Admission Requirements for Applicants to the Graduate Program in CCB

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree and excellent GRE scores. Undergraduate work for applicants should include upper-level courses in the biological sciences, two semesters of organic chemistry, two semesters of physics, and a strong background in mathematics (including calculus) in order to be considered for admission. Applicants must submit a departmental application form, three letters of recommendation, and general Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores to the Graduate Coordinator, West Virginia University, P.O Box 9300, Morgantown, WV 26506-9300. In addition, transcripts and an official application for admission must be sent directly to the WVU Office of Admissions and Records, P.O. Box 6009, Morgantown, WV 26506-6009.

Visit the WVU graduate and education website: http://grad.wvu.edu/ for more information.

Applicants for admission to a CCB degree program should have a grade-point average of 3.0 or better and must take the general GRE. GRE scores are used as one of several selection criteria for admission to the graduate program. Although no minimum score is required for selection, successful applicants usually have a combined score of 1500 or greater on the general GRE.

International students must have a TOEFL score of at least 550 by paper exam or 260 by computer exam. Early application is encouraged. Applicants desiring financial aid should complete their application before March 1. All applications must be completed by June 1 for fall admission. No mid-year admissions are made.

Every student will initiate course work in an undifferentiated Biomedical Sciences Core Curriculum and must demonstrate proficiency by examination in each of the following areas: Cellular Structure and Function, Fundamentals of Integrated Systems, Biostatistics for the Basic Sciences, Discussions on Scientific Integrity, Research Rotations 1,2,3, Molecular Genetics, and Scientific Writing. The remainder of the coursework is selected by the student and the Advisory Committee from the required CCB curriculum to include Introduction to Cancer Cell Biology (BMS730), Selected Topics in Cancer Cell Biology (CCB700), Oncogenes and Signaling Networks (CCB701), Cancer Pathology and Therapuetics (CCB702) and other Special Topics courses offered by the CCB Program faculty, as needed.

The Cancer Cell Biology Program has journal clubs in tumor microenvironment, signaling networks and therapeutics. These journal clubs are designed to help students develop skills in reading, interpreting, and discussing current research articles. All students are expected to participate in one or more. Enrollment in CCB796 Seminar and CCB 705 Special Topics (including Journal Club) is required each semester that the student is in residence.