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

ASM Graduate Student Group Writing Session promotional image

ASM Graduate Student Group Writing Session

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 1:00pm to 3:00pm
Bowen Science Building

Degowin Blood Drive @ Medical Center Downtown

Thursday, October 22, 2026 10:00am to 2:00pm
Medical Center Downtown
The DeGowin Blood Center is hosting a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday October 22nd 2026 at the University Center Downtown.

Joseph Walder Memorial Lecture with Dr. Taekjip Ha, Harvard Medical School promotional image

Joseph Walder Memorial Lecture with Dr. Taekjip Ha, Harvard Medical School

Thursday, October 22, 2026 10:30am to 11:20am
Medical Education Research Facility

Dr. Ha will be our speaker for the inaugural Joseph Walder Memorial Lecture.

"Genome Maintenance at Higher Resolution"

Taekjip Ha, Ph.D.
George D. Yancopoulos Professor of Pediatrics in honor of Frederick W. Alt
Harvard Medical School
Boston Children’s Hospital
Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute