The Department of Biological Sciences at USC Dornsife is home to world-leading experts who take on vital scientific questions and challenge students to innovate with them. Research spans the scales of biological organization from molecules and cells to organisms, populations, species, and communities with an emphasis on driving ethical and equitable solutions to scientific questions. Students gain a deep comprehension of complex biological systems and the methods used to approach new problems while mastering the skills necessary to conduct biological experiments in both the lab and the field.
Research Sections
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Whether it is an interest in medicine, nutrition, or primate evolution, the section on Human and Evolutionary Biology prepares students for a number of fields related to human biology. Housed within the Department of Biological Sciences, the section explores the structure and function of the human being in terms of development, environment, pathology, and evolution. Lead by faculty whose research explores everything from the human genome to the dynamics of human movement, students gain essential training, conduct research in state-of-the-art labs, and are encouraged to put theory into practice by testing a research question of their own in capstone classes.
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The USC Dornsife program in Marine and Environmental Biology (MEB) explores the incredible intricacies of marine life and ecosystems. With research taking place at some of the most awe-inspiring sites on the planet — places like deep ocean trenches and vibrant coral reefs – USC Dornsife MEB faculty are working to protect our oceans and chart a more sustainable future for our world. Students join these experts in the classroom, laboratory, and field with the goal of ensuring future generations continue to benefit from the richness of our marine ecosystems.
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Housed within the Department of Biological Sciences, the section on Molecular and Computational Biology illuminates the biochemical foundations of life itself. One of the few programs in the country that takes a computational and experimental approach to molecular biology, the section uses mathematical modeling and experiments with living organisms to understand biological systems. Students work alongside experts whose research addresses vital questions about chromosomes, RNA, and neuroscience — with special areas of strength in genome architecture and population genetics.
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The USC Dornsife section in Neurobiology helps us make better sense of the basic biological mechanisms that underpin brain functions like learning, memory, and neuron cell signaling. Students have the opportunity to study alongside experts in state-of-the-art labs equipped with advanced computing and high-resolution brain imaging technology to analyze neural function. Cutting-edge faculty research programs span cell biology, physiology of neuron signaling, brain development and repair, sensory processing, systems neuroscience and more.