Minor
The immune system is an integrated network of cells and specialised organs that can respond to external and internal threats. It can be mobilized to protect humans from infections and cancer while simultaneously being the underlying mechanism of major acute and chronic pathologies.
The Immunology minor examines how it is that our immune system can be both the cause and the cure of disease in humans and animals. This is important, as an understanding of immunological and pathological mechanisms allows us to think about how our immune system can be manipulated to prevent and treat disease. This minor draws together studies in immunology, pathology, microbiology, biology, biochemistry, and physiology.
Studies in immunology are important because they are leading to advances in clinical medicine and clinical science, including helping develop new vaccines and immuno-therapies. In addition, immunological techniques are widely used in biology, endocrinology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, neurobiology and genetics.
About this minor
FIRST YEAR
To prepare for a minor in immunobiology, it is recommended that you take a combination of junior units in biology, chemistry and molecular biology and genetics. It is a good idea to plan ahead and have an idea of which senior units you need to complete, so that you can plan your junior and intermediate prerequisite units accordingly.
SECOND YEAR
It is highly recommended that you take intermediate molecular biology and genetics. Your other intermediate units will depend on which senior units you intend to take.
THIRD YEAR
To successfully complete your immunobiology minor you must take 12 credit points of senior study in immunology plus 12 credit points from elective senior units of study in biochemistry, biology, cell pathology, molecular biology and genetics, microbiology, or physiology or virology.
Graduate opportunities
Graduates with an immunobiology minor may proceed to honours and postgraduate study or they may find employment as immunologists in hospitals, in public and industry research laboratories specialising in immunology, cell biology and biotechnology, and in other biomedical sciences such as pathology, biochemistry, pharmacology, microbiology and molecular biology.
Courses that offer this minor
The course information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.
To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.
