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

Mobile Clinic - West Liberty promotional image

Mobile Clinic - West Liberty

Sunday, November 8, 2026 11:00am to 2:00pm
West Liberty
Mobile Clinic
5th High Performance Neuroimaging Symposium promotional image

5th High Performance Neuroimaging Symposium

Monday, November 9, 2026 (all day)
Medical Education Research Facility
The High-Performance Neuroimaging Symposium is a premier forum dedicated to advancing the next generation of MRI technologies. Now in its fifth year, the meeting convenes leading scientists, engineers, and clinicians from around the world to explore breakthroughs in ultra-fast imaging, high-gradient systems, silent MRI, and their transformative applications in neuroscience, psychiatry, and neurology.
Molecular Medicine Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Jianyu Yu promotional image

Molecular Medicine Interdisciplinary Program Thesis Defense Seminar: Jianyu Yu

Monday, November 9, 2026 12:00pm
Bowen Science Building

Jianyu Yu is a PhD candidate in the Biomedical Science (Molecular Medicine) Interdisciplinary Graduate Program. His research has been conducted in Bing Li's laboratory.

If you are not able to attend in person, please consider showing your support by attending via Zoom. Please email britt-hokanson@uiowa.edu for the Zoom link.