BISC 290/490 Frequently Asked Questions

These FAQs cover two different pathways: BISC 290 is a 2-unit introductory course with a brief online interest and enrollment request; BISC 490 is faculty-sponsored directed research with a separate, more extensive application. See the Application Instructions for details and the main Directed Research page for both submission links.

BISC 290 (Introduction to Biological Research) is a 2-unit introductory instructional course for students seeking a foundation in biological research. Students do not need to identify a faculty research sponsor before applying. BISC 290 does not count toward upper-division Biological Sciences elective credit.

BISC 490 (Directed Research) provides academic credit for an eligible student conducting biological research with an approved faculty sponsor. Up to four units of BISC 490 may count toward upper-division Biological Sciences elective credit, subject to degree requirements and advising review. BISC 490 has separate application and research report requirements.

BISC 290: Students should be in good academic standing at USC. There is no sophomore-only eligibility restriction or minimum 3.0 GPA cutoff for the revised BISC 290 application. The form collects cumulative USC GPA, class standing, and a current STARS report for review. The listed prerequisites are one course from each of these groups: BISC 120 or BISC 121; BISC 220 or BISC 221; and CHEM 105B, CHEM 108, or CHEM 115B. Students who are missing any group may request a prerequisite waiver through the interest form. A waiver is subject to approval before enrollment.

BISC 490: Junior or higher standing (at least 64 units) and the existing minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.0 science GPA requirements apply. Transfer courses may satisfy appropriate prerequisites, but transferred grades are not included in the science GPA recalculation.

BISC 290: Explore introductory concepts, methods, and expectations in biological research through instructor-led learning activities. The instructor will communicate participation, coursework, and grading expectations. A separate research laboratory sponsor is not necessary to apply.

BISC 490: Work on a defined biological research project with your approved faculty sponsor. Together you establish research responsibilities, time commitment, supervision, and expected outcomes.

BISC 290: Use the BISC 290 Interest & Enrollment Request on the main Directed Research page. Enter contact and academic information, indicate which prerequisite groups you have completed, request a waiver if necessary, describe your research interests, acknowledge course responsibilities, and upload your current STARS report. A separate coversheet, faculty sponsor, proposal, science GPA calculation, and journal article are not required for the BISC 290 form.

BISC 490: Identify an eligible USC faculty research sponsor, complete and sign the BISC 490 coversheet, prepare a research proposal of at least one full double-spaced page, include references, a relevant journal article title page, and your STARS report, and obtain the sponsor’s signature. Include an outside-department sponsor CV if required. Combine materials into one PDF and submit through the separate BISC 490 application upload form during the announced window. See the Application Instructions for full details.

BISC 290: Submitting an interest form does not guarantee enrollment. Academic standing and prerequisites are reviewed; requested prerequisite waivers require approval, and students must follow any D-clearance and registration instructions before enrolling. The form is intended to make introductory research coursework more accessible, not to operate as a research-sponsor selection process.

BISC 490: The application is not a competitive selection process when a student meets the stated eligibility requirements and submits a qualifying, complete faculty-sponsored research proposal. Applications remain subject to academic review and approval. The published BISC 490 deadline applies to all BISC 490 applicants; late applications are not accepted.

BISC 290: The instructor of record establishes instructional activities, assignments, participation expectations, and grading for the 2-unit course. The requirement for a separate end-of-semester research report in the revised introductory format is still being confirmed. Follow the instructor’s directions.

BISC 490: The faculty research sponsor evaluates the student’s work and final written report, and provides the grade to the Life Sciences Hub by the last day of examinations for entry by the instructor of record. Students must provide the final report to their sponsor and submit a copy using the final-report form by the last day of classes.

BISC 290: A research project or laboratory sponsor does not have to be arranged before applying to the introductory course. Life Sciences academic administration reviews student information, academic standing, and any prerequisite-waiver request; the instructor coordinates course learning activities.

BISC 490: Your proposed project must meaningfully involve biological research under an eligible faculty sponsor. Projects primarily involving psychological or sociological human-subject activities or clinical trials generally do not qualify unless the work meets the biological research criteria. Life Sciences academic administration reviews applications and materials for eligibility, completion, and required approval.

BISC 290: The revised course is offered for 2 units only. Students must participate in the instructor’s assigned learning activities, communicate as needed, and make satisfactory progress. End-of-semester assignments, including any separate final report, will be clarified by the instructor.

BISC 490: Research credit generally involves about 3–4 hours per week per unit, appropriate faculty supervision, an individual written final report, and a grade submitted through the research sponsor. A new application and final report are needed for each semester of enrollment. The written report is due to the sponsor and through the Hub upload link by the last day of classes.

BISC 290: A faculty research sponsor is not required to submit the introductory interest form. You may still explore faculty and laboratory websites to learn more about biological research.

BISC 490: Review faculty and laboratory websites in Human and Evolutionary Biology, Marine and Environmental Biology, Molecular and Cellular Biosciences, Neurobiology, and other USC biological research groups. Contact potential faculty sponsors to discuss available work, qualifications, availability, and project expectations before applying.