Master's in Cellular and Molecular Oncology

Graduates of Loyola's Master of Science in Cellular and Molecular Oncology will possess the following knowledge, skills, and professional values to pursue a career in the pharmaceutical, biotech, or biomedical industries.

KNOWLEDGE: 

Students develop a solid understanding of cancer risks, development, and therapy. They learn to use molecular, genetic, and pharmacologic tools to answer questions related to cancer initiation, progression, and how the immune system interacts with various cancers.

SKILLS: 

Each student will become expert in designing experiments to test hypotheses and aims related to a cancer-focused project. Students also learn how to interact with basic scientists and clinical oncologists.

PROFESSIONAL VALUES:

Students learn and study in an environment that values ethics, collaboration, and honesty.

Our curriculum prepares you to tackle many challenges in cancer research.

In your first semester, you will take courses in basic biomedical sciences and rotate through multiple cancer research labs. These rotations provide you with insights into the department's labs, which focus on:

• Signal transduction and experimental therapeutics
• Tumor immunology and immunotherapy
• Gene regulation and epigenetics
• Stem cell biology

Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits during the two-year MS program.  For example: 17 credit hours of required and elective courses and 13 credit hours consisting of research, seminars, and journal clubs. Coursework provides students with training in the biomedical sciences and focused knowledge in oncology. Seminar attendance is required and allows students to learn about oncology research innovations evolving in real time. We encourage Cellular and Molecular Oncology students to participate in journal clubs, which foster collaboration through a student-centered approach.

YEAR ONE: FALL

• BMCS 412 Cell Biology (4 credits)
• BMCS 405 Ethics in Biomedical Sciences (1 credit)
• BMSC 416 Methods in Biomedical Sciences (1 credit)
• CMO 503 Special Topics in Oncology (1 credit)
• CMO 502 Oncology Seminar Series (0 credits)
• CMO 499 Research (2 laboratory rotations; 2 credits)

Total credits: 9

YEAR ONE: SPRING

• MBIO 590 Molecular Biology of Oncogenesis (3 credits)
• CMO 503 Special Topics in Oncology (1 credit)
• CMO 502 Oncology Seminar Series (0 credits)
• CMO 499 Research (2 credits)
• BMSC 402 Statistics for Biomedical Sciences (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)

Total credits: 12

YEAR ONE: SUMMER

• Thesis proposal

YEAR TWO: FALL

• CMO 503 Special Topics in Oncology (1 credit)
• CMO 499 Research (7 credits)
• CMO 502 Oncology Seminar Series (0 credits)
• CMO 595 Thesis Supervision (0 credits)

Total credits: 8

YEAR TWO: SPRING 

• CMO 503 Special Topics in Oncology (1 credit)
• CMO 502 Oncology Seminar Series (0 credits)
• CMO 595 Thesis Supervision (0 credits)

Total credits: 1

ELECTIVES 

• BMB 417 Molecular Biology
• BMB 490 Special Topics: Epigenetics and Stem Cells
• IDIM 400 Infectious and Immunity
• ICB 403 Graduate Histology
• MMIM 471 Molecular Microbial Genetics
• MMIM 502 Special Topics: Pillars in Immunology
• PHAR 408 Receptor & Molecular Pharmacology
• PHAR 409 Principles of Pharmacology

Course Catalog

• Cellular and Molecular Oncology MS Course Catalog

Ready to apply? This is a good place to start.

DEADLINES

We accept applications for the MS in Cellular and Molecular Oncology on a rolling basis. Early application is encouraged; we begin evaluating applications in early December. The deadline for all application materials is June 15.  Please note: the only documents that cannot be uploaded with an application are transcripts and official test scores.  Please email those documents directly to: gradapp@luc.edu. There is no fee to apply.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. COMPLETED APPLICATION

• Apply online or mail application to:
  
  Graduate and Professional Enrollment Management
  Loyola University Chicago
  820 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1200
  Chicago, IL 60611
  
  

2. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS

• Applicants should have completed at least a bachelor's degree to apply. Transcripts for all undergraduate and graduate work are required for admission.

3. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

• Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation.

4. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

• Your statement of purpose should be a brief, one page statement that explains your interest in this program.

5. INTERVIEW

• A virtual interview is required for admission. International applicants can interview by phone or video conference.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants must have a degree equivalent to a U.S. Bachelor's degree and are required to submit the above documents as well as:

• TOEFL or IELTS scores
• A Declaration and Certification of Finances Form
• Evaluations of international transcripts sent by any member organization of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services)

Please visit our International Student Requirements page for more details!

Questions? Contact Student Program Recruiter Patrick Hulseman.

Request more information about our graduate programs.

The Biomedical Sciences Graduate Programs and Loyola's Financial Aid Office are committed to helping students secure the financial resources to make their education at Loyola affordable.

• COST
• FINANCIAL AID
• PAYMENT

Students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty-mentors. Read about their research interests.

Nancy Zeleznik-Le, PhD
Chair, Cancer Biology
Professor, Cancer Biology: Medicine
nzelezn@luc.edu     CBCC 337
Research Interests:  MLL leukemias, Hematopoiesis, Chromatin-mediated gene regulation and epigenetics

Maurizio Bocchetta, PhD
Associate Professor, Cancer Biology, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
mbocche@luc.edu     CBCC 204
Research Interests: OTUD6B deubiquitinase, MYC oncogene, Lung adenocarcinoma

Mitchell F. Denning, PhD
Associate Dean for Graduate Education
Professor, Cancer Biology
Stritch School of Medicine
mdennin@luc.edu     CBCC 237
Research Interests:  Keratinocyte and melanocyte biology, Ultraviolet radiation induced skin carcinogenesis, Protein kinase C signaling

Sean W. Fanning, PhD
Assistant Professor, Cancer Biology
sfanning@luc.edu     CBCC 234
Research Interests: Breast cancer, Nuclear receptors, Drug resistance, Structure-based drug discovery

Kimberly E. Foreman, PhD
Associate Professor, Cancer Biology
kforema@luc.edu     CBCC 235
Research Interests: Viral oncology, Medical education, Education outcomes

Irida Kastrati, PhD
Assistant Professor, Cancer Biology
ikastrati@luc.edu     CBCC 233
Research Interests: Breast cancer, Selenoproteins, Racial disparity, Therapeutic targets in therapy resistance and recurrence, Drug development

Steven Kregel, PhD
Assistant Professor, Cancer Biology
skregel@luc.edu     CBCC 205
Research Interests: Prostate cancer and urologic research, Androgen receptor signaling, Hormone therapies and resistance, Tumor immune microenvironment

Phong T. Le, PhD
Professor, Microbiology & Immunology, Cancer Biology
ple@luc.edu     CBCC 304
Research Interests: T-cell development, Thymic epithelial cell biology, Exosomes

Michael Nishimura, PhD
Professor, Surgical Research; Cancer Biology
Associate Director, Cancer Center Translational Research
Program Director, Immunologic Therapeutics
mnishimura@luc.edu     CBCC 301
Research Interests: Tumor immunology, Immunotherapy

Clodia Osipo, PhD
Graduate Program Director, Biochemistry, Molecular and Cancer Biology
Associate Professor, Cancer Biology; Microbiology and Immunology
cosipo@luc.edu     CBCC 238
Research Interests: Breast cancer, Cancer stem cells, Notch signaling

Wei Qui, PhD
Associate Professor, Cancer Biology; Surgical Research
wqiu@luc.edu     CBCC 338
Research Interests: Hepatocellular carcinoma, Tumor cell signaling pathways, Mechanisms of therapeutic resistance in HCC, Alcoholic liver disease

Nan Sethakorn, MD, PhD
Assistant Professor, Hematology/Oncology and Cancer Biology
nan.sethakorn@lumc.edu     CBCC 203
Research Interests: Non-small cell lung cancer, Bone metastases, Tumor microenvironment, Resistance to targeted therapies

Derek Wainwright, PhD
Associate Professor, Cancer Biology
Scientific Director, Brain Tumor Research
Program Leader, Cancer Biology and Therapeutics
dwainwright@luc.edu     CBCC 202
Research Interests: Glioblastoma, Cancer immunology and immunotherapy, Aging and cancer, Neuroimmunology, Mechanisms of resistance to therapy for cancer

Jiwang Zhang, MD, PhD
Professor, Cancer Biology; Radiation Oncology
jzhang@luc.edu     CBCC 336
Research Interests: Hematopoiesis, Stem cell self-renewal, Bone marrow microenvironment, Cell signaling

An MS in Cellular and Molecular Oncology will prepare graduates for a career with Pharma, Biotech., or Biomedical companies/organizations. Graduates will have strong academic and research skills, which can help you become a leading candidate for further study in a PhD or MD program.