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
Students enter the Cancer Biology training program through the
Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) track. During the first
year, in addition to the MCB common curriculum, students
considering the Cancer Biology training program should consider
taking one or more of the following electives:
MCB721 Carcinogenesis, DNA Damage and Repair,
MCB722 Molecular Pathogenesis of Cancer, and
MCB723 Topics in Cancer Biology. If not taken as
electives in Year 1, students matriculating in the Cancer Biology
training program will be required to complete these courses in
subsequent years. Additional course work in subsequent years will
include Advanced Topics in Cancer
Biology, Statistical Experimental
Design, Cancer Cell Biology, Tutorials
in Cancer Biology, and an elective course of the students'
choice. Students also participate in the Cancer Biology seminar
series.
| First Year – MCB curriculum | |
| MCB core course | MCB 700, 701, 702 |
| Elective Cancer Biology-specific block courses | MCB 721, 722, 723 |
|
| Dissertation advisor and laboratory selection | MCB 703, 704, 705 |
| Introduction to Professional Development | Grad 701 |
| Scientific Professionalism: Scientific Integrity | Grad 713, 714 |
|
| |
| Summer Session, First Year | |
| Research in Cancer Biology | CABI 723 |
| | |
| Fall Semester, Second Year | |
| Cancer Biology Seminar Series (RPR) | CABI 701 |
| Cancer Cell Biology (core course) | CABI 705 |
| Topics in Cancer Lecture Series | CABI 707 |
| Cancer Biology journal club | CABI 711 |
| Research in Cancer Biology | CABI 723 |
| Quantitative Methods in Behavioral Sciences | PSPR 741 |
| Dissertations committee selection | |
| | |
| Spring Semester, Second Year | |
| Cancer Biology Seminar Series (RPR) | CABI 702 |
| Topics in Cancer Lecture Series | CABI 708 |
| Cancer Biology journal club | CABI 712 |
| Research in Cancer Biology | CABI 724 |
| Optional Elective* | |
| Submit dissertation proposal outline-June | |
| Submit formal thesis proposal Mid-July | |
| Defend dissertation proposal to committee- August | |
| Admission to PhD degree candidacy | |
| | |
Summer Session, Second Year |
|
Research | CABI 723 |
| | |
| Fall Semester, Third Year | |
| Cancer Biology Seminar Series (RPR) | CABI 701 |
| Topics in Cancer Lecture Series | CABI 707 |
| Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology | CABI 711 |
| Research in Cancer Biology | CABI 723 |
| Optional Elective | |
| | |
| Spring Semester, Third Year | |
| Cancer Biology Seminar Series (RPR) | CABI 702 |
| Topics in Cancer Lecture Series | CABI 708 |
| Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology | CABI 712 |
| Research in Cancer Biology | CABI 724 |
| Optional Elective | |
| | |
| Summer Session, Third Year | |
| Research in Cancer Biology | CABI 723 |
| | |
| Fall Semester, Fourth Year | |
| Cancer Biology Seminar Series (RPR) | CABI 701 |
| Research in Cancer Biology | CABI 723 |
| | |
| Spring Semester, Fourth Year | |
| Cancer Biology Seminar Series (RPR) | CABI 702 |
| Research in Cancer Biology | CABI 724 |
REQUIRED AND ELECTIVE COURSES
MCB Track Electives
MCB721. Carcinogenesis, DNA Damage and Repair.
(2) This course will cover the identification and reaction
mechanisms of environmental carcinogens, DNA damage and mutagenesis
by endogenous and exogenous agents, and the mechanisms of DNA
repair. Offered fall.
MCB722. Molecular Pathogenesis of
Cancer. (2) Fundamental molecular changes in cells
and tissues that contribute to the malignant phenotype are
discussed. Topics include alterations in genes and chromatin,
signaling pathways, tumor cell metabolism, and the tumor
microenvironment. Offered spring.
MCB723. Topics in Cancer Biology. (2) Teaches
students how to evaluate and communicate scientifically in the area
of cell biology and cancer. Examples are taken from all areas of
cancer in this advanced course. Uses current peer-reviewed journal
articles to teach fundamental concepts and act as a medium for
allowing the students to communicate ideas with an emphasis on
presentation skills. Offered spring.
MCB 703, 704, 705. Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Research. (1) Molecular and Cellular Bioscience students will gain experience with the planning and execution of research, and the interpretation and presentation of experimental results. To put these principles into practice, they will carry out mentored research projects in the laboratories of three different Molecular and Cellular Biosciences faculty members.
CABI Advanced Courses
701, 702. Cancer Biology Seminar Series
(1) The course will consist of weekly student and
postdoctoral presentations to the Cancer Biology faculty and their
peers based on their ongoing research projects. Required of all
students who matriculate in Cancer Biology starting in their second
years and continuing throughout their training period. Students and
postdoctoral fellows will be expected to present at least once per
year. Emphasis will be based on developing presentation skills and
learning to critique colleagues in a professional manner.
705. Cancer Cell Biology. (3) This is an
intensive treatment to learn how to critically review the
literature and requires the writing of a proposal that is
critically reviewed. The course covers apoptosis, cell-cycle,
angiogenesis, cancer genomics, metastasis, cancer immunology, and
tumor suppressor genes. The translational aspects of research
are emphasized.
707, 708. Topics in Cancer Lecture Series. (1)
A weekly lecture series taken during the second year. Each week
throughout the fall and spring semesters, a different topic in the
clinical presentation, course, and treatment of human malignancies
is presented. Designed to be a comprehensive overview of clinical
oncology for clinical medical and radiation oncology fellows and
cancer biology graduate students.
711, 712. Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology.
(1) Focuses on new and important aspects of research in cancer
biology with an emphasis on the current literature. Themes are
chosen by the course director and the students. A topic is selected
for presentation by each student; with the help of the course
director, the student prepares a short lecture to introduce the
topic, assigns two key papers for participants to read, and
provides a supplemental reading list. The following week, the
student leads a discussion of key experimental findings. Broad
participation from faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate
students is encouraged. Pass/fail only.
713, 714. Cancer Biology Tutorials. (2) Focuses
on specific topics related to cancer predisposition, development,
progression, and treatment. Topics include, but are not limited to,
DNA damage and repair, damage signaling, cell death response, cell
cycle checkpoint control, animal models and cancer treatment. The
purpose of the tutorial is to provide an opportunity to discuss one
of the above-mentioned topics in more detail than is possible in an
overview-based lecture. The topic for upcoming semesters will be
determined by the faculty. The class is a combination of lectures
providing background information and student presentations
introducing specific topics and related research articles in the
field, followed by group discussions. Attendance and at least one
full length presentation are mandatory to obtain credit.
716. Special Topics: Teaching in the Small Group
Setting. (2) Teaches students how to use a
problem-based interactive approach to facilitate student
self-learning. Introduces students to general methods of teaching
with a focus on teaching in the small group setting of a
literature-based course. Topics covered include teaching skills for
reading scientific papers, oral presentation techniques, and
scientific writing. Each student facilitates two weeks (4 class
sessions) of the course including in-class participation as well as
assisting with the written evaluation portion of the class.
718. Introduction to Radiation
Biology. (3) Focuses on the biological changes which
follow the interaction of ionizing and non-ionizing radiation with
living matter. Emphasis is on the role of ionizing radiation in the
treatment of cancer, mechanisms of radiation-induced
carcinogenesis, and changes in normal and tumor cells at the
molecular, cellular and tissue levels.
723, 724. Research in
Cancer Biology. Opportunities
for investigation in a variety of the facets of cancer biology under the
guidance of staff members.
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.