Additional Requirements
Eight units of upper-division, non-core course work available for major credit in biological sciences or chemistry are required. Students enrolled in BISC 490 are limited to 4 units, while students enrolled in CHEM 490 may complete up to 8 units. No more than two seminars (BISC 460 to BISC 462 ), totaling 4 units, may be applied to the upper-division elective requirement.
Honors Program in Biochemistry
A BS degree with honors in biochemistry is available for eligible students. In meeting program requirements students must submit an application and satisfy the objectives of one of the program options noted below.
Option One: Biochemistry Honors with Chemistry Research
Students seeking admission into option one must have at least junior standing (64 units) with an overall USC GPA of 3.5 or better in at least 32 units at USC, and have a 3.5 or better in at least 16 units in biological sciences and chemistry. Students in this option must complete 8 units of research (CHEM 490 ) under the supervision of chemistry faculty with the results of research being described in an undergraduate thesis reviewed and approved by a faculty committee. To graduate with honors under this option students must earn a GPA of 3.5 in all biological sciences and chemistry courses required for the major.
Option Two: Biochemistry Honors with Biology Research
Students seeking admission into option two must have at least sophomore standing (32 units) with an overall USC GPA of 3.5 or better both cumulatively and in 16 units in biological sciences and chemistry. Students in this option must complete 4 units of research (BISC 490 ) under faculty in biological sciences or under faculty in any other department approved by biological sciences. In addition, students must complete two semesters of Honors Seminar (BISC 493 ), 1 unit each, and one semester of Honors Thesis (BISC 494 ), 2 units. To graduate with honors under this option students must earn a GPA of 3.5 in all sciences and mathematics courses required for the major.
Upon graduation, transcripts of students following either option will be noted, “Bachelor of Science with Departmental Honors.”
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