IMM450Y1 - Research Project in Immunology

Course Description:

An opportunity for specialized research in Immunology under the supervision of a member of the Faculty. There are no pre- or co-requisites, although preference is given to Immunology Specialist and Major students. Not eligible for CR/NCR option.

IMM450Y is a full credit course in which the student takes part in an original research project in the laboratory of a faculty member associated with the Immunology Specialist program. The program is designed to provide an opportunity for the student: (1) to discover if they have an interest in and a capability for a career in research; (2) to discover in detail, through active participation, the research projects being undertaken in a specific laboratory. Moreover, it allows for faculty appraisal of the potential of the student for graduate research education.

The student is expected to devote a minimum of seven hours per week (normally one full day or two half days) to the course from the week the fall term lectures begin to the last week of the spring term in which lectures are given. This time is to be spent in the laboratory carrying out experiments. Data evaluation, literature reading, report and oral presentation preparation are to be done outside of the laboratory time. The time available should be sufficient for the student to complete a project and to become familiar with a number of techniques used in cellular or molecular biology.

Course Requirement

There are no pre- or co-requisites, although preference is given to Immunology Specialist and Major students.

Application

Students who have already secured a research Supervisor (such as those staying on from the IMM summer program or IMM385) should indicate this on their ballot, and will be automatically accepted upon confirmation by the Supervisor.

Students who find a supervisor in another department other than Immunology, are eligible, as long as project has an immunology focus. Please contact the Course Coordinator (tania.watts@utoronto.ca) with the name of Supervisor who has agreed to supervise you and a brief description of the project for approval.

The vast majority of students secure their own supervisors, and we strongly encourage you to do so as will be automatically accepted into the course upon confirmation by the Supervisor.

However, you may still apply without a supervisor. For those who apply without supervisor, you will receive a list of faculty members who are actively seeking students if there are any available spots. Please note that priority is given to Specialists as this course is a requirement for their program completion.

The application ballot will open soon.

Please see the schedule below for when students can submit their applications:

• January: Specialists
• February: Majors
• March: Other applicants

Deadline for ballot without a Supervisor: 11:59PM on July 15 2026

Deadline for ballot with a Supervisor already identified: 11:59PM on August 26 2026

Only students with a confirmed supervisor will be enrolled in this course (enrollment is done by the department).  

Report and Oral Presentation

Each student will be required to submit a final report to the course coordinator containing the purpose, rationale, results, discussion and conclusions of the project. In addition, an oral presentation of about 10 minutes will be given by the student to other students in the course and their supervisors.

Evaluation

The grade awarded will be based on the talk 10%; report 20%; evaluation by supervisor 70%.

Course Coordinator:

Dr. Tania Watts

Syllabus:

2025-26