Immunology Graduate Group PhD Study Plan
Immunology core courses, selectives and seminars by quarter – PhD requirements:
Fall Quarter¶
Core Courses (Required)
IMM201 (4 units)
IMM201L (4 units)
Selectives + ( Minimum of 3, i.e. 6 – 10 units)
ETX 260
Seminars * (Minimum 1 Participatory (P), 1 Non-Participatory (NP) per year until QE)
IMM 291 (2 units), (P)
IMM 296 (1 unit), (NP)
IMM 298 (1 unit), (P); GGI "Breakfast Club" or Cancer Immunology Journal Club.
MMI 291 (1 unit), (NP)
Winter Quarter
Core Courses (Required)
IMM 293 (4 units)
IMM 202L (5 units)
Selectives + (Minimum of 3, i.e. 6 – 10 units)
IMM 210 (2 units), offered in odd years
IMM 294 (2 units), offered in even years
RAL 209 (3 units), required course.
NUT 251 (2 units)
Seminars * (Minimum 1P, 1NP per year until QE)
IMM 291 (2 units), (P)
IMM 296 (1 unit), (NP)
IMM 298 (1 unit), (P); GGI "Breakfast Club" or Cancer Immunology Journal Club.
MMI 291 (1 unit), (NP)
Spring Quarter
Core Courses (Required)
None
Selectives + (Minimum of 3, i.e. 6 – 10 units)
IMM 203 (2 units), offered in even years
IMM 204 (2 units), offered in even years
IMM 297 (2 units), offered in odd years
Seminars * (Minimum 1P, 1NP per year until QE)
IMM 291 (2 units), (P)
IMM 296 (1 unit), (NP)
IMM 298 (1 unit), (P); GGI "Breakfast Club" or Cancer Immunology Journal Club.
MMI 291 (1 unit), (NP)
¶ Sign up for 12 units/quarter, including 299 research units (variable) and electives (4 – 8 units)
* P, participatory; NP, non-participatory seminars; Seminars are examples only, others can be taken to ful fill degree requirements.
PhD students are required to take 17 units of core courses. PhD dual-degree students are required to take 12 units of core courses (exclude IMM 202L).
PhD students MUST take a minimum of three "selective" courses, for a minimum of 6-10 units. Dual-Degree students are only required to take 2 "selective" courses for a minimum of 4-7 units. All PhD and dual degree students are required to take RAL 209.
EXAMPLE SCHEDULE ONLY:
Year 1: Fall Quarter
Courses
IMM 201: Introductory Immunology (core course), (4 units)
IMM 201L: Adv. Imm. Lab Rotations (1+2) (core course), ( 4 units)
IMM 296: Topics in Immunology (Non-participatory Seminar 1), ( 2 units)
IMM 291: Seminar in Immunology (Participatory Seminar 1), ( 1 unit)
IMM 298: Immunology "Breakfast Club" (Participatory Seminar 2), ( 1 unit), Required for PhD and dual-degree students in year 1.
IMM 298: Participatory Cancer Immunology Journal Club (1 units)
Other Events
Complete Aggie 201
GGI Orientation
GGI Fall Gathering
Meet your Academic Advisor
Identify laboratory rotations
Year 1: Winter Quarter
Courses
IMM 202L: Adv. Immunology Lab Rotations (3 +4) (core course) (5 units)
IMM 293: Current Concepts in Immunology (core course) (4 units)
MMI 200D: Mechanisms for Microbial Interactions with Host (elective 1) (3 units)
RAL 209: QE Prep (required selective) to be taken by dual-degree students in year 1. (3 units)
Other Events
Annual Research Retreat and Recruitment
Meet with your Advisor
Identify Major Professor
Year 1: Spring Quarter
Courses
IMM203: Cancer Immunology (Selective 1) (2 units)
IMM 204: Innate Immunology (Selective 2) (2 units)
IMM 299: Research Units (7 units)
IMM 298: Participatory "Breakfast Club" for QE prep (1 unit); required for dual degree students in year 1.
IMM 298: Participatory Cancer Immunology Journal Club (1 unit)
Other Events
Start work with identified Mentor
GGI Research In Progress Talks
GGI Spring Meeting (late-May)
Year 1: Summer
Courses
In general, students do not register for units during the summer. They focus on their dissertation or thesis research.
Note: Effective Summer 2026, there are NEW Summer Enrollment Guidelines for students filing over the summer:
Domestic students filing/graduating in the summer are NOT required to register for units over the summer if they were registered for Spring.
International students filing/graduating in the summer are REQUIRED to enroll in 1 unit in either summer session. International students planning to go on Filing Fee in Fall are strongly encouraged to register for 1 unit during either summer session.
ANY student not enrolled in Spring, but planning to file/graduate in summer are REQUIRED to enroll in 2 units each in Summer Session 1 and Summer Session 2.
Other Events
GGI Research In Progress Talks
Develop Study Plan
Meet with Advisor– Clear Study
Plan/Identify outside area
Year 2: Fall Quarter
Courses
PMI 203: Experimental Design and Analysis (elective 2), (2 units)
GGG 296: Scientific Professionalism and Integrity (elective 3), (2 units)
IMM 296: Topics in Immunology (Non-participatory Seminar 1), ( 2 units)
IMM 291: Seminar in Immunology (Participatory Seminar 1), ( 1 unit)
IMM 299: Research Units (variable up to 12 units)
Other Events
GGI Fall Gathering
Year 2: Winter Quarter
Courses
RAL 209: QE Prep (required selective 3) to be taken by PhD students in year 2. (3 units)
IMM 299: Research Units (9 units)
Other Events
Annual Research Retreat & Recruitment (prepare first poster)
GGI Research In Progress Talks
Meet with Advisor – Identify two potential QE members (GGI Chair and Non-GGI outside member)
Year 2: Spring Quarter
Courses
IMM 299: Research Units (variable up to 12 units)
IMM 298: Participatory "Breakfast Club" for QE prep (1 unit); required for PhD year 2 students.
Other Events
GGI Research In Progress Talks
GGI Spring Meeting (late-May)
Year 2: Summer
Courses
In general, students do not register for units during the summer. They focus on their dissertation or thesis research.
Prepare and take Qualifying Examination
Dissertation Research
Other Events
Qualifying Examination – Advance to Candidacy
Identify Dissertation Committee
Years 3 – 5
IMM 299: Research Units (variable up to 12 units)
Participatory/Non-Participatory Seminars
Journal Clubs
Other Events
GGI Research in Progress Talks
Experimental Work
Meet at least once per year with Dissertation Committee
Prepare poster for annual retreat