Baylor College of Medicine - Department of Immunology - Overview
Graduate Program in Immunology
The graduate program in immunology offers an outstanding graduate program with training in a wide range of basic and translational areas of research. Baylor's students learn how to think critically and communicate their ideas clearly. These are essential skills for careers in research and education.
The strong foundation of Baylor's program is based on quality research faculty members, recruited from all over the country, coupled with state-of-the-art labs and equipment. Immunology faculty members conduct research in the areas of cancer, immunotherapy, gene therapy, genetic vaccines, immune-related diseases such as asthma and AIDS, lymphocyte activation, development of T and B lymphocytes, dendritic calls, apoptosis, and autophagy.
Required and elective courses, completed in the first year, provide students with a broad exposure to molecular biology, biochemistry, genetic engineering, genetic vaccines, gene therapy, and cellular and clinical immunology. Baylor's students also each complete a specialized course, "Introduction to Graduate Research," which emphasizes problem solving, critical thinking, oral and graphical data presentation, and grant writing. Small classes and seminars permit close and productive interactions with mentor faculty members.
In addition to coursework, first year students rotate through 3 to 5 laboratories to find the best project/mentor match from among 40 faculty members. After the first year of classes, students concentrate on laboratory research, participate in advanced seminars, and pass qualifying exams consisting of writing and presenting NIH-style grant proposals.
Once students complete the required courses and pass the qualifying exams, they are admitted to their candidacies and focus on their dissertation work. To facilitate learning from peers and research mentors, the Program in Immunology has instituted a series of program activities, including the following:
- Immunology Retreat: Annually the 4th year class organizes a retreat at which faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and students present their research. Awards are presented for both posters and platform presentations.
- Distinguished Guest Lecture Series: Outstanding scientists from around the world present their current research in a monthly seminar series.
- Journal Club: Each week, cutting edge articles on topics in immunology are presented by students and discussed.
-Methodological Annex to the Journal Club: students and faculty discuss methodological details of methods in the current journal club article in a friendly format that prepares students for the oral portion of the Qualifying Exam.
- Faculty Chalk Talks: Incoming students are introduced to faculty member research interests during briefings by those faculty members.
- Research in Progress: Students and postdoctoral fellows have opportunities to present their ongoing research projects in this bi-weekly seminar.
Graduate Student Results
Immunology students each graduate with at least one first author publication in a peer-reviewed journal. In addition, Baylor's graduates routinely go on to postdoctoral positions at other top-rated institutions. Recent graduates have gone on to postdoctoral positions at Harvard University, Princeton, UC San Francisco, UC San Diego, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Seattle Biomedical Research Institute (SBRI), Washington University, Duke University, UTMB-Galveston, Vanderbilt University, New York University, University of North Carolina, and Baylor College of Medicine.
Affording Graduate School - PhD Tuition Stipend
One major advantage of acceptance at an institution of Baylor's size and status is that the students accepted into graduate programs, such as the program in immunology, receive full financial support through their graduate school careers. Tuition costs for PhD students are typically paid through university funds or research grants. All PhD students receive generous stipends of $29,000. With Houston's 25% lower cost of living than the national average, those dollars can go a long way.
Life in The Medical Center
Baylor was ranked 24th for research in the 2011 "US News and World Report" list of top medical schools, and its Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences is also highly rated. Baylor is ranked 13th in funding from the National Institutes of Health among all US medical schools.
The Texas Medical Center is the largest medical center in the world, bringing together 2 medical school and 7 academic institutions, including M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, and 13 hospitals (with more than 7000 Clinical beds).
What Houston Has to Offer
Houston, now the third largest metropolitan city in the US, offers some of the finest museums, symphonies and operas in the country. Downtown boasts a 17 block theater district. There are over 8300 restaurants and drinking establishments which showcase our diverse international culture. If students would rather get away, the Gulf Coast offers some of the finest fishing, sailing and surfing only 45 minutes away. If students seek wide open places, just a mere 2 hours to the west is some of the best hiking and camping in the Southwest. There is truly something for everyone in Houston.