USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
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Undergraduate Honors Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
You'll find plenty of answers to the most common questions here. But if you don't see what you're looking for, pick up the phone and call us at the Resident Honors Program office. We also welcome calls from parents, counselors, and teachers.
(213) 740-2961
(800) USC-2961
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What majors can apply this program?
FSH applicants must have a declared Dornsife College major in one of the natural sciences such as Biology, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Neuroscience or Physics. -
Is this program for pre-health students?
Though pre-health students are welcome in FSH, the program is not designed around the pre-health curriculum. FSH students are expected to be familiar with all aspects of the natural sciences, not limited to those related to the health professions. The program exposes students to a variety of career opportunities available to students passionate about science. -
What courses would I take?
The heart of this program are the 4 courses – Advanced General Biology I: Organismal Biology and Evolution, Advanced General BiologyII: Cell Biology and Physiology, and Advanced General Chemistry parts A and B. -
What kinds of opportunities are offered?
Some possible side trips or opportunities include trips to USC's Wrigley campus on Catalina Island, the Aquarium of the Pacific and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab, visits with medical students at USC’s Keck School of Medicine, and presentations from upperclassmen describing undergraduate research. -
Is there a research component to FSH?
FSH does not have a research component however students will be introduced to research through required reading from scientific journals, lectures including details from faculty research projects, conversations with upperclassmen serving as individual mentors, and roundtables with both professors and students engaged in reasearch. -
How long would I be in this program?
As the name implies, FSH only lasts one year. The curriculum is made of one year’s worth of biology and one year of chemistry. Honors paths can then be continued through the student's major department. -
What happens after freshman year?
Following FSH, there are no honors level versions of Organic Chemistry, Molecular Biology, or Biochemistry. Students may pursue honors in their major department in their junior or senior year. FSH provides a strong foundation so students can succeed in their future challenging science courses.