USC
University of Southern California
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Neuroscience

Hedco Neurosciences Building 120
(213) 740-6090
FAX: (213) 740-5687
Email: wmcclure@usc.edu
www.usc.edu/dept/LAS/biosci/ngp

Director: Norberto Grzywacz, Ph.D.

Participating Faculty: See Biological Sciences, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, Philosophy, Psychology, Engineering, Gerontology, Medicine and Pharmacy in this catalogue.

Bachelor of Arts in Neuroscience

Coordinator: William O. McClure

Grade Requirements
A grade of C- or higher is required to count toward major requirements.

Core RequirementsUnits
BISC 220LGeneral Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology4
BISC 421Neurobiology4
PSYC 100Introduction to Psychology4
PSYC 274*Statistics I 4
PSYC 326Behavioral Neuroscience4

*An equivalent course may be substituted.

Three courses from each of the following lists are required.

cellular, molecular and systems (CMS)Units
ANTH 306Primate Social Behavior4
ANTH 308Origins and Evolution of Human Behavior4
ANTH 406Theory and Method in Biological Anthropology4
BISC 307LGeneral Physiology4
BISC 320LMolecular Biology4
BISC 325Genetics4
BISC 330LBiochemistry4
BISC 411Cell Biology4
BISC 450LPrinciples of Immunology4
BISC 480Developmental Biology4
GERO 310Physiology of Aging4
GERO 411LPhysiology, Nutrition and Aging4
GERO 414Neurobiology of Aging4
HP 320Biological and Behavioral Basis of Disease4
NEUR 524Advanced Neurosciences I4
PSYC 547Functional Neuroanatomy4
PSYC 548LFunctional Neuroanatomy Lab2
PT 529Life Span Motor Control4
PT 534LNeuroanatomy4
PT 569Fundamentals of Neuroscience4

Behavior and Cognition (BC)Units
ANTH 373Magic, Witchcraft and Healing4
CSCI 460Introduction to Artificial Intelligence3
GERO 320Psychology of Adult Development4
GERO 415Neuroaffective Disorders of Aging4
HP 300Theoretical Principles of Health Behavior4
LING 301Introduction to Phonetics and Phonology4
LING 302Introduction to Syntax and Semantics4
LING 375Sociolinguistics4
NEUR 525Advanced Neurosciences II4
PHIL 462Philosophy of Mind4
PHIL 465Philosophy of Language4
PSYCAny course except those listed in CMS above4
SOCI 303Sociology of Human Development4
SOCI 305Sociology of Childhood4

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 120.

Master of Science in Neuroscience

Coordinator: Norberto Grzywacz, Ph.D.

Enrollment of graduate students as master’s degree candidates is not encouraged and is reserved for special circumstances. To satisfy the requirements for the M.S. degree the student must take the two graduate core courses (NEUR 524, NEUR 525), NEUR 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.

Doctor of Philosophy in Neuroscience

Coordinator: Norberto Grzywacz, Ph.D.

Application deadline: January 1

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 the 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 (NEUR 524, NEUR 525) and NEUR 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.

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.)