MS in Infectious Disease and Immunology

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates will possess the following knowledge, skills, and professional values to begin a career in pharmaceutical or academic research, nursing, clinical lab science, science writing, forensic medicine, health care policy, and other biotech fields.

• A thorough understanding of the fields of infectious disease and immunology
• The ability to effectively read and interpret scientific literature
• The ability to discuss, develop and conduct projects that call for a broad training in the Biomedical Sciences and focused training in Infectious Disease and Immunology
• Technical expertise in molecular and/or cellular biology and a variety of other areas, such as Biochemistry, immunological techniques, enzyme assays, and cell culture
• The ability to design and conduct a biomedical research project from experimental design to protocol development and data analysis
• To act as a liaison to mediate collaboration between researchers and clinical faculty and in situations that require familiarity with clinical presentations within the areas of infectious disease and immunology
• Demonstrate strong communication skills for effective dialogues with colleagues, clients, physicians, and research scientists
• Strong verbal presentation skills for presenting research to clinicians, researchers, and the public
• Incorporate high standards of ethics into research design and execution, and data interpretation and with respect to patient interaction and confidentiality
• The ability to contribute to the health sciences, medicine, and related areas in the public and private sectors
• Incorporate high ethical standards in research design and execution, data interpretation, and patient interaction and confidentiality
• Connect coursework and research to the realities of the clinical environment to establish an understanding and appreciation of the continuity of biomedical research from “bench-to-bedside-to community”

The MS curriculum provides rigorous training in the fundamentals of basic cellular and molecular biology, as well as infectious disease and immunology. Elective courses in advanced statistics and clinical trial management prepare students to play a role at the critical intersection of research and clinical environments.

Students are required to complete 30 credits, 12 of which must be in didactic courses. In addition to graded courses, students enroll in IDIM 492 (Research) and attend the Institute’s seminar series, and MIIM current literature sessions. Students will enroll in Thesis Supervision (IDIM 595) in their third semester.

FIRST SEMESTER

• Lab rotations
• BMSC 405 Ethics in Biomedical Sciences (1 credit)
• BMSC 410 Molecular Biochemistry (4 credits)
• BMSC 412 Cell Biology (4 credits)
• BMSC 416 Methods (1 credits)
• IDIM 501 InDIRI Seminar (0 credits)
  10 Total Credits First Semester

SECOND SEMESTER

• IDIM 400 Infections and Immunology (3 credits)
• BMSC 402 Statistical Methods for Biomedical Sciences (3 credits)
• IDIM 418 Oral Presentation skills (1 credits)
• IDIM 492 Research (2 credits)
• IDIM 501 InDIRI Seminar (1 credit)
  10 Total Credits Second Semester

THIRD SEMESTER

• IDIM 401 Infectious Diseases (2 credits)
• IDIM 501 InDIRI Seminar (1 credit)
• IDIM 502 Infectious Diseases Case Studies (1 credit)
• IDIM 595 Thesis Supervision (0 credit)
• MIIM 503 Current Literature (1 credit)
  5 Total Credits Third Semester

FOURTH SEMESTER

• IDIM 403 Parasitology and Virology (2 credits)
• IDIM 501 InDIRI Seminar (1 credits)
• IDIM 502 Pillars of Immunology (1 credit)
• MIIM 503 Curent Literature  (1 credit)
• IDIM 595 Thesis Supervision (0 credits)
  
  5 Total Credits Fourth Semester
  __________________________________________
  30 Total Program Credit Hours

RESEARCH

During the first semester, students will consult with faculty mentors and the program director to select one to three, six-week rotations to conduct research in a lab. MS candidates are expected to conduct an independent, original, experimental study resulting in a significant contribution to knowledge. The research will culminate in a thesis (and its successful defense) before the MS Thesis Committee.

Students conduct translational research projects with InDIRI faculty, under the direction of two scientific mentors: a basic scientist and a clinician. Aligned with the National Institutes of Health’s Roadmap for Medical Research, which emphasizes translational research, our program provides students with training that prepares them for careers in and outside of the lab.

FINAL THESIS 

By the beginning of August in the second year, and after consulting with mentors, students will select a committee (comprised of the two mentors and two other faculty) and submit a written proposal for their master’s thesis. Following approval of the proposal, students continue to conduct experiments, write their thesis and defend it before the committee by the end of July in the second year. Students pursue research throughout the program, including during semester breaks.

GRAND ROUNDS

Students participate in the Department of Medicine’s weekly Clinical Grand Rounds and are expected to attend at least five, typically in their second year. This required participation allows students to interact with physicians, residents, and medical students. Students graduate with a thorough understanding of the language physicians use and the environment in which they and physician-researchers work.

Course Catalog

• Infectious Disease and Immunology MS Course Catalog

Ready to apply? This is a good place to start.

DEADLINES

We accept applications for the MS in Infectious Disease and Immunology on a rolling basis. Early application is encouraged; we begin evaluating applications in early December. The application deadline is June 15; there is no application fee.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. COMPLETED APPLICATION

• Apply online or mail application to:
  
  Graduate and Professional Enrollment Management
  Loyola University Chicago
  820 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1200
  Chicago, IL 60611
  
  

2. TEST SCORES

• Applicants must submit GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical exams) from the past four years to Loyola University Chicago. Although not required, we recommend applicants take the Subject Exam in Cell and Molecular Biology. Applicants may also submit official MCAT scores (if available).

3. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

• Applicants should have completed at least a bachelor's degree. Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work are required for admission.

4. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

• Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation.

5. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

• Your statement of purpose should be a brief, one page statement that explains your interest in this program.

6. INTERVIEW

• A personal interview is required. International applicants can interview via phone or video conference.

Please note: the only documents that cannot be uploaded with an application are transcripts and official test scores. Please send those documents directly to: gradapp@luc.edu.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants must have a degree equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor's degree and are required to submit the above documents and:

• TOEFL or IELTS scores
• A Declaration and Certification of Finances Form
• Evaluations of international transcripts by the Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) is required. Read information about this service and download an application.

Please note: the only documents that cannot be uploaded with an application are transcripts, official test scores, and transcript evaluations. Please send those documents directly to: gradapp@luc.edu

Questions? Email Student Program Recruiter Donna Buczek.

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