BA Biological Sciences – Immunology Specialization

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Chicago

Program Overview

The BA in Biological Sciences – Immunology Specialization at the University of Chicago combines broad biological-science training with focused study of immune responses, infectious disease, immunopathology, molecular immunology, and emerging immunotherapies. It suits students interested in biomedical research, health professions, or further study in immunology and related life-science fields, with the specialization built around advanced BIOS coursework and the option to complete an approved research project.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish the quantitative and biological foundations needed for advanced study through BIOS 20151 Introduction to Quantitative Modeling in Biology and BIOS 20153 Fundamentals of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. The quantitative course introduces tools including statistics, regression, hypothesis testing, Markov models, and differential equations, while the ecology and evolution course builds a broad biological perspective.

Year 2: Students progress through the Biological Sciences Fundamentals Sequence, developing knowledge across core areas such as cell biology, genetics, physiology, and developmental biology. Courses such as BIOS 20186 Fundamentals of Cell and Molecular Biology, BIOS 20187 Fundamentals of Genetics, and BIOS 20188 Fundamentals of Physiology provide the foundation required for the later Immunology specialization courses.

Year 3: Students begin concentrating on immunology through advanced courses such as BIOS 25256 Immunobiology, which examines innate and adaptive immunity, autoimmune disease, cancer, transplantation, and immunotherapeutics. Students can then take BIOS 25258 Immunopathology, which examines diseases including autoimmune disorders, inflammatory bowel disease, immunodeficiencies, infection immunity, gene therapy, transplantation, and tumor immunology.

Year 4: Students complete the specialization by taking a third required immunology course such as BIOS 25260 Host Pathogen Interactions, BIOS 25266 Molecular Immunology, BIOS 25268 Barrier Immunity, BIOS 25329 Tissue Immunity and Cancer, or BIOS 26403 Quantitative Immunobiology, followed by two approved electives or an approved research project. Elective possibilities include BIOS 26120 An Introduction to Bioinformatics and Proteomics, BIOS 26121 Introduction to Transcriptomics, BIOS 27724 Introduction to Imaging for Biological Research, and BIOS 27815 Infectious Diseases.

Focus areas: Immunobiology, immunopathology, molecular immunology, host-pathogen interactions, barrier immunity, tissue immunity and cancer, quantitative immunobiology, genetics/genomics, tumor immunology, human immunology, host-microbiome and pathogen interactions.

Learning outcomes: Scientific reasoning, experimental approaches to biological questions, understanding of immune mechanisms, analysis of disease and immune dysfunction, interpretation of primary research literature, quantitative biological analysis, and preparation for research and health-related postgraduate study.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The University of Chicago is institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), and the university states that its degrees and programs of study are covered by this accreditation; the official catalog does not identify a separate professional accreditation specifically for the Biological Sciences BA or Immunology Specialization.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Chicago is ranked #13 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and #15 globally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026; THE also places UChicago #20 globally for Life Sciences in 2026, providing broader institutional and subject-level context rather than a ranking specifically for the Immunology specialization.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the BA Biological Sciences – Immunology Specialization at the University of Chicago gain practical experience through a research-focused biology curriculum that combines laboratory science, advanced immunology, quantitative approaches, and independent research. The specialization allows students to study areas such as immunobiology, immunopathology, host–pathogen interactions, molecular immunology, tissue immunity, bioinformatics, transcriptomics, and biological data analysis, while UChicago provides access to major biomedical research facilities and laboratories:

Immunology Coursework: Students can take Immunobiology, Immunopathology, Host Pathogen Interactions, Molecular Immunology, Barrier Immunity, Tissue Immunity and Cancer, and Quantitative Immunobiology as part of the specialization.
Research Project: The Immunology specialization requires students to complete either two additional approved elective courses or an approved research project, giving students a direct route into biological research.
Laboratory Research: The Biological Sciences Collegiate Division actively helps motivated students find research activities in UChicago laboratories, with opportunities spanning biological and biomedical research.
Human Immunology Facilities: Students interested in immunology can work within UChicago’s research ecosystem, which includes the Human Disease and Immune Discovery and Human Immunological Monitoring core facilities.
Single-Cell Research: The Single Cell Immunophenotyping Core provides specialized research capabilities relevant to studying immune-cell populations and cellular immune responses.
Human Tissue Research: The Human Tissue Resource Center provides research resources for human tissue studies, supporting biomedical investigations connected to disease and immunity.
Imaging: The Integrated Light Microscopy facility and Integrated Small Animal Imaging Research Resource (iSAIRR) provide advanced imaging resources within the Biological Sciences Division’s shared research infrastructure.
Genomics & Sequencing: Students pursuing immunology through genetics and molecular approaches can benefit from facilities including the Genomics Facility, Sanger Sequencing, Proteomics, and Single Cell Immunophenotyping Core.
Bioinformatics & Data Analysis: The specialization includes courses such as An Introduction to Bioinformatics and Proteomics, Introduction to Transcriptomics, Fundamentals of Biological Data Analysis, and Quantitative Immunobiology, providing exposure to computational and quantitative approaches in modern immunology.
Disease Research: The Gwen Knapp Center for Lupus and Immunology Research conducts multidisciplinary research into autoimmunity and connects basic science with translational and clinical research.
Internships: UChicago explicitly provides Biological Sciences students with opportunities to undertake internships outside the University in research institutions, industry, and other workplaces that use biological-science skills.
Marine Biological Laboratory: Students can take biology courses and participate in research opportunities at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, including hands-on biology programs and undergraduate research opportunities.
Field-Based Experience: The MBL Semester in Environmental Science provides field-work opportunities and academic credit, giving students practical scientific experience beyond the Chicago campus.
Advanced Research: Qualified College students can access graduate-level Biological Sciences courses, allowing them to engage with more advanced scientific material during their undergraduate studies.
Research Thesis Pathway: Although a thesis is not required for the BA, students seeking deeper research preparation can pursue the Biological Sciences BS or research honors pathway, which includes scientific research and a thesis.

Progression & Future Opportunities

students a research-focused foundation in immunobiology, immunopathology, host–pathogen interactions, molecular immunology, and quantitative immunobiology. The program can lead toward careers in biological research, biotechnology, healthcare, and related fields, while also providing preparation for medical, graduate, and other advanced professional education. UChicago specifically notes that Biological Sciences graduates can pursue health professions and basic or applied research in academia or industry.

Typical career roles: Research Assistant, Biological Research Technician, Biotechnology Research Associate, Clinical Research Assistant

: UChicago provides several targeted pathways for students to develop professional experience and connect their biology training with research and life-science employers:

Career Services: Careers in Biological Sciences supports students pursuing research, education, policy, business, and other biology-related careers, while students interested in medicine, dentistry, or veterinary medicine can receive specialized guidance through the Careers in Healthcare team.
Employer Networking: The Life Science Employer Expo and STEM Career Fair provide opportunities to meet employers recruiting for internships and jobs across life sciences and STEM.
Biological Sciences Employers: UChicago's Biological Sciences career cohort identifies employers including AbbVie, Argonne National Laboratory, Biogen, Broad Institute, Genentech, Ginkgo Bioworks, GlaxoSmithKline, Illumina, Moderna, NIH, Pfizer, Tempus, and Tessera Therapeutics.
Research Fellowships: The BSCD Summer Fellowship provides eligible first-, second-, and third-year Biological Sciences undergraduates with a 10-week research experience in a University of Chicago campus laboratory; biological and ecological field research is also welcome.
Immunology Research: The specialization can be paired with research in areas such as host–pathogen interactions, tumor immunology, genetics/genomics, human immunology, and the host–microbiome interface, with students able to complete an approved research project as part of the specialization.
Research-to-Industry Links: UChicago has established biomedical partnerships with industry. A strategic agreement with Deerfield Management brings together Biological Sciences Division and UChicago Medicine research with healthcare product-development expertise to advance drug discovery and development.
Biopharmaceutical Collaboration: UChicago has also documented collaborations with AbbVie involving immunology and oncology research, including opportunities for researchers and clinicians to work with AbbVie research and development teams.
Clinical Research Network: UChicago Medicine's Office of Clinical Research reports relationships with industry sponsors that support clinical-trial opportunities, access to novel therapies, and collaboration during early product development.
Post-Graduation Outcomes: UChicago reports that 98% of the Class of 2026 were expected to receive post-college offers by graduation. This is a University-wide undergraduate figure, not a Biological Sciences or Immunology-specific employment rate.
Salary Information: UChicago Career Advancement lists a $42,320 median entry-level salary for Biologist among its science career pathways. This is a general career-pathway figure and not a salary specifically reported for UChicago Biological Sciences–Immunology graduates.
Accreditation Value: UChicago's official catalog identifies Biological Sciences as an approved B.A. and B.S. program within the Biological Sciences Collegiate Division. The university does not identify a separate professional accreditation for the Biological Sciences major or Immunology specialization.
Graduate and Professional Preparation: The Biological Sciences curriculum is explicitly designed to prepare students for health professions, basic or applied research in academia or industry, education, and health-related policy.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the BA, students can continue into medical, dental, veterinary, or graduate programs in areas such as immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, genetics, biomedical sciences, and related disciplines. UChicago also offers graduate-level Biological Sciences courses to qualified College students, while its broader biomedical ecosystem provides pathways toward advanced research and professional training.