The graduate education of each cancer biology student is tailored to his/her specific interests and research requirements. Previous educational experience is recognized so as to permit the student to progress as rapidly as possible, however credits applied toward a previous degree cannot be counted toward the PhD. Since the program requires a broad understanding of cancer biology, a core curriculum is required.

In addition to the required courses, a number of advanced cancer biology courses are offered from which students choose a minimum of 8 credit hours. This gives a total of 45 coursework credits. A number of other courses are available to allow students to specialize in a specific research discipline, and students may go over 45 credits.

Cancer Biology Electives

Requirement: Students are required to take CB Electives for a minimum of 8 credits

*CB7300 Special Topics in Cancer Biology

Future Topics - TBD

It is expected that the majority of the course work will be completed during the first and second years of PhD study. A written comprehensive qualifying exam is administered in the late spring of the first year of study, followed by an oral comprehensive exam of the proposed dissertation research. During the summer of the first year, a month-long, full day clinical rotation is required (CB7130) during which graduate students "round" with oncologists treating cancer patients in the Karmanos cancer hospital. The third and subsequent years are primarily devoted to dissertation research. Forty-five credits of general research, including 30 credits of candidate status dissertation research (see below), will complete the Graduate School requirements for the PhD degree. Candidate credits must be taken in consecutive terms, with the exception of the spring/summer term.

In addition to traditional classroom learning, there are additional educational opportunities available to our students including seminars by nationally/internationally renowned scientists both within and outside the cancer center, special non-credit courses, fellowship and grant writing courses, and research workshops.