It is assumed that students will already be somewhat familiar with fundamentals of bacterial structure and metabolism. Offered during the Spring semester. This core course introduces basic concepts of immunity and the immune system including evolutionary and comparative studies, specific and nonspecific immunity, the biology of T and B lymphocytes, the genetics of the antigen-receptor and MHC loci, immunochemistry, and the role and action of cytokines. Offered during the Spring semester. Subjects include parasite life histories, the evolutionary biology of parasitism, parasite genetics, immunoparasitology, and control strategies.
Students also select and review several current research articles.
Offered during the Fall semester. Lecture material is drawn from both the classical and current literature. Students actively participate in, and lead, discussions based on assigned readings and problem sets. A term paper on a key research area in virology may be required. Offered during the Spring semester.