Doctoral Program

Our major basic scientific challenge in cancer biology research is to determine the underlying biological basis for malignancy and the clinical challenge is to apply this basic research to improve treatment of human cancers. To meet these challenges our Graduate Program in Cancer Biology has a scope and approach which transcends traditional department/discipline structures, while still providing knowledge and training in many disciplines including biochemistry, pathology, molecular biology, therapeutics, immunology, pharmacology and chemistry. Ours therefore is an integrated inter-disciplinary graduate program. Our program's goal is to develop within each student the approach to scientific thought and pursuit needed for original research as an independent cancer biology investigator.

The Ph.D. program consists of formal course work which provides a comprehensive education in the principles and research of cancer biology, as well as solid training in the core disciplines which serve modern-day cancer research. Hence, graduates gain a broad understanding of the fundamental principles underlying this diverse field with in-depth knowledge in their dissertation discipline. Active participation in research seminars and original research are two basic elements of this program. The major element is training in the research techniques which comprise a sophisticated underpinning for future advances in cancer biology. Students must complete a publishable research project under a faculty mentor and successfully defend the dissertation research.

Curriculums

The program of each cancer biology student is tailored to their specific interests and research requirements. Previous educational experience is recognized so as to permit the student to progress as rapidly as possible.

Since the program requires a broad understanding of cancer biology, a core curriculum is required.

IBS 7010	Molecular Biology	5 cr hr.
IBS 7020	Cell Biology	5 cr hr.
IBS 7090	Biomedical Immunology	2 cr hr.
IBS 70??	Biomedical Elective	2 cr hr.
CB 7210	Fundamentals of Cancer Biology	3 cr hr.
CB 7130	Clinical Aspects of Cancer Biology	1 cr hr.
CB 7700	Recent Developments in Cancer Biology (journal club)	1x7 cr hr.
CB 7890	Seminar Series	1x6 cr hr.
CB 7710	Individual Study in Cancer Biology (rotations)	1x3 cr hr.

Total credits above equal 34 credits

Also, a number of advanced cancer biology courses are provided from which the student will be required to choose 11 credit hours for a total of 45 coursework credits. A number of other courses are available to allow students to specialize with regard to a specific research discipline.

CB 7090	Signal Transduction and Growth	3 cr hr.
CB 7220	Molecular Biology of Cancer	3 cr hr.
CB 7230	Breast Cancer	2 cr hr.
CB 7240	Principles of Cancer Therapy	2 cr hr.
CB 7250	Cancer Control	2 cr hr.
CB 7410	Tumor Immunology	3 cr hr.
CB 7600	Applied Cancer Biostatistics	3 cr hr.
CB 7900	Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology	1-3 cr hr.
CHM 8690	Advanced Topics/DNA Damage and Repair	3 cr hr.

It is expected that most course work will be completed in the first and second years. A written comprehensive qualifying exam is required by the end of the first year, followed by an oral exam of the proposed dissertation research. The third and subsequent years will be primarily devoted to dissertation research. Forty-five credits of general research, including 30 credits of dissertation research, will complete the Graduate School requirements.

CB 7996	Research	1 to 15 cr hrs.
CB 9991	Doctoral Candidate Status I	7.5 cr hr.
CB 9992	Doctoral Candidate Status 2	7.5 cr hr.
CB 9993	Doctoral Candidate Status 3	7.5 cr hr.
CB 9994	Doctoral Candidate Status 4	7.5 cr hr.

Selection of a Research Project and a Thesis Advisor

The Graduate Program in Cancer Biology provides research opportunities in many areas of Cancer Biology including Experimental Therapeutics, Metastasis, Breast Cancer, Carcinogenesis, Molecular Biology of Cancer, Cancer Immunology, as well as selected topics within the traditional departments of Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Immunology and Medicine. Students complete up to three laboratory rotations in the first year (one in each semester) after which he/she will choose a research project and a mentor. At the end of the first year, the student must submit a Plan of Work. Following its acceptance, a permanent advisory committee is established. The progress of the student toward the goals of this program will be reviewed at frequent intervals and are required annually and the student advised accordingly.
Research

Independent pursuit of research leading to results of publishable caliber is the prime evidence demonstrating the completion of the requirements remaining after a student has completed the prescribed coursework and been admitted to Ph.D. candidacy. We offer a variety of research experiences in the broad field of Cancer Biology. Although some students will be committed to a specific research area before they enter the program, others will want an opportunity to investigate projects in some detail before making a commitment. Research rotations provide an in-depth exposure to research prior to selecting a dissertation project. Seminars given by the faculty allow the students to become familiar with ongoing research in the program.

Since research is open-ended, the amount of time required for completion of a defensible dissertation cannot be predicted. Although the program is designed to require four to five years to complete, some variation in the length of the program for different students is to be expected. Four years is a minimum expectation for this program. Realistic goals should be set and the student and dissertation mentor will discuss progress relative to these goals at frequent intervals. The final examination is the defense of the dissertation conducted by the student's Dissertation Committee. The program has no other formal requirements for successful completion of the Ph.D.

Application for the Graduate Program in Cancer Biology at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute of Wayne State University

To apply to the Graduate Program in Cancer Biology, send a personal statement, a curriculum vitae, a description of research experience, an official undergraduate transcript(s), a copy of GRE scores and three letters of reference to the following address. International applications are required to also send TOEFL scores.

Dr. Anil Wali c/o Lanette Rowland
Graduate Programs in Cancer Biology
329 Lande Building
Wayne State University, School of Medicine
550 E Canfield
Detroit MI 48201
Phone (313)577-1065
Fax (313)577- 4112
ad3340@wayne.edu

Download and complete the following pdf form:
Download pdf Application Form Here

Also, complete the on-line application here