Location:

Buffalo, United States

Program Type:

Full Degree

Degree Level:

Doctorate

Specialty:

Biology

Program Overview

Program Description:

The program generally requires 32 credit hours of course work consisting of core requirements in pharmacology, cancer therapeutics, oncology, and biochemistry, while allowing for specialization in such areas as molecular biology, cellular biology, and immunology. Courses are taught by faculty located at both RPCI and at the North and South Campuses of the State University of New York at Buffalo. Following the completion of the formal didactic coursework, each student must complete a written and oral preliminary examination. The format of the exam involves the preparation and defense of an NIH RO1-style grant proposal in an area of cancer research outside of the student's own research project. After passing the preliminary exam in the 2nd year of study, the student advances to Ph.D. candidacy. In the third year of study, students prepare a thesis project proposal and assemble a thesis committee led by their major advisor. Generally in the 5th year of study, after at least 32 credit hours of independent laboratory research, the student defends an original Ph.D. thesis. Degrees are awarded through the State University of New York at Buffalo Roswell Park Graduate Division. Ph.D. graduates of the program are highly competitive for research and faculty positions at universities, biomedical research centers, and the pharmaceutical industry.