PDF version of this chapterNeuroscience
Hedco Neurosciences Building 126
(213) 740-6090
FAX: (213) 740-5687
Email: swanson@usc.edu
www.usc.edu/dept/nbio/ngp/
Director: Larry W. Swanson, Ph.D.
Participating Faculty: See Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Linguistics, Philosophy, Psychology, Engineering, Gerontology, Medicine and Pharmacy in this catalogue.
Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience
Coordinator: William O. McClure, Ph.D.Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or higher is required to count toward major requirements.| Core Requirements | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| BISC 220L | General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology | 4 |
| BISC 421 | Neurobiology | 4 |
| PSYC 100 | Introduction to Psychology | 4 |
| PSYC 274* | Statistics I | 4 |
| PSYC 326 | Behavioral Neuroscience | 4 |
Three courses from each of the following lists are required.
| cellular, molecular and systems (CMS) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 306 | Primate Social Behavior | 4 |
| ANTH 308 | Origins and Evolution of Human Behavior | 4 |
| ANTH 406 | Theory and Method in Biological Anthropology | 4 |
| BISC 307L | General Physiology | 4 |
| BISC 320L | Molecular Biology | 4 |
| BISC 325 | Genetics | 4 |
| BISC 330L | Biochemistry | 4 |
| BISC 411 | Cell Biology | 4 |
| BISC 450L | Principles of Immunology | 4 |
| BISC 480 | Developmental Biology | 4 |
| GERO 310 | Physiology of Aging | 4 |
| GERO 411L | Physiology, Nutrition and Aging | 4 |
| GERO 414 | Neurobiology of Aging | 4 |
| HP 320 | Biological and Behavioral Basis of Disease | 4 |
| NEUR 524 | Advanced Neurosciences I | 4 |
| PSYC 547 | Functional Neuroanatomy | 4 |
| PSYC 548L | Functional Neuroanatomy Lab | 2 |
| PT 529 | Life Span Motor Control | 4 |
| PT 534L | Neuroanatomy | 4 |
| PT 569 | Fundamentals of Neuroscience | 4 |
| Behavior and Cognition (BC) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| ANTH 373 | Magic, Witchcraft and Healing | 4 |
| CSCI 460 | Introduction to Artificial Intelligence | 3 |
| GERO 320 | Psychology of Adult Development | 4 |
| GERO 415 | Neuroaffective Disorders of Aging | 4 |
| HP 300 | Theoretical Principles of Health Behavior | 4 |
| LING 301 | Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology | 4 |
| LING 302 | Introduction to Syntax and Semantics | 4 |
| LING 375 | Sociolinguistics | 4 |
| NEUR 525 | Advanced Neurosciences II | 4 |
| PHIL 462 | Philosophy of Mind | 4 |
| PHIL 465 | Philosophy of Language | 4 |
| PSYC | Any course except those listed in CMS above | 4 |
| SOCI 303 | Sociology of Human Development | 4 |
| SOCI 305 | Sociology of Childhood | 4 |
Honors Program in Neuroscience
An honors program is available to outstanding students already pursuing a B.A. degree in Neuroscience. This program offers students an opportunity to participate in undergraduate research, experience in writing an honors thesis summarizing the completed research and experience in an honors seminar. Honors students must register for NEUR 490x Directed Research, or an equivalent course in another department. NEUR 490x can replace one of the courses from either of the two lists above. Honors students are also required to take one semester of NEUR 494x or an equivalent course in addition to fulfilling all the requirements for the B.A. degree. Approval from the program in neuroscience is required before credit will be given for either of these two research-related courses in another department. The student earning honors in neuroscience must have a minimum overall GPA of 3.5 at graduation. This program leads to the designation on the transcript of Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience with Honors.Minor in Neuroscience
Coordinator: William O. McClure, Ph.D.The neuroscience minor is designed to acquaint students with a broad range of the problems and opportunities available in the study of the brain and the mind. The minor requires a core course, normally BISC 230, which will provide beginning knowledge of the biological aspects of brain function. In addition, four upper division courses (16 units) are required. These courses will be chosen in consultation with the advisors of the minor, and must constitute a logical area of study of some aspect of the neurosciences. Appropriate departments include but are not limited to Anthropology, Computer Science, Gerontology, Linguistics, Philosophy and Psychology. At least one course must include a research component. Directed Research may be used to satisfy the requirement of one of the upper division courses.
Research in appropriate laboratories is encouraged but not required for completion of the minor. A grade of no less than B must be earned in each of the courses used to satisfy the neuroscience minor.
Application forms may be obtained from College Academic Services, CAS 100, or from the Neuroscience Program, Hedco Neurosciences Building 126.
Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience
Coordinator: Larry W. Swanson, Ph.D.Breadth of interests and training are major features of the graduate program in neuroscience. Wide and varied skills in many research areas characterize the faculty of the program. Close contact between faculty and students is considered of major importance in this highly interdisciplinary field.
Training is given in one of five areas of specialization: behavioral and systems neuroscience, cellular and molecular neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, computational and mathematical neuroscience and neuroscience of aging.
Applicants should normally have defined an interest in one or two specializations. A final choice of the specialization will be made during the first year.
Admission Requirements
A baccalaureate degree in a field relevant to the student's graduate goals is required.Appropriate fields would be biology, chemistry, computer science, linguistics, psychology, many areas of engineering, etc. Undergraduate study should provide evidence of proficiency in mathematics, including statistics. Students planning to enter the specialization in computational and mathematical neuroscience should have taken course work in calculus and, where possible, linear algebra and computer programming. Applicants who are accepted with minor deficiencies are expected to correct these during the first year.
Applications require forms from both the university and the program. These may be obtained from: Coordinator, Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-2520.
Degree Requirements
These degrees are awarded under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Requirements for Graduation section and the Graduate School section of this catalogue for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degrees must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.Advisory Committee
The student will be advised during the first year by the Graduate Affairs Committee. As soon as the student has selected one of the five specializations an Advisory Committee of appropriate faculty will be appointed. This committee will be chaired by the thesis advisor, when chosen. The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to help the student in the selection of courses and research; to monitor the student's progress; to insure preparation for the qualifying examination; and to administer that examination.Course Requirements
A minimum of 60 units is required, consisting of formal courses, seminars and research credits. At least 24 of the 60 units are to be formal graduate course work (lecture or seminar courses). During the first year the student is expected to complete two of the three semesters of the core courses in neuroscience (BISC 524, BISC 525) and BISC 539. Other courses in the area of specialization may also be taken in the first year and will be taken in subsequent years.Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination concentrates on the student's ability to demonstrate a grasp of the major area of interest chosen and its relation to other areas of training offered in the program. The examination is partly written and partly oral and is designed to test the student's ability to meet the demands of the profession.Dissertation
An acceptable dissertation based on completion of an original investigation is required. The candidate must defend an approved draft of the dissertation in an oral examination.Master of Science in Neuroscience
Enrollment of graduate students as master's degree applicants is not encouraged and is reserved for special circumstances. to satisfy the requirements for the M.S. degree the student must take two graduate core courses (BISC 524, BISC 525), BISC 539 and additional graduate courses or research units for a minimum of 24 units. Completion of the degree requires either (a) passing an examination that is set by the faculty of the program or (b) the submission of a thesis that is approved by the faculty. Students must also satisfy residency and other requirements of the Graduate School.Courses of Instruction
Neuroscience (NEUR)
The terms indicated are expected but are not guaranteed. For the courses offered during any given term, consult the Schedule of Classes.
490x Directed Research (2-4, max 8, FaSpSm) Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit. Departmental approval.
494x Honors Thesis (2, FaSp) Not available for graduate credit. Programmatic approval.
524 Advanced Neurosciences I (4, Fa) Neural development and aging; neural structure and cell biology, electrophysiology and biophysics, neurochemistry; learning and plasticity. (Duplicates credit in former BISC 524.) Prerequisite: BISC 421.
525 Advanced Neurosciences II (4, Sp) Major functional systems of the mammalian nervous system are reviewed; overview of development, histology, and research techniques. (Duplicates credit in former BISC 525.) Prerequisite: BISC 421 or departmental approval.
539 Seminar in Neurobiology (1, max 4, FaSp) (Duplicates credit in former BISC 539.)