Established in 1978, the Cancer Biology Program at Stanford University includes an interdisciplinary program leading to the Ph.D. degree. During the past three decades, our understanding of cancer has increased dramatically with the discovery of oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, pathways of DNA damage and repair, cell cycle regulation, angiogenesis and responses to hypoxia, and the molecular basis of metastasis among others. In addition, methods of parallel analysis including gene expression arrays, protein arrays, and tissue arrays have begun to refine and redefine the taxonomy of cancer diagnosis. This explosion of basic and clinical science has in turn resulted in the first successful cancer chemotherapies and immunotherapies based on a knowledge of specific molecular targets. Stanford presents a unique environment to pursue interdisciplinary cancer research because the School of Medicine, the School of Humanities and Sciences, and the School of Engineering are located on a single campus, all within walking distance of one another.

The goal of the Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program is to provide our students with education and training that will enable them to make significant contributions to this remarkable field. Coursework during the first year is designed to provide a broad understanding of the molecular, genetic, cell biological, and pathobiological aspects of cancer. Students will also learn about the current state of clinical diagnosis and treatment of human cancers. Equally important during the first year is a series of three rotations in research laboratories chosen by each student. By the beginning of the second year, each student will have chosen his/her research advisor and will have begun work on his/her dissertation project. A qualifying examination must be completed by the end of the second year. An annual Cancer Biology Conference provides our students with an opportunity to present their research to one another and to the faculty. The expected time to degree is four to five years.

Our students are not limited to a single department in choosing their research advisor. The Cancer Biology Ph.D. Program currently has approximately 65 graduate students located in a variety of basic science and clinical departments throughout the School of Medicine and School of Humanities and Sciences. Many of our students are supported by a training grant from the National Cancer Institute, a branch of the United States government.

About Molecular & Genetic Basis of Cancer

The Molecular & Genetic Basis of Cancer program provides our students with education and training that will enable them to make significant contributions to this remarkable field. 

Coursework

The first year of curriculum is designed to provide students a broad understanding of the molecular, genetic, cell biological, and pathobiological aspects of cancer. Students will also learn about the current state of clinical diagnosis and treatment of human cancers. 

Equally important during the first year is a series of three rotations in research laboratories chosen by each student. By the beginning of the second year, each student will have chosen his/her research advisor and will have begun work on his/her dissertation project. A qualifying examination must be completed by the end of the second year. An annual Cancer Biology Conference provides our students with an opportunity to present their research to one another and to the faculty. The expected time to the Ph.D. degree is five years.

For more detail course requirements

Stanford University

Stanford University, ranked as one of the leading research universities in the United States, is a private university founded in 1885. The University, often referred to as "The Farm," is located 35 miles south of San Francisco in Palo Alto, California. The campus offers a renowned art museum, extensive athletic facilities, many student- and community-oriented activities, and a large amount of open space, including wildlife preserve areas for running and hiking. Approximately 13,000 students are enrolled at Stanford, divided about evenly between undergraduates and students enrolled in the graduate and professional schools.