Biomedical Sciences

Biomedical Sciences Concentration at USCB

Student Emily Welles Presenting with Faculty

USCB's concentration in Biomedical Sciences prepares students for a wide range of technical and professional opportunities in biomedical research or professional schools. You will be prepared for graduate school, professional programs (medical, dental and veterinary programs) or to work as a research assistant or laboratory manager, among other professional opportunities. Students gain hands-on experience in molecular, cellular, biochemical and developmental biology as well as their associated biotechnologies.

Our Capstone courses span the range from Biological Research to Biochemistry with opportunities to perform guided research in genomics, bioinformatics and developmental genetics. Several of our faculty are using environmental PCR to do bacterial source typing, CRISPr-cas9 for directed DNA mutations and x-ray crystallography to design compounds to interrupt the biochemical pathways of parasites (including those in Chagas disease and leishmaniasis). 

The types of classes you will take include: Neurobiology, Developmental Biology, Histology, Bacteriology, General Physiology, Biological Research methods, Molecular Marine Ecology and selected Topics in Biology. The Biomedical Sciences concentration prepares students who want to attend medical, dental, veterinary or pharmacy school.

Research opportunities are available through faculty and regional research facilities including collaborations with other universities (USC Columbia, Brazilian Biosciences National Laboratory, Campinas, SP, NC State University, etc.). Learn more

Program of Study

For more information about USCB's program in Biomedical Sciences, please contact us at biology@uscb.edu

Student Triet Pham with Presentation

(Above) Triet M. Pham: “Rapid, Novel, and Sensitive Tetrazolium-Based Colorimetric Assay for Helicase nsp13 in SARS-CoV-2" (co-authored by Morgan G. Howard, Shane M. Carey, Gustavo F. Mercaldi, and Edward L. D'Antonio, PhD).

(Top of page): Emily M. Welles: “Towards the Development of a Dehaloperoxidase-Based Biosensor for Bisphenol A" (co-authored by Edward L. D'Antonio, PhD). Awarded 1st place 🥇 in the Biology and Environmental Sciences division at 2023 Discover USC. 

 

Matthew Holt working in Biomedical Sciences

Matthew Holt - Class of 2025, Biology major (pre-med)
Beneficial microbes of sharks, corals and sea urchins with Dr. Kimberly Ritchie

"I am grateful for being awarded the USCB SRE Grant for funding and the undergraduate stipend through the ASPIRE Grant from USC Columbia. I also thank Dr. Ritchie for the mentorship and opportunity to work alongside her. I spent my summer internship time on various methods to effectively identify microbe isolates, from Great White Sharks, for developing novel antibiotics; this has included laboratory work and writing and data analysis for presentations, papers, and grant proposals. I love this work, it's exciting, and I especially appreciate the understanding and supportive environment surrounding this research experience at USCB."