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Translational Biotechnology

Course Information

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General requirements include at least 28 units of required courses as follows:

CORE LECTURE COURSES (REQUIRED, 12 UNITS)

Students with strong background in biotechnology may substitute TRGN 536 with another appropriate course, with permission of the program director. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on all core courses is required.

  • Modern biotechnology utilizes cellular and biomolecular processes to develop technologies and products that help improve lives and the health of our planet. For over a half century, biotechnology drives the development and production of new vaccines, therapeutic products and procedures to combat serious illnesses and everyday threats confronting the developed and developing world. Biotechnology also enables the improvement of global population’s wellbeing with products and procedures that enhance crop insect resistance, increase yield, and facilitate more environmentally sustainable farming practices. Combining these efforts with those in developing biofuel, biotechnology field seeks to Heal the World, Fuel the World, and Feed the World.

    This course provides in depth examinations of classical and novel techniques currently used to explore and manipulate gene function. Topics include characterization of biochemical activities of gene products in vitro and in heterologous cells, investigation of gene function in model genetic organisms and in humans, and manipulations of genetic materials via cloning, mutagenesis and transgenesis. Study of human genetic disease is emphasized.

  • To discover a therapy and take it from bench to bedside is an arduous and multidisciplinary undertaking. Recent developments in science and technology, as well as changes in economic landscapes and government regulations have produced an exciting and complex field in therapy discovery and development. This course is intended for bio scientists who are interested in the process of applying scientific knowledge to discover new targets and pathways for novel biologics and therapeutic treatments. The molecular basis of human diseases will be discussed with an emphasis on novel therapeutic approaches. The course will include a combination of lectures and discussion of original research articles.

  • The field of biotechnology is advancing rapidly and expanding into diverse disciplines. This course is designed for students enrolled in the master’s programs within Keck School of Medicine. Seminars are given by outside speakers who are in the forefront of the field. This course seeks to provide the most updated view of various subspecialties in biotechnology. This seminar series include discussions in biotechnology, entrepreneurship, law, and industrial-scale production which are of particular interests to many bioscience students but are rare in traditional academic bioscience seminars.

    The seminar by the outside speakers will be open to all members of the school. This will add an exciting new dimension for intellectual consideration within the school. Following each seminar, the speaker will lead discussions with only students registered in the course. A format such as this will provide a more relaxed atmosphere for discussion. Without faculty and other more advanced seminar attendants, master’s students can feel freer to ask questions and participate in discussions.

  • This is the first of two courses that examine the entrepreneurial process in biotechnology from idea generation through economic viability. Biotechnology companies are unique in that they often need a decades-long period of incubation prior to becoming self-sustaining. Topics of this course include an overview of the global biotechnology industry, idea generation, business plan formulation, intellectual property protection, funding, personnel management including board composition, regulatory body interaction and company exits.

    This course is directed towards advanced students in biosciences or bioengineering. By starting their own virtual “BEEnopoly” biotech company, students will be introduced to the steps needed to start and nurture a biotechnology company in the healthcare realm, and gain an ability to assess the health of potential collaborators, partners or employers.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING (REQUIRED, 7 UNITS)

  • Students enrolled in the Translational Biotechnology program are required to engage in a practical project to be conducted in research laboratories or corporate environment under the supervision of USC faculty and corporate mentors/liaisons. Students, under the advisement from program director and faculty, can choose to work in academic or industry setting, locally or globally.

    This course is a practical experiential training that will integrate elements of the Translational Biotechnology curriculum into an applied project, giving students hands-on experience in the biomedical, biotechnology and pharmaceutical fields. Students may work on a significant project related to their professional aspiration. The student and the mentor determine the nature and extent of this independent study. In some arrangement, the student may be assigned to work with an associate member of the mentor’s team, who is in turn supervised by the mentor. The mentor is responsible for mentoring and evaluating the student’s progress and performance.

    A Translational Biotechnology faculty will coordinate this course. The coordinator is responsible for determining the appropriateness of the project in meeting degree requirements. The coordinator also serves as a liaison between the Translational Biotechnology program and the mentor.

  • This course is designed for students to establish an overall framework and to develop understandings, skills, and outlooks to conduct the required Translational Biotechnology capstone project.

    Students will develop a master plan and schedule for each semester and for their tenure in the Translational Biotechnology program. This plan will serve as the basis for monitoring and assessment of each student’s overall academic and professional progress.

    Students will engage in a portfolio building process and submit periodic assignments integrating what they have learned across multiple course works. These reflective assignments, combined with their Translational Biotechnology Practicum results (TRGN 539), will be assembled into a final portfolio, submitted and presented in a symposium in later semester (TRGN 541 Translational Biotechnology Capstone Defense)

  • In this course, students finalize and defend their program capstone which includes practicum conclusion, reflective narratives, and portfolio presentation.

    Throughout the Translational Biotechnology program, students will engage in a portfolio building process and submit periodic assignments intergrading what they have learned across multiple course works. These reflective assignments, combined with their practicum results, will be assembled into a final portfolio, synthesized by the student and submitted and presented in a symposium to an open audience including their peers, faculty of the Translational Biotechnology program, members of Keck School of Medicine, and invited guests from biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. This course provides the culminating, integrative curricular experience for students enrolled in the Translational Biotechnology program.

    This course is graded NC/CR, with full credit on submission, presenting, and successful defending of their program capstone report.

ELECTIVES (AT LEAST 9 UNITS)

  • At least 4 units must be TRGN courses.
  • A maximum of 4 units of TRGN 590 may be applied toward degree requirements.
  • Any course not listed here must be approved by the program director prior to enrollment to count toward graduation.

  • Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming biomedical research and the translation of discoveries into the clinic. From deep learning architectures to large language models and AI agents, AI methods are reshaping how scientists generate hypotheses, analyze high-dimensional data, model biological systems, and translate discoveries into the clinic. This course gives graduate students at the Keck School of Medicine a rigorous, application-oriented introduction to modern AI for biomedical sciences and translation, organized into four modules: (1) the mathematical and computational foundations of machine learning and deep learning; (2) the practical use of AI on high-performance computing systems, including model training, large language model APIs, and AI-assisted coding; (3) state-of-the-art applications to single-cell and spatial omics, cancer genomics, structural biology, drug-response prediction, multi-omics integration, and biomedical foundation models; and (4) the translational pipeline that brings models from research to the clinic, spanning clinical validation, regulation, real-world data, and the AI biotech industry. Lectures are delivered by a team of USC faculty and external experts from leading institutions. The course is designed for graduate students in cancer biology, genetics, genomics, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, and adjacent disciplines who want to apply AI across the biomedical sciences and the translation of discoveries into the clinic.

    TRGN599_Flyer_Fall2026

  • The objective of this course is to train individuals with strong backgrounds in biological or medical fields the analytical and computational skills for analysis of biomedical data.

    It will introduce students to tools and concepts that will be instrumental throughout the program. Particular focus will be on applicability to the healthcare field and training students to effectively implement, develop, and design bioinformatic solutions within different healthcare applications from prototyping to production. They will be trained and have an understanding of modern molecular data with a major emphasis on data analysis and data processing associated with next-generation sequencing data.

  • This course is part one of a two-course series and complements courses offered as part of the Masters in Biomedical Informatics program. This course is designed to teach modern genomics analysis methods, and also to provide students with the broader skillset to adapt and grow in the field as technologies change. More than most fields, they will frequently change tools and frequently build single use solutions. This course will focus on implementing, versioning, best practices, planning, and delivery specific to translational research by example using a series of emerging methodologies.

  • This course is part two of a two-course series and complements courses offered as part of the Masters in Biomedical Informatics program. This course will continue the process of both teaching modern genomics analysis, while providing students with the broader skillset to adapt and grow in the field as technologies change. Students will learn fundamentals of genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics and epigenomics technologies and will learn how their application and use drives analytical problems. Students will be expected to be familiar and experienced with many foundational skillsets introduced in earlier courses that are necessary in biomedical informatics. This course continues to build those on those skillsets by reinforcement with increased focus on timeliness and flexibility within more complex analysis.

  • The objective of this course is to provide advanced bioinformatic training in use of databases, and development of databases for sharing results and tracking information. The course will cover how to work with databases and understanding the regulatory environment around their use. A major part of this course will be on applied projects where in teams students will be asked to use a case-study based approach to identify appropriate datasets, use analytic tools to analyze data, evaluating hypotheses, and interpret results. The first major focus are the current standards and key resources in human annotation and gene ontology.

  • The objective of this course will provide students from non-quantitative backgrounds with the skill sets for applying data science and bioinformatics tools in the study of human health and disease using R and Bioconductor. This course is intended for students who are not experts in either data Science or bioinformatics. Students will practice data analysis and data visualization by examining challenges inherent in biomedical data, using common computational and statistical open source tools in data science. Teaching approaches will alternate between lecture and in-class analysis workshops that will focus on to the selection, application, and reproducible statistical analysis of large-scale multi-faceted ‘omic’ data from publicly available datasets, such as The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and ENCODE. Within this framework, topics will include basic statistics, hypothesis testing, both parametric and non-parametric analyses (e.g., such as hierarchal clustering and principal component analysis), linear regression analysis, data normalization, reproducibility/sensitivity analysis, multiple test correction, and power assessment Finally, the course will provide an introductory exposure to command-line and Unix-based large-scale data processing, complementing the use of R and Bioconductor as tools for conducting and reproducing analysis frequently required in scientific journals.

  • Building on foundations developed in TRGN 536 Biotechnology Primer, this course covers advanced biotechnology principles and applications. From scientific knowledge perspective, this course emphasizes technologies that lead to or assist in therapy discovery. From disease and therapeutic discovery perspective, this course discusses critical processes that shepherd our understanding in basic science into practical use in the clinic via translational studies and clinical trials. It will scrutinize promises and challenges of novel therapies. From medicine perspective, students in this course will examine international health and ethical issues that stem from disparity in scientific advancement, access to resources, and government regulations.

  • This is the second, and advanced, sequence of the two courses that examine the entrepreneurial process in biotechnology from idea generation through economic viability. Biotechnology companies are unique in that they often need a decades-long period of incubation prior to becoming self-sustaining. Topics of this course include an in-depth analysis of the global biotechnology industry, idea generation, business plan formulation, intellectual property protection, funding, personnel management including board composition, regulatory body interaction and company exits.

    This course builds on foundation that students established from TRGN 543 Biotechnology Entrepreneurship and Commercialization I. It uses a similar structure as TRGN 543 while diving deeper for each topic. Students will continue to grow their own virtual “BEEnopoly” biotech company that they started in the previous course.

  • This course surveys the variety of chemical and biological modalities for therapeutic interventions. It covers small molecules, therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, engineered multi-specific antibodies, cell-based immunotherapies, stem cell applications, viral therapy and microbiome-based therapeutics. This course covers both classic and new modalities. It discusses critical processes that shepherd our understanding in basic science into practical use in the clinic from proof of concept through practical considerations in production and usage. Emphasis will be placed on the selection, development, and optimization of appropriate modalities to target specific key defects in diseases.

  • The term “biotechnology law” is used here to mean a collection of distinct areas of law that play a prominent role in the biopharmaceutical and diagnostic industries. There are many legal disciplines having at least some nexus with this industry, and they collectively include diverse legal specialties. This course will introduce students to these interrelated fields of intellectual property law, regulatory law, securities law, healthcare law, corporate law, and M&A law as they are applied to the biopharmaceutical and diagnostic device sectors. Patents and related agreements have become critical resources for universities and research institutes, and commercial entities ranging from early stage startup companies to large, publicly-traded companies expend vast resources to navigate the various rules and laws pertaining to product intellectual property, product development, clinical trials, FDA approval, financing operations, post market compliance, and commercial exits. The course will present core concepts in a way that permits students to apply them throughout their corporate, academic and government careers.

  • This course surveys the variety of written communication modalities for transmission of scientific information in the workplace. It covers internal and external communication skills necessary for successful careers in biomedical, healthcare, and related industries. This course covers both traditional and novel communication modalities. It discusses essential processes for the accurate transmission of scientific data to diverse stakeholders both within the enterprise and external to the scientific endeavor. Emphasis will be placed on the selection of key communication points, development of processes to package data for accurate dissemination, and optimization of communication strategies to ensure data is conveyed accurately and effectively.

  • This course surveys the variety of communication modalities for verbal transmission of scientific information in the workplace. It covers internal and external communication skills necessary for successful careers in biomedical, healthcare, and related industries. This course covers both traditional and novel communication modalities. It discusses essential processes for the accurate transmission of scientific information to diverse stakeholders both within the enterprise and external to the scientific endeavor. Emphasis will be placed on the selection of key communication points, development of processes to package data for accurate dissemination, and optimization of spoken communication strategies to ensure data is conveyed accurately and effectively.

  • This course will offer opportunity for students enrolled in MS in Translational Biotechnology to conduct research relevant to their program of study beyond what is required for program practicum. Max. 4 can be used to fulfill degree requirements.

  • Study and development of analytical and conceptual skills in the management of new enterprises and new ventures within large organizations.

  • Study of analytical techniques used to evaluate business concepts and new business development.

  • The challenges of new venture creation in the biotechnology, medical device, and healthcare areas; experience, evaluate, and analyze profits of current impact in the life sciences.

  • How established organizations build successful new businesses through corporate venturing and entrapreneurship. Learn to apply an entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial frameworks within an established organization.

  • Epidemiology, pathobiology, carcinogenesis, tumor biology and heterogeneity, retroviruses, oncogenes, cell cycle control, genetics of cancer, tumor immunology, treatment strategies.

  • Current perspectives on major research areas in cell biology. Emphasis will be on in-depth examination of cellular structures, regulatory processes, intracellular routing and targeting, and cell/environmental interactions.

  • Mammalian organ systems operation during health, and pathophysiologic analysis of related diseases with focus on muscle, respiratory, cardiovascular and renal systems. Faculty from basic and clinical sciences. Open to graduate students in biomedical science only.

  • Mammalian organ systems operation during health, and pathophysiologic analysis of related diseases with focus on neuroscience, immunology, metabolism, endocrine, reproduction, GI and liver. Faculty from basic and clinical sciences. Open to graduate students in biomedical science only.
    Instruction Mode: Lecture
    Grading Option: Letter

    Crosslisted as BIOC-574, CNB-573, MPHY-573, MPTX-573, PATH-573, PHBI-573, PM-573

Academic Standard

A graduate GPA of at least 3.0 is required at all times. Any student whose graduate GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation who do not raise their GPA to 3.0 after two semesters of written notification of academic probation will be academically disqualified.