USC Catalogue 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE]
Quantitative and Computational Biology
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Return to: USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences
The Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology has faculty with research specialties in statistical and evolutionary genomics and epigenomics, computational structural biology, and mathematical modeling and systems biology. The department offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Quantitative Biology and an undergraduate minor in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics. The department also offers an honors program in which 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. Quantitative Biology undergraduates will become involved in research as component of their degree requirements.
At the graduate level, the department offers a doctoral degree program that leads to a PhD in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics. The department also offers a progressive MS degree in Quantitative and Computational Biology and an MS degree in Computational Molecular Biology.
Ray R. Irani Hall 413G
(213) 821-4464
FAX: (213) 821-4257
Email (department):
qcb@usc.edu
Email (undergraduate programs):
qbio@usc.edu
Email (graduate programs):
cbb@usc.edu
Website: dornsife.usc.edu/qcb/
Chair: Remo Rohs, PhD
Faculty
University Professor, Provost Professor of Neurology, Biomedical Engineering, and Quantitative and Computational Biology: Steve Kay, PhD (Neurology)
Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Quantitative and Computational Biology, Biochemistry, and Chemical Engineering & Materials Science and Dana and David Dornsife Chair in Chemistry: Arieh Warshel, PhD* (Chemistry)
Gordon S. Marshall Early Career Chair and Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering, and Quantitative and Computational Biology: Stacey Finley, PhD (Biomedical Engineering)
Provost Professor of Ophthalmology, Neurology, Psychiatry and the Behavior Sciences, Radiology, Biomedical Engineering, and Quantitative and Computational Biology: Arthur Toga, PhD (Ophthalmology)
Professors: Liang Chen, PhD; Yan Liu, PhD (Computer Science); Chi H. Mak, PhD (Chemistry); Aiichiro Nakano, PhD (Computer Science); Remo Rohs, PhD; Andrew Smith, PhD; Fengzhu Sun, PhD; Paul Thomas, PhD (Preventive Medicine); Paul Thompson, PhD (Ophthalmology)
Associate Professors: Rosa Di Felice, PhD (Physics and Astronomy); Christoph Haselwandter, PhD (Physics and Astronomy); Vsevolod Katritch, PhD
Assistant Professors: Mark Chaisson, PhD; Charleston Chiang, PhD (Preventive Medicine); Michael Edge, PhD; Geoffrey Fudenberg, PhD; Naomi Levine, PhD (Biological Sciences); Adam MacLean, PhD; Nicholas Mancuso, PhD (Preventive Medicine)
Associate Professors (Teaching): Peter Calabrese, PhD; Rory Spence, PhD
Emeritus: Simon Tavaré, PhD; Michael S. Waterman, PhD*
*Recipient of university-wide or college teaching award.
Undergraduate Degrees
Director of Undergraduate Studies, Quantitative Biology: Peter Calabrese, PhD
Advisement
Advisement in the Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology 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 quantitative biology.
Pre-Medical Preparation
The Quantitative Biology major includes all requirements for admission to medical school.
Minor in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics
The Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology offers a 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 tracks matching the background of the students in biology, mathematics, computer science and engineering.
Graduate Degrees
Degree Programs in Quantitative and Computational Biology
The graduate programs in quantitative and computational biology include graduate level classes in computer science, mathematics, and statistics and access to high performance computing. Courses and faculty research interests allow a multidisciplinary approach. 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 quantitative and computational biology can be obtained by requesting information brochures or online at dornsife.usc.edu/qcb/.
Master of Science in Computational Molecular Biology
This program is designed to attract recent graduates in either mathematics, statistics, biology or computer science, or scientists and engineers interested in a training in computational biology. Students will be prepared for employment in the rapidly expanding areas of computational molecular biology and bioinformatics.
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 Department of Quantitative and Computational Biology (dornsife.usc.edu/qcb/people/) 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; research experience; three letters of recommendation; and a statement of interest. Applicants who are accepted into the program but judged to have minor deficiencies are expected to correct them within the first year.
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.
ProgramsBachelor’s DegreeMinorMaster’s DegreeDoctoral DegreeCoursesQuantitative Biology
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