PhD Graduate Program Curriculum: Cancer Biology

The curriculum of the Cancer Biology Graduate Program is designed to provide maximum exposure to the cancer problem, while providing necessary biological and biochemical fundamentals.

Students need to register for courses with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for a minimum of 9 credit hours per semester/summer.

 Learn More About the PhD Curriculum 

• Course Requirements
• Three Laboratory Rotations
• Seminars and Symposia
• Curriculum Committee
• Mentoring

Course Requirements

  Three Laboratory Rotations  

Each student works in at least 3 different laboratories during the first year; these rotations are mandatory. Working in at least 3 different laboratories provides students with opportunities to learn research techniques that are used in each lab and program.

A major goal of the laboratory rotations is for the students to obtain in-depth views of the laboratories in which they may wish to pursue their research. It is an opportunity for the student and faculty to evaluate whether they have mutual interests that would aid in the student's career development. Each laboratory rotation lasts for 12 weeks.

After orientation and with the beginning of classes, each student chooses potential laboratories in which to work during the first semester rotation and afterwards for the second and third rotation after consultation with the MCB Program Director and individual program. At the end of each lab rotation, the faculty member heading the laboratory will prepare an evaluation of the student’s overall performance, discuss it with the student, and send the evaluation to the Graduate and MCB Program Directors. Each laboratory rotation has to be finished with a satisfactory performance. Unsatisfactory behavior may factor into the recommendation for dismissal from the program.

After the rotations have been completed, students choose a laboratory in which to do their dissertation research, with the consent of the faculty member that heads the laboratory in consultation with the Graduate Program Director.

Seminars and Symposia     

Attendance at seminars is strongly encouraged to broaden the educational experience of graduate students. Beginning with their second year, students are expected to attend seminars sponsored, in whole or in part, by the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University. Each Cancer Biology graduate student will present his/her research once each year as a research progress report before the Department of Cancer Biology. View Cancer Presentations.

Curriculum Committee

A curriculum committee, consisting of course directors, two graduate students and the Program Director, meets quarterly to discuss suggestions made for the program and any problems that arise. Any concerns and suggestions can be made to the committee chair. The committee will discuss and vote on agenda items that become effective immediately after the meeting or when applicable.

Mentoring

The program directors have an “open door” policy and are available to the students at any time. A formal monthly lunch meeting with all students is held to discuss potential problems and latest news. All students are encouraged to discuss grievances with the program directors at any time.

After the first year, the student will be assigned, or can choose a temporary faculty advisor, who will assist the student in devising the initial coursework and help the student acclimate to the department and the graduate school. The continued tasks for this mentor will be the student’s career development. This advisor will assist the student in choosing a postdoctoral fellowship and a career path. The advisor will also advise the student concerning non-academic aspects of a scientific career, including such activities as networking, forming collaborations and obtaining research funding.

After the student selects a laboratory to conduct the dissertation research, the faculty supervisor becomes the student’s permanent advisor. The role of this advisor is to advise the student in academic matters, choosing the appropriate didactic coursework and providing advice for and monitoring the progress of the dissertation research.