Immunology

Immunology is a branch of biology that covers the study of immune systems in all organisms. Immunology charts, measures, and contextualizes the: physiological functioning of the immune system in states of both health and diseases; malfunctions of the immune system in immunological disorders (such as autoimmune diseases, hypersensitivities immune deficiency, and transplant rejection); the physical, chemical and physiological characteristics of the components of the immune system in vitro, in situ, and in vivo. Immunology has applications in numerous disciplines of medicine, particularly in the fields of organ transplantation, oncology, rheumatology, virology, bacteriology, parasitology, psychiatry, and dermatology.

The term was coined by Russian biologist Ilya Ilyich Mechnikov who advanced studies on immunology and received the Nobel Prize for his work in 1908. He pinned small thorns into starfish larvae and noticed unusual cells surrounding the thorns. This was the active response of the body trying to maintain its integrity. It was Mechnikov who first observed the phenomenon of phagocytosis, in which the body defends itself against a foreign body.

Prior to the designation of immunity, from the etymological root immunis, which is Latin for "exempt"; early physicians characterized organs that would later be proven as essential components of the immune system. The important lymphoid organs of the immune system are the thymus and bone marrow, and chief lymphatic tissues such as spleen, tonsils, lymph vessels, lymph nodes, adenoids, and liver. When health conditions worsen to emergency status, portions of immune system organs including the thymus, spleen, bone marrow, lymph nodes and other lymphatic tissues can be surgically excised for examination while patients are still alive.

Many components of the immune system are typically cellular in nature and not associated with any specific organ; but rather are embedded or circulating in various tissues located throughout the body.

* Description and images provided by Wikipedia under CC-BY-SA 3.0 license .

Matching Immunology Colleges

Yale University

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $59,950 average out-state tuition; $59,950 average in-state tuition

Tulane University of Louisiana

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $56,684 average out-state tuition; $56,684 average in-state tuition

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Four or more years; Public; $20,400 average out-state tuition; $8,568 average in-state tuition

Loyola University Chicago

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $46,410 average out-state tuition; $46,410 average in-state tuition

University of Cincinnati-Main Campus

Four or more years; Public; $25,433 average out-state tuition; $10,099 average in-state tuition

University of Toledo

Four or more years; Public; $18,388 average out-state tuition; $9,028 average in-state tuition

Rush University

Four or more years; Private not for profit; $29,828 average out-state tuition; $29,828 average in-state tuition

Scholarships for Immunology Majors

Bullet name award deadline Link
 

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Up to $30,000 Varies See Details
 

Edith Nourse Rogers STEM Scholarship

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

award

Up to $30,000

deadline

Varies
See Details
 

Jewel Scholars Program - Mount Mary College

Mount Mary College

$27,000 Varies See Details
 

Jewel Scholars Program - Mount Mary College

Mount Mary College

award

$27,000

deadline

Varies
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SMART Scholarship

United States Department of Defense (DoD)

Up to $38,000 December 01, 2023 See Details
 

SMART Scholarship

United States Department of Defense (DoD)

award

Up to $38,000

deadline

December 01, 2023
See Details
 

Lumpkins Family Merit Scholarship in the College of Science

University of Notre Dame

$25,000 January 01, 2024 See Details
 

Lumpkins Family Merit Scholarship in the College of Science

University of Notre Dame

award

$25,000

deadline

January 01, 2024
See Details
 

Quantitative Biology Research Community (QBReC) Fellowship

Brandeis University

Up to $20,500 January 01, 2024 See Details
 

Quantitative Biology Research Community (QBReC) Fellowship

Brandeis University

award

Up to $20,500

deadline

January 01, 2024
See Details
 

Bess Heflin Fellowship

University of Texas at Austin, Office of Graduate Studies

$19,000 Varies See Details
 

Bess Heflin Fellowship

University of Texas at Austin, Office of Graduate Studies

award

$19,000

deadline

Varies
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National Space Club Keynote Scholarship

National Space Club

$15,000 December 04, 2023 See Details
 

National Space Club Keynote Scholarship

National Space Club

award

$15,000

deadline

December 04, 2023
See Details
 

Multi-Country Research Fellowship Program

Council of American Overseas Research Centers

$12,600 December 06, 2023 See Details
 

Multi-Country Research Fellowship Program

Council of American Overseas Research Centers

award

$12,600

deadline

December 06, 2023
See Details
 

Alice P. Gast STEM Scholarship

Lehigh University

$12,500 January 15, 2024 See Details
 

Alice P. Gast STEM Scholarship

Lehigh University

award

$12,500

deadline

January 15, 2024
See Details
 

SOLV Energy Women in Solar Scholarship

Solar Energy International (SEI)

$10,000 Varies See Details
 

SOLV Energy Women in Solar Scholarship

Solar Energy International (SEI)

award

$10,000

deadline

Varies
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