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CANBI-PHD - Cancer Biology (PhD)
Overview
Program Overview
The Cancer Biology Ph.D. program was established in 1978 at Stanford University. During the past four decades, the understanding of cancer has increased dramatically with the discovery of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, pathways of DNA damage and repair, cell cycle regulation, angiogenesis and responses to hypoxia, and the molecular basis of metastasis, among others. In addition, methods of parallel analysis including genomic and proteomic approaches have begun to refine and redefine the taxonomy of cancer diagnosis. This explosion of basic and clinical science has, in turn, resulted in the first successful cancer chemotherapies and immunotherapies based on knowledge of specific molecular targets. Stanford presents a unique environment to pursue interdisciplinary cancer research because the School of Medicine, the School of Humanities and Sciences, and the School of Engineering are located on a single campus, all within walking distance of one another.
Students are not limited to a single department in choosing their research advisors. The Cancer Biology Ph.D. program currently has approximately 65 graduate students located in a variety of basic science and clinical departments throughout the School of Medicine and School of Humanities and Sciences. Many students are supported by a training grant from the National Cancer Institute.
The Cancer Biology Ph.D. program is committed to fostering a diverse community of students. The program welcomes all individuals and strives to support them so they achieve their full potential. It values the diversity of its students because culture, socioeconomic and educational background, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, physical ability, life experiences, hobbies, and interests allow the program as a group to reach a greater level of innovation in cancer research.
Free Form Requisites
Doctor of Philosophy in Cancer Biology
University requirements for the Ph.D. are described under the Graduate Degrees section of this bulletin.
A small number of applicants are admitted to the program each year. Applicants should have completed an undergraduate major in the biological sciences; applicants with undergraduate majors in physics, chemistry, or mathematics may be admitted if they complete background training in biology during the first two years of study. During the first year, each student is required to complete a minimum of three, one quarter laboratory rotations. Students must choose a dissertation advisor prior to the end of Summer Quarter, the first year, but not before the end of Spring Quarter.
The requirements for the Ph.D. degree are as follows:
Training in biology equivalent to that of an undergraduate biology major at Stanford.
Completion of the following courses:
Course List
Units
Required Courses
Foundations in Experimental Biology (for students entering in 2012 or later. Students who entered in 2011 or earlier took GENE 203, Advanced Genetics.)
5
Molecular and Genetic Basis of Cancer
4
Cellular and Clinical Aspects of Cancer
4
Cancer Biology Journal Club (required for first- and second-year graduate students in Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters, totaling 6 units)
1
Lecture Seminar Series in Cancer Biology Program (required for first- and second- year graduate student in Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters, totaling to 6 units)
1
The Responsible Conduct of Research
1
Electives (total of 10 units)
Computational/Systems Cancer Biology Track
Core Knowledge
Curricular Practical Training
1-2
Introduction to Statistical Methods: Precalculus
5
Computational Analysis of Biological Information: Introduction to Python for Biologists
2
Analysis Techniques for the Biosciences Using MATLAB
2
Programming Methodology
3-5
Stem Cells, Immunology and Regenerative Medicine (Introduction to R; no longer offered)
1
Genomics
3
Principles of Cancer Systems Biology
3
Next Generation Sequencing and Applications
2
Additional Courses
Programming Abstractions
3-5
Theory of Probability
4
Data Mining and Analysis
3
Introduction to Statistical Learning
3
Representations and Algorithms for Computational Molecular Biology
3-4
Essential Methods in Computational and Systems Immunology
3
Design and Analysis of Algorithms
3-5
Statistical and Machine Learning Methods for Genomics
3
Other Cancer Biology Related Graduate-Level
Advanced Cell Biology
4
Biological Macromolecules
3-5
Cell Signaling
4
Advanced Immunology I
3
DBIO 201
(Inactive as of Autumn 2021)
Cells and Signaling in Regenerative Medicine
2
Principles of Biological Technologies
3
Tumor Immunology
3
Other elective course is determined in consultation with the student's advisor and/or the Program Director.
Presentation of research results at the annual Cancer Biology Conference and Pizza Talks.
Completion of a qualifying examination in Cancer Biology is required for admission to Ph.D. candidacy. The exam consists of an F31 NRSA-style written grant proposal not to exceed seven pages (excluding references) and an oral examination. The examining committee consists of three faculty members from the Cancer Biology Program but does not include the student's dissertation advisor. The composition of this committee is chosen by the student and thesis advisor and must be submitted to and approved by the Program Directors prior to the end of Autumn Quarter, second year. The qualifying examination must be taken prior to the end of December of the second year. If necessary, one retake is permitted prior to the end of Summer Quarter, second year. After the qualifying examination has been completed, the student is required to form a dissertation reading committee that includes the student's advisor and three other members of the Academic Council with appropriate expertise. Each student is required to arrange annual meetings (more frequently, if necessary) of the dissertation reading committee, at which time progress during the past year and a plan of study for the coming year are presented orally and discussed. Completion of each annual committee meeting must be communicated in writing to the program director by the advisor by the end of Spring Quarter each year.
The major accomplishment of each successful Ph.D. student is the presentation of a written dissertation resulting from independent investigation that contributes to knowledge in the area of cancer biology. An oral examination is also required for the Ph.D. degree. In the Cancer Biology Program, a public seminar (one hour) is presented by the Ph.D. candidate, followed by a closed-door oral examination. The oral examination committee consists of at least four examiners (the members of the doctoral dissertation reading committee) and a chair. The oral examination chair must be from outside the Cancer Biology Program faculty and may not have a full or joint appointment in the advisor's or student's home department. However, a courtesy appointment does not affect eligibility. The oral examination chair may be from the same department as any other member(s) of the examination committee. All members of the oral examination committee are normally members of the Academic Council, as the oral examination chair must be. With the prior approval of the program director or school dean, one of the examiners may be a person who is not a member of the Academic Council if that individual contributes expertise not otherwise available. Official responsibility for selecting the oral examination chair rests with the program. Cancer Biology delegates this to the student and dissertation advisor.
Program Policies
Advising Expectations
The mission of the Cancer Biology Ph.D. program is to train graduate students so that they may ultimately launch careers related to the study and treatment of cancer. A major goal of the program is to assist students in their growth and development by constructing meaningful educational plans. The program believes that students will become outstanding cancer researchers through frequent and collegial personal contacts with their primary research advisors, members of their thesis committee, and other faculty in the program. Scientific interactions between students and faculty foster the development of motivated students who are independent thinkers and responsible decision makers. The program expects faculty thesis advisors to have an active role in the advising process, including by monitoring progress frequently and by helping define and develop realistic educational career plans through regular interactions with the advisee. Faculty thesis advisors should refer students to other institutional resources as needed. The program expects students to clarify their academic and career goals with their advisors and to be equal partners in the advising process, including by scheduling regular meetings with their advisors and by adhering to institutional policies, procedures, and requirements. These expectations, which are detailed in the program handbook, ensure the successful completion of degree requirements and timely graduation.
For a statement of University policy on graduate advising, see the "Graduate Advising" section of this bulletin.
Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
The goal of the Cancer Biology Ph.D. program is to provide students with education and training that will enable them to make significant contributions to this remarkable field. Coursework during the first year is designed to provide a broad understanding of the molecular, genetic, cell biological, and pathobiological aspects of cancer. Students also learn about the current state of clinical diagnosis and treatment of human cancers. Equally important during the first year is a series of three rotations in research laboratories chosen by each student. By the end of the first year, each student has chosen his/her research advisor and has begun work on his/her dissertation project. A qualifying examination must be completed before the end of December of the second year. An annual Cancer Biology Conference provides students with an opportunity to present their research to one another and to the faculty in the program. The expected time to degree is four to five years.