Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry and Cancer Biology

Location(s): On Campus

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Program Overview

Biochemistry and Cancer Biology is a large and rapidly growing biomedical science program in The Graduate School. The core curriculum trains students to be competitive internationally by providing broad scientific expertise, and excellence in grantsmanship, communication and professionalism. The program is integrated with the Georgia Cancer Center, so that students engaged in cancer-related projects will participate in cutting-edge training that will prepare them to be world class cancer investigators.

augusta.edu/gradschool/biomed/phd-bcb

augusta.edu/mcg/bmb/bmb-bgm

Program Contact

Darren Browning, PhD
Bal Lokeshwar, PhD
706-721-3278
bcbprogram@augusta.edu

Progression and Graduation Requirements

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.
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 a minimum of 3 and maximum of 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.
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.

Program Information

Program Length: Maximum of 7 Years
CIP Code: 26.0210
Program Code: DPHIL_BCCB

Degree Requirements

Biomedical Sciences PhD Year One Core Curriculum: 33 Hours

Required Courses: 29 Hours

Electives: 4 Hours

Select four credit hours from the following:

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 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 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

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.

Degree Total: 114-252 Hours

Term-by-Term Pathway

To outline and visualize the path from start to finish in this program, refer to the suggested Term-by-Term Pathway .

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