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To attract highly qualified and talented students to UAB who are interested in studying the immune system and its role in host defense against microbial pathogens or cancer, as well as its role in causing chronic diseases such as autoimmunity and allergy/asthma.
The curriculum of the Undergraduate Immunology Program is designed to teach you the fundamental concepts that pertain to the normal and pathophysiological function of the immune system. You will gain a solid understanding of how the immune system protects us from microbial pathogens and how it can be harnessed to fight cancer. You will also learn about the role of the immune system in causing diseases — including autoimmunity, allergy/asthma, and chronic inflammation leading to heart disease and neurological disorders. The curriculum focuses on how the immune system interfaces with the human body and thus will prepare you for careers in health-related professions and biomedical research.
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To provide a well-rounded curriculum in the sciences — including biology, chemistry, physics, and mathematics.
The advanced immunology curriculum is coupled with a strong, broad-based curriculum in the fundamental areas of science to prepare you to be competitive for admission to health-professional and graduate biomedical programs across the country.
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To create a dynamic, cutting-edge undergraduate major that will help students develop skills and knowledge related to the scientific process.
The program is designed to teach you about the skills and knowledge that are critical to your future success. The program emphasizes critical thinking skills and problem-solving. You will learn about the scientific process, including experimental design, state-of-art scientific methodology, data acquisition, and data analysis. You will develop excellent oral and written communication skills, which will be fostered through presentations of your research at local and national meetings.
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To provide an opportunity for students to participate in cutting-edge laboratory research and to learn from one-on-one interactions with research mentors.
The program requires you to actively participate in research in one of the 100+ immunology laboratories across campus. If you are interested in an honors track, completion of a research thesis as part of the overall educational experience will be an option. Exposure to research helps foster the development of a fundamental appreciation of the scientific method as it pertains to basic, translational, or clinical research. It allows you the opportunity to acquire both theoretical knowledge and technical skills used in immunology and infectious diseases research as it relates to host defense, global health, and disorders of the immune system.
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To provide our students an opportunity to either work in community settings throughout Alabama or to travel abroad to UAB-affiliated research centers.
One of the goals of the program is to provide opportunities for you to gain a fundamental understanding of important issues in the community and global health and the unique challenges associated with performing research and providing health care in underserved areas within Alabama or in other countries.
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To provide opportunities for students to become active participants in the infectious diseases and immunology communities at UAB.
Participation of undergraduate students in the larger immunology community at UAB is essential to establish UAB as a preeminent institution for training in infectious diseases and immunology — fundamental areas of biomedical science that touch upon a wide range of normal and pathophysiological processes affecting human health. By becoming active members of the community, our students will gain valuable knowledge and skills that will foster their ability to successfully pursue career goals in the health-related professions and biomedical research upon graduation.