Curriculum Overview

(Fall/Spring) - Students are admitted in the MCB Track but are not yet part of a program. All first year MCB students must enroll in MCB 700 (Analytical Skills), MCB 701, and MCB 702 courses.  They also must complete a professional and ethical development series (GRAD 713/714/715/716). Students also enroll in electives offered by the individual graduate programs within MCB. 

For students planning to enter the Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program, it is recommended that they select MCB721 (Basic Concepts in Cancer Biology) in the Fall and MCB722 (Basic Concepts in Cancer Research) and MCB723 (Topics in Cancer Biology) in the Spring. These courses provide foundational knowledge in basic cancer biology, cancer research methodology, and critically reading and reviewing cancer literature. In addition, students will write a brief review article in MCB723, gaining valuable experience in scientific writing. These courses must be completed before students can take their candidacy exam (see below). In addition to coursework, first year MCB students perform three mandatory lab rotations to aid in choosing a Ph.D. research mentor. 

(Summer) - During the summer following the first year, students choose a mentor for their Ph.D. dissertation research. For a student to be admitted into the Cancer Biology Ph.D. Training Program, the mentor must hold a primary or secondary faculty appointment in the Cancer Biology Department. Students perform research (CABI 723) under their mentor’s guidance. 

(Fall/Spring) - Students perform research under their mentor’s guidance (CABI 723/724). If they did not do so during their first year, students will be required to complete MCB721/722/723 during their second year. Cancer Biology students will begin a year-long immersion in cutting edge cancer research and hone their ability to present and critically analyze cancer-related studies through required seminar series CABI 701/702 (Research Progress Report), CABI 707/708 (Topics in Cancer), and participation in journal club (CABI 711/712). In the Fall, students will also take CABI 705 (Cancer Cell Biology) where they will take a deeper look at the defining characteristics of cancer and treatments that exploit cancer vulnerabilities. Moreover, in this course students will learn critical knowledge in grant writing that they will apply as they develop their own research proposals for their candidacy exam. 

Students are required to develop knowledge of biostatistics and may substitute IPP 741 (Quantitative Methods) for one semester of CABI701/702 at any point during their training. This is usually done during the fall of their second year. 

One elective is required in addition to the core courses listed above.   Students may opt take this elective at any point in their training. It is recommended that students not take an optional elective until the spring of the 2nd year or later.  

Students work with their mentor and the Program Director to assemble an advisory committee. Details on this committee and their role in the candidacy exam/dissertation defense are described below. 

(Summer) - Students perform research under their mentor’s guidance (CABI 723). Students work with their mentor and advisory committee to prepare for their candidacy exam. 

(Fall/Spring) - Students perform research under their mentor’s guidance (CABI 723/724). Cancer Biology students will continue to be immersed in cutting edge cancer research and hone their ability to present and critically analyze cancer-related studies through required seminar series CABI 701/702 (Research Progress Report), CABI 707/708 (Topics in Cancer), and participation in journal club (CABI 711/712).  By the end of the Fall Semester of the 3rd year, students are expected to take their candidacy exam (see below).

(Summer) - Students perform research under their mentor’s guidance (CABI 723). Students work with their mentor and advisory committee to prepare for their candidacy exam. 

(Fall/Spring) - Students perform research under their mentor’s guidance (CABI 723/724). Cancer Biology students will continue to be immersed in cutting edge cancer research and hone their ability to present and critically analyze cancer-related studies through required seminar series CABI 701/702 (Research Progress Report) and participation in journal club (CABI 711/712).  

(Summer) - Students perform research under their mentor’s guidance (CABI 723). Students work with their mentor and advisory committee to prepare for their candidacy exam. Most students will be ready to write and defend their dissertation by the spring of their 5th year. 

First Year MCB Curriculum	Courses
MCB core course	MCB 700, 701, 702
Elective Cancer Biology-specific block courses	MCB 721, 722, 723
Dissertation advisor and laboratory selection	MCB 703, 704, 705
Introduction to Professional Development	GRAD 701
Scientific Professionalism: Scientific Integrity	GRAD 713, 714
Career Development and Planning	GRAD 715, 716

 

Summer Session, First Year	Courses
Research in Cancer Biology	CABI 723

 

Fall Semester, Second Year	Courses
Cancer Biology Seminar Series(RPR)	CABI 701
Cancer Cell Biology (core course)	CABI 705
Topics in Cancer Lecture Series	CABI 707
Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology	CABI 711
Research in Cancer Biology	CABI 723
Quantitative Methods in Behavioral Sciences	IPP 741

 

Spring Semester, Second Year	Courses
Cancer Biology Seminar Series(RPR)	CABI 702
Topics in Cancer Lecture Series	CABI 708
Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology	CABI 712
Research in Cancer Biology	CABI 724
Optional Elective

 

Summer Session, Second Year	Courses
Research	CABI 723

 

Fall Semester, Third Year	Courses
Cancer Biology Seminar Series(RPR)	CABI 701
Topics in Cancer Lecture Series	CABI 707
Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology	CABI 711
Research in Cancer Biology	CABI 723
Optional Elective

 

Spring Semester, Third Year	Courses
Cancer Biology Seminar Series(RPR)	CABI 702
Topics in Cancer Lecture Series	CABI 708
Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology	CABI 712
Research in Cancer Biology	CABI 724
Optional Elective

 

Summer Session, Third Year	Courses
Research in Cancer Biology	CABI 723

 

Fall Semester, Fourth/Fifth Year	Courses
Cancer Biology Seminar Series (RPR)	CABI 701
Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology	CABI 711
Research in Cancer Biology	CABI 723
Optional Elective

 

Spring Semester, Fourth/Fifth Year	Courses
Cancer Biology Seminar Series (RPR)	CABI 702
Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology	CABI 712
Research in Cancer Biology	CABI 724
Optional Elective

MCB Track Electives

MCB721. Basic Concepts in Cancer Biology. (2)

This course introduces fundamental concepts in cancer biology including etiology, genetic abnormalities, gene expression reprogramming, signal transduction aberration and cancer stem cells that contribute to cancer development, progression, heterogeneity, and treatment response. Each lecture will focus upon a specific type of cancer (breast, bladder, ovarian, brain, prostate, and hematologic cancer) and highlight foundational knowledge in cancer biology. Topics include oncogenesis, genetic drivers and functional genomics in cancer, cancer stem cells and metastases, immunotherapy, and signaling in the tumor microenvironment. Offered fall.

MCB722. Basic Concepts in Cancer Research. (2)

Over the last half-century scientists have generated a complex body of knowledge illuminating the origins of cancer and revealed it to be a dynamic interplay between the genome and the cellular environment. This course is a hypothesis-driven and problem solving-based course that explores this interplay and the requirements for malignant transformation. This course is offered in the spring term. Open to all students in thesis-driven programs. Offered spring.

MCB723. Topics in Cancer Biology. (2)

Teaches students how to evaluate and communicate scientifically in the area of cell biology and cancer. Examples are taken from all areas of cancer in this advanced course. Uses current peer-reviewed journal articles to teach fundamental concepts and act as a medium for allowing the students to communicate ideas with an emphasis on presentation skills. Offered spring.

MCB 703, 704, 705. Introduction to Molecular and Cellular Biosciences Research. (1)

Molecular and Cellular Bioscience students will gain experience with the planning and execution of research, and the interpretation and presentation of experimental results. To put these principles into practice, they will carry out mentored research projects in the laboratories of three different Molecular and Cellular Biosciences faculty members.  

CABI Advanced Courses

CABI 701, 702. Cancer Biology Seminar Series (1)  

The course will consist of weekly student and postdoctoral presentations to the Cancer Biology faculty and their peers based on their ongoing research projects. Required of all students who matriculate in Cancer Biology starting in their second years and continuing throughout their training period. Students and postdoctoral fellows will be expected to present at least once per year. Emphasis will be based on developing presentation skills and learning to critique colleagues in a professional manner.

CABI 705. Cancer Cell Biology. (3)

This is an intensive treatment to learn how to critically review the literature and requires the writing of a grant proposal that is critically reviewed. The course covers apoptosis, cell-cycle, angiogenesis, cancer genomics, metastasis, cancer immunology, and tumor suppressor genes.  The translational aspects of research are emphasized.

CABI 707, 708. Topics in Cancer Lecture Series. (1)

A weekly lecture series taken during the second year. Each week throughout the fall and spring semesters, a different topic in the clinical presentation, course, and treatment of human malignancies is presented. Designed to be a comprehensive overview of clinical oncology for clinical medical and radiation oncology fellows and cancer biology graduate students.

CABI 711, 712. Advanced Topics in Cancer Biology. (1)

Focuses on new and important aspects of research in cancer biology with an emphasis on the current literature. Themes are chosen by the course director and the students. A topic is selected for presentation by each student; with the help of the course director, the student prepares a short lecture to introduce the topic, assigns two key papers for participants to read, and provides a supplemental reading list. The following week, the student leads a discussion of key experimental findings. Broad participation from faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students is encouraged. Pass/fail only.

CABI 723, 724. Research in Cancer Biology. (Varies)

Opportunities for investigation in a variety of the facets of cancer biology under the guidance of staff members.

CABI 730. Clinical Experience in Cancer Therapy. (1)

This course is designed to provide students with knowledge of clinical practice and clinical challenges to the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Enrolled students will work with the course directors to identify a clinical mentor. Each student observes and participates in 10 hours of clinical immersion with his/her clinical mentor. Experiences are custom-designed by the clinical mentor and course directors for each student. At the end of the semester, students enrolled in the course meet and each student presents a case study based on his/her personal clinical experience.

CABI 740. Omics Data: Gen, Analy & Expl

In this course, students will be familiarized with basic software used to analyze “omics” data and during each course blocks, be provided datasets and software tools to perform actual data analysis, data interpretation, and data presentation in respect to publications. Students will also be familiarized with online genomic bioinformatic resources such as, UC Santa Cruz Genome Browser, The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), ENCODE, GTEx, cBioPortal, etc. and how to acquire and utilize the data available in these resources.   Each student should be prepared to discuss how their datasets were analyzed and present the results in formats that are suitable for publication.

Each student works in at least 3 different laboratories during the first year; these rotations are mandatory. Working in at least 3 different laboratories provides students with opportunities to learn research techniques that are used in each lab and program.

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 MCB Program Director and individual program.

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 and MCB Program Directors. Each laboratory rotation has to be finished with a satisfactory performance. Unsatisfactory behavior may factor into the recommendation for dismissal from the program.

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.

The Cancer Biology Department has access to state-of-the-art research resources that facilitate latest approaches in the scientific field and include

• Proteomics and Lipidomics Analysis
• Genomics Analysis
• Bioinformatics Analysis
• Biostatistics Analysis
• Mass Spectrometry
• Microarray Facility
• Nanotechnology
• Nanoimaging
• Analytical Imaging
• Flow Cytometry
• DNA Sequencing
• Cellular Imaging
• Cell Engineering Laboratory
• Synthetic Chemistry
• Tissue Bank
  
   

Attendance at seminars is strongly encouraged to broaden the educational experience of graduate students. Beginning with their second year, 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.

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.

After the first year, the student will be assigned, or can choose a temporary faculty advisor, who will assist the student in devising the initial coursework and help the student acclimate to the department and the graduate school. 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. The advisor 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 selects a laboratory to conduct the dissertation research, the faculty supervisor becomes the student’s permanent advisor. The role of this advisor is to advise the student in academic matters, choosing the appropriate didactic coursework and providing advice for and monitoring the progress of the dissertation research.