Doctor of Philosophy in Interdisciplinary Oncology (PhD)
Quick Facts
Overview
The Interdisciplinary Oncology program (IOP) is a graduate program designed to appeal to a broad range of students interested in cancer research. IOP offers advanced study and research in a variety of fields relating to oncology. Those fields include: molecular and cellular biology, genetics, biophysics, bioinformatics, pharmaceutical sciences, radiological sciences, immunology, molecular pathology, sociobehavioral studies, epidemiology and health economics. The goal of the program is to provide graduate students from diverse backgrounds, with an education in a number of disciplines relating to oncology, and to provide training opportunities for intensive training in specialized aspects of cancer research. For more than ten years, the program has been training the next generation of cancer research leaders.
What makes the program unique?
IOP integrates the diverse areas of oncology by offering two required courses which provide an interdisciplinary perspective on oncology in a form that is accessible to students from diverse backgrounds. The elective courses provide intensive training in one or more subjects specific to the student's research, and also gives the student an opportunity to gain expertise in other disciplines that have potential for synergy with their primary specialization. Students have access to clinicians and university faculty through the world-renowned BC Cancer Agency, to get a practical perspective on oncology treatments and outcomes. An innovative rotation course is a unique option for students to gain hands-on experience by rotating through specialty laboratories and by shadowing clinicians.
Requirements
TOEFL (ibT) Overall Score Requirement
IELTS Overall Score Requirement
Career Outcomes
7 students graduated between 2005 and 2013: 1 is in a non-salaried situation; for 0 we have no data (based on research conducted between Feb-May 2016). For the remaining 6 graduates:
Sample Employers in Higher Education
Queen's University BelfastUniversity of Toronto
Sample Employers Outside Higher Education
Johnson and Johnson Inc.Princess Margaret hospital
RepliCel Life Sciences Inc.
BC Cancer Agency
Sample Job Titles Outside Higher Education
Senior ScientistPostdoctoral Fellow
Director
Staff Scientist
PhD Career Outcome Survey
You may view the full report on career outcomes of UBC PhD graduates on outcomes.grad.ubc.ca.Disclaimer
These data represent historical employment information and do not guarantee future employment prospects for graduates of this program. They are for informational purposes only. Data were collected through either alumni surveys or internet research.Tuition / Program Costs
| Fees | Canadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / Diplomat | International |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $102.00 | $165.00 |
| Tuition * | ||
| Installments per year | 3 | 3 |
| Tuition per installment | $1,600.60 | $2,811.98 |
| Tuition per year | $4,801.80 | $8,435.94 |
| Int. Tuition Award (ITA) per year (if eligible) | $3,200.00 (-) | |
| Other Fees and Costs | ||
| Student Fees (yearly) | $923.38 (approx.) | |
| Costs of living (yearly) | starting at $16,884.10 (check cost calculator) | |
All fees for the year are subject to adjustment and UBC reserves the right to change any fees without notice at any time, including tuition and student fees. In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct.
Statistical Data
Enrolment Data
| 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Applications | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 4 |
| Offers | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| New registrations | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Total enrolment | 38 | 38 | 33 | 29 | 28 |
Disclaimer
Research Supervisors
This list shows faculty members with full supervisory privileges who are affiliated with this program. It is not a comprehensive list of all potential supervisors as faculty from other programs or faculty members without full supervisory privileges can request approvals to supervise graduate students in this program.
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Aparicio, Samuel (Breast cancer, genome sequencing )
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Bally, Marcel Bertran (Pancreas centre)
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Baumbusch, Jennifer (long-term residential care, family caregiving, Intellectual Disability, nursing care of older adults )
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Benard, Francois (Medical isotopes Radioisotopes Nuclear Medicine Cancer Imaging Molecular imaging of cancer Radionuclide therapy, Cancer division, radiology, pancreas centre)
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Brooks-Wilson, Angela (human genetics, cancer genetics, cancer families, longevity, Super seniors, genetic susceptibility)
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Brown, Carolyn Janet (Epigenetic control of gene expression, X-chromosome inactivation, Long non-coding RNAs, XIST RNA, Genes escaping X-chromosome inactivation, DNA methylation)
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Burgess, Michael (Philosophy and social sciences, ethics and social policy in the areas of genomics, genetics and biotechnology (health, agriculture and environment))
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Buttyan, Ralph (Kidneys, Urinary System, Benign Bladder Dysfunctions)
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Campbell, Kristin (Exercise, cancer prevention, cancer rehabilitation, cancer survivorship, physical activity, biomarkers, energy balance, obesity )
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Cox, Michael (genetic testing, experiences of hereditary risk, social and ethical implications of genetics, interpersonal and family communication, qualitative research, narrative and story, Prostate cancer)
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Dedhar, Shoukat (molecular biology, molecular biology as it relates to disease; developing new theraputics for cancer; how brain cells (neurons)make connections, therapeutics for cancer; molecular genetics and cancer; medical research, cancer, inflammatory diseases, cariovascular diseases, Cellular proteins, extracellular martrix, integrins, signal transduction, calreticulin, protein kinase, gene expression, cell differentiation)
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Duronio, Vincent (Signal transduction, enzymes, cell regulation, programmed cell death, apoptosis, protein kinase, phosphorylation networks, oxidized LDL, macrophages, gene regulation)
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Eaves, Constance Jean (Normal and leukemic stem cells, normal and malignant breast stem cells)
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Gleave, Martin (Infectious diseases, interdisciplinary oncology, prostate)
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Gotay, Carolyn (cancer prevention, behaviour change, risk factors, quality of life, clinical trials, survivorship, health disparities, Cancer Prevention Centre, worksite wellness, workplace wellness, shift work, sleep, breast cancer, obesity, nutrition, physical activity, exercise, chronic disease, chronic disease prevention, Cancer prevention, eliminating occupational exposure to carcinogens, assessing worksite health promotion programs, reducing breast cancer risks, improving sleep quality to reduce breast cancer-related impacts of shiftwork, and improving health outcomes for prostate cancer patients)
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Guns, Emma (Prostate cancer, natural health products, dietary supploements, integrative oncology)
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Hieter, Philip (Molecular biology of eukaryotic chromosome transmission )
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Holt, Robert (Immunogenetics, Metagenomics - Infectious agents in Cancer, Cancer Genomes, Neurobiology, DNA Sequencing)
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Huntsman, David (hereditary cancer, molecular pathology, cancer biomarkers, Pancreas centre)
Pages
Recent Doctoral Citations
- Dr. Catherine Elfi Sarah Jenkins
"Dr. Jenkins showed that Acute Leukemias are dependent on the genes IGF1R and RUNX1 for disease pathogenesis. She identified regulation of downstream signaling pathways and the epigenome as important underlying contributors. This research highlights key pathways suitable for future therapeutic intervention in Myeloid and Lymphoid leukemias." (May 2017) - Dr. Kathryn Slowski
"Dr. Slowski studied the contribution of small RNA genes, known as microRNAs, to the progression of blood cancers. She developed a novel method to characterize the loss of microRNAs, leading to the discovery of a potentially cancer-related microRNA. This will lead to improved models of microRNA loss and prevent complications in gene therapy." (May 2017) - Dr. Genevieve Marie Breau
"Dr. Breau examined the role of primary care providers in recommending cancer screening to individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. She found that providers' attitudes towards people with Intellectual Disabilities, and their prior clinical experience, influenced whether they would recommend cancer screening to any given patient." (May 2017) - Dr. Rebecca Macalpine Towle
"Dr. Towle analyzed the molecular profiles of the different stages of progression in oral squamous cell carcinoma. She further investigated several genes that were frequently deregulated in the premalignant stage of this disease in order to understand their role in this disease. This research contributes to our understanding of the development and progression of oral cancer." (November 2016) - Dr. Spencer David Martin
"Dr. Martin developed personalized vaccines targeting tumor-specific mutations in mouse models of cancer. He also identified a subset of human ovarian cancer patients most likely to benefit from these vaccines. His research will help select cancer patients for immunotherapy and improve the efficacy of anti-cancer vaccines." (November 2016)
Sample Thesis Submissions
Further Program Information
Program Website
Faculty Overview
Academic Unit
Program Identifier
January 2018 Intake
Program Information
Application Enquiries
- Sharon Ruschkowski, sharonr@bcgsc.ca
Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update the application inquiries contact details please use this form.