The University of Toledo

Cancer Biology Curriculum

All Biomedical Sciences students enroll in a core curriculum during year 1 that is designed to provide a foundation of knowledge for cutting edge research. The core curriculum is a mixture of didactic, small group discussion, laboratory courses, and laboratory rotations. The topics begin with simple biological molecules and progress to a comprehensive discussion of systems pathophysiology. Several cancer-related courses are available to advanced students following completion of the core curriculum.

YEAR 1 - Ph.D. Students

FALL SEMESTER all are required	DIRECTOR	CREDITS
Current Problems and Research Approaches in...
Protein Structure and Catalysis - BMSP 6330/8330	Dignam/Modyanov	2.5
Genes and Genomes - BMSP 6350/8350	Trumbly	2.5
Biomembranes - BMSP 6360/8360	Margiotta	3
Methods in Biomedical Sciences - BMSP 6380/8380	Smas	3
On Being a Scientist - INDI 6020/8020	Ruch	1
Introduction to Biomedical Research (no course #)	Ruch	0
Mentored Research (one 8 week lab rotation) - BMSP 6390/8390	Ruch	3
TOTAL		15
SPRING SEMESTER all are required
CPRA in Cell Biology and Signaling - BMSP 6340/8340	Sanchez	3
Systems Pathophysiology I - BMSP 6310/8310	Ruch	2.5
Systems Pathophysiology II - BMSP 6320/8320	Lecka-Czernik	2.5
Readings in Cancer Biology - CABP 6560/8560*	de la Serna/Yeung	1
Mentored Research (two 8 week lab rotations) - BMSP 6390/8390	Ruch	6
TOTAL		15
SUMMER SEMESTER
Statistical Methods - PUBH 5320/7320 required	Khuder	3
Practical Bioinformatics - BIPG 5110/7110 required	Trumbly	1
Independent Study in Cancer Biology - BMSP 6890/8890	Faculty	0-7
Research in Cancer Biology - CABP 6730/8730	Faculty	0-7
Other elective course(s) - see course catalog	Faculty	0-7
Mentored Research (1 or 2 rotations optional) - BMSP 6390/8390	Ruch	0-7
TOTAL		11
YEAR 2 AND BEYOND
Advanced Cancer Biology - BMSP 6560/8560 required in year 2 or 3	Ruch	3
Readings in Cancer Biology - CABP 6560/8560 required in year 2 and 3*	de la Serna/Yeung	1
Electives, qualifying exam, thesis credit (after successful completion of the qualifying exam) and thesis project
YEAR 1 - Masters Students
FALL SEMESTER (all are required)
Current Problems and Research Approaches (CPRA) in ...
Protein Structure and Catalysi - BMSP 6330/8330	Dignam/Modyanov	2.5
Genes and Genomes - BMSP 6350/8350	Trumbly	2.5
Biomembranes - BMSP 6360/8360	Margiotta	3
Methods in Biomedical Sciences - BMSP 6380/8380	Smas	3
On Being a Scientist - INDI 6020/8020	Ruch	1
Introduction to Biomedical Research (no course number)	Ruch	0
Mentored Research (one 8 week lab rotation) - BMSP 6390/8390	Ruch	1
TOTAL		15
SPRING SEMESTER
CPRA in Cell Biology and Signaling - BMSP 6340/8340 required	Sanchez	3
Readings in Cancer Biology - CABP 6560/8560 required*	de la Serna/Yeung	1
Optional Courses:
Independent Study or Research in Cancer Biology (see course catalog)	Ruch	0-11
Systems Pathophysiology I - BMSP 6310/8310	Ruch	2.5
Systems Pathophysiology II - BMSP 6320/8320	Lecka-Czernik	2.5
Other elective courses (see course catalog)	Faculty	0-11
Mentored Research (1 or 2 rotations optional) - BMSP 6390/8390	Ruch	3-6
TOTAL		12-15
SUMMER SEMESTER
Statistical Methods - PUBH 5320/7320 required	Khuder	3
Practical Bioinformatics - BIPG 5110/7110 required	Trumbly	1
Independent Study in Cancer Biology - CABP 6890/8890	Faculty	0-7
Research in Cancer Biology - CABP 6730/8730	Faculty	0-7
Other elective courses (see course catalog)	Faculty	0-7
Mentored Research (1 or 2 rotations optional) - BMSP 6390/8390	Ruch	0-7
TOTAL		9-11
YEAR 2 AND BEYOND
Advanced Cancer Biology - CABP 6270/8270 required year 2 OR 3
Cancer Biology courses, electives, qualifying exam, thesis credit (after successful completion of the qualifying exam) and thesis project

Advanced Courses in the Cancer Biology Track

Advanced Cancer Biology
A comprehensive examination of the cellular and molecular foundation of cancer.  Topics to be covered include: neoplasia; epidemiology and etiology; the role of causative agents such as chemicals, radiation, and viruses; cell proliferation, injury, and death; oncogenes; tumor suppressor genes; and an overview of cancer therapy.

Readings in Cancer Biology

A readings and discussion course that will examine classic and current research publications from within the broad realm of cancer biology.
*Ph.D. candidates are required to take 3 credit hours, Master's students are required to take 1 credit hour.

Independent Study in Cancer Biology
Intensive study in the field of cancer biology including theoretical and experimental work. 

Research in Cancer Biology
Intensive laboratory research work in cancer biology. 

Application

Students interested in Cancer Biology should apply online (http://apply.utoledo.edu/). Students should declare "Cancer Biology" as their track/major choice.  Students will identify a major advisor after completing laboratory rotations during their first year of study. 

For more information about the specific Financial Support programs and their requirements, please take a look at the "Financial Support" section of the Bulletin and Handbook of the Health Science Campus Graduate Student (http://www.utoledo.edu/graduate/hsc/hsc_handbook10/index.html)