Graduate Program Information for Incoming Students
Considering graduate study in immunology? The University of Minnesota offers several graduate programs.
Learn about graduate programs in immunology
Visit each program for deadlines and application info.
Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology
This PhD program offers a highly collaborative environment, with faculty who are committed to fostering students’ growth as a scientist. Students perform research using cutting-edge techniques and equipment, enabling them to become proficient in many aspects of the biomedical sciences.
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Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology & Genetics
This PhD program is a broad-based, interdisciplinary graduate program with 80 faculty members. The program emphasizes basic research in the fields of genetics, cell biology and development through the use of model organisms. Faculty members have appointments in various departments in the College of Biological Sciences, the Medical School, the College of Science and Engineering, the College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences, and the College of Veterinary Medicine.
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MD/PhD combined
Our MD/PhD Medical Scientist Training Program is one of 44 funded by the National Institutes of Health. We offer a broad range of scientific training opportunities in 11 different graduate programs, as well as access to clinical training opportunities across the Minneapolis-St. Paul metro area.
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Veterinary Medicine
We provide MS and PhD training at the intersection of animal, human, and ecosystem health. Students can earn MS and PhD degrees in Veterinary Medicine and in Comparative and Molecular Biosciences. A combined PhD/DVM program is also offered.
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Biochemistry, Molecular Biology & Biophysics
This PhD program focuses on determining the molecular mechanisms that underlie basic biological functions. We use an integrated approach that encompasses biochemistry, chemistry, biophysics, genomics, molecular biology, proteomics, and structural biology. Special emphasis is placed on revealing how biological processes go awry in diseases including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and AIDS.
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Pharmacology
The University of Minnesota offers one of the top rated Pharmacology programs in the country. The Pharmacology Program is structured as a PhD program, but the department also offers a MS degree and participates in the MD/PhD combined and the Joint degree (PhD/JD) program in Law, Health and Life Sciences. We are a highly multidisciplinary department with 40 faculty members and 50 graduate students studying topics spanning the pure and applied sciences. We welcome applications from students with academic or industry experience in immunology, cancer biology, biochemistry, chemistry, physiology, biophysics, structural biology, neuroscience, and other disciplines in the natural sciences.
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Prospective students: What you need to know
What can I do with a degree in immunology? Immunology is the study of how cells interact with each other. It's the building blocks of cancer research. You can go into a career as a medical doctor, research in the industry, academics, and patent law, as some examples.
Learn more: Contact us at cfi@umn.edu to get on our mailing/email list.
Why choose the University of Minnesota?
With the Center for Immunology as its nexus for immunology research and training, the University of Minnesota is a great place to study.
- Living in Minnesota
- Student life at the University of Minnesota
- Resources for students
- Diversity in graduate education
- Biomedical Discovery District—state-of-the art facilities where many immunology programs are located
Diversity and Disability Resources
Links for funding, groups, academic support and mentoring
Office of Biomedical Graduate Research, Education & Training (BGREAT)
The BGREAT office serves as a resource for students seeking to enter doctoral training in the basic sciences. We encourage students at all stages in their undergraduate training to contact the program director, Jon Gottesman, or email: bgreat@umn.edu to ask questions and receive mentoring on becoming a graduate student and careers in science. You can also visit on Facebook