The AAI Undergraduate Science Faculty
Program in Immunology

Program

Structure

Requirements 

Application

The field of immunology has been one of the most rapidly advancing in all of bioscience and its impact on science and medicine over the past few decades has been revolutionary.  Scholarly publications as well as the popular press feature the marvels of the immune system almost daily as we learn about medical advances such as organ transplantation and vaccines; controversies such as the use of stem cells; and devastating disease such as HIV and cancer.  Undergraduate faculty would welcome more formal exposure to the field to be able to impart its excitement fluently to their students.  To assist them, the AAI has developed a new program that will offer undergraduate faculty members the opportunity to attend an intensive introductory course in immunology and also take part in a hands-on laboratory experience.   

By helping faculty teach immunology to undergraduate students, develop curricula, and form research collaborations, we hope to enhance their ability to introduce undergraduate students to the excitement and experimental approaches that define the field of immunology and, at the same time, promote research opportunities available to scientists at undergraduate teaching institutions.

Six undergraduate faculty members whose institutions do not have an immunology curriculum will be selected and can elect to participate in Part A or Parts A & B:   

A.    An opportunity to attend the AAI Introductory Course in Immunology June 26-July 1 (http://www.aai.org/intro_course/2010/program.html).  This is an intensive, week-long course taught by renowned immunologists at the University of Pennsylvania.  The course covers the basic elements of immunology.  Faculty participants will be matched with an AAI member with experience in teaching immunology to assist with the development of a curriculum.

and/or  

B.   An opportunity to conduct research under the guidance of an AAI member with a successful research program.  The laboratory will be located near the applicant to reduce the need for extensive travel.  Faculty will spend 6-8 weeks on a project where they will be exposed to current immunological questions and experimental techniques.

(NOTE: Undergraduate faculty participants may elect to take only the Introductory Course.  Those participating in the laboratory experience, however, are required to also take the Introductory Course.  It is recommended that participants take the course prior to their lab experience). 

Participating faculty will be required to:  

1) Develop a lecture course or unit for undergraduates on the fundamentals and experimental approaches of immunology. 

2) Develop an assessment tool such as a “before & after” quiz to gauge the value of the unit.  

3) Attend the AAI annual meeting to discuss their teaching and research experiences with colleagues, and present their course design in an abstract presentation workshop.  

Syllabi from these curricular units will be archived on the AAI website for use by other faculty and institutions.