Graduate program in Immunology and Infectious Diseases (I&ID) at the Faculty of Medicine, Memorial University, provides graduate training towards Master of Science (MSc) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. Training is oriented towards basic laboratory research and a solid scientific background in the discipline of Immunology and viral pathogenesis. The I&ID Research Group includes faculty from the Division of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Disciplines within the Faculty of Medicine. Research laboratories are housed within the Health Sciences Center, providing an excellent environment for interdisciplinary collaboration.  

Admission

Applicants must have a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree and a superior academic record. All students complete at least 2 graduate courses in advance immunology, make research presentations, participate in seminar courses and journal clubs, and attend seminars by visiting speakers. Entering students with a limited background must complete an undergraduate course in immunology. Some students may be required to take additional courses based on their thesis topic. Foreign students may be required to complete a course in English as a Second Language. PhD candidates are required to pass a comprehensive examination guided by general regulations governing graduate studies at Memorial University. The comprehensive exam consists of written and oral components. An examination committee appointed by the School of Graduate Studies determines the exam content. 

Courses 

MED 6114 Advanced Topics in Virology

This course consists of virology lectures and student presentation of recent virology papers with an emphasis on class discussion and critical analysis of the research being presented. Students are expected to present papers (40%), submit summaries (40%), and participate in class discussions (20%). There is no assigned textbook, but “Fields Virology” would be a useful general reference. All students are expected to read the assigned papers. One student will be selected in advance to prepare a 30-minute presentation summarizing the findings in the paper and leading a group discussion. Course content can include, but is not limited to, general viruses, oncolytic viruses, immune evasion, and viral pathogenesis.

MED 6127 Immunology I

This graduate-level course is currently under reorganization (2025)

MED 6128 (Immunology II) Advanced Topics in Immunology

This course is designed primarily for graduate students in the Immunology & Infectious Diseases (IID) Graduate Student Program.  Graduate students from outside the IID program who are interested may also register or audit the course providing they have permission of both the Chair and the Coordinator for the IID Graduate Program.  The course will cover a broad range of topics, which will incorporate cellular, molecular and biochemical mechanisms in immune responses in health and disease including vaccines and immunotherapy.  A working list of topics is provided at the end of this document. 

Seminar Series 

Seminar Series Courses (MED 6400-03, 6410, 6411, 6412, 6413)

The IID Seminar Series is held weekly during the Fall and Winter semesters, serving as a dynamic forum for academic exchange and professional development. The series features a range of scholarly activities, including journal club-style paper presentations – typically scheduled during the Fall semester – and research-in-progress updates from group members, which are the focus of the Winter semester. Select sessions are also dedicated to seminars by invited external speakers, offering valuable opportunities for engagement with leading experts in the field. In alignment with graduate program requirements (MSc: 6400-6403; PhD: 6410-6413), all students are expected to deliver at least one presentation per semester.

Awards and Financial Supports 

• Scholarship Opportunities
• Searchable awards & scholarship database

Participating Faculty

• Grant M., PhD (McMaster): Immunology of HIV and HCV infection, especially cytotoxic T cell activity; idiotypic network interactions in immune regulation.
• Hirasawa K., PhD (Tokyo): Virus infection and cellular signalling pathways.
• Kaushik, Deepak, PhD (National Brain Research Centre, India)
• Law, John, PhD (University of Alberta) Characterize virus-host interaction focusing on replication and the humoral immune response.
• Russell R.S., PhD (McGill): Molecular Virology of Hepatitis C Virus.
• Moore, Craig., PhD (Dalhousie): Neuroimmunology, inflammation, multiple sclerosis, and glial cell differentiation.