Spring 2021

An examination of the physical and biological laws that influence agriculture, pollution, population dynamics (including humans), climate, biodiversity and ecosystem structure and function. Not available for major credit.

Study of common skills in biology, including basics of evolution, systematics, ecology, genetics, biochemistry and molecular biology, physiology, and anatomy.

Laboratory component for BISC 120 for entering freshmen or transfer students with advanced placement or equivalent lecture credit from another institution.

Laboratory component for BISC 220 for entering freshmen or transfer students with advanced placement or equivalent lecture credit from another institution.

Introduction to the scientific method; basic instruction in molecular biology with emphasis on how biological research advancement has impacted medicine, commerce and society in general.

Exploration of molecular biology, biochemistry, microbiology, nutrition and the history of biology through the study of food, focusing on food's relationship to the biological world.

In-depth survey of key topics related to advances in our knowledge of the diversity of life and evolution; origin of life; eukaryotes/prokaryotes; ecology.

The human organism; the nature of inherited and acquired diseases;the biological and societal basis for the AIDS epidemic; therapy,drug design and the future. Not available for major credit.

Changes in the physical and biological universe over time; origins of life, dinosaurs, human evolution. Implications of evolutionary mechanisms and mass extinctions for human survival.

Introduction to research activities conducted by Neuroscience faculty at USC.

In-depth survey of key topics related to advances in our knowledge of cellular biology and physiology; cell composition/metabolism; gene action; organism structure and function. Recommended preparation: high school chemistry; BISC 120L or BISC 121L.

Equivalent to 220L, but taught at a higher level for exceptionally well-prepared students. Admission to the course by departmental approval only.

Exploration of the unique properties of brain cells that allow complex perceptions and behaviors; examination of structure and activity of brain cells that underlie function.

Experience in basic techniques through supervised research in the research laboratory of a departmental faculty member.

Statistical methods in biological science and medicine, including populations and samples, random sampling, confidence intervals, paired samples and regression.

Physiological functions of the circulatory, digestive, endocrine, integuementary, musculoskeletal, nervous, respiratory, and urogenital systems in animals. Lecture, 3 hours; Laboratory, 3 hours.

Structure and function of biological macromolecules; major metabolic pathways including glycolysis and photosynthesis. DNA replication, repair, and recombination; gene expression, regulation and epigenetics.

History of evolutionary thought; molecular basis for evolution; dynamics of genes in populations; specialization and macroevolution; patterns of evolution. Recommended preparation: BISC-320, BISC-325, and familiarity with algebra, basic chemistry, and basic physics.

Builds upon a basic science background to provide students with an awareness of cutting edge scientific research, its technological applications and its societal ramifications.

Basic biochemical principles; classes of molecules - structure and function; cellular energetics.

Exploration of environmentally transmitted human diseases; understanding the human/pathogen/environment nexus that leads to disease in human populations; disease transmission reduction.

Introduction to the morphology, classification, distribution and physiology of mammals; study of major mammalian groups worldwide and identification and field study of local species.

An examination of individual nerve cell development, target location, and establishment of functional synapses; how dysfunction in these processes contributes to neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases.

Sensory and motor systems to illustrate concepts regarding the functional organization of the brain, from microcircuitry of neural circuits to global processes such as perception. Prerequisite: BISC 421.

Advances and trends in the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of human diseases.

The synthesis, transport and assembly of the complex structures that mediate eukaryotic cellular function. Electrical and biochemical mechanisms underlying intercellular communication. Prerequisite: BISC-220 or BISC-221 and BISC-320.

Fundamentals of climate including atmosphere and ocean. Topics include radiative energy balance, ocean-atmosphere linkages and approaches to study climate while building quantitative and qualitative skills.

Focus on the advances in molecular biology of cancer, from fundamental molecular signaling pathways to DNA repair to stem cell biology, through primary research literature reviews.

Examination of various neurological disorders originating from developmental signaling and/or anatomical abnormalities.

How the parts of the brain are interconnected to form a complex biological computer, from historical, evolutionary and developmental perspectives.

Introduction to the habitat, phylogenetic, physiological and metabolic diversity of microbial life in aquatic environments.

Macromolecular structure and function; enzymology; metabolic regulation. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 2 hours.

Consideration of the biological and social-cultural factors that govern the evolution of life spans and the life of humans and selected animal models. Recommended preparation: statistics

Oceanography and marine biology, sampling techniques, evolutionary adaptations, morphology, systematics.

Introduction to algorithms and statistics for genome analysis and their applications. Analysis of DNA sequencing, sequence comparison, genetic variation, gene expression, disease association and evolution.

Relationships between microbiota and the earth environment including the hydrosphere, lithosphere and atmosphere, with consideration of the potential for life on other planets.

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

Not available for graduate credit.

Not available for graduate credit.

Current genetic and biochemical analysis of replication, recombination, mutagenesis, and repair. Fundamentals of transcription and regulation of gene expression. Recent applications of genetic engineering and genome analysis.

Rotation of graduate students through molecular biology research laboratories to learn the major technological skills required in the field. Graded CR/NC.

Relationships between metals in reducing regimes and microbes that utilize them for metalloenzymes. Focus on biological availability of micronutrient and processes like chemoautotrophy or biomineralization.

Advanced training for molecular biology graduate students in reading primary journal articles. Emphasis on critical analyses of primary scientific literature.

Current topics in integrative and evolutionary biology.

Fundamentals of evolutionary patterns and processes in the marine environment, with emphasis on rates of adaptation to a changing ocean

Multi-instructor course designed to introduce students to the breadth and depth of faculty interests within the MEB Section of Biological Sciences and the Natural History Museum.

Hands-on experience writing and reviewing scientific literature. The review process and participation in writiing and reviewing their own proposals.

Research leading to the Master's Degree. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Practical principles for the long-term development of effective teaching within College disciplines. Intended for teaching assistants in Dornsife College.

Part-time or full-time, practical work experience in the student's field of study. The internship must be located at an off-campus facility. Students are individually supervised by faculty. May not be taken until the student has completed at least one semester of enrollment in the graduate program with a cumulative 3.0 GPA.

Research leading to the doctorate. Maximum units which may be applied to the degree to be determined by the department. Graded CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.

Credit on acceptance of Dissertation. Graded IP/CR/NC.