PhD in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cancer Biology

Goal

The goal of the PhD program is to train students as independent investigators who will go on to post-doctoral fellowships following the completion of the degree, and eventually become independent academic researchers and teachers.

Financial Support

Students accepted into a PhD program are provided complete tuition remission for 48 credit hours of study which includes Dissertation Supervision, and a current stipend paid in monthly installments. Out of pocket expenses include university fees for health services, student activity fee, and the Health and Fitness Center membership. All students are required to have medical insurance coverage and we are pleased to announce that Loyola now pays the health insurance premium for eligible students. There is no on-campus student housing. Please reference the following link, Tuition and Fees, for more information.

In the first year of study, PhD students complete three elective rotations in the laboratories of faculty members of their choice, and select an advisor by the end of the second semester. After selecting a research advisor, students may select the Biochemistry, Molecular and Cancer Biology track for specialized coursework.  Required and elective courses are taken throughout the first and second years. The student must take and pass a qualifying examination by the end of the second year in order to be admitted to PhD candidacy.

Independent research is carried out in state-of-the-art laboratories under the direction of the student's advisor, with regularly scheduled meetings with the PhD committee selected by the student and advisor. A formal written dissertation on the student's research is required, and must be successfully defended at a public examination. The normal period required for completion of the degree ranges from four to six years.  

Classes

Graduate classes are small, and there is a strong emphasis on the current scientific literature. The program holds a weekly Journal Club where students present seminars on recent important research articles of their choice. A dynamic seminar series brings twenty or more nationally recognized molecular biologists to the Medical Center each year to present their research and meet with graduate students.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the PhD Program in Biochemistry, Molecular and Cancer Biology consists of a first semester core of three courses (Molecular Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Methods in Biomedical Sciences), courses from the basic science departments of the Medical School, and courses taught by the faculty of the Program. In addition to these classes, all students must enroll in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Journal Club and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Seminar every semester until graduation. Students conduct independent, original research projects after identifying an advisor and joining a lab. This occurs after the second semester for PhD students and after the first semester for MS students. The degree ranges from four to six years.  

Typical Biochemistry, Molecular and Cancer Biology Ph.D. Student Schedule

YEAR 1 - Fall

Spring

Summer

Molecular Biochemistry

Statistical Methods for the Biomedical Sciences

Join Advisor's Lab

Cell Biology

Elective #1 (Molecular Biology)

Research

Methods in Biomedical Sciences

Presentation Skills

 

Ethics in Biomedical Science

 

 

 

 

 

Year 2- Fall

Spring

Summer

Elective #2

Elective #4

Qualifying Exam

Elective #3

Research

Research

Research

 

 

 

 

 

Year 3

 

 

Dissertation Proposal

 Research

 Research

Research

 

 

 

 

 

Years 4+

 

 

Research

 Research

 Research

 

 

 

 

A personal interview is required for admission. For international applicants an interview by telephone must be arranged.