Typical Curriculum for MD/PhD Students

The PhD curriculum of the MD/PhD program requires completion of 33 credits.
Transfer Credits from Medical School: 20 credits
Total Credits of Required PhD Courses: 13 credits

All Years

All Tumor Biology PhD trainees must register for Tumor Biology Student Seminar (TBIO 711/712; September to July) and Current Topics (TBIO 703/704; September to May) each semester until the completion of the PhD program.

Summer prior to first Fall semester

TBIO 555 – Tumor Biology Lab Rotation I (0)
TBIO 712 – Tumor Biology Student Seminar (0)

Year 1

Fall Semester

*BCHB 501 – Biochemical and Cellular Sciences I (4) [M1: Molecular and Cellular Physiology (MCP)]
BCHB 528 – Modern Methods in Molecular Biology (3)
*PHAR 534 – Ethical Issues in Scientific Research (2) (Fall or Spring) [M2: Health Care Ethics]
TBIO 508 – Cellular & Molecular Aspects of the Transformed Cell (4)
TBIO 546 – Resources for Cancer Research (0)
TBIO 556 – Tumor Biology Lab Rotation II (0)
TBIO 591 – Signal Transduction Journal Club (1) (Fall or Spring)
TBIO 703 – Current Topics in Cancer Research (0)
TBIO 711 – Tumor Biology Student Seminar (0)
*Electives (0-3) [Any M1 & M2 Courses]

Spring Semester

*BIST 501 – Experimental Design and Analysis (3) [M1: Evidence-Based Medicine & Population Health (EBM)]
*CBIO 539 – Biochemical and Cellular Sciences II (4) [M1: Metabolism, Nutrition, and Endocrinology (MNE)]
TBIO 520 – Cancer Prevention, Control & Epidemiology (3)
*TBIO 536 – Cancer Pharmacology I & II (4) [M2: Fundamentals]
TBIO 557 – Tumor Biology Lab Rotation III (0)
TBIO 588 – Preparing a Scientific Paper (2)
TBIO 704 – Current Topics in Cancer Research (0)
TBIO 712 – Tumor Biology Student Seminar (0)
*Electives (0-3) [Any M1 & M2 Courses]

Summer After First Year

Comprehensive Exam

Year 2 – Graduation

Fall & Spring Semesters

TBIO 703/704 – Current Topics in Cancer Research (0)
TBIO 711/712 – Tumor Biology Student Seminar (0)
TBIO 999-01 Thesis Research (0)

*MD/PhD students do not need to take these otherwise required courses. These courses are covered in the medical school curriculum and are counted towards the Ph.D. curriculum.