About the Program

Academic Environment

The Molecular Carcinogenesis Graduate Program is a Ph.D. program for students seeking advanced training in Molecular Biology of Cancer; Cancer Cell Biology; Genetics and Genomics; and Epigenetics. The program provides an outstanding environment for students pursuing biomedical research careers in academia and biotechnology – from cutting edge research and first-rate facilities, to courses and Program activities that foster faculty-student interactions and collaborations in an intellectually stimulating atmosphere. The Molecular Carcinogenesis Graduate Program is part of The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), and is located in Austin region, at the Science Park. Most of the faculty have their primary appointments at the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center in the Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis.

Admissions

Students interested in the Molecular Carcinogenesis Graduate Program must first apply, and be admitted, to GSBS. The Molecular Carcinogenesis Graduate Program does not accept graduate school applications directly. Graduate school admissions information, deadlines, and online applications are available on the GSBS website.

Degree Requirements

Requirements for the Ph.D. degree include a broad knowledge of cancer biology. This knowledge is acquired through coursework, three laboratory rotations during the first year, a dissertation research project and participation in research seminars and journal clubs. The rotations expose students to a variety of experimental approaches and help them select their research advisors. Most coursework is completed during the first two years of study. Students advance to Ph.D. candidacy after satisfactorily completing a written and oral candidacy exam by the end of the first semester of their third year. After advancing to candidacy, students concentrate on completing their dissertation research. More information can be found on the GSBS website.

Program Activities

The program sponsors numerous activities that foster a highly collaborative environment and support our commitment to educate and train graduate students for successful careers in academics, biotechnology and other biomedical fields. Through these activities, students work together with classmates and faculty to develop their experimental, reasoning and communications abilities. Program activities include:

• The Mike Hogg Distinguished Lecturer Seminar Series is a formalized seminar program that features 10 outstanding scientists per year.
• The Department of Molecular Carcinogenesis Seminar Series hosts an average of 12 seminars per year that focuses on the research interests of faculty members.
• The Science Park Faculty Seminar Series features a faculty member each month, September through May, to present current research in their laboratories.
• The Center for Research on Environmental Disease (CRED) Seminar Series invites both internal and external scientists on subjects that are relevant and timely. The CRED series sponsors an average of 24 seminars each year.
• The CRED sponsors the videoconference of the UT Austin Toxicology Series.
• CRED sponsored workshops
• Postdoc seminar series
• Molecular Carcinogenesis graduate student seminar series
• invited speaker graduate seminar series
• Molecular Carcinogenesis graduate student journal club
• Annual Molecular Carcinogenesis retreat 
• GSBS Career Development Seminar via videoconference

Curriculum Requirements

The University of Texas Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at Houston requires a minimum of 54 credit hours to obtain the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The 54 credit hour minimum includes 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).In addition to the course requirements above, a minimum of 2 additional advanced courses (or 3 courses if Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis is used to satisfy the molecular area requirement) are required.

Molecular Carcinogenesis Program Required Courses

• Biomedical Statistics (GS010014 – summer annually) 
• Metabolic Biochemistry (GS030014 – fall annually) OR  Biochemistry (UT Austin) (Bio 595G – fall annually) 
• The Ethical Dimensions of the Biomedical Sciences (GS210051 – fall annually)
• Functional Histology (GS120134 – fall odd years)
• Basic Concepts of Tumor Biology (GS040083 – fall even years) 
• Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis (GS040113 – spring odd years) 

How Molecular Carcinogenesis Requirements Fulfill GSBS Area Requirements GSBS Area Requirements:

• Quantitative: Biomedical Statistics (GS010014 )
• Molecular: Metabolic Biochemistry (GS030014)
• Cellular: Functional Histology (GS120134 )
• Systems: Basic Concepts of Tumor Biology (GS040083) 
• Molecular Carcinogenesis Program requirement: Molecular Mechanisms of Carcinogenesis (GS040113) 

Elective Courses

• Introduction to Pathology (GS120144)
• Eukaryotic Gene Expression (GS040123)
• Developmental Biology (GS040073) 
• Cancer Cell Signaling (GS040133) 
• Cell Biology (GS040013) 
• Immunology I (GS060014)
• Molecular Principles of Virology (GS040043)
• Molecular Methods and Biotechniques

Financial Support and Stipends

All students are fully supported throughout their training with graduate stipends or fellowships that cover living costs, tuition, required fees and health benefits. The program also offers annual competitive awards for outstanding research projects and supports student travel to scientific meetings. Visit the GSBS Financial Assistance webpage for stipend levels and other information about fellowships and scholarships. The stipend level for 2011-2012 is $26,000 per annum, which is very competitive considering the low cost of living in Texas and absence of state income tax.