This program's mission is to provide students with:

  • Advanced knowledge in current concepts in molecular, cellular, and genetic processes that contribute to the development and treatment of cancer
  • Specialized training in experimental methodology used to study cancer in a laboratory setting
  • Required shadowing of clinical oncologists to help identify clinically-relevant research questions leading to projects with a potential impact on cancer patients

Learn about our program's curriculum

Curriculum Overview

The Graduate College requires the satisfactory completion of 72 semester hours in order to obtain a Ph.D.

Required Courses

For the first year, students take common courses with other Biomedical Science students.

Cancer is a term that encompasses over 210 different types of malignancies, each with a unique set of biological, etiological, and clinical features. Cancer researchers continue to widen their scope as more is learned, requiring a breadth of knowledge in many areas of research (e.g. cell biology, genetics, immunology, and cell metabolism) to understand the complexities of cancer etiology and treatment.

The Cancer Biology Program provides this knowledge through classroom and research training leading to a PhD degree, and preparing students for a variety of career paths in academic, clinical, and industry environments dealing with the study and/or treatment of cancer.

Students and Research Assistants in Dupuy Lab

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Ready to apply?

You can learn more about the application process and requirements here.

News

UI receives over $683 million in research funding in 2024

Thursday, August 15, 2024

AACR 2024 Presentations by students and faculty

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

Events

Molecular Medicine Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Sandra Blom promotional image

Molecular Medicine Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Sandra Blom

Friday, June 6, 2025 1:00pm
Medical Education Research Facility
Sandra Blom is a PhD candidate in the Biomedical Science (Molecular Medicine) Interdisciplinary Graduate Program. Her research has been with Dr. Samuel Stephens's laboratory.If you are unable to attend in person, please consider showing support via Zoom: https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/93210709435

Women In Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour

Monday, June 9, 2025 11:00am to 12:00pm
Carver Biomedical Research Building
Join us for the Women in Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour. It is the monthly coffee hour on the second Monday of the month from 11 a.m. to noon in 1289 CBRB. Enjoy coffee, pastries and contribute to the discussion!This is open to ALL — students, staff, postdocs, and faculty interested in promoting women in science.Speakers change monthly. Contact: jessica-tucker@uiowa.edu for details.
Hardin Open Workshops - EndNote Desktop (Zoom) promotional image

Hardin Open Workshops - EndNote Desktop (Zoom)

Tuesday, June 10, 2025 10:00am to 11:00am
Virtual
EndNote is a reference management tool that helps you to easily gather together your references in one place, organize them, and then insert them into papers and format them in a style of your choosing. This session will walk you through the basics of using EndNote to collect and format your citations. The class will be hands-on, and there will be time for questions at the end.PLEASE NOTEClass will be taught via Zoom. Advance registration is required. Registrants will be emailed the Zoom link 30...