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

Skills for Educators: Learning Under Pressure: Shaping Learner Performance with Evidence-Based Teaching Methods

Friday, October 2, 2026 8:30am to 11:30am
University of Iowa Health Care University Campus
This interactive workshop takes the science of learning and translates it into practical teaching strategies that create environments to enhance engagement and optimize learning conditions.
Progress 2026: Learning Together in the 21st Century promotional image

Progress 2026: Learning Together in the 21st Century

Friday, October 2, 2026 (all day)
Hyatt Regency Place

Overview:
Emphasizing the interprofessional team approach to patient care, the annual Progress conference combines internal medicine and pharmacy continuing education programs into a single multi-track program offering plenary sessions, breakout sessions, and hot topics in a combined interprofessional format. This conference will discuss practice changing diagnostic and therapeutic changes in a wide range of clinical medicine.

Topics include:
Cancer in Iowa
AI and Medicine
Alzheimer's Updates
De...

Mobile Clinic - Coralville Public Library promotional image

Mobile Clinic - Coralville Public Library

Sunday, October 4, 2026 12:30pm to 3:30pm
Coralville Public Library
Mobile Clinic