Doctor of Philosophy in Fundamental Immunology - Innate Immunity

The Department of Immunology offers graduate programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in a wide range of immunological disciplines. These disciplines include molecular mechanisms of lymphocyte development and selection, T-cell and B-cell receptors, cell interactions, growth factor receptors, cytokine networks, antigen processing and presentation, signal transduction in lymphocytes, V(D)J recombination, anergy, apoptosis, transgenic and knock-out models, immuno-targeting and vaccine design, autoimmunity, AIDS, diabetes, and transplantation.
The department provides a common forum for investigators in many areas of U of T and an interdisciplinary research experience in immunology. Members and students in the department are located at the Medical Sciences Building, at the Ontario Cancer Institute, and at the Research Institutes of Mt. Sinai Hospital, Toronto General Hospital, Toronto Western Hospital, The Hospital for Sick Children, and Sunnybrook Hospital. The PhD degree is an advanced research degree intended to reflect a level of training consistent with the ability of the candidate to function as an independent research scientist. This involves successful completion of course work reflecting a knowledge of modern immunology, as well as a demonstrated ability to carry out research of publishable quality.
Innate immunity is that which reflects our immediate biological defense against the outside world. It is characterized by discrimination of what is self versus nonself, or harmless versus dangerous. Innate immunity does not require prior sensitization ('memory') nor does it generate an augmented secondary ('recall') response. Many innate immune receptors are pattern recognition receptors (PRR's) that have evolved over millenia to recognize common pathogens in their simplest form, subunits known as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP's), these obligate pathogen-derived substances cannot easily be altered by the pathogen without loss of viability. In other instances, innate immune receptors recognize self ligands that may be displayed in a modulated fashion upon infection or transformation to notify the immune system that something is wrong. Cells of the innate immune system include macrophages and dendritic cells [the professional antigen-presenting cells (APC's)], polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and certain lymphocytes, such as natural killer cells, and even a repertoire of B cells that is fixed at birth. Cross-talk between the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system is critical for the mounting of an effective sterilizing immune response, such that without innate immunity, we cannot exist in nature.

Applicants must have completed (or be in the final year of completing) an appropriate 4 year bachelor's degree, or its equivalent from a recognized university, with an average of at least a B+ (minimum GPA of 3.3) in their final two years.
Applicants holding a BSc degree with an average of A- in the final two years of undergraduate study are encouraged to apply for direct entry into the PhD program.
Applicants to the PhD holding an MSc degree must have an average of at least B+ in that degree.

Minimum Requirements plus: MSc in Applied Immunology (Advanced Standing Entry)
basic understanding of immunology and immunological concepts
completion of the equivalent of the University of Toronto undergraduate courses IMM450Y1 and 2 of the following: IMM428H1, IMM429H1, IMM430H1, IMM431H1, or MIJ485H1
must already have a research supervisor who is a Faculty Member in the Department of Immunology

Minimum Requirements plus: MSc in Applied Immunology (Standard Entry)
basic understanding of immunology and immunological concepts
some research experience (i.e. via summer project or lab courses)

Curriculum Vitae
Letter of Intent
Three letters of reference
Unofficial transcripts issued by your university are acceptable
GRE scores are NOT required

IELTS - Minimum required score 7.0 (Academic) with at least 6.5 for each component.
TOEFL IBT - Overall Score - 93, Writing and Speaking- 22, TOEFL Paper-based Test - Overall Score 580 TWE 5