Program in Cancer Biology
Course Requirements

The Cancer Biology Program conforms to the general GSBS requirements requiring 54 credit hours minimum to include one credit hour of the Ethical Dimensions of the Biomedical Sciences (GS210051), 12 credit hours of Tutorial Research Experience (GS000514), four required GSBS area requirement courses, and a minimum of one year of registration for research which includes Research in Biomedical Sciences (GS000520) and Dissertation for Doctor of Philosophy (GS000920).

GSBS REQUIRED BASIC COURSES

• Quantitative (Choose 1)

  • GS010014 Biomedical Statistics
  • GS030102 Current Methods in Molecular Research (2 semesters)

• Molecular (Choose 1)

  • GS030014 Metabolic Biochemistry
  • GS030024 Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

• Cellular

  • GS040133 Cancer Cell Signaling (Recommended)

• Systems (Choose 1)

  • GS040063 Cancer Biology
  • GS040083 Basic Concepts of Tumor Biology (UT-Science Park, Smithville, TX)

ALTERNATIVE COURSES

In the event that students can demonstrate previous undergraduate academic experience in one or more of the areas, they may petition to substitue one of the following alternative courses to satisfy an area requirement.

• Molecular
  • GS040123 Eukaryotic Gene Expression
  • GS040113 Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis
    
• Cellular
  • GS110023 Molecular and Cellular Approaches to Human Genetics
  • GS120063 Histology
  • GS120134 Introduction to Histology (UT-Science Park, Smithville, TX)
  • GS140103 Advanced Neurobiology: Cellular and Molecular

SEMINAR & ELECTIVE COURSES

6 credit hours required. Students can take 1 course multiple times with the cumulative time counting towards the 6 hour requirement.

• GS040173 Current Concepts of Human Cancers
• GS040181 The Molecular Basis of Programmed Cell Death
• GS040213 Mechanisms in Cancer Therapeutics
• GS040612 Selected Topics in Molecular Virology: Gene Therapy and Transgenics
• GS040711 Seminar in Virology and Gene Therapy
• GS040721 Seminar in Tumar Suppressor Genes
• GS040731 Seminar in Developmental Biology
• GS040741 Seminar in Applied Oncology Research
• GS040751 Seminar in Regulatory Biology
• GS040761 Current Topics in Oncogene Research
• GS040771 Current Topics in Tumor Progression
• GS040791 Current Topics in Programmed Cell Death
• GS040801 Current Topics in Genes and Development
• GS040812 Seminars in Molecular Mechanisms of Human Cancer
• GS040061 Seminar in Cancer Cell Signaling

RESEARCH REQUIREMENTS

Students typically complete three laboratory tutorial research experiences (GS000514) their first year of study. The choice of tutorial laboratories is determined by each student. Following these, a student chooses a laboratory in which to undertake thesis research. During this time, an Advisory Committee composed of the student's advisor and four additional faculty members will assist the student in directing his or her research.

CANDIDACY EXAMINATION

All GSBS students must petition to take the oral candidacy examination within three years of admission to the Ph.D. degree program. This examination is designed to ascertain both the student's preparation for investigation of a specific research problem, and the extent of knowledge in pertinent and related areas of biomedical science. It is administered by the student's Candidacy Examination Committee, and the results of this examination are communicated to both the Executive Committee of the Cancer Biology Program and the GSBS.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

There is no formal teaching requirement for students in the Cancer Biology Program. Recently, the GSBS has initiated a Teaching Assistant Program where students are selected to assist in certain core courses. The teaching experience will vary from course to course, but it can include formal classroom teaching. Additional opportunities for teaching may be obtained through arrangement with individual course instructors.