Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis

Weill Cornell Medical College

United States of America, Manhattan

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Weill Cornell Medical College

United States of America , Manhattan

Key Facts

Program Level

PhD (Philosophy Doctorate)

Study Type

Full Time

Delivery

On Campus

Campuses

Main Site

Program Language

English

Start & Deadlines

Next Intake Deadlines8-Nov-2023 9-Mar-2022

Apply to this program

Go to the official application for the university

Duration 4 year(s)

Tuition Fee

USD 15,440 / year

Apply Date 9-Mar-2022

Next Intake 8-Nov-2023

Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis

About

Immunology and microbial pathogenesis are exciting fields of research. Once a stand-alone discipline, immunology has evolved into a multi-focus science that today involves many facets of biology and medicine. The rich nomenclature in current use in immunology, which employs such terms as "Tumor," "Molecular," "Cellular," "Developmental," and "host-pathogenâ€‌ and â€œhost-commensal microbiotaâ€‌ relationships, reflects this diversity. Conversely, the qualifier in "immuno-therapy" or "immuno-modulation" signifies integration into medical practice, coming full circle to the origin of immunology as the science of vaccination. Doctoral Program in Immunology and Microbial Pathogenesis at the Weill Cornell Graduate School offers rich training for the next generation of immunologists. Various IMP faculty members are as much at home in cell biology, biochemistry, development, genetics, structural biology, bioinformatics, and systems biology as they are in their own chosen specialties in immunology or microbial pathogenesis. IMP faculty are members of the Graduate School's partner institutions, which include Weill Cornell Medical College (WCMC) and Sloan-Kettering Institute (SKI, part of Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center). Some IMP faculty are affiliated with the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), a leading rheumatology and orthopedics institute adjacent to and closely affiliated with WCMC. With its broad base, IMP offers an unusually rich training ground for the next generation of immunologists. Major areas of focus are microbial immunity, tumor immunology, molecular and cellular immunology, lymphocyte and leukocyte biology, autoimmunity, and inflammation. The clinical relevance of these endeavors, together with the clinical partnerships, in which our three research institutions participate, create strong motivation and opportunity for translational research. Because of its complexity, modern immunology poses the challenge of presenting a sufficiently comprehensive curriculum for its students. IMP meets this challenge by drawing its faculty from the basic science and clinical departments of its participating institutions. This collective expertise enables IMP to provide its students with high-quality, broad-based education necessary for their development as independent scientists. IMP's philosophy of granting students maximum academic freedom encourages them to gain needed additional experience outside the framework of traditional immunology. Career goals may lead a student to work with and choose as a mentor, a Graduate School faculty member from any of the participating institutions (WMC, SKI, and HSS) and from any of the seven graduate programs. The program's curriculum likewise reflects a commitment to academic independence. While the first year of study is spent with didactic courses in immunology and cell biology, all classes are followed by student-run discussion groups. Laboratory rotations complement formal classroom learning. Students may take graduate courses offered by any other WCGS program, as well as a course in Microbial Pathogenesis offered jointly with another neighbor, The Rockefeller University. IMP students continue a balanced academic curriculum throughout their thesis research. Mini-courses in advanced immunology with rotating topics ensure that students keep abreast of new developments. A rich palette of seminars by invited speakers offers similar opportunities. Students also organize research-in-progress discussions of their own thesis projects. As a graduate program of intermediate size, IMP has a favorable student/mentor ratio of close to 1:1. The accessibility and openness of faculty make for exceptional community spirit, fostering scientific independence and simultaneously preparing young scientists for the necessary collaborative endeavors ahead. Check out our Student Handbook: 2021-2022_imp_student_handbook.pdf

Draws together a diverse faculty who seek to understand how the immune system works both as a unique entity as well as an integral part of higher organisms.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities.

Domestic Transcripts - Unofficial transcripts from U.S. institutions may be submitted for application review. Official transcripts will be requested from accepted students prior to matriculation.
Foreign Transcripts - Transcripts from institutions outside of the U.S., including Canada, must be transcribed and evaluated by World Education Services (WES, via the BioMedCAS application system), SpanTran (accessible through our online portal), or a similar evaluation service. Evaluations are accepted only from current members of the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). Official evaluations are required for application review.

GRE scores are optional for all Weill Cornell PhD programs. GRE scores are valid for only five years after the test date, and must be submitted directly to the BioMedCAS application system by Educational Testing Service using Institution Code Number 4132.
Applicants must submit current scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test. To see if you qualify for an exemption, see below.
•   TOEFL scores are valid for two years after the test date. TOEFL results must be submitted directly via the BioMedCAS application; our Institution Code Number is #B765. Note: If you have taken the TOEFL iBT test more than once within the last 2 years, ETS will automatically include your MyBest scores along with the traditional scores from your selected test date. If you would like us to consider your MyBest scores, please write to let us know. While the Graduate School will consider your MyBest scores, individual programs may not accept them.
•   IELTS scores are valid for two years after the test date. IELTS results must be submitted directly via e-delivery to “Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences.”
•   Results for the Duolingo English Test are valid for two years after the test date. Applicants must submit their results directly through Duolingo to “Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences.”
Three letters of recommendation from professors or other professionals who are able to judge your preparation and fitness for graduate work in the proposed program of study. Letters must be submitted electronically as instructed through the BioMedCAS application.
Personal statement that outlines your interest in research science, the program you are applying to, as well as why Weill Cornell is the right school for you. You may also want to discuss any particular faculty members you would be interested in working with and why. The Weill Cornell Graduate School prides itself in the diversity of our learning environment. To give our review committee a more comprehensive understanding of you, we encourage you to also include how your education may have been affected by your cultural, economic, or social experiences. Please keep your statement to 1500 words.
Resume/CV
An application processing fee of $80 charged through the BioMedCAS application system. Application fee waivers are available to US citizens, permanent residents, or undocumented applicants who have demonstrated financial hardship or participated in specific pipeline programs.

English Program Requirements

Applicants must submit current scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test. To see if you qualify for an exemption, see below.
•   TOEFL scores are valid for two years after the test date. TOEFL results must be submitted directly via the BioMedCAS application; our Institution Code Number is #B765. Note: If you have taken the TOEFL iBT test more than once within the last 2 years, ETS will automatically include your MyBest scores along with the traditional scores from your selected test date. If you would like us to consider your MyBest scores, please write to let us know. While the Graduate School will consider your MyBest scores, individual programs may not accept them.
•   IELTS scores are valid for two years after the test date. IELTS results must be submitted directly via e-delivery to “Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences.”
•   Results for the Duolingo English Test are valid for two years after the test date. Applicants must submit their results directly through Duolingo to “Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences.”