Immunology education

The Department of Immunology is a leader in immunology education, offering one of the most comprehensive immunology programs in Australia. With a long history of teaching excellence, we provide students with a strong foundation in immunology, using active learning approaches with online lessons paired with face-to-face tutorials and hands-on laboratory classes, integrating basic science with emerging research discoveries.

We teach across multiple degrees, including Science and Biomedical Science, and deliver a highly regarded Honours program that connects students with cutting‑edge research and clinical environments. Our commitment to student success is reflected in outstanding feedback, strong enrolments, and the progression of many graduates into Honours, PhD training, and careers across research, healthcare, industry, and beyond.

Through expert teaching, mentorship, and access to both fundamental and clinically aligned research projects, we prepare the next generation of immunologists to contribute to scientific discovery and improve human health.

Why should I study Immunology? View

Meet the team View

Our programs

Undergraduate View

Immunology is the study of the immune system, which protects us from harmful pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. The immune system is crucial for our survival - it is the reason why we recover from a cold, but also why we suffer from allergies, have autoimmune diseases such as diabetes and why we reject tissue transplants. Antibody-based immunotherapies are also an exciting frontier in cancer treatment.

With a mix of theoretical and practical based units, we provide a comprehensive coverage of immunology; equipping students with knowledge as well as analytical and scientific skills for a career in the biomedical sciences or other directions students may wish to take. Choosing to study immunology provides a foundation to understanding many aspects of human disease and a field filled with new and exciting discoveries and applications.

IMM2011: Basic Immunology: The body's defence system
This is our foundation unit and introduces students to the immune system which has evolved to protect us from microbial pathogens. It involves both theory and practical based sessions on topics such as structure and development of the immune system, the generation of immune responses, major effector mechanisms involved in pathogen clearance, basic structure and function of viruses and bacteria and immunological techniques used in assaying immune responses to micro-organisms.
IMM2022: Immunology in health and disease
This unit provides students the opportunity to examine in more detail the role and diversity of immunological based issues. A selection of immune based disease and health states are examined in the contexts of exploring and understanding the role that the immune system has in each situation but also the impact and implications of these on a range of criteria such as social, economic and ethical to name a few. Students have the opportunity to develop key research, writing and oral skills through defined assignments that will broaden their view of immunology but also aid in their general studies.
IMM3031: Molecular and cellular immunology
This theory based unit examines in depth important features of development and function of the immune system in health and disease. Areas covered include development of the innate and adaptive immune system, antigen processing and presentation, maturation of the immune response, self tolerance and regulation. Students will learn the principles of advanced techniques in immunology including the relevance of genetic engineering and will acquire skills in reviewing the literature and assignment preparation.
IMM3051: Principles of applied immunology
This unit aims to develop students' practical skills and knowledge of laboratory immunology. The course is laboratory based with tutorials to ensure a thorough theoretical understanding of techniques. Students will learn about antibody production, purification and research immunology techniques. This unit gives students a firm understanding of techniques relevant to immunology and many other scientific disciplines.
IMM3042: Clinical immunopathology
This theory based unit examines regulation of the immune response and how this knowledge can be applied to improve disease treatment. Host-pathogen interactions are considered together with new strategies for vaccines. In addition, diseases of the immune system are examined including immunodeficiency, autoimmune and allergic diseases. As well students will study the role of the immune system in tissue transplantation and tumor eradication.
IMM3062: Clinical and research laboratory immunology
This unit examines advanced techniques used in clinical and research immunology laboratories. These include assays for lymphocyte proliferation, cytokines, cell-mediated cytotoxicity, detection of antigen/antibody reaction by immunoblotting an. The unit is laboratory based with tutorials to ensure a thorough theoretical understanding of techniques

Honours View

Why do Honours in the Department of Immunology?

Immunology is central to many aspects of health and disease. It is an exciting discipline in which to complete an honours year and Monash University has a number of world renowned immunology researchers. For students interested in a career in medical research a year in a functioning immunology laboratory will give students:

Access to the latest knowledge and technologies in this rapidly moving field, positioning them well for employment of further studies in this growing area
Exposure to a range of research areas that involve clinical or basic research. Areas of research include autoimmune diseases, allergy, cancer, viral immunity, atherosclerosis and many more

Each year the Department of Immunology presents the Nairn Award to the top Immunology Honours student in both the BSc and BMedSc courses. The award is in remembrance of the founding Professor of the department, Professor Richard C. Nairn.

Choosing a host laboratory for your honours year

It is important to feel enthusiastic about your honours project, so students should feel free to talk to laboratory heads and staff within the department to find the best fit. It is equally important to find a mentor with whom you 'click' so that there can be a productive exchange of ideas in your honours year. Choosing the right supervisor and the right project will set you off on the right foot to a very exciting foray into the research world.

i. Bachelor of Science Honours - BSc(Hons)

Eligibility into the honours degree is based on undergraduate academic achievement. See more about the BSc (Hons) degree entry requirements and application forms HERE.

Students should discuss undertaking an honours degree with the honours coordinator to clarify any issues. Application forms must be signed off by the honours coordinator and submitted to the Faculty of Science by the closing date.

ii. Bachelor of Biomedical Science Honours - BBiomedSc(Hons) also known as 'BMS'

Students who have completed a BMS undergraduate degree may be eligible to extend their studies and pursue an honours research year. See further information including course details, eligibility and application forms at sites.google.com/monash.edu/biomedical-science-honours/home.

Summer and Winter Scholarships

Vacation scholarships offer a perfect opportunity for students to sample the research environment within the department. The department may offer scholarships that run over a 4 week period with the timing negotiated between the student and the laboratory head. Students interested in a vacation scholarship should approach the laboratories of interest to find a placement. Students who wish to apply for a summer scholarship must check the scholarship listing.

Where to next?

A career in science?

Postgraduate View

Contact: Dr Mark Habgood
Email: Mark.Habgood@monash.edu

The Department of Immunology offers a range of opportunities for post graduate studies towards a Masters or PhD degree. Students are normally required to have received an honours degree at the H2A or H1 level (or its equivalent) to enrol in these degrees.

Master of Biomedical Science DegreeThe Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences offers a research based Master of Biomedical Science (MBiomedSc) program for students enthusiastic about undertaking postgraduate research in the biomedical sciences.

MBiomedSc (Part 1)
This is designed for students who do not have the equivalent of a class I or class IIA honours degree in a relevant discipline. The MBiomedSc (Part1) is undertaken as preparation for admission to the MBiomedSc (Part 2) program. It is structured and assessed by administering departments in the same manner as the BSc (Hons) program.

MBiomedSc (Part 2)
Students will be required to undertake a major research program over a maximum period of 24 months (48 months for part time students). Candidates will submit a research thesis which embodies the results of an investigation carried out under the supervision of an academic member of staff.

Find out more about MBiomedSc.

PhD (Doctor of Philosophy) Degree
The PhD degree is a research based program carried out under the supervision of an academic staff member and requires the submission of a thesis. A candidate may include published work that is directly relevant to the thesis and which has not been presented for any other degree. The maximum period of candidature is 4 years full time or 8 years part time. Students will normally hold a scholarship that provides support for a maximum of 3.5 years.

Further information on post graduate studies within the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences can be found HERE.

Further information regarding research programs and scholarships can be found HERE.

Enquiries

Honours: Lia Schneider | E: stm.honours@monash.edu | +61 3 9903 9440
Graduate Research: Ms Sharmila Ramesh | E: stm.gradresearch@monash.edu | P: +61 3 9903 0368

Apply

Visit the School of Translational Medicine Education webpage for further information on the Undergraduate, Honours, Masters, PhD, Professional Development and Medical Education programs, application dates, information evenings and more.

Publications and Achievements

Maria Demaria received the ASI Cheers-Buchan Education Award in 2025, for her outstanding efforts in teaching and promoting immunology literacy.
Demaria, M., Barry, A., & Murphy, K. (2019). Using inquiry-based learning to enhance immunology laboratory skills. Frontiers in Immunology, 10, Article 2510. https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2019.02510
Murphy, K. and Barry, A.M. (2017). Higher-level, enquiry-based learning in immunology practical classes. Oral Presentation, ASI.
Barry, A.M. and Murphy, K. (2016). Incorporating inquiry-based learning into practical development; an example. Poster Presentation, ASI.

Meet our students

Lachlan Bradbury

IBS & Immunity

BSc (Honours)

Bailey Caldwell

Decoding Lung Fibrosis

PhD

Department of Immunology

Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences