Program Overview

     Explore our innovative curriculum

Zebrafish

Program Goal: To prepare students for a career in biomedical research and innovation by providing both a foundational education in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine and knowledge in how innovative approaches are brought to the biomedical community.

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe foundational concepts in stem cell and developmental biology and translational biology.
2. Explain the principles underlying the equipment, reagents, databases and methods commonly used for research in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.
3. Develop critical thinking skills by analysis of experimental data in published literature.
4. Dissect the experimental logic underlying studies aimed at elucidating mechanisms of disease and designing therapeutic strategies.
5. Describe current issues and approaches in stem cell biology through writing and oral presentation.
6. Acquire introductory proficiency in stem cell-related technologies and laboratory practices.

Program Curriculum:
Graduation requires completion of 27 units, according to the required Year 1 course schedule outlined below. None of these courses may be substituted or waived.

The program is intended to give students a deep understanding of the scientific and clinical underpinnings of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. The program includes three didactic lecture courses that address developmental biology and human embryology, stem cell biology and regenerative medicine, and translational and therapeutic aspects of stem cell technology. Two laboratory modules provide guided hands-on experience with stem cell culture and current imaging and analytical protocols. Several faculty-led discussion-based courses allow detailed investigation within specific subfields of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. Additional courses train students in scientific writing, analytical techniques, and computational methods.

The standard one-year program is intended to be completed within one academic year, and does not include a requirement for independent laboratory research or a thesis.

Students enrolled in the one-year MS Program in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (without thesis) can petition (typically in the Spring Semester) to complete a second year, which includes a thesis (35 units total). Students must be in excellent academic standing. In addition, these students must obtain approval from both the Thesis Mentor and Program Director.

During the second year, under the mentorship of department faculty, students will extend their educational experience with additional seminar courses and apply methodologies used in stem cell biology and regenerative medicine to create an independent capstone project. If a student opts for a second year program, the diploma will be awarded after the completion of year two requirements.

Year One (27 units)

Required Courses — Fall Year One

  • DSR 620 Current Topics in Stem Cell Biology and Organogenesis (1 unit) Student-led presentations with faculty-guided discussion of recent literature in the subject of stem cell biology and organogenesis.
  • SCRM 511 Developmental Biology and Human Embryology (4 units) Survey of anatomical, cellular and molecular processes that underlie human development and congenital malformations, with discussion of other species for comparison.
  • SCRM 513 Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine (4 units) A comprehensive investigation of embryonic, fetal and adult stem cells and the application of stem cell biology to treat disease.
  • SCRM 525 Tools and Techniques in Stem Cell Biology (2 units) Introduces students to classical and cutting-edge techniques used to assess stem cells and regenerating systems.
  • SCRM 555 Writing About Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (1 unit) Instruction in writing for various audiences on topics related to stem cell biology and regenerative medicine.
  • SCRM 580 SCRM External Speaker Seminar Series (2 units) Reading and discussion of recent papers by the SCRM speaker of the week, and attendance at the speaker’s seminar.

Required Courses — Spring Year One

  • DSR 610 Current Topics in Regenerative Medicine (1 unit) Student-led presentations with faculty-guided discussion of recent literature in the subject of regenerative medicine.
  • SCRM 515 Bringing Stem Cells to the Clinic (4 units) Lectures addressing the business, legal, ethical, manufacturing and regulatory aspects involved in moving stem cells or related product into clinical practice.
  • SCRM 580 SCRM External Speaker Seminar Series (2 units) Reading and discussion of recent papers by the SCRM speaker of the week, and attendance at the speaker’s seminar.
  • Choose at least 2 of these courses:
    – SCRM 522 Biological Imaging in Stem Cell Research (2 units) Theory and practice of using microscopy and flow cytometry in stem cell biology, including sample preparation, digital processing and data analysis. **In Spring 2022, this course is offered in-person only. Remote or hybrid registration is not possible due to the hands-on nature of this course.**
    – SCRM 524 Culture and Differentiation of Pluripotent Stem Cells (2 units) Basic methods for freezing, thawing, culturing pluripotent stem cells to create differentiated cell types. **In Spring 2022, this course is offered in-person only. Remote or hybrid registration is not possible due to the hands-on nature of this course.**
    – SCRM 526 Data Analysis in Stem Cell Biology (2 units) Students will acquire a deeper understanding of the methodologies used in the field of stem cell biology and regenerative medicine to perform data analysis.

Elective Course Requirement (Choose One) — Spring Year One

  • SCRM 517 Historical and Contemporary Research: HPSCs (2 units) Historical and contemporary stem cell research using hematopoietic stem cells as a model system. Note: This course will not be offered in 2023.
  • SCRM 519 Historical and Contemporary Research: Neural Stem Cells (2 units) Focuses on historic achievements in stem cell research and how contemporarily, research and its related technological advances have fostered breakthroughs the understanding of NSCs.
  • SCRM 521 Historical and Contemporary Research: Tissue Development Engineering (2 units) Focuses on the components of cell, molecular biology, and basic tissue development to comprehend its uses within the realm of synthetic biology and cellular/tissue engineering.

Year Two (8 units)

Required Courses — Fall Research Year Two

  • SCRM 590 Independent Research (1-4 units, Credit/No Credit only) Independent research conducted under the guidance of faculty in the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine.
  • SCRM 594a Master’s Thesis in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (2 units) The purpose of this course and its successors is to accomplish a capstone project in the field culminating a student’s experience at USC. The project can have varied forms including a lab research project (bench work or dry lab work), or some other sizable, professional study based on the field or its application. Mentorship is provided by the thesis advisor and a thesis committee.

Required Courses — Spring Research Year Two

  • SCRM 590 Independent Research (1-4 units, Credit/No Credit only) Independent research conducted under the guidance of faculty in the Department of Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine.
  • SCRM 594b Master’s Thesis in Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine (2 units) This is a continuation of SCRM 594a. Under guidance and approval of the thesis committee, all capstone projects culminate in a thesis defense and a thesis manuscript that upon completion, become publicly available at the USC Libraries. Completion can be fulfilled through enrollment in SCRM 594z, if necessary.

In addition, 2 units from the following electives are required to be taken either in Spring of Fall: DSR 610 and 620 can be repeated; SCRM 517, 519, 521 can only be taken once.

  • DSR 610 Current Topics in Regenerative Medicine (1 unit)
  • DSR 620 Current Topics in Stem Cell Biology and Organogenesis (1 unit)
  • SCRM 517 Historical and Contemporary Stem Cell Research (2 units)
  • SCRM 519 Historical and Contemporary Research: Neural Stem Cells (2 units)
  • SCRM 521 Historical and Contemporary Research: Tissue Development Engineering Units: (2 units)