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

Women In Micro & Immuno Coffee Hour

Monday, January 13, 11:00am to Monday, December 8, 2025 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.

Skills for Educators Workshop: Fostering Growth with Feedback

Friday, February 21, 2025 8:30am to 11:30am
University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics
Develop approaches to provide feedback that fosters learner growth and develop strategies to elicit and use feedback for your own growth. Objectives: Compare and contrast structured models for giving feedback. Identify factors that influence effectively giving, eliciting, receiving, and using feedback. Describe challenges in giving and receiving feedback. Apply feedback strategies that foster growth. Click here to register.

Deadline: Student Impact Grant

Friday, February 21, 2025 5:00pm
Virtual
The University of Iowa Center for Advancement has announced the application timeline for the summer and fall 2025 Student Impact Grants. Applications open on Jan. 27, 2025, and the deadline to submit is Feb. 21, 2025, by 5 p.m. Grant recipients will be notified by April 11, 2025. About Student Impact Grants The University of Iowa Office of the President and the Student Advancement Network have partnered to create Student Impact Grants, which provide funding for undergraduate and graduate...