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.

A campus visual from the Carver College of Medicine outdoor lawn space.

Ready to apply?

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

Events

Fountain Lobby Blood Drive  promotional image

Fountain Lobby Blood Drive

Thursday, March 19, 2026 11:00am to 4:00pm
General Hospital
The DeGowin Blood Center is hosting a blood drive from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 19th, 2026, at the Fountain Lobby.
DeGowin Blood Center Blood Drive  promotional image

DeGowin Blood Center Blood Drive

Sunday, March 22, 2026 9:00am to 1:00pm
St. Thomas More Catholic Church
The DeGowin Blood Center is hosting a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday March 22, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, in their basement
Frontiers in Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolism Seminar - Katie Robinson, MD, PhD  promotional image

Frontiers in Obesity, Diabetes and Metabolism Seminar - Katie Robinson, MD, PhD

Monday, March 23, 2026 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Carver Biomedical Research Building

Please join us on Monday, March 23rd at 1:00 PM in 1289 CBRB (Kelch) where Katie Robinson, MD, PhD will be giving a talk titled, "Enhancing MACE Risk Prediction with Estimated Visceral Adiposity using Machine Learning".