The mission of the UAB Undergraduate Immunology Program is to provide an immunology-focused, interdisciplinary education for UAB undergraduates who are interested in pursuing careers in health-related professions and research, as well as science-related careers in teaching, policy, and communication. The goal of the interdisciplinary curriculum is to give students an understanding of how the immune system works and how it can be harnessed to fight infectious diseases and cancer through the development of novel vaccines and treatments that are designed to detect and eliminate cancer, as well as understanding how the immune system causes diseases, including autoimmunity, heart disease, and chronic neurological disorders. The coursework, research, and mentorship opportunities have been carefully designed with the goal of empowering UAB students to be prepared to contribute to the development of therapeutic approaches to treat various diseases.

The Undergraduate Immunology Program and associated Training Faculty are committed to accomplishing these missions through the following complimentary approaches:

1. The Program will provide a comprehensive, interdisciplinary curriculum in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, and immunology to help prepare graduates for success in health professions or graduate biomedical programs.
2. The Program will provide undergraduates with opportunities to gain hands-on experience in research laboratories studying important questions in immunology using cutting-edge technology and state-of-the-art methodologies under the direction of faculty mentors.
3. The Program will mentor undergraduates to help them acquire important skills and knowledge, including effective written and oral communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, and an understanding of the scientific process, which involves an appreciation of experimental design, scientific methodologies, and analytical skills.
4. The Program will offer one-on-one academic and career counseling for undergraduates to help them make the right choices for their future career paths, including the identification of health professions and graduate biomedical programs that are best suited to their interests and how best to prepare to be highly competitive for such programs.