Microbiology and Immunology
Course of Study
First-Year Medicine
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology contributes to the undergraduate medical curriculum in the first year of medical school through its contributions to the Host Defence Unit. The unit is comprised of a series of lectures, case studies and laboratory sessions which address basic science issues underlying clinical studies encountered in the disciplines of Immunology, Inflammation and Infectious Disease.
Graduate Studies
The MSc program generally requires a minimum of two years to complete and comprises courses in microbiology, immunology and allied disciplines plus research work resulting in a written thesis.
The PhD program is approximately five years in duration and involves course work as for the MSc plus high calibre research culminating in a thesis.
Graduate program streams in Immunology, Virology, Molecular Genetics, Cancer Cell Biology and Microbial Pathogenesis are available to allow well-qualified students to concentrate their studies while acquiring general knowledge and understanding of major concepts in Microbiology and Immunology. Please consult the Graduate Studies calendar for list of courses offered.
Students should consult the Graduate Studies Calendar or the Graduate Studies Coordinator for a full description of these programs.
Research Facilities
Members of the Department are housed in the Sir Charles Tupper Medical Building, the QEII Health Sciences Centre, the IWK Health Centre, the Centre for Clinical Research, Mackenzie Building, the Dentistry Building and the Life Sciences Research Institute (LSRI). Research in both basic and clinical microbiology, immunology and related disciplines is carried out in laboratories at these locations.
Courses
Courses for Dental Students
First Year Microbiology: This course covers the general principles of medical bacteriology, virology, mycology, parasitology and immunology. Specific topics related to oral infectious diseases complete the course.
Courses for Science Students
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers a BSc Honours program, a Combined Honours program with the departments of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and Biology, and provides a wide range of courses, dealing with various aspects of microbiology and immunology. Students should consult the Faculty of Science Undergraduate Calendar for a list of courses offered.
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology contributes a number of courses to the Medical Sciences undergraduate program offered by the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Medicine.
Courses for Health Students
The Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers separate microbiology courses to students in the School of Pharmacy, School of Nursing. Dental Hygiene, Dentistry and School of Physiotherapy. Please consult the appropriate Calendar for detailed course descriptions.