The curriculum of the Cancer Biology Graduate Program is designed to provide maximum exposure to the cancer problem, while providing necessary fundamental education. 

	Intro to Biochemical Techniques (Mini Course during Orientation)
Fall Semester, First Year
Lecture courses
BICM   705	Biochemistry I (4)
MOGN 731	Molecular Biology (3)
Seminars and lab rotations
CABI    707	Topics in Cancer Lecture Series (1)
CABI    723	Research in Cancer Biology (laboratory rotation 1) (1-9)
GRAD  713	Scientific Professionalism: Scientific Integrity (1)
Spring Semester, First Year
Lecture courses
CABI    702	Carcinogenesis, DNA Damage & Repair (3)
CABI    704	Cell Biology of Breast and Prostate Cancer (3)
Seminars and lab rotations
CABI    708	Topics in Cancer Lecture Series (1)
CABI    724	Research in Cancer Biology (laboratory rotation 2) (1-9)
GRAD  714	Scientific Professionalism: Scientific Integrity (1)
	Dissertations advisor and laboratory selection
Summer Session, First Year
CABI    724	Research in Cancer Biology (1-6)
Fall Semester, Second Year
	Elective (1-3)*
CABI 707	Topics in Cancer Lecture Series (1)
CABI 711	Advanced Topics in Cancer (1)
CABI 723	Research in Cancer Biology (1-9)
PSPR 741	Quantitative Methods in Behavioral Sciences (2)
	Dissertations committee selection
Spring Semester, Second Year
	Elective (1-3)*
CABI 708	Topics in Cancer Lecture Series (1)
CABI 712	Advanced Topics in Cancer (1)
CABI 724	Research in Cancer Biology (1-9)
	Submit dissertation proposal outline-June
	Submit formal thesis proposal Mid-July
	Defend dissertation proposal to committee- August
	Admission to PhD degree candidacy
Summer Session, Second Year
CABI 724	Research (1-9)
Fall Semester, Third Year
CABI 711	Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology (1)
CABI 723	Research in Cancer Biology (1-9)
	Optional Elective*
Spring Semester, Third Year
CABI 712	Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology (1)
CABI 724	Research in Cancer Biology (1-9)
	Optional Elective*
Summer Session, Third Year
CABI 724	Research in Cancer Biology (1-9)
Fall Semester, Fourth Year
CABI 723	Research in Cancer Biology (1-9)
Spring Semester, Fourth Year
CABI 724	Research in Cancer Biology (1-9)
*Students will be required to take 2 semesters of electives, which can be, but are not limited to Cancer Biology tutorials: CABI 713, 714, 715, 716 or 717.  The topics for CABI 713/714 will vary from year to year and cover emerging topics in cancer biology research.

Students need to register for courses with the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for a minimum of nine credit hours per semester/summer. 

LABORATORY ROTATIONS

Each student works in at least three different laboratories during the first year.  A student may elect to do a fourth rotation during the summer semester of the first year if he/she wishes to do so.  Three laboratory rotations are mandatory.  Working in at least three different laboratories provides students with opportunities to learn research techniques that are used in each lab.  A major goal of the laboratory rotations is for the students to obtain in-depth views of the laboratories in which they may wish to pursue their research.  It is an opportunity for the student and faculty to evaluate whether they have mutual interests that would aid in the student's career development.  Each laboratory rotation lasts for 12 weeks. 

After orientation and with the beginning of classes, each student chooses potential laboratories in which to work during the first semester rotation and afterwards for the second and third rotation after consultation with the Graduate Program Director.  At the end of each lab rotation, the faculty member heading the laboratory will prepare an evaluation of the student’s overall performance; discuss it with the student, and send the evaluation to the Graduate Program Director.  Each laboratory rotation has to be finished with a satisfactory performance.  Unsatisfactory behavior may factor into the recommendation for dismissal from the program. 

The policies on the choice of research area for a student are guided by the principle that both the student and advisor should be in a position to make a well-informed choice before any decisions are made.  Furthermore, to provide an optimal graduate training experience, the advisor must have adequate time and resources to devote to each student.  Also, the advisor must have sufficient research funds to insure that adequate supplies and equipment are available for the student’s research.  For this reason, only certain laboratories may be available for students to do their dissertation research at any given time. 

After the rotations have been completed, students choose a laboratory in which to do their dissertation research, with the consent of the faculty member that heads the laboratory in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. 

SEMINARS AND SYMPOSIA

Attendance at seminars is strongly encouraged to broaden the educational experience of graduate students.  Students are expected to attend seminars sponsored, in whole or in part, by the Comprehensive Cancer Center of Wake Forest University.  Each Cancer Biology graduate student will present his/her research once each year as a research progress report before the Department of Cancer Biology. 

CURRICULUM COMMITTEE 

A curriculum committee, consisting of course directors, two graduate students and the Program Director meets quarterly to discuss suggestions made for the program and any problems that arise.  Any concerns and suggestions can be made to the committee chair.  The committee will discuss and vote on agenda items that become effective immediately after the meeting or when applicable. 

MENTORING

The program directors have an “open door” policy and are available to the students at any time.  A formal monthly lunch meeting with all students is held to discuss potential problems and latest news.  All students are encouraged to discuss grievances with the program directors at any time. 

Upon matriculation, the student will be assigned or can choose a temporary faculty advisor, who will assist the student in devising his/her initial coursework and help the student acclimate to the department and the graduate school.  After the first year, this advisor can continue, or the student can change to another advisor of his/her choosing.  The continued tasks for this mentor will be the student’s career development.  This advisor will assist the student in choosing a postdoctoral fellowship and a career path.  He/she will also advise the student concerning non-academic aspects of a scientific career, including such activities as networking, forming collaborations and obtaining research funding. 

After the student has selected a laboratory to conduct his/her dissertation research, the faculty supervisor will become the student’s permanent advisor.  The role of this advisor will be to advise the student in academic matters, choosing the appropriate didactic coursework and providing advice for and monitoring the progress of the dissertation research.