PhD Cancer Biology at University of Wisconsin-Madison

Programme overview

Established at McArdle in 1940 and described as the first U.S. graduate program offering a degree in basic cancer research, with more than 50 faculty. Students choose an advisor after three month-long lab rotations in the first semester.

Faculty: School of Medicine and Public Health | Department: Oncology (McArdle Laboratory for Cancer Research) | Duration: Average 5.5 years; minimum 51 credits | Intake: Fall only | Study mode: full-time | Location: Madison, WI, United States

What you will study

Core courses include General Virology, Carcinogenesis and Tumor Cell Biology, Responsible Conduct of Research, Readings and Grant Writing in Cancer Biology, seminar, biostatistics or bioinformatics, two electives and at least 28 research credits.

Career pathways

Prepares students for careers in teaching and research in academia, government and industry.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) Not required; Letters of Recommendation Required 3. Students seeking admission to the program must complete a bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, molecular biology, or a related area from an accredited college or university and should have a grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale). The background of the applicant should include basic courses in these areas as well as several advanced courses in chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, physiology, and molecular biology. Prior laboratory research experience is highly desirable. Applicants must submit a completed online application, personal statement (reasons for graduate study), unofficial college transcripts, updated CV/resume (highlighting laboratory experience), and three letters of recommendation.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Entry terms (spring, summer or fall) vary by programme and are listed on each programme's Graduate Guide admissions tab. An applicant may have active applications in only one entry term at a time.

Application deadlines vary by programme and are listed on the programme's Graduate Guide admissions tab. Applications are submitted through the Graduate School application portal. The application fee is $75 US, non-refundable, payable by credit card (MasterCard or Visa) or debit/ATM; international applicants pay an extra $6 processing fee. Up to three programmes in the same entry term can be applied to for one application fee.

Apply through the official page: https://grad.wisc.edu/apply/requirements/

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