Doctor of Philosophy with a Major in Biochemistry and Cancer Biology

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

Year One Biomedical Science Common Core Curriculum

Students are admitted via a common admissions process to the Biomedical Sciences PhD program, not to a specific biomedical major. After completing the first-year common core course work and laboratory rotations, students choose a dissertation research mentor and enter one of nine Doctor of Philosophy majors.

Semester One

Semester Two

Selectives: 4 Hours

Select four credit hours from the following:

BIOM 8030 - Experimental Therapeutics (2 Credit Hours)
BIOM 8080 - Neuroscience I (4 Credit Hours) (Required for Neuroscience major)
BIOM 8090 - Fundamentals of Genomic Medicine (2 Credit Hours) (Required for Genomic Medicine major)
BIOM 8215 - Fundamentals of Oncology I (2 Credit Hours)
BIOM 8230 - Biology of Proteins in Disease (2 Credit Hours)
BIOM 8240 - Introduction to Immunology and Infectious Disease (2 Credit Hours)

Semester Three

BCMB 9210 - Investigation of a Problem (1 Credit Hour TO 12 Credit Hours)
Standard enrollment is 12 credit hours per semester.

Must be taken every semester until admission to candidacy requirements are complete.
STAT 7070 - Biomedical Statistics (3 Credit Hours)

Year Two and Beyond

The Doctor of Philosophy curriculum is not lock-step; students do not graduate as a class at the end of a specific semester. The average time to degree is approximately 5 years of full-time, year-round study; acceptable duration of the program is between 3 and 7 years. The number and type of advanced (2nd year and beyond) or elective courses vary, and may include courses within the Biochemistry and Cancer Biology program as well as courses in other disciplines.

Major Courses:

BCMB 8201 - Current Topics and Techniques in Molecular Biology (3 Credit Hours)
BCMB 9010 - Seminar in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (1 Credit Hour)
Upon entering the Biochemistry and Cancer Biology major, this course must be taken every Fall and Spring semester until admission to candidacy and dissertation requirements are complete.
BCMB 9210 - Investigation of a Problem (1 Credit Hour TO 12 Credit Hours)
Standard enrollment is 12 credit hours per semester

Upon entering the Biochemistry and Cancer Biology major, this course must be taken every semester until admission to candidacy requirements are complete.
BCMB 9300 - Research (1 Credit Hour TO 12 Credit Hours)
Standard enrollment is 12 credit hours per semester.

Must be taken every semester after admission to candidacy until dissertation requirements are met.

Electives: 2 Hours Minimum

Select two credit hours from the following:

BCMB 8310 - Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Infectious Disease I (2 Credit Hours)
BCMB 8320 - Advanced Topics in Microbiology and Infectious Disease II (2 Credit Hours)
BCMB 8340 - Elements of Scientific Presentation (2 Credit Hours)
Upper level courses in another discipline or biomedical science major not included on the pre-approved elective listing may be taken as an elective with formal, advanced approval from mentor, program director, The Graduate School (and Office of the Registrar) per the official approval and course substitution process and form submission.

Additional Requirements

In addition to specific course requirements, students must complete additional PhD degree requirements, including satisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination, development and approval of a research proposal, writing and approval of the doctoral dissertation, and satisfactory performance on the Final Oral Examination (dissertation defense). See PhD Student Guide for additional requirements and details.

Information for:

Resources

Learning
Like No Other