Applied Immunology

Our Program

The MSc in Applied Immunology is a two year, research-based, non-thesis degree program housed within the Department of Immunology.

Through course work and a major research project in a host laboratory, we train students to design, implement, and evaluate immunological research that measures immune responses and/or immune function.

Instead of a thesis, students complete oral presentations and written reports throughout the program to summarize their findings and discoveries. Students can personalize their learning from a wide array of graduate courses to fulfill their electives, available within and outside of our department.

Students can also, if they choose, complete a four-month internship or an international research opportunity.

Courses

Students in this program complete

Year One

Major Research Project in Immunology I & II
Electives such as:
- Molecular Immunology
- Developmental Immunology
- Clinical Immunology
- Immunotherapy
- Neuroimmunology

Year Two

Easton Seminar Series
Special Topics in Immunology
Major Research Project in Immunology III
Applied Research in Immunology
Electives

Alumni Profile

Kennedy Hoven, MSc

During my MSc., I investigated the effects of protein manipulation on disease progression and learned cutting-edge scientific techniques, such as stereotaxic surgery and flow cytometry.

The program helped me develop my communications skills through a Communications Certificate and many opportunities to present my work. Student-led career panels introduced me to career prospects outside of academia and provided opportunities to network with professionals.

During my final term, I travelled to the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Germany, where I worked on identifying populations of exTregs in CMV0+ blood donors using flow cytometry and cell sorting. Now that I’ve graduated, I hope to join the biotech or pharmaceutical industry in my home province of British Columbia.

Potential Career Paths

Sample Job Titles

Alumni from our program have successfully transitioned into further education such as PhD programs, medical school, and law school. Others have successfully transitioned into diverse roles such as:

Consultant
Research Associate
Research Technician
Editor
Clinical Research Analyst
Commercialization Analyst
Senior Associate Scientist
Medical Writer

By the Numbers

12

Average class size

25

Number of current students

85

Number of active research faculty

*Full course equivalent. A typical 0.5 FCE is over one term (13 weeks), meeting 1-2 times per week. A typical 1.0 FCE is over two terms (26 weeks), meeting 1-2 times per week.