USC Schedule of Classes

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.

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

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.

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

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.

The structure and function of the mammalian brain including the role of the brain in regulating behavior, both in normal and diseased states; in relation to mind; and in comparison with machine forms of intelligence. Not available for major credit.

Experience in basic techniques through supervised research in the research laboratory of a departmental faculty member. Graded CR/NC.

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.

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. Not available for major credit.

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

Marine, freshwater and terrestrial communities of California. Life histories, morphology, special evolutionary adaptations. Relationships between organisms and their biological-physical-chemical environment. Emphasis on field biology.

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. A mixture of lectures, seminars and resulting discussions by the students. Senior standing.

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.

Qualitative and quantitative appraisal of microbial activities in pure and contaminated environments; microbial community and its development; interspecific relationships; effects of microorganisms on their surroundings. Recommended preparation: BISC 300L

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

Literature based seminar in current and classical topics in genetics.

Introduction to the habitat, phylogenetic, physiological and metabolic diversity of microbial life in aquatic environments. Prerequisite: BISC 220. (Duplicates credit in BISC 419.)

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

Immune processes, humoral and cellular; immunoglobulins; antibody formation; antigen-antibody interactions; immune dyscrasias; transplantation and tumor immunology; basic hematology and immuno-hematology. Lecture, 3 hours; laboratory, 3 hours.

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

Introduction to and applications of algorithms and statistics to genome analysis. Analysis of physical and genetic maps, DNA sequencing, sequence comparisons, DNA chips.

Basic mechanisms of animal development are considered at different levels of analysis. Emphasis is on molecular, genetic, and cellular processes underlying vertebrate and invertebrate development. General concepts and evolutionary mechanisms are emphasized. Lecture, 3 hours; discussion, 2 hours.

Individual research and readings. Not available for graduate credit.

Not available for graduate credit.

Not available for graduate credit.

Lecture and discussion in specialized areas of the biological sciences. Students cannot register more than twice for this course. Not open to freshmen and sophomores. Recommended preparation: BISC 220L or BISC 221L, BISC 320L, BISC 325 and BISC 330L.

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.

Topics in evolution and human biology with emphasis on lifespan, form, function and energy use in the context of genetics, natural selection and ecology

A basic grounding in broad aspects of the neuroscience of hearing and vocal communication

Microorganisms dominate biological processes in the ocean. These species pose significant problems for estimating species diversity, abundance and activity. Examination of modern molecular biological approaches for analyzing aquatic microbial communities and their ecological roles.

Modern oceanographic methods for making remote measurements of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems using satellite imagery and other means. Integrating these data into models that describe ecosystem structure and enable interpretation of ecosystem function.

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.

Practical experience in computational molecular biology applications. Mathematical and statistical software packages relevant for genomic analysis. Retrieval and analysis of genomic data from databases. Recommended preparation: higher level programming language.

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.

Basics of biometrics, biodiversity, quantitative methods in ecology, environmental impact assessments and other topics in quantitative analysis

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.

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.