descriptions
IMMUN 201
Advanced Topics in Immunology
Credits: 4.00 CREDITS (Required)
Directors: Thorsten Mempel, Shiv Pillai
Prerequisites: A background in genetics and biochemistry strongly recommended.
Grade Criteria: Letter
This course provides an intensive and in-depth examination of a selection of fundamental concepts in immunology. It takes advantage of the unique expertise of members of our Immunology faculty to illustrate how these concepts have been established and continue to be developed based on seminal
work in the field including contributions from their own laboratories.
MCB 169
Molecular and Cellular Immunology
Credits: 4.00 CREDITS (Required)
Directors: Shiv S. Pillai
Grade Criteria: Letter
The immune system is the frontier at which molecular biology, cell biology, and genetics intersect with the pathogenesis of disease. This year the entire course will be taught through the lens of COVID19, examining the underlying scientific bases of pathogenesis, protection, treatment and prevention. The course examines in depth the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the development and function of the immune system and also analyzes the immunological basis of human diseases in general. Apart from COVID19, we will discuss AIDS, autoimmunity, allergic disorders, primary immunodeficiency syndromes, transplantation, and cancer
IMM701A
Methods in Basic and Clinical Immunology
Credits: 4.00 CREDITS (Required)
Directors: Gavin Porter
Grade Criteria: Letter
This course will enhance understanding of research methods commonly used in basic and clinical immunology. Experimental controls, data outputs, and sources of experimental variation will be key considerations in each lecture. Application of knowledge and enhancement of writing skills will occur through composing multiple drafts of a fellowship-style research proposal.
IMM703A
Deconstructing Immunology Presentations
Credits: 4.00 CREDITS (Required)
Directors: Gavin Porter
Grade Criteria: Letter
Students will study research from the invited speakers of the Immunology departmental seminar, the week before it occurs, and gain proficiency in interpreting the results of journal articles. Students will be prompted to propose future experiments and engage in dialogue with their peers about the research. There are also opportunities to examine Immunology research and clinical developments in a historical and/or societal context. The course will culminate in a poster presentation to help enhance student’s design and presentation skills.
IMMUN 202
Immune and Inflammatory Diseases
Credits: 4.00 CREDITS (Required)
Directors: Wendy Garrett
Prerequisites: Immunology 201 or its equivalent.
Grade Criteria: Letter
IMMUN 202 builds on IMMUN 201 and explores fundamental principles of immunology in the context of immune and inflammatory diseases. Through a series of lectures and discussion, students will survey a broad range of diseases in which the immune system is essential. Topics will include not only diseases that mobilize classical immunity but also conditions to which we now know the immune systems contributes. Students will use oral (paper discussions) and written exercises (problem sets) to learn how to critically evaluate and synthesize major concepts and tools essential for the study of immunology.
IMM 701B
Methods in Basic and Clinical Immunology
Credits: 4.00 CREDITS (Required)
Directors: Gavin Porter
Grade Criteria: Letter
This course extends the clinical scope for research methods used in immunology. Each week, we will examine a different clinically-related topic and students will be prompted to build connections to the content of their previous immunology coursework.
IMM 703B
Deconstructing Immunology Presentations
Credits: 4.00 CREDITS (Required)
Directors: Gavin Porter
Grade Criteria: Letter
This is a continuation of the IMM703a course. Students will study research from the invited speakers of the Immunology departmental seminar, the week before it occurs. Students will have multiple opportunities to improve their oral presentation and paper analysis skills which will form the bulk of the assessment for the course.
1. Expectations for students by term or year
Term 1:
1. Maintenance of a B average (numeric value of 80%) in course work
2. Preliminary selection of a research laboratory in consultation with program directors
Term 2:
1. Maintenance of B average (numeric value of 80%) in course work
2. Initiation of part-time research in laboratory and selection of faculty advisor
3. Review of thesis project with program directors by end of term
Students will need to abide by all policies in the HMS Master’s Student Handbook, including attendance (See Section 2.02) and academic integrity (See Section 3.09). Students must also abide by all policies at the home school for any courses taken at other schools within Harvard University
1. Mentored research
There is the expectation of a solid body of work which may or may not represent a part or a whole of a publication. There is no formal expectation of a publication to graduate but the work must be performed by the student and a succinct presentation of the background, the question to be answered, the approaches taken, and the results obtained will need to be presented both orally during a defense and in a written thesis submitted at least two weeks before the defense. Defenses will be scheduled from March to April 25 of year two.
Upon completion of the oral thesis defense and approval of the thesis, the student is required to upload a pdf of the thesis on the Harvard University database.
1. Assessment
Immunology uses letter grades for its own courses. The minimum standard for satisfactory work in the MMSc IMM is a B average (numeric value of 80%). A grade of C is offset by a grade of A, and a D by two A’s; no account is taken of plus or minus. Grade of F is failing. A course in which a student receives an F can be retaken for credit at a later time, in which case both grades will appear on the student’s transcript. The pass/fail grading option is not available for MMSc IMM core courses with the exception of IMM 711 in all but the final semester. Please see section 2.03 for more policies on grading and examinations.
Assessment for courses in other programs or schools is determined by those programs and schools.
1. Length of Time to Degree
MMSc IMM students are expected to complete the MMSc degree in two academic years. Students may petition the program director in writing for an extension of time. (See Section 2.06 for definitions of fulland part-time and Section 2.07 for the policy on length of time to degree.)
1. Requirements for graduation
Overall B average (3.0 GPA) for course work
Satisfactory progress as assessed by mentor and thesis committee
· Successful defense of thesis
A degree will not be granted to a student who is not in good standing or against whom a disciplinary charge is pending. In addition, a student’s term bill must be paid in full before he/she will be awarded a diploma.
VI. Advising
1. One-on-one meetings will be held every term with the program directors to discuss progress
2. One feedback session per term with program directors and other students at one of the monthly meetings held one Friday every month.
3. Thesis committee will meet twice in year two to assess progress
VII. Financial Aid
See Section 5.08 for financial aid information.
VIII. Internship Information
Internships are allowed at the following times:
1. During the Spring semester of the first year, as long as it's after class hours.
2. In the summer months between the Spring semester of the first year and the Fall semester of the second year.
3. In the Fall and Spring semesters of the second year, as long as the mentor confirms that the student has completed 40 hours of research each week.
The MMSc-Immunology program does not have a specific internship course, but students can enroll in the internship course, INDP 850, for CPT in the Summer before year two, and in the Fall and Spring semesters of year two if they meet the requirements mentioned above.