BISC 290/490 Frequently Asked Questions

These frequently asked questions apply to BISC 290 (Introduction to Biological Research) and BISC 490 (Directed Research). The Application Instructions page explains the complete process, and the main Directed Research page provides downloadable applications and both submission links.

BISC 290 and BISC 490 allow eligible undergraduate students to work on faculty-supervised biological research for academic credit. BISC 290 does not count toward upper-division Biological Sciences elective requirements. Up to four units of BISC 490 may count toward upper-division elective credit, subject to your degree requirements and advising review.

Students must apply separately for each semester in which they want research credit, even if they continue working in the same laboratory or on the same overall research project. Each semester is graded separately and requires its own final research report.

BISC 290: Sophomore standing and completion of BISC 120/121L and BISC 220/221L, together with CHEM 105a and 105b.

BISC 490: Junior or higher standing (at least 64 units).

Both courses require at least a 3.0 science GPA and 3.0 cumulative GPA. Transfer courses may be listed for prerequisite subject credit, with TR entered instead of a grade, but their grades must not be counted in the science GPA recalculation.

Your work is arranged with your faculty sponsor and depends on the specific biological research project, your preparation, and the laboratory’s needs. You may use skills from laboratory coursework and learn additional approaches. You should agree in advance on your tasks, time commitment, supervision, and graded outcomes for the semester.

Identify an eligible USC faculty sponsor, complete the BISC 290 or BISC 490 coversheet, prepare a typed research proposal of at least one full double-spaced page, include a full reference list and the title page of one relevant journal article, and attach your STARS report. Both you and your sponsor must sign the application.

If your sponsor is outside the four Biological Sciences departments, include a current faculty CV unless the Life Sciences Hub confirms that a current CV is already on file. A LinkedIn screenshot is not an acceptable substitute. Submit everything in one PDF using the filename Last Name, First Name (SponsorLastName)_SemesterYear.pdf.

Submit using the application form linked on the main Directed Research page no later than 12:00 p.m. (noon) Pacific Time on Friday of the first week of classes. Please apply early; to ensure equitable treatment, late applications are not accepted. We do not accept applications by email.

The application process is not competitive. Applicants who meet the course eligibility requirements and submit qualifying, complete research proposals by the deadline may be approved for research credit. Faculty or academic review is still required, and approval is communicated through D-clearance instructions.

Deadlines are applied consistently to all students. Because the fall and spring application periods are available in advance, we encourage you to submit early. Late applications cannot be accepted so that everyone is treated fairly.

Your faculty sponsor determines and communicates the research expectations for the semester and evaluates your work and final report.

You must give your final report to your sponsor and submit it through the final-report form on the main Directed Research page by the last day of classes. Your sponsor sends the final course grade to Linda Bazilian in the Life Sciences Hub by the last day of exams so that the grade can be entered in the university grading system.

Projects must involve meaningful student participation in biological research. Projects focused primarily on psychological or sociological human-subject activities, or clinical trials, generally do not qualify unless the proposed work meets the biological research requirements.

BISC 290/490 applications are administered by Life Sciences Hub Academic Services staff supporting the Biological Sciences program, including Linda Bazilian, Dairon Caro, and Lana. Applications are reviewed for eligibility, completeness, and appropriateness for the course.

Research credit generally requires about 3–4 hours of work per week per unit (approximately 12–16 hours for four units), a qualifying faculty-supervised project, and an individual written final report.

The report must be given to your faculty sponsor and submitted through the Biological Sciences final-report upload form by the last day of classes. A new application, final report, and faculty-submitted grade are required for each semester of research-for-credit enrollment.

Explore faculty and laboratory websites for the departments of Human and Evolutionary Biology, Marine and Environmental Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, and Neurobiology, as well as other USC biological research groups. You can also discuss research interests with instructors and academic advisors.

Contact faculty about a specific research interest, discuss your preparation and availability, and ask whether their laboratory has room for undergraduate researchers. The Research Opportunities page provides links to current departmental research resources.