Department of Cancer Biology

Return to: Keck School of Medicine of USC  

• Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine
• Translational Biomedical Informatics
• Translational Biotechnology

Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine
1975 Zonal Avenue, KAM 400
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9151
(323) 442-1145
FAX: (323) 442-2494

Faculty

Departmental Chair: Peggy J. Farnham, PhD

Faculty with Primary Appointments in BMM

Peggy J. Farnham, Professor and The William M. Keck Chair in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Amy S. Lee, Professor and The Judy and Larry Freeman Chair in Basic Science Research

Joseph G. Hacia, Associate Professor and Vice Chair for Medical Education

Judd Rice, Associate Professor and Director of the BMM Master of Science Program

Professors: Peter V. Danenberg; Vijay Kalra; Frank S. Markland, Jr.; Robert Maxson; Pragna Patel; Michael Stallcup

Associate Professors: Woojin An; Sita Reddy

Research Assistant Professors: Jobin Varkey; Daniel Weisenberger

Associate Professors: Woojin An; Sita Reddy

Research Assistant Professors: Jobin Varkey; Daniel Weisenberger

Graduate Programs

Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (MS):

Most applicants to the Master of Science graduate program in Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine have a bachelor’s degree with an undergraduate major in one of the natural sciences. Undergraduate course work should include biochemistry, physics, mathematics and courses in the biological sciences. A minimum GPA of 3.0 in the natural sciences (including mathematics) is normally required. Applicants must pass satisfactorily the general portions of the Graduate Record Examinations. In addition, the department requires at least three letters of recommendation from faculty members who can evaluate the applicant’s potential for graduate work and independent research. Students can apply to the MS program in Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine at gradadm.usc.edu/apply/. 

PhD Programs:

Students interested in pursuing a PhD degree in the fields related to biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, and genetics should apply to USC Programs in Biomedical and Biological Sciences (PIBBS). Applications for the PhD Programs in Biomedical and Biological Sciences should be submitted online through the PIBBS website (keck.usc.edu/pibbs/).

Programs

• Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine (MS)  

Translational Biomedical Informatics
Keck School of Medicine of USC
Harlyne J. Norris Cancer Research Tower
1450 Biggy St. NRT 2508
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9601
Email: msalomon@usc.edu
keck.usc.edu/translational-biomedical-informatics

Program Director: Matthew P. Salomon, MS, PhD

Program Summary

The Department of Cancer Biology offers a Master of Science (MS) degree in Translational Biomedical Informatics . The program focuses on training students who have strong backgrounds in laboratory-based biomedical and life sciences who seek to develop the bioinformatic skills necessary to analyze large-scale “omics” data in the study of human health and disease. A central focus of the program is the application and analysis of next-generation sequencing (NGS) data and other high-throughput molecular assays in the context of biomedical, clinical, biotechnology and pharmaceutical research. Students in the program will gain experience in the analysis and interpretation of large-scale biological datasets, with a particular emphasis being placed on insuring students develop a strong foundation of fundamental skills and competencies that will allow them to be adaptable as new technologies emerge and the field evolves.

Programs

• Translational Biomedical Informatics (MS)  

Translational Biotechnology
Keck School of Medicine of USC
Harlyne J. Norris Cancer Research Tower
1450 Biggy St. NRT 2508
Los Angeles, CA 90089-9601
(323) 442-3237
Email: tirzah.petta@usc.edu
keck.usc.edu/cancer-biology/

Program Director: Tirzah Petta, PhD

The Department of Cancer Biology offers a Master of Science (MS) degree in Translational Biotechnology . This program combines a unique curriculum and distinctive practical training that exposes students to biotechnology and its applications in translating genomic and molecular insights into developing novel therapies and precision medicine. Drawing strength from the Keck School of Medicine faculty’s education, research, and practice expertise, this program educates students on approaches used in the academic research, biotechnology and medical sciences industries.

The department also offers a graduate certificate.

Programs

• Translational Biotechnology (MS) 
• Translational Biotechnology Certificate 

Courses

• BIOC 501 Recent Advances in Biochemistry
• BIOC 502 Biochemistry Seminar
• BIOC 511 Foundations for Molecular Medicine
• BIOC 515 Logic and Design of Disease Mechanism Studies
• BIOC 522 Applications of Physical Methods in Biochemistry
• BIOC 555 Biochemical and Molecular Bases of Disease
• BIOC 557 Biochemistry of Anti-Cancer Agents
• BIOC 561 Molecular Biology
• BIOC 573 Optimal Research Presentations
• BIOC 581 Toolbox for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• BIOC 582 Exploring the Path from Data to Publication
• BIOC 590 Directed Research
• BIOC 594a Master’s Thesis
• BIOC 594b Master’s Thesis
• BIOC 594z Master’s Thesis
• BIOC 596 Internship for Curricular Practical Training
• BIOC 599 Special Topics
• BIOC 790 Research
• BIOC 794a Doctoral Dissertation
• BIOC 794b Doctoral Dissertation
• BIOC 794c Doctoral Dissertation
• BIOC 794d Doctoral Dissertation
• BIOC 794z Doctoral Dissertation

• TRGN 510 Basic Foundations in Translational Biomedical Informatics
• TRGN 514 Introduction to Human Genomic Analysis Methods
• TRGN 515 Advanced Human Genomic Analysis Methods
• TRGN 516 Translational Genomics, Applied Databases and Datastructures
• TRGN 520 Translational Biomedical Informatics Capstone Portfolio
• TRGN 524 Applications of Genomic Technology in Biomedical Research I
• TRGN 525 Applications of Genomic Technology in Biomedical Research II
• TRGN 526 Clinical Bioinformatics in Genomic Testing
• TRGN 527 Applied Data Science and Bioinformatics
• TRGN 534 Biomedical Data Privacy Issues and Solutions
• TRGN 536 Biotechnology Primer
• TRGN 537 Pathway and Target Discovery
• TRGN 538 Seminar in Translational Biotechnology
• TRGN 539 Translational Biotechnology Practicum
• TRGN 540 Translational Biotechnology Capstone Preparation
• TRGN 541 Translational Biotechnology Capstone Defense
• TRGN 542 Biotechnology-based Therapeutics
• TRGN 543 Biotechnology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization I
• TRGN 544 Biotechnology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization II
• TRGN 545 Exploring Chemical and Biological Therapeutic Modalities
• TRGN 546 Biotechnology Law: Intellectual Property, Regulatory, Corporate
• TRGN 548 Seminar in Translation and Entrepreneurship in Biomedical Sciences
• TRGN 549 Translation and Entrepreneurship in Biomedical Science Capstone Project
• TRGN 550 Communicating Science: Writing
• TRGN 551 Communicating Science: Speaking
• TRGN 590 Directed Research
• TRGN 599 Special Topics