Biological Sciences

Return to: USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences  

The Department of Biological Sciences has research faculty with specialties in five disciplines: human and evolutionary biology, marine and environmental biology, molecular and computational biology, neurobiology, and quantitative and computational biology. A diversity of upper-division undergraduate and graduate courses permits biology majors to choose an emphasis in any of these five disciplines. The department offers BA and BS degrees in Biological Sciences, BA and BS degrees in Human Biology, and a BS degree in Quantitative Biology. The BS in Biochemistry is offered as a joint program with the Department of Chemistry. See the Neuroscience section of the catalogue for descriptions of the undergraduate degrees in Neuroscience and Computational Neuroscience. The department also offers an honors program in which a Biological Sciences or Human Biology student can earn either a BA or a BS degree in Biological Sciences with Honors, and a Quantitative Biology student can earn a BS degree in Quantitative Biology with Honors. The honors program is available to students who maintain a GPA of 3.5 in the sciences and who have completed their freshman year. The honors program includes research opportunities, seminars and thesis preparation courses. Applications for the Honors Program are available in Allan Hancock Foundation (AHF), Room 105A. Undergraduates in biological sciences have the opportunity to become involved in laboratory or field research by taking research courses for some of their elective units. Minors are offered in biology of human movement, biotechnology, computational biology and bioinformatics, human disease, marine biology, and natural science.

At the graduate level, the department offers challenging degree programs that lead to a PhD in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Integrative and Evolutionary Biology, Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography and Molecular Biology. See the Neuroscience section of the catalogue for a description of the graduate degree in Neuroscience. The department also offers progressive MS degrees in Marine and Environmental Biology, Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry, and Quantitative and Computational Biology.

Allan Hancock Foundation Building 107
(213) 740-2777
FAX: (213) 740-8123
Email (undergraduate programs):
biodept@dornsife.usc.edu
Email (graduate programs):
marinebi@dornsife.usc.edu
molecule@dornsife.usc.edu
ieb@dornsife.usc.edu
Website: dornsife.usc.edu/bisc

Section Heads

Human and Evolutionary Biology: Lorraine Turcotte, PhD

Marine and Environmental Biology: James Moffett, PhD

Molecular and Computational Biology: Oscar Aparicio, PhD

Neurobiology: David McKemy, PhD

Quantitative and Computation Biology: Remo Rohs, PhD

Faculty

Robert C. Packard President’s Chair and President: Carol L. Folt, PhD (Preventive Medicine)

University Professor and ARCO/William F. Kieschnick Chair of the Neurobiology of Aging and Professor of Neurobiology, Biological Sciences, Anthropology and Psychology: Caleb E. Finch, PhD (Gerontology)

Distinguished Professor of Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, and Ester Dornsife Chair in Biological Sciences: Norman Arnheim, PhD*

USC Associates Captain Hancock Chair in Marine Science and Professor of Biological Sciences: David A. Caron, PhD*

University Provost Professor of Neurology, Biomedical Engineering and Biological Sciences: Steve Kay, PhD (Neurology)

University Professor and Milo Don and Lucille Appleman Professor of Biological Sciences and Professor of Biological Sciences and Psychology: Larry W. Swanson, PhD

Distinguished Professor and Chair, Molecular Microbiology and Immunology; Fletcher Jones Foundation Chair in Molecular Microbiology and Immunology: Jae U. Jung, PhD (Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)

Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, and Chemical Engineering & Materials Science and Dana and David Dornsife Chair in Chemistry: Arieh Warshel, PhD* (Chemistry)

W. M. Keck Provost Professor of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine and Biological Sciences: Andrew McMahon, PhD (Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine)

Provost Professor of Biological Sciences, Biomedical Engineering, Physiology and Biophysics, Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Pediatrics, Radiology and Opthalmology: Scott Fraser, PhD

Provost Professor of Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Neurology, Physiology and Biophysics, and Chemical Engineering and Materials Science: Raymond Stevens, PhD

Provost Professor of Ophthalmology, Neurology, Psychiatry and the Behavior Sciences, Radiology, Biomedical Engineering and Biological Sciences: Arthur Toga, PhD (Ophthalmology)

Dean’s Professor of Biological Sciences and Professor of Biological Sciences, Medicine, Biomedical Engineering and Aerospace and Mechincal Engineering: Peter Kuhn, PhD

William and Julie Wrigley Chair in Environmental Studies and Professor of Biological Sciences: Douglas G. Capone, PhD

Robert D. Beyer (‘81) Early Career Chair in Natural Sciences and Professor of Physics and Astronomy, Biological Sciences and Chemistry: Moh El-Naggar, PhD* (Physics and Astronomy)

McCulloch-Crosby Chair in Marine Biology and Professor of Biological Sciences: Jed A. Fuhrman, PhD*

Wrigley Chair in Environmental Studies and Professor of Earth Sciences and Biological Sciences: Kenneth Nealson, PhD (Earth Sciences)

Gordon S. Marshall Early Career Chair and Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering and Biological Sciences: Stacey Finley, PhD (Biomedical Engineering)

Gabilan Distinguished Professorship in Science and Engineering and Professor of Biological Sciences: Judith Hirsch, PhD; Lorraine Turcotte, PhD

Gabilan Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences: Carly Kenkel, PhD; Lindsey Schier, PhD

Professors: Jan Amend, PhD (Earth Sciences); Oscar M. Aparicio, PhD; Donald Arnold, PhD; Christopher Boehm, PhD; Sarah Bottjer, PhD; Lin Chen, PhD; Xiaojiang Chen, PhD; Casey Donovan, PhD; Suzanne Edmands, PhD; Pinghui Feng, PhD (Keck); Steven Finkel, PhD; Susan Forsburg, PhD*; Myron F. Goodman, PhD; John F. Heidelberg, PhD; Albert A. Herrera, PhD*; David Hutchins, PhD; Dale Kiefer, PhD; Chien-Ping Ko, PhD; Emily R. Liman, PhD; Donal T. Manahan, PhD; David D. McKemy, PhD*; Jill McNitt-Gray, PhD; Matthew Michael, PhD; James W. Moffett, PhD; Aiichiro Nakano, PhD (Computer Science); Sergey Nuzhdin, PhD; Matthew Pratt, PhD (Chemistry); Peter Qin, PhD (Chemistry); Michael Quick, PhD*; David Raichlen, PhD; Remo Rohs, PhD; Sergio Sañudo-Wilhelmy, PhD; Andrew Smith, PhD; Craig Stanford, PhD; Fengzhu Sun, PhD; Paul Thompson, PhD (Neurology); John Tower, PhD; Alan Watts, PhD

Associate Professors: Liang Chen, PhD; Sean Curran, PhD (Gerontology); Matthew Dean, PhD; Rosa Di Felice, PhD (Physics); Ian Ehrenreich, PhD; Robert Girandola, PhD; Andrew Gracey, PhD; Christoph Haselwandter (Physics and Astronomy); Scott Kanoski, PhD; Rusty Lansford, PhD; Biren Patel, PhD (Keck); Fabien Pinaud, PhD; Fei Sha, PhD (Computer Science); Paul Thomas, PhD (Preventive Medicine); Eric A. Webb, PhD; Chao Zhang, PhD (Chemistry); Wiebke Ziebis, PhD

Assistant Professors: Berenice Benayoun, PhD (Geronology); James Boedicker, PhD (Physics); Mark Chaisson, PhD; Charleston Chiang, PhD (Preventive Medicine); Irene Chiolo, PhD; Dion Dickman, PhD; Michael Edge, PhD; Bruce Herring, PhD; Samuel Andrew Hires, PhD; Vsevolod Katritch, PhD; Naomi Levine, PhD; Kristi Lewton, PhD (Keck); Travis Longcore, PhD (Architecture); Adam MacLean, PhD; Carolyn Phillips, PhD; Cameron Thrash, PhD

Professor (Teaching): Karla B. Heidelberg, PhD*

Professor (Research): James Hicks, PhD

Associate Professors (Teaching): Christa Bancroft, PhD; Kurt Kwast, PhD

Associate Professors (Research): Linda Duguay, PhD; Feixue Fu, PhD; Le Trinh, PhD

Assistant Professors (Teaching): Peter Calabrese, PhD; Nancy Castro, PhD; Raffaella Ghittoni, PhD; Grayson Jaggers, PhD; Gioia Polidori, PhD; Oliver Rizk, PhD; Trond Sigurdsen, PhD; Rory Spence, PhD; Bruce Yazejian, PhD

Assistant Professors (Research): Joel Hahn, PhD; Phuong Pham, PhD; Alberto Robador Ausejo, PhD; Thai Troung, PhD; Kate White, PhD

Master Lecturer: Gudrun Floyd, MS

Lecturers: Shirin Birjandi, PhD; Joshua Carlos, MS; Refael Levi, PhD; Brett Spatola, PhD

Emeritus: Michael Appleman, PhD; Robert Baker, PhD; John Callaghan, PhD; Richard Deonier, PhD; Dennis Hedgecock, PhD; William O. McClure*, PhD; Simon Tavare, PhD; Michael S. Waterman, PhD; Russel Zimmer, PhD

*Recipient of university-wide or college teaching award.

Undergraduate Degrees

Directors of Undergraduate Studies

Biological Sciences: Christa Bancroft, PhD

Human Biology: Gioia Polidori, PhD

Quantitative Biology: Peter Calabrese, PhD

Advisement

Advisement in the Department of Biological Sciences is required each semester. First semester freshman and transfer advisement takes place during orientation. Advisement in all remaining semesters takes place during the pre-registration period. The undergraduate coordinator forwards advisement appointment information each semester to all students in biological sciences.

Pre-Medical and Other Pre-Professional Preparation

The department offers specially planned courses within the biological sciences to prepare students for admission to professional schools (medicine, dentistry, veterinary science, occupational therapy, physical therapy, pharmacy, optometry, public health), paramedical sciences (medical technology, physician’s assistant, clinical and public health microbiology, clinical biochemistry), naturalist and environmental positions in the public and private sectors, jobs in industry (biotechnology), and graduate study (basic biological and biomedical fields). With the proper selection of courses under the guidance of the Department of Biological Sciences and the USC Rossier School of Education, the BS degree satisfies the California requirements for secondary school teaching in the life sciences.

Honor Society

The Department of Biological Sciences offers membership in Phi Sigma, a national honor society, to selected biology majors (Alpha Alpha Chapter at USC.) Phi Sigma is devoted to the promotion of research and academic excellence in the biological sciences. Students with a GPA above 3.0 who have interest in research and have completed core requirements for the first two years in biological sciences are eligible. Major activities range from presentation of papers by members and lectures by outside speakers to field trips, laboratory demonstrations and joint research projects. 

Maymester Courses on Catalina Island

The Biological Sciences Department in conjunction with the USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies (WIES) sponsors 4-week Maymester programs at USC’s Phillip K. Wrigley Marine Sciences Center (WMSC) on Santa Catalina Island. The Maymester courses focus on conservation biology, animal physiology, aquatic microbiology and field techniques in marine biology and biological oceanography. These courses are open to all biology majors as well as students in other departments and other institutions with a strong biology background. Students are primarily in their junior or senior years and may participate in any of the courses offered.

All the courses are taught by USC faculty and supported by USC graduate student teaching assistants. The classes are specialized to take advantage of the unique facilities and setting of Santa Catalina Island.

Students live on Catalina Island for the entire length of the course. Rates for room and board at the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center are comparable to those on campus. For those wishing to return to the mainland on the weekend — free transportation is provided each Friday to leave and each Monday to return.

For more information, students should contact the instructor(s) for the course of interest. Additional information can also be found at dornsife.usc.edu/wrigley/education/.

Minor in Biotechnology

The Marshall School and the departments of biological sciences and chemistry in the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences jointly offer the minor in biotechnology. This minor brings essential knowledge in the basic sciences together with the corporate skills needed in a rapidly growing industry. The minor is especially well suited for the business, biology, chemistry or engineering student seeking a career in business and/or the biomedical/bio-technical sciences. See Biotechnology Minor  for a list of required courses.

Minor in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

The USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences departments of biological sciences and mathematics and the Viterbi School of Engineering departments of computer science and biomedical engineering jointly offer the cross-departmental minor in computational biology and bioinformatics. This minor provides essential training in using quantitative skills to solve fundamental biological problems as well as problems related to public health, neuroscience and the environment. The minor includes four tracks matching the background of the students in biology, mathematics, computer science and engineering.

Minor in Craniofacial and Dental Technology

For a description and complete listing of course requirements, see Craniofacial and Dental Technology Minor  in the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC section.

Minor in Natural Science

The minor in natural science will first provide students with a foundation in the basic sciences of physics, chemistry and biology. Each student will then build on this foundation by selecting a variety of electives to meet individual scientific interests and academic goals.

Graduate Degrees

Degree Programs in Biological Sciences

The graduate programs in biology provide education and training of biologists interested in living systems ranging from cellular to ecosystem levels of organization, investigated by laboratory or fieldwork. Training in quantitative and computational biology includes graduate level classes in computer science, mathematics, and statistics and access to high performance computing. Courses and faculty research interests allow a multidisciplinary approach. A number of additional research areas are provided by adjunct faculty from other institutions, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Students develop the ability to formulate and test hypotheses, integrating information and concepts in the completion of a dissertation (PhD). A qualifying exam committee is formed for each student during the first year to develop a particular program of course work and research, and to evaluate the student’s progress. Specific information about the options in biological sciences can be obtained by requesting information brochures or online at dornsife.usc.edu/bisc.

Doctor of Philosophy in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics

This program prepares students for careers in academic research in quantitative and computational biology, or data science, biotechnology and software industries. The department teaches computational biology courses after students have taken graduate level courses in computer science, algorithms, mathematics, statistics and probability, and molecular biology. Students take classes and rotate in the first year, take a written screening exam following the first year, and an oral qualifying exam after the second year. Computational biology and bioinformatics students can work with faculty members of the Quantitative and Computational Biology (QCB) Section and faculty members with joint appointments in the QCB Section (dornsife.usc.edu/qcb/) as PhD dissertation advisers.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a natural science, mathematics, computer science or engineering from an accredited four-year college or university. Required background courses include computer science, general physics, bioinformatics and mathematics through integral calculus. Applicants are evaluated by their transcripts and GPA; three letters of recommendation; and a statement of interest. The GRE General Test is NOT required for admission to the program. Applicants who are accepted into the program but judged to have minor deficiencies are expected to correct them within the first year.

Doctor of Philosophy in Integrative and Evolutionary Biology

This program of study is designed to provide each student with a broad, fundamental background in integrative and evolutionary biology (IEB) coupled with detailed knowledge and expertise in the student’s chosen area of concentration. Various faculty members also teach a variety of advanced courses and seminars on specialized research topics each semester. In addition, a range of courses in areas relating to IEB are available in various departments on the University Park and Health Sciences Campuses. Students take a written and oral screening exam in the first year, and a written and oral qualifying exam no later than the end of the fifth semester of study.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a natural science (preferably biology) from an accredited four year college or university; required background courses include organic chemistry, general physics and mathematics through integral calculus. Applicants are evaluated by their transcripts and GPA; scores on the GRE General Test; three letters of recommendation; and a statement of interest. The applicant must take the GRE General Test prior to acceptance. A faculty member must serve as initial sponsor and adviser for admission to the IEB program. Applicants who are accepted into the program but judged to have minor deficiencies are expected to correct them within the first year.

Doctor of Philosophy in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography

In the marine biology and biological oceanography (MBBO) program, each student receives a general background in marine sciences and obtains in-depth specialization in a research area of his or her choosing. Each student’s curriculum is fitted to the particular needs and demands of the chosen research field. Students take classes in the first year, and must pass a screening exam before completion of 24 units in the program. Students take a written and oral qualifying exam no later than the end of the fourth semester of study.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in a natural science (preferably biology) from an accredited four-year college or university, or in mathematics or engineering; required background courses include organic chemistry, general physics and mathematics through integral calculus. Applicants are evaluated by their transcripts and GPA; three letters of recommendation; and a statement of interest. The GRE General Test is NOT required for admission to the program. A faculty member must serve as initial sponsor and adviser for admission to the MBBO program. Applicants who are accepted into the program but judged to have minor deficiencies are expected to correct them within the first year.

Doctor of Philosophy in Molecular Biology

This program is designed to train the participants intensively in the concepts and experimental methodologies of molecular biology and biochemistry. The subject matter is organized in an integrated fashion (lectures, seminars and laboratory) to present fundamental information on the biochemistry, biophysics, genetics and development of cells from a variety of different organisms. Primary emphasis is on the relationship between structure and function at different integrative and functional levels. Molecular biology (MOL) students are required to complete at least two laboratory rotations in their first year. Application for admission may be accessed online at dornsife.usc.edu/bisc/mcb/.

Admission Requirements

Applicants are expected to have a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a cognate area such as biology, chemistry, physics, engineering, bacteriology, computer science, or bioinformatics. Undergraduate work should include a basic course in biology, basic physics, physical chemistry organic chemistry, biochemistry and calculus. Students who are deficient in any of these subjects may be required to correct the deficiency during the first two years of graduate study. Courses taken to correct these deficiencies may not be credited toward the degree. Applicants are evaluated by their transcripts and GPA; three letters of recommendation; and a statement of interest. The letters of recommendation should be written by faculty members who can evaluate the promise of the student for graduate work and independent research. The GRE General Test is NOT required for admission to the program.

Degree Requirements

These graduate degrees are awarded under the jurisdiction of the Graduate School. Refer to the Requirements for Graduation  section and The Graduate School  section of this catalogue for general regulations. All courses applied toward the degrees must be courses accepted by the Graduate School.

Programs

Bachelor’s Degree

• •  Biological Sciences (BA)
• •  Biological Sciences (BS)
• •  Human Biology (BA)
• •  Human Biology (BS)
• •  Quantitative Biology (BS)

Minor

• •  Biology of Human Movement Minor
• •  Biotechnology Minor
• •  Computational Biology and Bioinformatics Minor
• •  Human Disease Minor
• •  Marine Biology Minor
• •  Natural Science Minor

Master’s Degree

• •  Biology (MS)
• •  Marine and Environmental Biology (MS)
• •  Molecular and Computational Biology (MS)
• •  Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry (MS)
• •  Quantitative and Computational Biology (MS)

Doctoral Degree

• •  Computational Biology and Bioinformatics (PhD)
• •  Integrative and Evolutionary Biology (PhD)
• •  Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography (PhD)
• •  Molecular Biology (PhD)

Courses

Biological Sciences

• •  BISC 101Lgx Cellular and Molecular Biology
• •  BISC 102Lgx Humans and Their Environment
• •  BISC 103Lgx General Biology for the Environment and Life
• •  BISC 104Lgx How the Body Works
• •  BISC 108L Special Laboratory I
• •  BISC 109L Special Laboratory II
• •  BISC 110g Good Genes, Bad Genes
• •  BISC 115Lxg The Biology of Food
• •  BISC 120Lg General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution
• •  BISC 121Lg Advanced General Biology: Organismal Biology and Evolution
• •  BISC 140g Our Blue Planet in a Changing Climate
• •  BISC 150Lgx The Nature of Human Health and Disease
• •  BISC 180Lgx Evolution
• •  BISC 193 Introduction to Research I
• •  BISC 194 Introduction to Research II
• •  BISC 199 Neuroscience Colloquium
• •  BISC 220Lg General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology
• •  BISC 221Lg Advanced General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology
• •  BISC 230Lgx The Biology of the Brain
• •  BISC 290 Introduction to Biological Research
• •  BISC 300L Introduction to Microbiology
• •  BISC 305g Statistics for Biological Sciences
• •  BISC 307L General Physiology
• •  BISC 310 Statistical Thinking for Quantitative Biology
• •  BISC 312x Molecular Biochemistry
• •  BISC 313L Evolution and Population Genetics
• •  BISC 315L Introduction to Ecology
• •  BISC 320Lg Molecular Biology
• •  BISC 321 Multidisciplinary Seminar: Science, Technology and Society
• •  BISC 325 Genetics
• •  BISC 330L Biochemistry
• •  BISC 335 Science, Health and the Environment
• •  BISC 352 Conservation Biology
• •  BISC 363L Mammalogy
• •  BISC 365 Phylogenetics and Evolution
• •  BISC 369L Ecology and the Natural History of California
• •  BISC 371L Molecular Approaches to the Diversity of Life
• •  BISC 390 Special Problems
• •  BISC 401 Introduction to Computational Analysis of Biological Data
• •  BISC 403 Advanced Molecular Biology
• •  BISC 405L General Embryology
• •  BISC 406L Biotechnology
• •  BISC 407 Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
• •  BISC 408 Systems Neuroscience: From Synapses to Perception
• •  BISC 410 Applications of Molecular Biology to Medicine
• •  BISC 411 Advanced Cell Biology
• •  BISC 412 Oceans, Climate, and the Environment
• •  BISC 414 Biology of Cancer
• •  BISC 419L Environmental Microbiology
• •  BISC 421 Neurobiology
• •  BISC 422L Neurobiology Laboratory
• •  BISC 423 Epilepsy to Ecstasy: Biological Basis of Neurological Disorders
• •  BISC 424 Brain Architecture
• •  BISC 425 Genetics through the Scientific Literature
• •  BISC 426 Principles of Neural Development
• •  BISC 427 The Global Environment
• •  BISC 428 The Biology of Tropical Diseases
• •  BISC 429 Cancer Immunology
• •  BISC 431L Aquatic Microbiology
• •  BISC 434 Introduction to Genome Science
• •  BISC 435 Advanced Biochemistry
• •  BISC 437L Comparative Physiology of Animals
• •  BISC 438 Nutritional Biochemistry
• •  BISC 440 Biodemography of Aging
• •  BISC 444 Practical Analysis of Biological Data in R
• •  BISC 445L Fundamentals of Vertebrate Biology
• •  BISC 447L Island Biogeography and Field Ecology
• •  BISC 450L Principles of Immunology
• •  BISC 455L Molecular Approaches to Microbial Diversity — Catalina Semester
• •  BISC 456L Conservation Genetics
• •  BISC 457L Methods in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography
• •  BISC 460 Seminar in Marine and Environmental Biology
• •  BISC 461 Seminar in Molecular and Computational Biology
• •  BISC 462 Seminar in Neurobiology
• •  BISC 469L Marine Biology
• •  BISC 473L Biological Oceanography
• •  BISC 474L Ecosystem Function and Earth Systems
• •  BISC 478 Computational Genome Analysis
• •  BISC 479L Computational Genome Analysis Laboratory
• •  BISC 480L Developmental Biology
• •  BISC 481 Structural Bioinformatics: From Atoms to Cells
• •  BISC 482 Systems Biology: From Cells to Oceans
• •  BISC 483 Geobiology and Astrobiology
• •  BISC 485 Advanced Seminar in Bacterial Survival and Evolution
• •  BISC 486 Regenerative Medicine: Principles, Paradigms and Practice
• •  BISC 488 Microscopy and Spectroscopy of Biological Systems
• •  BISC 490x Directed Research
• •  BISC 493x Honors Seminar
• •  BISC 494x Honors Thesis
• •  BISC 499 Special Topics
• •  BISC 502a Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry
• •  BISC 502b Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry
• •  BISC 504L Laboratory Techniques in Cellular and Molecular Biology
• •  BISC 505 Genomics and Molecular Genetics
• •  BISC 511 Integrative Biology
• •  BISC 512 Evolutionary Biology
• •  BISC 515 Evolution and Human Biology
• •  BISC 519 Recent Advances in Neurobiology and Endocrinology of Aging
• •  BISC 520 Recent Advances in Neurobiology
• •  BISC 521 Hearing and Communication Neuroscience