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

Antimicrobial Stewardship Series: Antimicrobial Stewardship in Dental Practice: Principles and Practice promotional image

Antimicrobial Stewardship Series: Antimicrobial Stewardship in Dental Practice: Principles and Practice

Friday, June 27, 2025 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Virtual
Iowa Statewide Antimicrobial Stewardship Initiative – a partnership between Iowa Health and Human Services and UI College of Pharmacy in conjunction with the UI Carver College of Medicine Department of Continuing Education present the following seminar by Karen Baker, MS:"Antimicrobial Stewardship Series: Antimicrobial Stewardship in Dental Practice: Principles and Practice"Continuing education available.
Molecular Medicine Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Nathan Witmer promotional image

Molecular Medicine Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Nathan Witmer

Monday, June 30, 2025 10:00am
Medical Laboratories
Nathan Witmer is a PhD candidate in the Biomedical Science (Molecular Medicine) Interdisciplinary Graduate Program. His research has been conducted in Ryan Boudreau's laboratory.If you are not able to attend in person, please consider showing your support by attending via Zoom. https://uiowa.zoom.us/j/95883392288
Topics in Human Genetics promotional image

Topics in Human Genetics

Monday, June 30, 2025 12:00pm to 1:00pm
Pappajohn Biomedical Discovery Building
The course is open to individuals wishing to learn more about current topics in Human Genetics who meet the following criteria; individuals must have completed a course in genetics and are currently in a genetics lab, or have past genetics research experience. Genetics educators are also welcome to attend the course.The objective of the course is to provide persons familiar with genetics a broad overview of gene identification, molecular genetics, complex disease, next generation sequencing...