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.

Events

Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Ben Kreitlow promotional image

Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Ben Kreitlow

Tuesday, October 21, 2025 8:30am
Carver Biomedical Research Building

Ben Kreitlow is a PhD candidate in the Neuroscience Interdisciplinary Graduate Program, as well as a student in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP). His research has been conducted in Dr. Gordon Buchanan's laboratory.

If you are unable to attend in person, please consider showing your support and attending via Zoom. Please email britt-hokanson@uiowa.edu for the zoom link.

Neuroscience and Pharmacology Postdoctoral Seminar - Ava Carter, PhD promotional image

Neuroscience and Pharmacology Postdoctoral Seminar - Ava Carter, PhD

Tuesday, October 21, 2025 10:30am to 11:30am
Virtual

Evolving Responses to the Environment: Human-specific gene regulation in the brain

Ava Carter, PhD
HHMI Hanna H. Gray Postdoctoral Fellow
Department of Neurobiology
Harvard Medical School

Department of Microbiology and Immunology Seminar Series

Tuesday, October 21, 2025 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Bowen Science Building