Prior to the start of each semester, you will receive an email from the Registrar’s Office inviting you to enroll. To remain on the payroll, Research Assistants and Trainees must be enrolled as full-time students each semester. For pre-dissertators, a full-time credit load is 12-15 credits during the fall and spring semesters, and 2 credits for the 8-week summer session. It is recommended that pre-dissertators enroll for the maximum number of credits, so that they maintain full-time status if they must drop a course after the semester starts. Dissertators must enroll each semester for exactly 3 credits of coursework/research related to their dissertation project. The Graduate School will remove dissertator status if a student is enrolled for more or less than 3 credits.
| Semester | Pre-Dissertator (before passing prelim) | Dissertator (after passing prelim) |
| Fall | 12-15 credits | 3 credits |
| Spring | 12-15 credits | 3 credits |
| Summer | 2 credits | 3 credits |
If you do not enroll on time, you may be subject to a late fee. The Cancer Biology Program is not responsible for any late fees. For important enrollment deadlines and other information, visit the Registrar’s website.
- To achieve dissertator status, you must successfully complete all Cancer Biology course requirements and pass the Preliminary Exam.
- Dissertator status should be achieved within 2 years of starting the program.
- Dissertators are required to register for 3 credits directly related to their dissertation research every semester (including summer) until graduation. Students who do not maintain continuous registration will be assessed a degree completion fee equal to 12 times the current per-credit rate.
- Dissertators will be required to register for the Oncology 901 seminar in the semester in which they present. During this semester, registration will consist of 1 credit of seminar and 2 credits of 990 research.