Location:

Buffalo, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Doctorate

Specialty:

Biology

Program Overview

Program Description:

Students receive broad and deep formal education in biomedical sciences during the first year by completing core courses in Biochemistry, Oncology for Scientists and Cancer Pathology. Hands-on work in a research laboratory begins immediately in the first semester. Three laboratory rotations are completed concurrently with core courses during the first year. These rotations provide laboratory experience in various experimental systems. By the end of the first year, students choose a thesis research mentor and a laboratory to initiate their thesis research. Students may choose to pursue cancer pathology, cancer prevention or molecular epidemiology academic track. During the second year, core courses in cancer pathology, immunology, pharmacology, techniques in pathology, statistics and cancer control and prevention are selectively taken. This completes the formal course requirements of the department. A written preliminary examination, based on materials learned in the required didactic courses, constitute the first part of the doctoral degree qualifying examination. This is not required of the Master degree candidates. Successful oral defense of a thesis project proposal, written in the format of an NIH research grant application completes the qualifying examination requirement for both Master and doctoral degree candidates. The remaining years (1-2 for Master, 2-4 for doctorate degree candidates) are spent performing independent research (leading to a written dissertation), completing elective courses and participating in the numerous interactive research seminars of the department and Institute. Participation in the Recent Advances Seminar of the department where students practice presentation of their thesis projects and discuss cutting edge, recently published, research papers are mandatory during each semester of matriculation.