Undergraduate Research
Every year approximately 100 undergraduates in the Department of Biological Sciences engage in undergraduate research. Of these, about 75 complete BISC-290 or 490 for undergraduate credit. Approximately one-third of these are directed by faculty at the USC Keck School of Medicine, while the other two-thirds complete work under the direction of faculty at the USC University Park Campus (UPC) or the USC Wrigley Institute on Catalina Island. Students completing work on the UPC are free to work with any professor, in any school or department engaged in wet-lab research.
When applying to work with out-of-department faculty, we ask that you check with David Lichtenstein, dlichten@usc.edu AHF-229M, to find out whether we have a current curriculum vitae (C.V.) on file for the sponsor you would like to work with.
Research for Unit Credit (BISC 290/490):
Sophomores may register for BISC-290 (pre-requisites: BISC 120L/121L and 220L/221L; CHEM-105aLg and 105bL) and juniors and seniors may register for BISC-490 (pre-requisite: junior or senior standing departmental approval). Both 290 and 490 research projects require a minimum 3.0 GPA (science and cumulative).Guidelines and applications for BISC 290 and 490 research are available in David Lichtenstein's office, AHF-229M or in PDF format at the Forms site. Both 290 and 490 require the support of a faculty sponsor and approval by the Chair of Biological Sciences. Honor Students in Biological Sciences also write a thesis (BISC 494).
BISC research applications/contracts must be submitted to David Lichtenstein, dlichten@usc.edu AHF-229M, by 5:00 p.m. on the first day of each semester. Please make arrangements to meet with your sponsor well in advance, and allow two weeks for a decision from the department chair.
Click here to view a good example of what we are looking for in an application.
Students requesting 2 unit credits of 290 or 490 are expected to support their lab eight hours per week, while students requesting 4 unit credits of 290 or 490 are expected to support the lab sixteen hours per week. All students in BISC-290 or 490 research must submit:
1) copies of their research paper in journal format to their sponsor and David Lichtenstein, dlichten@usc.edu AHF-229M,
2) A 290/490 Evaluation Form to David Lichtenstein, dlichten@usc.edu AHF-229M,
Both are due by 5:00 p.m. on the last day a final exam is administered in that semester.
Time Management
Student who sign up for BISC 490 are expected to spend a minimum of three to four hours of weekly lab work per credit hour (e.g., 4 credits would require12 to 16 hours per week in the lab). Some students prefer to pursue their project by signing up for 2 credits of 490 in two consecutive semesters (i.e., eight to 10 hours per week of lab work for two semesters). Students who pursue this option are expected to work on the same project with the same sponsor both semesters.
Faculty Sponsors
The selection of a faculty sponsor is an important aspect of the research experience. Your sponsor may be any regular faculty member of the university who is carrying out biological research in a university laboratory. "Biological" is very broadly defined, but the project must involve basic research and cannot be clinical medicine. The selection of a sponsor is a student-initiated process and should involve your becoming familiar with several faculty members’ research interests. You can start with a Web search and/or by reading published papers.
Most faculty members will accept undergraduates in their laboratories if they have space and funding, and if they are impressed by your interest and preparation. (DO NOT start off by saying you want research on your resume.) Once you know the rules and regulations for 290/490 projects, you should make a list of three to five faculty members in whose research interests you and contact them to set up an appointment to see if they have an opening in their labs. Be aware that faculty members are very busy and you will need to plan well in advance to meet with them, write a proposal with their guidance, and meet the deadline for submission of your proposal.
When applying to work with out-of-department faculty, we ask that you check with Danielle Jacobs in AHF 105 to find out whether we have a current curriculum vitae (C.V.) on file for the sponsor with whom you would like to work.
Links and Oppurtunities:
USC Office of Undergraduate Programs:
www.usc.edu/ugp
* Has Research Clearinghouse - get matched with faculty to do research
* Symposium Information - Get paid to do research
* Summer Research Fellowships - Get paid in the summer
* And Many more opportunities
Research Initiatives at USC:
www.usc.edu/research
*Research groups and centers
WiSE (Women in Science & Engineering)
www.usc.edu/wise
McNair Scholars
www.usc.edu/mcnair
Research Experiences for Undergraduates
www.nsf.gov
Opportunities from all over the United States
Rochester Listing:
http://www.rit.edu/~gtfsbi/symp/summer.htm
Opportunities from all over the States and other countries all year round.