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Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences 2021 - 2022 Catalog

Biomedical Sciences PhD Concentration in Immunology and Infectious Diseases

Biomedical Sciences PhD Concentration in Immunology and Infectious Diseases


Matthew Grisham, Ph.D., Professor and Chair for the School of Medicine Department of Immunology and Molecular Microbiology

Joe A. Fralick, Ph.D., Graduate Advisor

Graduate Faculty

Full Members: Almodovar, Bright, Fralick, Grisham, Hamood, Pruitt, Rolfe, Siddiqui

Associate Members: Dufour, Griswold, Lowe, Reid, Rumbaugh, San Francisco, Schneider, Williams, Winn

 

About the Concentration

Immunology and Infectious Diseases is designed to graduate exceptionally well trained professionals who possess the necessary background and experience for a career in research and teaching in Immunology and Infectious Diseases.  Applicants are urged to possess research experience and should have a basic knowledge of microbiology and prior course work in several disciplines of biological sciences.  Prior coursework in certain areas such as Microbiology (General and Pathogenic), Cell Biology, Immunology, and Biochemistry, though not a requirement, is helpful.  Students with deficiencies in these areas may be admitted and required to enroll in these classes as part of their first year of graduate school.

Students have the opportunity to rotate through research laboratories (three are recommended, but not a requirement) to broaden their education and research experience, and to assist in the identification of a field of specialization for their thesis or dissertation research.  Major areas of current research activities include: microbial pathogenesis, bacterial gene regulation, biofilms, multi-drug resistance, immunology (cancer and infectious diseases, tumor antigen identification, vaccines and phage and immunotherapy). 

For further information, see https://www.ttuhsc.edu/medicine/immunology-molecular-biology/.

Concentration Guidelines for Immunology and Infectious Diseases

  • GIID 5181 Select Topics in Immunology/ID (1:1:0,F)

    Prerequisite: Biomedical Sciences core curriculum or consent of instructor. Self-study courses provide students with a specialized topic within their area of interest that is not typically offered within the Texas Tech University system. Participants must agree upon objectives, grading criteria, and deadlines.

  • GIID 5281 Select Topics in Immunology/ID (2:2:0,F)

    Prerequisite: Biomedical Sciences core curriculum or consent of instructor. Self-study courses provide students with a specialized topic within their area of interest that is not typically offered within the Texas Tech University system. Participants must agree upon objectives, grading criteria, and deadlines.

  • GIID 5381 Select Topics in Immunology/ID (3:3:0,F)

    Prerequisite: Biomedical Sciences core curriculum or consent of instructor. Self-study courses provide students with a specialized topic within their area of interest that is not typically offered within the Texas Tech University system. Participants must agree upon objectives, grading criteria, and deadlines.

  • GIID 6324 Molecular Biol/Patho Bacteria (3:3:0,F)

    Prerequisite: Core curriculum, GIID 6610 Fundamental Microbiology and Immunology, or consent of instructor. Lectures and discussions concerning the molecular analysis of mechanisms by which pathogenic bacteria produce infections. The regulation and expression of virulence factors are emphasized. The course also includes writing an NIH-style grant proposal. Students may choose to write their proposals on any virulence related subject. They are also required to present and successfully defend their proposals.

  • GIID 6325 Advances in Virology (3:3:0,F)

    Prerequisite: Core curriculum, GIID 6610 Fundamental Microbiology and Immunology, or consent of instructor. Covers a broad range of topics including virus/host interactions, molecular pathogenesis of latent, persistent or cytolytic virus infections, and research strategies to treat and prevent viral infections.

  • GIID 6329 Advances In Immunology (3:3:0,F)

    Prerequisite: Core curriculum, GIID 6610 Fundamental Microbiology and Immunology, or consent of the instructor. This 3 credit course provides students with an advanced course in the discipline of immunology. The course includes the peer review process as it relates to specific aspects of immunology and includes immunologic based investigations in the fields of cancer, host defense, and infectious diseases. The course is literature driven, utilizing both manuscripts and research proposals as examples to understand the peer review process and attempts to bridge the gap between the textbook and the literature. Both written oral participation by the students on specialized topics is required. Students will be responsible for a written research proposal based on the present NIH R01 format.

  • GIID 6335 Pathogenesis of Infect Disease (3:3:0,F)

    Prerequisite: Core curriculum, GIID 6610 Fundamental Microbiology and Immunology, or consent of the instructor. A study of the processes by which microorganisms produce disease in humans and how the host responds. The bacterial mycological and parasitic aspects of infectious disease will be taught. Students will be expected to understand all major bacterial, fungal, and parasitic diseases. Students must understand the mechanisms by which the virulence factors of these organisms allow them to cause their respective diseases.

  • GIID 6340 Mucosal Immunology (3:3:0,F)

    Prerequisite: Core curriculum, GIID 6610 Fundamental Microbiology and Immunology, or consent of instructor. This 3 hour credit course provides students with an advanced course in the discipline of mucosal immunology. This course will utilize didactic lectures, literature reviews and faculty-led discussions to expose the students to basic concepts of mucosal immunology with particular emphasis on the intestinal immune system. Both written and oral participation by the students on specialized topics is required. Students will select and present various cutting-edge topics in mucosal immunology as well as submit a written review on a current topic related to mucosal immunology.

  • GIID 7000 Research (V1-12, F)

  • GIID 7101 Immuno/Infec Diseases Seminar (1:1:0,F)

    Prerequisite: GSBS 5174 or consent of instructor. Weekly seminar series designed to provide training in research data presentation and analysis. This course will allow students to develop their presentation skills by providing experiences in both written and oral communication, presentations, and critiques. Use of visual aid equipment and software is mandatory.

  • GIID 8000 Doctor's Dissertation (V1-12,F)