Program Overview

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Cancer Biology, MS

The graduate program in cancer biology offers a course of study and research leading to the PhD degree. Although a masters degree is offered under special circumstances, students are not admitted for a masters degree.

Program Overview

The Cancer Biology Graduate Program was established at the McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research in 1940 as the first graduate program in the United States to offer a degree in basic cancer research. The program now includes more than 50 faculty trainers from multiple departments including Oncology, Medicine, Human Oncology, Cell and Regenerative Biology, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and others. This interdepartmental structure offers students remarkably diverse training opportunities that span the entire breadth of cancer biology research from haploid or diploid genetics, viral and chemical carcinogenesis, eukaryotic cell and molecular biology, virology, molecular toxicology, and whole-animal carcinogenesis.

Curriculum Requirements

Curriculum requirements are designed to be flexible, providing a maximal opportunity for specialization within this multidisciplinary field. Students learn through core and elective courses; by participation in seminars, conferences, and journal clubs related to their specific areas of expertise; and most important, from their research advisors. Students who join the program select research advisors after conducting a minimum of three month-long rotations in different laboratories during the first semester. After choosing an advisor, students will also create an advisory committee of five faculty members who will provide guidance throughout the process of earning the PhD degree. The average time to complete the PhD is 5.5 years. The program prepares students for careers in teaching and research in academia, government, and industry.

Admissions

This masters program is offered for work leading to the PhD. Students may not apply directly for the masters and should instead see the admissions information for the PhD.

Funding

The Bursars Office provides information about tuition and fees associated with being a graduate student. Resources to help you afford graduate study might include assistantships, fellowships, traineeships, and financial aid. Further funding information is available from the Graduate School.

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

Review the Graduate School minimum degree requirements and policies, in addition to the program requirements listed below.

Major Requirements

Mode of Instruction

• Mode of Instruction: Face to Face
• Definitions:
  • Accelerated: Accelerated programs are offered at a fast pace that condenses the time to completion. Students typically take enough credits aimed at completing the program in a year or two.
  • Evening/Weekend: Courses meet on the UWMadison campus only in evenings and/or on weekends to accommodate typical business schedules. Students have the advantages of face-to-face courses with the flexibility to keep work and other life commitments.
  • Face-to-Face: Courses typically meet during weekdays on the UW-Madison Campus.
  • Hybrid: These programs combine face-to-face and online learning formats. Contact the program for more specific information.
  • Online: These programs are offered 100% online. Some programs may require an on-campus orientation or residency experience, but the courses will be facilitated in an online format.

Curricular Requirements

• Minimum Credit Requirement: 30 credits
• Minimum Residence Credit Requirement: 16 credits
• Minimum Graduate Coursework Requirement: 15 credits must be graduate-level coursework.
• Overall Graduate GPA Requirement: 3.00 GPA required.
• Other Grade Requirements: Students must earn a B or above in all required Core Courses, otherwise the course must be repeated.
• Assessments and Examinations:
  • Thesis track: requires a formal thesis.
  • Non-thesis track: no formal examination required.
• Language Requirements: No language requirements.

Required Courses

The curriculum for Cancer Biology is designed to introduce you to research related to the induction, properties, and therapy of cancer and to ensure that you have the necessary background in one or more areas of related, fundamental science to enable you to do original research. Courses are drawn from the Department of Oncology as well as various related departments, including Bacteriology, Biochemistry, Biomolecular Chemistry, Chemistry, Genetics, Human Oncology, Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, and Pharmacology.

• Core Courses:
  • ONCOLOGY/M M & I/PL PATH 640: General Virology-Multiplication of Viruses (3 credits)
  • ONCOLOGY 703: Carcinogenesis and Tumor Cell Biology (3 credits)
  • ONCOLOGY 715: Ethics in Science (1 credit)
  • ONCOLOGY 725: Readings in Cancer Biology (2 credits)
  • ONCOLOGY 735: Grant Writing in Cancer Biology (2 credits)
  • ONCOLOGY 901: Seminar (presentation) (1 credit)
• Research Credits: Complete 12 credits of the following:
  • ONCOLOGY 990: Research 1
• Quantitative Requirement:
  • B M I/STAT 541: Introduction to Biostatistics (3 credits)
  • or ONCOLOGY 778: Bioinformatics for Biologists
• Electives: Students may select electives in consultation with their advisor. These courses should be numbered 500 and above.

Seminar

Beginning in your second year, you will be required to give an annual, formal presentation in the Cancer Biology Student/Postdoc Seminar Series. You will register for ONCOLOGY 901 Seminar during the semester in which you present. Your seminars will be recorded and you will receive feedback from the seminar course instructor to help improve your public speaking and presentation skills. Attendance at this seminar series is required.

Graduate School Policies

The Graduate Schools Academic Policies and Procedures serve as the official document of record for Graduate School academic and administrative policies and procedures and are updated continuously.

Major-Specific Policies

Prior Coursework

• Graduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions: With program approval, students may transfer no more than 9 credits of graduate coursework from other institutions.
• Undergraduate Credits Earned at Other Institutions or UW-Madison: With program approval, students may transfer no more than 7 credits numbered 300 or above from a UWMadison undergraduate degree, or the equivalent from other institutions.

Probation

A semester GPA below 3.0 or an incomplete grade (I) will result in the student being placed on academic probation. If a semester GPA of 3.0 is not attained or the Incomplete grade is not cleared during the subsequent semester of full-time enrollment, the student may be dismissed from the program or allowed to continue for 1 additional semester based on advisor appeal to the Graduate School.

Advisor / Committee

All students are required to have an advisor. Students must create a certification committee (advisor plus four additional faculty members) by the end of their first year.

Credits Per Term Allowed

15 credit maximum.

Time Limits

All doctoral students must pass their preliminary examination by the end of their second year (August 31). Under special circumstances, a one-semester extension may be granted when justified in writing by the student and advisor.

Grievances and Appeals

These resources may be helpful in addressing your concerns:

• Bias or Hate Reporting
• Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures
• Hostile and Intimidating Behavior Policies and Procedures
• Office of the Provost for Faculty and Staff Affairs
• Employee Assistance (for personal counseling and workplace consultation around communication and conflict involving graduate assistants and other employees, post-doctoral students, faculty and staff)
• Employee Disability Resource Office (for qualified employees or applicants with disabilities to have equal employment opportunities)
• Graduate School (for informal advice at any level of review and for official appeals of program/departmental or school/college grievance decisions)
• Office of Compliance (for class harassment and discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence)
• Office Student Assistance and Support (OSAS) (for all students to seek grievance assistance and support)
• Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards (for conflicts involving students)
• Ombuds Office for Faculty and Staff (for employed graduate students and post-docs, as well as faculty and staff)
• Title IX (for concerns about discrimination)

Professional Development

Take advantage of the Graduate School's professional development resources to build skills, thrive academically, and launch your career.

Learning Outcomes

1. Articulates research problems, potentials, and limits with respect to their research and how it relates to the field of cancer biology.
2. Formulates novel ideas, concepts/hypotheses, designs experiments to test the hypotheses, and shows proficiency in the necessary techniques to carry out their dissertation research.
3. Creates and carries out scholarly research that asks a novel and important biological question and makes a substantive contribution to the field of cancer research.
4. Demonstrates the breadth of their knowledge through thoughtful and creative design of their research and their ability to answer questions from varied audiences.
5. Advances contributions in cancer biology to society through publication, presentations at national and international meetings, and various outreach activities.
6. Communicates complex ideas in a clear and understandable manner both in their oral and written presentations.
7. Fosters ethical and professional conduct in all aspects related to their development as a scientist.