B.S. in Biological Sciences
With 20 units of required major elective course work (BISC UD), the B.S. in Biological Sciences allows one the opportunity to sample courses from across our three divisions (Marine/Environmental, Molecular/Computational, Neuro), or focus in one specific area. This is a great program for the pre-graduate or research-minded student.
Sample Bachelor of Science Program in Biological Sciences
Freshman
| BISC Core Classes | BISC Collateral Classes | G.E. and others | G.E. and others | |
| Fall | BISC 120Lg or 121Lg |
CHEM 105aLg or 115aLg |
G.E. VI Social Issues |
WRIT 140 |
| Spring | BISC 220L or 221L |
CHEM 105bL or 115bL |
G.E. V ARLT |
Language
I |
Sophomore
| BISC Core Classes | BISC Collateral Classes | G.E. and others | G.E. and others | |
| Fall | BISC 320L |
CHEM 322aL or 325aL |
*MATH 125 |
Language
II |
| Spring | BISC 330L |
CHEM 322bL or 325bL |
*MATH 208 |
Language III |
Junior
| BISC Core Classes | BISC Collateral Classes | G.E. and others | G.E. and others | |
| Fall | BISC 325 |
*PHYS 135aL or 151L |
Minor
or Elective |
G.E. |
| Spring | BISC UD Elective | *PHYS 135bL or 152L |
Minor
or Elective |
WRIT 340 |
Senior
| BISC Core Classes | BISC Collateral Classes | G.E. and others | G.E. and others | |
| Fall | BISC UD Elective | **BISC UD Elective w/lab or 490 | Minor
or Elective |
G.E. |
| Spring | BISC UD Elective | **BISC UD Elective w/lab or 490 | Minor
or Elective |
G.E. |
* We sometimes encourage students to take Math OR Physics in the same summer following their freshman or sophomore year. This helps to lighten the course load during fall/spring semesters in the sophomore and junior years. See your advisor regarding taking the courses at USC during summer or regarding transfer/residency policies.
The above program assumes that one of the general education courses satisfies both a G.E. category and the diversity requirement. Such classes can often (not always) be found in categories I and VI, but these classes tend to fill quickly.
** Students may enroll in any combination of BISC upper-division major electives totaling 20 units (two courses carrying a lab or 490). See catalogue for limitations
*** Limited to 4 units of BISC 490 that can be applied to upper-division elective.
Notes regarding core course offerings:
BISC 120Lg and 121Lg are fall-only.
BISC 220L and 221L are spring-only.
BISC 320L is fall-only.
BISC 330L is spring-only
BISC 325 is fall-only.
Offerings subject to change without notice.