Master of Science (M.Sc.) Microbiology and Immunology (Thesis) (45 Credits)
Program Requirement:
Thesis Courses (33 credits)
-
MIMM 697
Master's Research 1
11 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Independent work under the direction of a supervisor on a research problem in the student's designated area of research.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: M.Sc. students
- Terms
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year
-
MIMM 698
Master's Research 2
11 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Independent work under the direction of a supervisor on a research problem in the student's designated area of research.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: M.Sc. students
- Terms
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year
-
MIMM 699
Master's Research 3
11 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Independent work under the direction of a supervisor on a research problem in the student's designated area of research.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: M.Sc. students
- Terms
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year
Required Courses (6 credits)
-
MIMM 611
Graduate Seminars 1
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Presentation of a research proposal seminar, which is not held publically but presented and evaluated in the context of the first Advisory Committee meeting. Presentation of the relevant background of the research project, the hypothesis to be tested, the objectives of the research project and summary of the experimental approach that will be used.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Terms
- Instructors
- Sylvie Fournier
- Sylvie Fournier
-
MIMM 612
Graduate Seminars 2
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Presentation of a scientific seminar, which includes a summary of the relevant background of the research project, the hypothesis being tested, the student’s experimental work to date and the future objectives.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: M.Sc. students - presentation of two seminar topics throughout the course of their degree program
- Terms
- Instructors
- Sylvie Fournier, Jacques Archambault
- Sylvie Fournier, Jacques Archambault
Complementary Courses (6 credits)
Minimum 6 credits from:
-
MIMM 607
Biochemical Pathology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Immunopathogenesis of Human Disease: Lectures and seminars on immune-regulatory mechanisms (cellular/molecular), maintaining the balance between protection and pathology; pathogenesis of major infectious diseases with bacterial, viral and parasitic involvement (e.g. tuberculosis, AIDS, malaria) and classical immune disorders (e.g. asthma).
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking PATH 607.
-
MIMM 616
Reading and Conference 1
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Student presentations, taken from current literature, are concerned with aspects of a central topic. Presentations are designed to be informal and to generate student discussions. Topic will change from term to term.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: M.Sc. students - two of these courses required throughout the course of their degree program
-
MIMM 617
Reading and Conference 2
3 Credits*
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Student presentations, taken from current literature, are concerned with aspects of a central topic. Presentations are designed to be informal and to generate student discussions. Topic will change from term to term.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: M.Sc. students - two of these courses required throughout the course of their degree program
-
MIMM 618
Reading and Conference 3
3 Credits*
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Student presentations, taken from current literature, are concerned with aspects of a central topic. Presentations are designed to be informal and to generate student discussions. Topic will change from term to term.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: M.Sc. students - two of these courses required throughout the course of their degree program
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year
-
MIMM 619
Reading and Conference 4
3 Credits*
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Student presentations, taken from current literature, are concerned with aspects of a central topic. Presentations are designed to be informal and to generate student discussions. Topic will change from term to term.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: M.Sc. students - two of these courses required throughout the course of their degree program
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year
-
NEUR 502
Bas&Clin Aspects of Neuroimmu
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Neurology and Neurosurgery: The role of inflammation in physiological function of the nervous system, as well as in a broad range of neurological diseases where inflammation can act as a
contributing factor to the development of pathology or promote recovery, including fundamentals of neuroimmunology to molecular/cellular aspects of
neuroinflammation underlying the pathology seen in clinical conditions.
Offered by: Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Terms
- Instructors
- Ji Zhang, Naguib Mechawar, Jack P Antel, Edith Hamel, Samantha Gruenheid, Nicolas Cermakian, Peter M Siegel, Roberta La Piana, Irah King, Guillaume Sébire
Any life sciences-related 500-level or above course (3 credits). Department approval required.
* Not offered in every academic year.
The goal of the MSc program is to prepare students for scientific careers in many areas of microbiology and immunology. Research training focuses on the major topics of research in the department: molecular biology, microbiology and microbial physiology, virology, genetics, immunology, drug design and parasitology. These research programs provide students with training in the latest experimental approaches in molecular and cellular biology applied to important problems in microbiology and immunology.
For detailed description of courses, additional program requirements and thesis preparation and submission, consult the MSc Handbook.
MSc Forms & Guidelines
MIMM MSc Advisory Committee Nomination Form
msc_advisory_committee_report.pdf
MIMM 611 Seminar Evaluation Form (Non-public)
MIMM 612 Seminar Evaluation Form
Current Topics Seminar Attendance Form
MSc Thesis Info Session
MIMM Letter of Understanding
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Microbiology and Immunology
Offered by:Microbiology & Immunology
Degree:Doctor of Philosophy
Program Requirement:
The primary goal of the Ph.D. program is to create a self-propelled researcher, proficient in experimental designs and advanced methodologies applicable to the varied and rapidly changing disciplines in microbiology and immunology. Close research supervision and bi-weekly laboratory sessions impart the requisite research discipline and objective assessment of acquired or published research data.
Thesis
A thesis for the doctoral degree must constitute original scholarship and must be a distinct contribution to knowledge. It must show familiarity with previous work in the field and must demonstrate ability to plan and carry out research, organize results, and defend the approach and conclusions in a scholarly manner. The research presented must meet current standards of the discipline; as well, the thesis must clearly demonstrate how the research advances knowledge in the field. Finally, the thesis must be written in compliance with norms for academic and scholarly expression and for publication in the public domain.
Required Courses (9 credits)
-
MIMM 611
Graduate Seminars 1
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Presentation of a research proposal seminar, which is not held publically but presented and evaluated in the context of the first Advisory Committee meeting. Presentation of the relevant background of the research project, the hypothesis to be tested, the objectives of the research project and summary of the experimental approach that will be used.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Terms
- Instructors
- Sylvie Fournier
- Sylvie Fournier
-
MIMM 612
Graduate Seminars 2
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Presentation of a scientific seminar, which includes a summary of the relevant background of the research project, the hypothesis being tested, the student’s experimental work to date and the future objectives.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: M.Sc. students - presentation of two seminar topics throughout the course of their degree program
- Terms
- Instructors
- Sylvie Fournier, Jacques Archambault
- Sylvie Fournier, Jacques Archambault
-
MIMM 701
Comp Exam-Ph.D. Candidate
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): An examination that must be passed by all doctoral candidates in order to continue in the doctoral program. The comprehensive examination includes submission of a written research proposal, an oral presentation of the research accomplishments to date and an oral testing on the understanding of the research area and of relevant areas related to the research project. Students are expected to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of their research area and a good understanding of relevant areas related to their project.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Terms
- Instructors
- Benoit Cousineau, Sylvie Fournier
- Benoit Cousineau, Sylvie Fournier
-
MIMM 713
Graduate Seminars 3
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Presentation of a maximum of three seminars topics throughout the course of their degree program.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: Ph.D. students
- Terms
- Instructors
- Jacques Archambault
- Jacques Archambault
Complementary Courses (9 credits)
9 credits from the following:
-
MIMM 616
Reading and Conference 1
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Student presentations, taken from current literature, are concerned with aspects of a central topic. Presentations are designed to be informal and to generate student discussions. Topic will change from term to term.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: M.Sc. students - two of these courses required throughout the course of their degree program
-
MIMM 617
Reading and Conference 2
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Student presentations, taken from current literature, are concerned with aspects of a central topic. Presentations are designed to be informal and to generate student discussions. Topic will change from term to term.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: M.Sc. students - two of these courses required throughout the course of their degree program
-
MIMM 618
Reading and Conference 3
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Student presentations, taken from current literature, are concerned with aspects of a central topic. Presentations are designed to be informal and to generate student discussions. Topic will change from term to term.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: M.Sc. students - two of these courses required throughout the course of their degree program
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year
-
MIMM 619
Reading and Conference 4
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Student presentations, taken from current literature, are concerned with aspects of a central topic. Presentations are designed to be informal and to generate student discussions. Topic will change from term to term.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: M.Sc. students - two of these courses required throughout the course of their degree program
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2020-2021 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020-2021 academic year
OR
Any life sciences-related courses at the 500 level or higher. Departmental approval is required.
The PhD degree is now required for many scientific positions that lead to higher levels of responsibility. Our program aims to produce scientists capable of solving basic biological and health-related problems who will be competitive for leadership positions in universities, government laboratories and the private sector.
For detailed description of courses, additional program requirements and thesis preparation and submission, consult:
- The PhD Handbook is for students entering the PhD program with a MSc degree.
- The PhD Handbook - Switch is for students who internally transfer from the MIMM MSc program to the PhD program.
PhD Forms and Guidelines
Transfer Seminar Committee Evaluation Form
PhD Advisory Committee Nomination Form
phd_advisory_committee_report.pdf
PhD Seminar Course Evaluation (non-public seminars - MIMM 611 & MIMM 612-002)
MIMM 713 Seminar Evaluation Form
Comprehensive Exam Guidelines for students entering the program with a M.Sc. degree
Comprehensive Exam Guidelines for students internally transferring from M.Sc. to Ph.D.
Comprehensive Exam Committee Nomination Form
Letter Template to Contact an Oral Defence Committee Member
PhD Advisory Committee Guidelines for Members
PhD Thesis Info Session
MIMM Letter of Understanding
Current Topics Seminar Attendance Form
Reading & Conference Courses
The Reading and Conference courses can be any life science related course at the 500 level or higher held at McGill University. The Department of Microbiology and Immunology offers three Reading and Conference courses:
-
MIMM 616
Reading and Conference 1
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Student presentations, taken from current literature, are concerned with aspects of a central topic. Presentations are designed to be informal and to generate student discussions. Topic will change from term to term.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: M.Sc. students - two of these courses required throughout the course of their degree program
-
MIMM 607
Biochemical Pathology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Immunopathogenesis of Human Disease: Lectures and seminars on immune-regulatory mechanisms (cellular/molecular), maintaining the balance between protection and pathology; pathogenesis of major infectious diseases with bacterial, viral and parasitic involvement (e.g. tuberculosis, AIDS, malaria) and classical immune disorders (e.g. asthma).
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking PATH 607.
-
MIMM 617
Reading and Conference 2
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Microbiology and Immun (Sci): Student presentations, taken from current literature, are concerned with aspects of a central topic. Presentations are designed to be informal and to generate student discussions. Topic will change from term to term.
Offered by: Microbiology & Immunology
- Restriction: M.Sc. students - two of these courses required throughout the course of their degree program
It is recommended that all Graduate Students take a Statistics course as part of their Reading and Conference requirements. These are some of the courses frequently taken by MIMM graduate students:
-
BINF 531
Statistical Bioinformatics
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Bioinformatics: Underlying concepts and techniques for the analyses of large-scale data sets, generated from "omics" platforms (e.g., metagenomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, etc.), as well as different approaches for working with high-dimensional data. Students will gain experience in such software packages as R and Bioconductor for statistical analysis and data visualization.
Offered by: Animal Science
-
BIOL 598
Advanced Design and Statistics
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Biology (Sci): This course will address issues related to experimental design and multivariate statistical analysis. The first third of the course will focus on experimental design, and the remainder of the course will focus on multivariate approaches to data analysis. The course is designed to inform students on best practices to analytically address their experimental questions.
Offered by: Biology
- Prerequisite(s): BIOL 373 and permission of Instructor.
- Restriction(s): Not open to students who have taken or are taking BIOL 596 and/or BIOL 597.
- This course is equivalent to taking BIOL 596 and BIOL 597.
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2020 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020 academic year
-
EPIB 507
Biostats for Health Sciences
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Epidemiology & Biostatistics: Basic principles of statistical inference applicable to clinical, epidemiologic, and other health research. Topics include: methods of describing data, statistical inference for means, statistical inference for proportions, non-parametric statistics, correlation and introduction to linear regression.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
- Restriction: Restricted to students registered in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, Human Nutrition, Medical Residents, and Clinical Fellows.
- Course not opened to students registered in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics programs.
- Due to the intensive nature of this course during the summer session, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the third lecture day and withdrawal is the sixth lecture day. The standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines apply for sections of this course offered during the Fall or Winter semesters.
- Due to the intensive nature of this course, the standard add/drop and withdrawal deadlines do not apply. Add/drop is the third lecture day and withdrawal is the sixth lecture day.
-
EXMD 634
Quantitative Research Methods
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Experimental Medicine: Topics covered include: 1) An overview of common research designs based on examples from research currently undertaken in the Division of Experimental Medicine; 2) Types of data arising from these designs; 3) Basic methods for data analysis; and 4) Application of these methods to student research projects.
Offered by: Medicine
- Restriction: Must be registered for graduate or postdoctoral studies in the Faculty of Medicine or the Faculty of Science.
These are some Reading & Conference courses already approved and frequently taken by MIMM graduate students:
-
BIOC 600
Adv Strat in Genetics&Genomics
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Biochemistry: Advanced technologies and methods in genomics research, presented by experts actively pursuing the experimental approaches discussed.
Offered by: Biochemistry
- Enrolment limited to 15 graduate students.
- Prerequisite: BIOC 454 or equivalent
- Restriction: Must take part in the Biochemistry graduate program
- Terms
- Instructors
- Thomas Duchaine, Alexandre Montpetit, Kurt Dejgaard, Josee Dostie, Vincent Giguere, Hamed Shateri Najafabadi, Yojiro Yamanaka, Sidong Huang, Ian R Watson, Lawrence Kazak
-
BTEC 555
Structural Bioinformatics
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Biotechnology: Fundamentals of protein structure and the application of tools for structure determination, how protein structure allows us to understand the complex biological functions, and how knowledge of protein structure can contribute to drug discovery.
Offered by: Parasitology
- Winter
- 1-hr lecture, followed by 2 hrs of computer lab.
- Prerequisite: Molecular biology or biochemistry, and basic bioinformatics, or permission of instructor.
-
EPIB 615
Course not available
-
EXMD 509
Gastro Phys & Pathophysiology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Experimental Medicine: Course deals with various aspects of gastrointestinal and hepatic function in health and altered physiological states. The principal focus is on the recent literature pertaining to cell and molecular mechanisms underlying the motility secretory process, absorption and secretion. The molecular biology of the hepatic viruses and various aspects of colonic neoplasia will also be considered.
Offered by: Medicine
- Fall and Winter
- Prerequisite: Graduate students, U3 undergraduates
- Terms
- Instructors
- Gary Edward Wild
- Gary Edward Wild
-
EXMD 609
Cellular Meths in Med Research
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Experimental Medicine: Different cellular methods used in biomedical research, including spectroscopic, microscopic and immunological techniques as well as statistics. Lectures, some demonstrations by faculty as well as short seminars given by the students.
Offered by: Medicine
- Terms
- Instructors
- Simon Rousseau, Maziar Divangahi, Christine T McCusker, Benjamin M Smith, John Presley, Andrew Bateman, Stephane A Laporte, Carolyn J Baglole, Jörg H Fritz, Gregory J Fonseca
-
EXMD 610
Molecular Meths in Medical Res
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Experimental Medicine: Different molecular methods used in biomedical research, including chromatography, purification and analysis of proteins and nucleic acids, various techniques in molecular biology, transgenic technology, and stem cells. Lectures, some demonstrations, and short seminars given by the students.
Offered by: Medicine
- Terms
- Instructors
- Simon Rousseau, Gregory J Fonseca
-
EXMD 615
Essentials of Glycobiology
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Experimental Medicine: Examination of the structure, function, and biosynthesis of glycoproteins, glycolipids and glycosaminoglycans, and the biological role of complex carbohydrates. Lectins, methods for elucidating carbohydrate structure, glycomics, and human diseases due to disorders of glycan synthesis.
Offered by: Medicine
-
EXMD 632
Rec Adv in Virol&Antivir Ther
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Experimental Medicine: This course will explore the latest developments in virology, identify emerging viral pathogens and provide up-to-date concepts for anti-viral therapies.
Offered by: Medicine
- Recommended for all graduate students in molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, bacteriology, immunology, virology and clinical research.
- Terms
- Instructors
- Andrew J Mouland, Selena Sagan, Gerasimos J Zaharatos, Rongtuan Lin, Anne Gatignol, Chen Liang, John Presley, Bluma Brenner
-
EXMD 642
Experimental Med Topic 3
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Experimental Medicine: Study, through guided reading, visits, practicals, assignements, of an elected and approved topic of importance in medical science.
Offered by: Medicine
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2020 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020 academic year
-
NEUR 502
Bas&Clin Aspects of Neuroimmu
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Neurology and Neurosurgery: The role of inflammation in physiological function of the nervous system, as well as in a broad range of neurological diseases where inflammation can act as a
contributing factor to the development of pathology or promote recovery, including fundamentals of neuroimmunology to molecular/cellular aspects of
neuroinflammation underlying the pathology seen in clinical conditions.
Offered by: Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Terms
- Instructors
- Ji Zhang, Naguib Mechawar, Jack P Antel, Edith Hamel, Samantha Gruenheid, Nicolas Cermakian, Peter M Siegel, Roberta La Piana, Irah King, Guillaume Sébire
-
NEUR 550
Free Radical Biomedicine
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Neurology and Neurosurgery: An interdisciplinary course on the biochemistry and cellular/molecular biology of free radicals, transition metals, oxidative stress and antioxidants and their roles in health and disease.
Offered by: Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Terms
- This course is not scheduled for the 2020 academic year
- Instructors
- There are no professors associated with this course for the 2020 academic year
-
NEUR 602
Current Topics inNeuroscience
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Neurology and Neurosurgery: Current topics in Neuroscience.
Offered by: Neurology and Neurosurgery
- Fall
- Prerequisite: Permission of unit instructor
- Terms
- Instructors
- Sylvia Villeneuve, Megha M Chakravarty, Tie Yuan Zhang, Yong Rao, Keith Murai, David Stellwagen, Kai-Florian Storch, Nicolas Cermakian, Yasser Iturria Medina, Xiaoqian Chai, Boris Bernhardt, Maiya R Geddes, Mark Brandon, Sylvain Williams, Adrien F Peyrache
-
PPHS 511
Fundamentals of Global Health
3 Credits
Offered in the:
- Fall
- Winter
- Summer
Population&Pub Health Sciences: This exciting and interactive course aims to give students the opportunity to broaden their understanding and knowledge of global health issues, including global burden of diseases, determinants of health, transition in health and drivers of such transition, challenges in healthcare delivery in resource-limited settings, and the variety of agencies and actors engaged in addressing global health challenges. The course consists of lectures, case studies, debates, discussions and small group work.
Offered by: Epidemiology and Biostatistics
Graduate Student Seminars
Seminars are held on Thursdays at 9:30 AM via Zoom during the current circumstances. Check regularly as changes to the schedule are made frequently. Attendance to the public Graduate Student Seminars is mandatory during each term of residence. Student Seminars guidelines are described in detail in the Handbooks.
Graduate Student Seminar Calendar Fall 2020
Infection and Immunity Seminar Series (IISS)
Infection and Immunity Seminar Series are offered as the Current Topics Seminars courses. The Department invites guest speakers to talk about their current research. The seminars are a compulsory part of our graduate program but are open to all interested participants.
Seminar Time: Thursdays, 11:00am-12:00pm (unless otherwise indicated)
Location: Duff Amphitheater, 3775 University Street, Montreal, Quebec H3A 2B4
2019-2020 ISSS Schedule
msc_advisory_committee_report.pdf
The PhD degree is now required for many scientific positions that lead to higher levels of responsibility. Our program aims to produce scientists capable of solving basic biological and health-related problems who will be competitive for leadership positions in universities, government laboratories and the private sector.