Undergraduate Degrees

Graduate Degrees

Courses of Instruction

Hancock Foundation Building 107F
(213) 740-2777
FAX: (213) 740-8123
E-mail: biodept@mizar.usc.edu

Chair: Jed Fuhrman, Ph.D.

Vice Chair: Russel L. Zimmer, Ph.D.

Faculty

William M. Keck Chair in Biological Sciences: Richard F. Thompson, Ph.D. (Psychology)

George and Louise Kawamoto Chair in the Biological Sciences: Norman Arnheim, Ph.D.

Professors: M. Michael Appleman, Ph.D.; Robert F. Baker, Ph.D.; Gerald Bakus, Ph.D.; Michel Baudry, Ph.D.; Sarah Bottjer, Ph.D.; William Louis Byerly, Ph.D.; Richard C. Deonier, Ph.D.; Richard C. Dugdale, Ph.D.; Arnold Dunn, Ph.D.*; Jed Fuhrman, Ph.D.; Myron F. Goodman, Ph.D.; Albert A. Herrera, Ph.D.*; Dale Kiefer, Ph.D.; William O. McClure, Ph.D.*; Maria Pellegrini, Ph.D. (Dean of Research)*; Edward G. Ruby, Ph.D.; Cornelius W. Sullivan, Ph.D.; Miriam M. Susskind, Ph.D.; Larry Swanson, Ph.D.; Russel L. Zimmer, Ph.D.

Associate Professors: Chien-Ping Ko, Ph.D.; Donal T. Manahan, Ph.D.; Margaret McFall-Ngai, Ph.D.; Edwin M. Perkins, Ph.D.*; John A. Petruska, Ph.D.; Peter M. Shugarman, Ph.D.*

Assistant Professors: Leslie Bell, Ph.D.; Kevin Moses, Ph.D.; Loren Smith, Ph.D.; John Tower, Ph.D.; Rahul Warrior, Ph.D.; Alan Watts, Ph.D.

Research Professor: Dorothy Soule, Ph.D.

Research Associate Professors: Rodolfo Iturriaga, Ph.D.; Burton H. Jones, Ph.D.; Richard Pieper, Ph.D.

Research Assistant Professors: Stephanie Astrow, Ph.D.; Frank Johnson, Ph.D.; Dariusz Stramski, Ph.D.; Georges Tocco, Ph.D.; Frances Wilkerson, Ph.D.

Directors of Instructional Laboratories: Alex Andrasi, B.S.; Linda Bazilian, M.S.; Martin M. Huh, Ph.D.; Alan Norton, Ph.D.

Emeritus Professors: Bernard C. Abbott, Ph.D.*; James W. Bartholomew, Ph.D.; Harrison M. Kurtz, Ph.D.*; Walter E. Martin, Ph.D.; John L. Mohr, Ph.D.

*Recipient of university-wide or college teaching award.

Programs

The Department of Biological Sciences is responsible for undergraduate and graduate instructional and research activities in all of the life sciences. Its programs cover a number of sub-disciplines. Department majors prepare in chemistry, physics and mathematics, as well as in a core of biological sciences courses. Beyond core instruction, students and their advisors design individualized programs of advanced courses, which satisfy individual interests and requirements for career preparation.

Students are encouraged to become involved in laboratory and field research while gaining a firm theoretical science background. In addition to a broad spectrum of disciplines provided by the undergraduate programs, the department has three areas of research emphasis. These are molecular biology and biochemistry, neurobiology and cell biology, and marine biology and biological oceanography. These specially designed programs emphasize advanced courses in the biological sciences and other related sciences, as well as participation in directed research. Undergraduate students with overall and science GPAs of 3.0 or better are accepted into individual directed research with faculty sponsors upon the approval of the department chair. The department offers B.S., B.S. with Honors and B.A. degrees and a minor as well as graduate programs leading to the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in biology and molecular biology.

Honor Society

The Department of Biological Sciences offers membership in Phi Sigma, a national honor society, to selected biology majors. The advisor is Associate Professor John Petruska, Ph.D.

Undergraduate Degrees

Admission Requirements

High school chemistry is required for admission to BISC 110L. Completion of calculus is strongly recommended prior to entry into the program; advanced placement in accordance with the practice of the Department of Mathematics may satisfy this recommendation.

Advisement

Prior to the first semester as departmental majors, students are to consult with a departmental freshman advisor or a transfer faculty advisor. Prospective majors are expected to become acquainted with the areas of interest and specialization of faculty members and obtain an appropriate faculty member's counsel in planning their undergraduate programs. Students may not register in any biological sciences courses above the 100 level unless the advisor signs an advisory permit prior to pre-registration or registration. Information concerning freshman and transfer student advisement and the areas of faculty interest may be obtained from the departmental office.

Pre-Medical and Other Pre-Professional Preparation

The department offers specially planned programs within the biological sciences to prepare students for admission to professional schools (medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, public health), paramedical sciences (medical technology, physician's assistant, clinical and public health microbiology, clinical biochemistry), naturalist and environmental positions in the public and private sectors and graduate study (basic biological fields and biomedical fields). With the proper selection of courses under the guidance of the Departments of Biological Sciences and Teacher Education, the B.S. degree satisfies the California requirements for secondary school teaching in the life sciences.

Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences

The general education requirements for the B.S. degree are applicable.

Major core courses, Lower division		Units
BISC 110L	Introduction to Biology I	4
BISC 112L	Introduction to Biology II, or
BISC 113L	Advanced Introduction to Biology II	4
BISC 210	Molecular Biology	4
BISC 213L	Evolution and Population Genetics	4

Major core courses, Upper division		Units
BISC 300L	Introduction to Microbiology, or
BISC 307L	General Physiology, or
BISC 315L	Introduction to Ecology	4
BISC 316L	Biochemistry and Cell Biology	4

Collateral sciences core courses, Lower division		Units
CHEM 105aLbL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aLbL	Advanced General Chemistry	4-4
MATH 125	Calculus I	4
MATH 126	Calculus II, or
MATH 208x	Elementary Probability and Statistics	4
PHYS 135abL	Physics for the Life Sciences, or
PHYS 151L	Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics, Waves, and Sound	4
PHYS 152L	Fundamentals of Physics II: Thermo-dynamics, Electricity, and Magnetism	4

Collateral sciences core courses, Upper division		Units
CHEM 322abL	Organic Chemistry, or
CHEM 325abL	Organic Chemistry	4-4

Upper Division Major Requirements

Four (4-unit) upper-division BISC elective courses are required; one must be a laboratory course or BISC 490. Not more than four units of BISC 490 can be used to fulfill the upper-division elective requirement.

Total required units: 128
Free Elective Units: 12

Scholarship in Major Subject

The department requires that students receive a grade no lower than C- in their core courses. They must maintain a 2.0 GPA in their upper-division biology classes, as well as an overall 2.0 GPA.

Recommendation for Entrance

High school chemistry required.

Bachelor of Arts in Biological Sciences

The general education requirements for the B.S. degree are applicable.

Major core courses, Lower division		Units
BISC 110L	Introduction to Biology I	4
BISC 112L	Introduction to Biology II, or
BISC 113L	Advanced Introduction to Biology II	4
BISC 210	Molecular Biology	4
BISC 213	Evolution and Population Genetics	4

Major core courses, Upper division
BISC 300L	Introduction to Microbiology, or
BISC 307L	General Physiology, or
BISC 315L	Introduction to Ecology	4
BISC 316L	Biochemistry and Cell Biology	4

Collateral sciences core courses, Lower division		Units
CHEM 105aLbL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aLbL	Advanced General Chemistry	4-4
MATH 125	Calculus I	4
PHYS 135abL	Physics for the Life Sciences, or
PHYS 151L	Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics, Waves, and Sound	4
PHYS 152L	Fundamentals of Physics II: Thermodynamics, Electricity, and Magnetism	4

Collateral sciences core courses, Upper division		Units
CHEM 322abL	Organic Chemistry, or
CHEM 325abL	Organic Chemistry	4-4

Upper Division Major Courses

Two (4-unit) upper-division BISC elective courses are required. No more than four units of BISC 490 may be used to fulfill the upper-division elective requirement.

It is expected that students will take 100-level BISC courses during the first year, 200-level BISC courses during the second year, 300-level BISC core courses during the third year, and 300- or 400-level BISC major elective courses during either the third or fourth years.

Biological sciences curricula satisfy all of the requirements for admission to schools of medicine and dentistry.

Total Required Units: 128
Free Elective Units: 12

Scholarship in Major Subject

The department requires that students receive a grade no lower than C- in their core courses. They must maintain a 2.0 GPA in their upper-division biology classes, as well as an overall 2.0 GPA.

Recommended for Entrance

High school chemistry required.

Grade Point Average in the Major Subject

Grades of C- or better are required in all BISC core courses. A GPA of 2.0 is required in all upper-division biological sciences courses. It is expected that at least four of the upper-division biology courses for the B.S. degree and three for the B.A. degree will be taken at USC.

Honors Programs

The department offers honors programs to outstanding students already pursuing studies for the B.S. degree in Biological Sciences. All students will take BISC 110L during the first semester of their freshman year. The top 64 students from this class will have the opportunity to participate in the honors program, starting the next semester. Students who take the honors class BISC 113L in the second semester of their freshman year will attend the same lectures as students in BISC 112L, but will be enrolled in a separate laboratory session that will involve special assignments (such as reading of the primary literature and writing essays on specific topics in biology). During four of the laboratory periods, special topic discussions will be held by the faculty who are lecturing in the introductory series. In addition to BISC 113L, honors students will be strongly encouraged to enroll in the one-unit freshman colloquium BISC 194 (spring). This course includes lectures by the faculty in the department on their research focus.

Honors Admission Requirements

Students must apply to the department for admission to the honors program after having completed one year of work at USC with a minimum GPA of 3.5.

Upper Division Major Elective Courses

A minimum of three, four-unit upper-division BISC elective courses are required; two courses may be 300-level core courses not taken in satisfaction of the core requirement.

Students in the honors programs may enter the university with Advanced Placement credit in certain courses, including calculus, or may waive either composition or from one to three semesters of foreign language, thus providing greater flexibility in general elective courses.

Honors Scholarship Requirements

For continuation in the honors programs, students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 and a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the sciences and mathematics with no grade in these courses lower than a C.

Requirements for the Minor in Biological Sciences

Requirements for the minor are: BISC 110L, BISC 112L or BISC 113L, BISC 210, BISC 213; CHEM 105abL or 115abL; MATH 125; PHYS 135abL or 151L and 152L; CHEM 322abL or 325abL; and two three-unit upper-division BISC electives.

Graduate Degrees

Degree Programs in Biology

Graduate students may apply to one of three programs of study within the Department of Biological Sciences at the time of their admission to graduate study: the graduate programs in marine biology/biological oceanography and neurobiology/cell biology, both of which lead to the Master of Science or Doctor of Philosophy degrees in biology with emphasis in either chosen area; and the graduate program in molecular biology, which leads to a Master of Science or Ph.D. degree in molecular biology. The three programs emphasize different levels of biological organization and consequently may require somewhat different undergraduate preparation.

Biology

The graduate programs in biology with emphases in marine biology/biological oceanography and neurobiology/cell biology provide education and training of biologists interested in living systems ranging from cellular to ecosystem levels of organization, investigated by laboratory or field work. Courses and faculty research interests allow a multidisciplinary approach. Specialty areas of particular strength include marine biology, biological oceanography, neurobiology, and cell biology. A number of additional research areas are provided by adjunct faculty in the adjacent Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History and elsewhere. Students develop the ability to formulate and test hypotheses, integrating information and concepts in the completion of a research project (M.S.) or dissertation (Ph.D.). A guidance committee is formed for each student during the first year to develop a particular program of course work and research, and to evaluate the student's progress. Specific information about the options in Biological Sciences can be obtained by requesting marine biology and neurobiology information brochures.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor's degree in a natural science (preferably biology), or in mathematics or engineering; required background courses include organic chemistry, general physics and mathematics through integral calculus. Applicants are evaluated by their transcripts and GPA; scores on the GRE General Test and a GRE Subject Test in a natural science (preferably biology); three letters of recommendation; and a statement of interests. A faculty member must serve as initial sponsor and advisor. Applicants who are accepted but judged to have minor deficiencies are expected to correct them within the first year.

Applications include a university and a departmental form; these may be obtained from: Graduate Student Coordinator, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0371.

Degree Requirements

These degrees are awarded under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Requirements for Graduationand the Graduate School for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degrees must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.

Master of Science in Biology

The M.S. degree program in biology admits students for a terminal degree only; students who may later wish to continue for a doctorate should enter the Ph.D. program initially, in which case the M.S. can be earned along the way by completion of the M.S. requirements.

The M.S. degree program is a non-thesis program but a paper, based on the student's original research investigation of a selected program in biology, constitutes one of the requirements. Each student must take two full biology graduate core courses (BISC 582, BISC 583), two seminars and additional graduate courses or research units for a minimum of 24 units. Students also must satisfy the residency and other requirements of the Graduate School. Further details of these requirements are contained within each graduate program's particular requirements and policies.

Doctor of Philosophy in Biology

Students pursuing this degree choose between two broad areas of specialization, a marine biology/biological oceanography option and a neurobiology/cell biology option. Each option specifies particular course work and other requirements. A minimum total of 60 units is required, consisting of formal courses, seminars and research credit. At least 24 of the minimum 60 total units required are to be formal graduate course work (lecture or seminar courses). Candidates must also pass a screening examination to determine competence and point out deficiencies, fulfill a research tool requirement (computer skills, biostatistics, quantitative chemistry), and meet the residency and other requirements of the Graduate School. Because teaching experience is considered to be an important part of graduate training, each student is required to serve two semesters as a teaching assistant within the department.

Before the end of the fifth semester, each student must pass a written and oral qualifying examination given by the student's guidance committee. The written part involves answering a number of questions at length. The oral part is in the area of the student's intended research, based on a project selected and developed by the student into a written proposition. After passing the qualifying examination, the student completes the research investigation and any other requirements under the guidance of the research advisor who also chairs the dissertation committee. The student then writes a dissertation, which must be defended by the student before committee approval.

In the marine biology/biological oceanography option, each student receives a general background in marine sciences and obtains in-depth specialization in a research area of his or her choosing. Each student's curriculum is fitted to the particular needs and demands of the chosen research field. The 24 units of formal course work must include the two specified core courses (BISC 582, BISC 583) as well as six two-unit graduate seminars. Students are required to participate in the marine sciences seminar series, in which formal seminars given by distinguished outside speakers alternate with informal presentations by graduate students and faculty.

The neurobiology/cell biology option provides each student with a broad, fundamental background in neurobiology and with detailed knowledge and expertise in the chosen area of concentration. Each student's curriculum is tailored to the particular interests of that individual. The formal course work includes 12 units of specified courses (a two semester core sequence plus four BISC 539 seminars) and 12 units of advanced electives chosen from a long list of courses in Biological Sciences, Psychology, Computer Science, and other relevant departments. Students are expected to attend and participate in departmental research seminars.

Molecular Biology

This program is designed to train the participants intensively in the concepts and experimental methodologies of molecular biology and biochemistry. The subject matter is organized in an integrated fashion (lectures, seminars and laboratory) to present fundamental information on the biochemistry, biophysics, genetics and development of cells from a variety of different organisms. Primary emphasis is on the relationship between structure and function at different integrative and functional levels. Applications may be obtained from: Graduate Student Coordinator, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles CA 90089-0371.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are expected to have a bachelor's degree or equivalent in a cognate area such as biology, chemistry, physics, engineering or bacteriology. Undergraduate work should include a basic course in biology, basic physics, physical chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry and calculus. Students who are deficient in any of these may be required to correct the deficiency during the first two years of graduate study. Courses taken to correct these deficiencies are usually not credited toward the degree. The student must submit letters of recommendation from at least three faculty members who can evaluate the promise of the student for graduate work and independent research. The applicant must take the GRE General Test prior to acceptance.

Degree Requirements

These degrees are awarded under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School Refer to the Requirements for Graduationand the Graduate School for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degrees must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.

Master of Science in Molecular Biology

The study of molecular biology places so many demands upon the student that it is difficult to attain any satisfactory level of competence in the time generally taken for a master's degree. Therefore, enrollment of graduate students as master's degree applicants is not encouraged and is reserved for special circumstances. The curriculum of the master's student is patterned after that of the doctorate up to and including the qualifying examination, but not including thesis research. The qualifying examination will serve as the comprehensive master's examination.

Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology

During the first year, the student's program is under the direction of an initial guidance committee composed of members of the committee on admissions to the program. Before the end of the second semester a permanent guidance committee, chaired by the student's research director, is established. Thereafter, the student's program of studies and dissertation is under the direction of the permanent guidance committee and the dissertation committee.

Screening Procedure

In the third semester the student's progress is discussed and evaluated by the guidance committee. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine competence to continue graduate study, and to point out deficiencies to be remedied prior to the qualifying examination.

Course Requirements

A minimum of 24 of the 60 units required for the Ph.D. degree must be in formal course work, exclusive of research. These must include the core courses, BISC 502a and BISC 502b, to be completed in the first year with a B average. Additionally, students will register for BISC 504L (3-3) in both semesters. In the fall semester of the second year, students will choose an additional course in developmental biology or genomics (BIOC 542 or BISC 505). Students must participate in molecular biology seminars. Other courses may be chosen, in consultation with the program chair, from graduate offerings of this and other departments.

Language Requirement

Students in the graduate program in molecular biology are not required to pass a foreign language examination.

Qualifying Examination

The examinations qualifying the student for candidacy for the Ph.D. in molecular biology must be initiated in the second semester of the second year. The first part is written and consists of comprehensive questions covering the student's knowledge of prokaryotic and eukaryotic molecular biology and developmental biology or genomics. The second part is an oral examination. It consists of general questions and the presentation and defense of a proposition outlining a research program, which must be in a field other than the student's immediate research interest. This examination sequence must be completed by the end of the fifth semester of the program.

Doctoral Dissertation

The dissertation is based on original, publishable, and significant research conducted independently by the student under the guidance of the dissertation committee.

Defense of the Dissertation

The defense of the dissertation is either a defense oral or a final oral. In most cases a defense oral will suffice if approved by the dissertation committee.

Student Teaching

Since most graduates in biological sciences will spend some part of their careers in academic work, teaching experience is considered an important part of graduate training. Each graduate student in the program is therefore required to assist in the teaching program of the Department of Biological Sciences.

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