The Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS) is a unique collaboration between the University of Texas-Houston Health Science Center and the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. Because our faculty members come from both institutions, their research interests represent the complete range of biomedical sciences. This interdisciplinary partnership offers special opportunities for students to focus their studies on the cause, treatment and biology of cancer.

The GSBS grants master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees in the biomedical sciences. The curriculum is flexible, allowing students to create a program that suits their needs. They also have access to a wide range of resources within the Texas Medical Center, including semiannual lectures, specialized laboratories and more than a half-dozen Research Medical Libraries.

The Immunology Graduate Program offers complete didactic and laboratory studies, giving students the expertise to conduct independent and original research that makes a significant contribution to the field of Immunology. This is accomplished by completing the following requirements:

Breadth in the biomedical sciences: The student is required to complete a minimum of four introductory courses in the Quantitative, Molecular, Cellular and Systems areas of biomedical sciences. After the basic courses are completed, the student must take three advanced-level courses, one of which must be an advanced immunology course. The other two courses are selected by the student with the help of an advisory committee.

Core Curriculum

• Immunology I, an introductory survey course
• Immunology II (Cellular Immunology)
• Immunology III (Immunogenetics)
• A seminar course (Immunobiology Research Seminar)
• Advanced Topics in Immunology (to help prepare and present an oral research report)

Tutorial laboratory experience: This 30-week period during the first year establishes an area of research to be developed during the thesis dissertation and allows the student to attain required laboratory skills. Students must study with at least three different faculty members, at least one of which must reside in an area outside of immunology.

Ability to design a research proposal: Each student must create an original research proposal to be demonstrated by passing an oral and written candidacy examination.

Independent research: An opportunity to perform immunologic research and write a dissertation under the guidance of the faculty advisor and a supervisory committee. The thesis must be presented at a public seminar, and the research findings and conclusions defended before the supervisory committee.

After completing these requirements, the student is awarded the Doctor of Philosophy degree in Biomedical Sciences with a concentration in Immunology

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