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

REDCap Advanced Training

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 10:00am to 11:00am
Virtual

This is the fourth step in the REDCap training series. In this training we will cover advanced features such as:

Importing data from a CSV file Ways to customize your data entry experience with form display logic Making your forms more dynamic and personalized with context aware smart variables Sending automated, conditional email alerts Ensuring data is high quality by executing data quality rules, creating data 'missingness' codes, and opening data queries

Register by clicking the...

Neuroscience and Pharmacology Seminar - Vadim Bolshakov, PhD promotional image

Neuroscience and Pharmacology Seminar - Vadim Bolshakov, PhD

Tuesday, December 16, 2025 10:30am to 11:30am
Bowen Science Building

Neuropeptide-mediated gating of innate fear circuits

Vadim Bolshakov, PhD
Professor, Harvard Medical School
Director, Cellular Neurobiology Laboratory, McLean Hospital

ACB Seminar Series - Dr. Guo-Chang Fan  promotional image

ACB Seminar Series - Dr. Guo-Chang Fan

Wednesday, December 17, 2025 9:30am to 10:30am
Bowen Science Building

Dr. Guo-Chang Fan, a Professor of Pharmacology, Physiology, and Neurobiology from the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine will present a seminar titled "Sectm1a and Probiotic EVs in Efferocytosis-Mediated Repair of Cardiac Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury."