Major
About this major
The immune system is an integrated network of cells and specialised organs that can respond to external and internal pathogens that threaten normal physiological status. It can be mobilised in a highly regulated manner to protect humans from infections and cancer while simultaneously being the underlying mechanism of major acute and chronic pathologies.
The Immunology and Pathology major 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 major draws together studies in immunology, pathology, anatomy, histopathology (advanced imaging technologies), microbiology, biology, biochemistry, and physiology.
Studies in immunology and pathology are important because they are leading to advances in clinical medicine and clinical science, and the development of new treatments for disease including drugs, vaccines and immuno-therapies. In addition, immunopathological techniques are widely used in biology, histopathology, endocrinology, microbiology, cell and molecular biology, neurobiology and genetics.
Graduate opportunities
Graduates with a major in this area may proceed to honours and postgraduate study or they may find employment as immunologists or pathologists 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 major
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.
