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Curriculum

Completion of the Cell, Molecular and Cancer Biology PhD Program curriculum requires:
  • Selection of a thesis laboratory
  • Completion of the preliminary exam and thesis defense
  • Completion of course requirements

Laboratory Rotations for Selection of Thesis Laboratory

Admitted students will participate in three rotations in different laboratories, chosen by the student, during the fall semester of the first year of the program. These rotations will last approximately 4-5 weeks and will allow the student to work on a small project in the chosen laboratories to help the student and faculty decide which laboratory is the best fit for the student and their research interests. At the end of the fall semester in the first year, the student will choose a permanent laboratory to complete the remainder of their thesis project. 

Completion of Exams

All students will be required to write a thesis project proposal and orally defend this proposal to their thesis committee during the fall semester of the third year of the program to reach candidacy. After completion of the thesis project, students will be required to provide a written thesis and give an oral defense to their thesis committee.

Course Requirements

A total of 90 credit hours are required for partial fulfillment of the Cell, Molecular and Cancer Biology PhD degree. Of these, 24.5 credits are earned by completing the course requirements for the Cell, Molecular and Cancer Biology major (see below). An additional 6-12 credits are earned by completing the requirements for a minor (not listed below). All remaining credits are earned through enrollment in M800, independent thesis research. Required courses for the major include:

  • BIOT-T 540: Structure, Function and Regulation of Biomolecules
  • MSCI-M584 Molecular Genetics
  • MSCI-M 510: Research Methods
  • BIOL-L 523: Critical Analysis of Scientific Literature
  • MSCI-M 580 Molecular Biology of Cancer
  • MSCI-M 509: Basics of Scientific Communication
  • MSCI-M 512: Grant Writing
  • MSCI-M 508: Precision Medicine of Cancer
  • MSCI-M 550: Seminar in Cancer Biology
  • MSCI-M 800: Research

Timeline


Year One Year Two Year Three Year Four
Fall

Research Lab Rotations

Thesis Lab Selection

Coursework

First Committee Meeting

Coursework

Research

Preliminary Exam

Research

Research

Annual Committee Meetings

Spring

Coursework

Formation of Thesis Committee

Research

Coursework

Prepare for Preliminary Exam

Research

Research

Research

Annual Committee Meetings