About Us

Program of Study
The Immunology Program at Dartmouth Medical School (DMS) is an interdepartmental program that trains both postdoctoral fellows and predoctoral students in cellular and molecular immunology. Most graduate students pursuing the Ph.D. degree in immunology train in labs in the umbrella Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology (MCB) and receive their degree from the Microbiology and Immunology Department. Other immunology students matriculate through the Program in Experimental and Molecular Medicine (PEMM) Ph.D. program. Individuals interested in applying for admission to the Program in Immunology may choose to direct their application through the MCB or PEMM program. Qualified students are notified of acceptance through the admission committees from the respective graduate Ph.D. programs. Course requirements and curriculum for students vary somewhat depending on the graduate program into which they are enrolled. During the first year, students enrolled in the Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology take an intensive three-term core course in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology genetics, immunology, and molecular pathogenesis. Students also need to complete three additional advanced-level elective courses. After three rotations in student-chosen laboratories, a thesis laboratory is determined. The MCB graduate programs utilize laboratory rotations in the first year as a means to introduce students to different investigators and their model systems. By the end of the second year, it is generally expected that a student has taken the required advanced-level courses, completed their teaching experience, and passed the qualifying exam.

Financial Information
All MCB students receive a Dartmouth Fellowship that provides a full tuition scholarship, a prepaid health insurance plan, and a student stipend. More information.

Housing
Dartmouth assists graduate students in arranging for housing. More information.

Student Outcomes
Immunology Program graduate students receiving the Ph.D. degree from Dartmouth and postdoctoral fellows are prepared for postdoctoral or faculty positions in academia, including both primarily teaching or research-oriented colleges and universities; in research institutes; in biotech and other companies; or positions in business or law. The placement of both graduate students and postdoctoral fellows has been very successful and includes positions at the most prestigious institutes.

Location
Life in the Hanover-Lebanon area offers an attractive combination of cultural activities in a rural setting. Concerts and dramatic productions are held the year round, particularly at Dartmouth's Hopkins Center. Alpine and Nordic skiing, hiking, and lake and white-water canoeing opportunities are outstanding, as are those for running, biking, and other seasonal sports. In addition, the ocean beaches of New Hampshire and Maine are about 2 hours away, and Boston, Montreal, and New York City can be reached by car in 2, 3, and 5 hours, respectively.

The College and The Program
Dartmouth was founded in 1769 as a college committed to liberal learning. The Medical School was established in 1797. The smallest of the Ivy League institutions, Dartmouth has a long-standing tradition of close student-faculty ties, a tradition strongly endorsed by the Program in Immunology. The program is quite diversified, bringing expertise to bear on immunological questions from the areas of biochemistry, physiology, medicine, molecular biology, cell biology, and structural biology. The strength of the program lies in its commitment to the training of students by developing close personal interactions between students and faculty and staff members.

Applying
Application forms from the MCB Program can be obtained from the MCB Web site. Applications are reviewed beginning December 15. All applications and supporting documentation (GRE scores, transcripts, and letters of recommendation) should be received as soon as possible but not later than December 15. The Program in Immunology welcomes applications from students from minority groups who, at present, make up approximately 10 percent of the combined graduate and medical school student population. General information about admission and application forms and a list of faculty publications can be obtained from the address listed in this description.

Correspondence and Information
Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Borwell Building
Dartmouth Medical School
One Medical Center Drive
Lebanon, New Hampshire 03756
United States
Email: Immunology@Dartmouth.edu