Faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate students in the Department of Marine and Environmental Biology (MEB) investigate a range of topics in marine science and biological oceanography. Undergraduate students interested in research experience should review the different Research Themes as well as profiles of MEB faculty they are interested in working with. Contact faculty directly to inquire about potential research opportunities.

  • Research experience is an excellent way to help refine your interests and career goals. If obtaining an advanced degree is part of your long-term plan, research experience beyond the skills developed in laboratory courses can strengthen your resume and open up opportunities for additional scholarships and fellowships.

  • Please check the BISC Research Exchange portal for available opportunities and cross-reference those with the MEB faculty directory. You may also contact faculty directly to inquire about potential research opportunities.

  • BISC 490 Directed Research allows undergraduate students with junior or higher standing (64 or more units) to earn academic credit while conducting research under the supervision of a USC faculty sponsor. Students applying for BISC 490 must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA and 3.0 science GPA. For Biological Sciences majors, BISC 490 may count toward up to 4 units of upper-division elective credit.

    Students interested in marine and environmental biology research are encouraged to review the MEB faculty directory and contact potential faculty sponsors well in advance to discuss research interests and possible projects. A BISC 490 sponsor must be a USC faculty member.

    Students should expect approximately 3–4 hours of research per week for each unit of BISC 490. A new application is required for each semester of enrollment, and students complete a final written research report at the end of the semester.

    For current eligibility requirements, application materials, deadlines, submission links, FAQs, and final-report instructions, please use the central BISC Forms & Applications page. That page is the authoritative source for the BISC 490 application process.

  • The National Science Foundation (NSF) supports Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) at institutions across the United States and internationally. REU participants receive stipends and, in many cases, support for housing, meals, and travel. Application requirements and deadlines vary by program, with many summer opportunities accepting applications during the winter and early spring.

    USC undergraduate students can also explore research opportunities through the USC Wrigley Institute for Environment and Sustainability Summer Research Internship Program. The program provides hands-on research experience in coastal ocean and environmental science with USC and USC-affiliated faculty and researchers.

    Additional REU opportunities and information for students are available through the National Science Foundation’s Research Experiences for Undergraduates website.

    Additional STEM opportunities can be found on the Institute for Broadening Participation’s (IBP) Pathways to Science website.