Graduate students wishing to specialize in cancer research can do so within the Radiological Health Sciences (RHS) graduate degree program directed by faculty in the Radiation Cancer Biology and Oncology section of the Department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences (ERHS), or within the multi-departmental Cell and Molecular Biology Program (CMB). The graduate curricula that emphasize cancer research within the RHS and CMB graduate degree programs share many of the same faculty and courses.
The Radiation Cancer Biology and Oncology section in ERHS provides research and educational opportunities leading to MS or PhD degrees in Radiological Health Sciences and focuses on the role of radiation in inducing, diagnosing, and treating cancer. Specific research areas include, but are not limited to , the assessment of cancer risks to space flight crews from exposure to galactic cosmic radiation, exploring the effects of low dose radiation exposures, DNA repair, telomere biology, mutagenesis, bystander effects, and tumor microenvironment.
Clinically related research is conducted at the Robert H. and Mary G. Flint Animal Cancer Center located at the James L. Voss
Veterinary Teaching Hospital. The CSU Animal Cancer Center is a model in veterinary medicine for conducting cutting edge research and treatment of pet animals with naturally-occurring tumors to advance the diagnosis and treatment of cancer in animals and humans. Get more information about radiation therapy for the treatment of pet animals with tumors.
Financial support through Graduate Research Assistantships is available to hightly qualified PhD students.
MS students are generally self-funded.
Residency Program
The radiation oncology residency program at Colorado State University trains veterinarians to become radiation oncologists. This 3 year program includes a Master’s degree in Radiological Health Sciences. The training program includes didactic training in Radiation Biology, Radiation Physics, Cancer Biology and radiographic image interpretation, plus clinical training in radiation oncology and treatment planning.
Department Admission Requirements
Prior to applying to either the MS or PhD programs, students are strongly encouraged to contact a faculty member in Radiation Cancer Biology and Oncology
to identify shared research interests and determine the availability of financial support.
Application Deadlines:
May 1 for fall semester
November 1 for spring semester
Applications for summer session are not accepted
Note: Students who wish to be considered for fellowships, assistantships, or other forms of financial support should submit their applications by February 15 for fall semester and by July 15 for spring semester.
For program details, please contact
Dr. Jac A. Nickoloff, Director of the Radiation Cancer Biology & Oncology training program.
Prospective students please inquire with the
Radiological Health Sciences (RHS) Graduate Coordinator, Jeanne Brockway.
Molecular and Radiological Biosciences Building (MRB)
1618 Campus Delivery
Fort Collins, CO 80523
Phone: 970-491-5222
Fax: 970-491-0623
