Overview
First-Rate Education and Activities at Thomas Jefferson University
Thomas Jefferson University is located in an excellent position, right in the center of Philadelphia. Its academic health center was founded in 1824 and is comprised of three colleges: Jefferson College of Graduate Studies, Jefferson College of Health Professions, and Jefferson Medical College. Thomas Jefferson University is known for its illustrious history of research and education in health-related and biomedical disciplines. In fact, the institution offers its students access to one of the world's finest biomedical libraries.
For students of Thomas Jefferson University, it is easy to find a place to live as there is plenty of on-campus housing available as well as abundant off-campus housing nearby. Students also have convenient access to all of Philadelphia's amenities; an assortment of shops, cultural venues, and eateries are merely a pleasant, easy walk from campus. Furthermore, the city's mass transit system is easily accessible, and therefore many students do not even own vehicles.
On campus, Thomas Jefferson University hosts several state-of-the-art recreational facilities including a gym, racquetball court, weight room, and swimming pool. Students can take advantage of these facilities on their own time or by taking one of the many classes offered through the university. A wide range of on-campus activities, including workshops, movie nights, co-curricular programs, entertainment programs, and showcase performances, are offered at Thomas Jefferson University. The student activities office also provides the student body with an assortment of discounted tickets to professional athletic events, museums, amusement parks, cultural attractions, and performing arts events throughout Philadelphia.
Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis Ph.D. Program
The immunology and microbial pathogenesis Ph.D. program at Thomas Jefferson University emphasizes an integrated, cross-disciplinary science as an essential aspect of the latest and most advanced research and is chiefly driven by the philosophy that a complete understanding of the immune system cannot be gained without an appreciation for the microbes that have driven its evolution and visa versa. The program offers full-time Ph.D. students fellowships consisting of a stipend (currently $25,500), as well as tuition and health insurance.
The faculty members of the immunology and microbial pathogenesis Ph.D. program have a variety of research interests, including antigen presentation, cancer immunology, malaria's cell biology, cytokines, developmental immunology, immunogenetics, immunoregulation, neurovirology, transplantation immunology, and viral oncogenes.
Students in this graduate program have access to a number of research facilities and equipment, including facilities for cell sorting by flow cytometry; a CD spectrometer; cutting-edge X-ray detectors for macromolecular crystallography, protein purification and characterization; proteomics and microarray analysis; and biomolecular imaging. In addition, students are granted access to the Kimmel Cancer Center and its research facilities.
Philadelphia is a City Rich in History and Culture
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania is situated in the heart of the U.S.'s Northeast Corridor and is the second largest city on the East Coast. Philadelphia is rich in historic architecture, including Independence Hall (the location of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the writing of the U.S. Constitution), the Second Bank of the United States, and the Liberty Bell Pavilion. There is also a multitude of historic homes positioned throughout Philadelphia which are open to the public, including the Betsy Ross House and Franklin Court, as well as many other well-known historic sites such as churches, the U.S. Mint, Fairmount Park (purportedly the world's biggest urban landscaped park, and the site of the first zoo in the U.S.), and Penn's Landing.
As for entertainment, Philadelphia has many artistic and cultural attractions, many of which are situated along a 3.5-mile corridor of artistic venues and performing arts centers including Merck Arts Center, Verizon Hall, and the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. The city also hosts several superb museums including the Academy of Natural Sciences, Rodin Museum, Franklin Institute and Philadelphia Museum of Art. In addition, every season has several renowned celebrations including the Philadelphia Flower Show, Book and Cook Festival, Spring Festival, Fourth of July Parade, and one of the nation's oldest musical events: the Philadelphia Festival.
Residents get around the city quite easily via a well-developed mass transit system that includes buses, subway trains, and trolleys. From Philadelphia, it is also an easy drive to New York City, Baltimore, Washington D.C., the Jersey Shore, and the Poconos.
