Integrated Immunology (Part-time)

**The information provided on this page was correct at the time of publication (November 2023). For complete and up-to-date information about this course, please visit the relevant University of Oxford course page via www.graduate.ox.ac.uk/ucas.** <br/><br/>Immunology is an interesting, complex and dynamic subject, the applications of which have changed society. The discoveries and inventions of immunologists have led to worldwide successes in vaccination, immunotherapy, transplantation and immunodiagnostics. <br/><br/>**About the course**<br/>The aim of the taught MSc in Integrated Immunology (Part-time) is to provide students with a stimulating and comprehensive education, high-quality research training and the professional skills required for a rewarding career in modern immunology. This part-time postgraduate course is delivered online over two years, with a one-week residential component in Oxford towards the end of the first year of study. The course is aimed at those who wish to study the exciting subject of immunology at a world-class institution, but who are not able to relocate to Oxford to study full-time in-person. We particularly welcome exceptional candidates from underprivileged, challenging or unconventional backgrounds, those residing in low- and middle-income countries, and those with caring or professional responsibilities.<br/><br/>**Structure and Content**<br/>The part-time online MSc in Integrated Immunology explores immunology in breadth and depth and is intended for science and medical postgraduates. It is a 24-month, part-time course comprising two taught units followed by an extended research project typically hosted by a University of Oxford research group. The first taught unit focuses on the fundamental science of immunology. This is taught over Michaelmas and Hilary terms of the first academic year. The second unit explores the applied, clinical and therapeutic aspects of immunology, and is taught over Trinity term and the long vacation of the first year. The third unit research project takes place over the second year of study, beginning in Michaelmas term and ending during Trinity term.<br/><br/>Taught units are each delivered across a series of five linked topic themes to ensure holistic coverage of modern immunology.<br/><br/>Course content includes:<br/><br/>**Unit 1 Scientific Principles of Immunology taught themes:**<br/>- Fundamentals in immunology<br/><br/><br/>- Innate immunity and inflammation<br/><br/><br/>- Antigen presentation and recognition<br/><br/><br/>- Adaptive immunity<br/><br/><br/>- Evolution of human immunity<br/><br/><br/>**Unit 2 Clinical and Applied Principles of Immunology taught themes:**<br/>- Infection & immunity<br/><br/><br/>- Failure of immunity<br/><br/><br/>- Aberrant or unwanted immunity<br/><br/><br/>- Cancer immunology<br/><br/><br/>- Manipulation of immunity<br/><br/><br/>**Unit 3 Experimental Principles of Immunology:**<br/>- Research project<br/><br/>**Teaching and Learning**<br/>The course is designed to support you with flexible part-time study, therefore, written, recorded and interactive materials are accessible asynchronously, allowing you to study at a time that suits you. The class will meet ‘live’ online, typically at fortnightly intervals during taught units. Pre-recorded lectures are given by speakers drawn from the University of Oxford Immunology Network, Oxford University Hospitals or external institutions. During the third unit you will undertake a desk-based remote project with staff affiliated to a top-ranked research department or institute across the Medical Sciences Division. Oxford has one of the highest concentrations of research-active immunologists in the world; students on this MSc course are therefore uniquely placed to benefit from this wealth of expertise.