Spring 2025

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.

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.

A series of lectures and discussions at which faculty of the department introduce their research activities to students entering biology and related majors.

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.

Comparative approach to bacteria, Archaea and viruses; their structure, life cycles, geochemical activity, ecology and nutrition. Fundamentals of metabolism and microbial genetics.

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

Introduction to general statistical theory with higher-level mathematics for biological data analysis. Basic programming in R. Discussion of techniques to describe, visualize and model different types of data.

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.

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

Application of modern field techniques to monitor mammalian biodiversity; quantification of biodiversity using museum-based collections and geospatial data; multi-day field trips.

Introduction to the experiments, theories and knowledge of modern cell biology; analysis of cutting-edge research papers; focused on organelles, signaling, cytoskeleton and the cell cycle.

A project-based course integrating biology, computer science, and statistics through the analysis of genomic datasets available publicly or collected and sequenced during the semester.

Fundamental concepts of RNA biology and state-of-the-art biotechnologies using RNA for medical and industrial applications; CRISPR/Cas genome editing; therapeutic advances exploiting RNA biology.

Introduction to community ecology, macroecology, biodiversity and ecosystem functions, and current debates on trends in biodiversity; concepts include ecological theory, modeling, data management and analysis.

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.

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.

Earth's development as a habitable planet, from origin to human impacts on global biogeochemical cycles in the ocean, land, atmosphere. Discussion of environmental alternatives.

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

Fundamentals of protein engineering and its biotechnological applications in medicine, chemical processes and energy; methods for engineering biological molecules and designing protein engineering strategies.

Introduction to standard methods used in oceanography and marine biology through a a combination of lectures, laboratory exercises and field experiences.

Topical seminar in marine and environmental biology. Junior, senior or graduate standing.

Topical seminar in molecular and computational biology. Junior, senior or graduate standing.

Topical seminar in neurobiology.

Exploration of the complex interactions between the nervous and immune systems, and disorders encompassing both neuroscience and immunology. Topics include autoimmunity, cancer, neurodevelopment, neuroimmunological treatments.

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

Instruction in basic concepts and evolutionary mechanisms of animal and human development. Emphasis on molecular, genetic and cellular processes underlying vertebrate and invertebrate development.

Foundational skill-building for modeling and analysis of biological data. Hands-on instruction for developing and simulating models of dynamic biological systems.

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

Literature-based seminar in current topics in microbial evolution and adaptation.

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.

Introduction to the concept of symbiosis, exploration of mechanisms underpinning the ecology and evolution of these relationships, synthesis of key concepts in contemporary symbiosis research.

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.

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 proposals from faculty and peers. For MEBP, GEOL and OCS students only.

Survey of statistical techniques for research and analysis; foundations, underlying assumptions and the power and limitations of such statistical approaches.

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.