Researchers looking through a microscope.

Health Sciences

The University of South Carolina system is the state’s most comprehensive health care research and education entity. We are elevating life and health for all South Carolinians.

Every day at South Carolina, students, faculty and researchers tackle health care’s most persistent issues with a watchful eye on what’s ahead. We’re working for a healthier state through the clinical education of next-generation medical professionals and in studies spanning dozens of health care-related research centers and institutes.

South Carolina awards more than 4,000 health care-related degrees annually to future clinicians, technicians, researchers and educators who believe in the transformative power of medicine. A state-of-the-art, 16-acre health sciences campus under development in Columbia promises cutting-edge diagnostics and treatment, with an emphasis on Alzheimer’s, stroke and other neurological conditions.

A National Leader in Research

The university’s vast research enterprise has earned the top Carnegie Foundation classification — R1— for offering the highest level of research activity at a doctoral university. That elite honor is one reason university researchers attracted $309 million in sponsored awards in FY24 in areas ranging from infectious diseases to cancer to brain health. When research thrives, students aren’t just learning from the best and brightest, they’re innovating alongside them in labs, programs and studies, too.

Researcher holding a test tube at eye level.

Research Spotlight

Chang Liu

Chang Liu entered the field of biomedical engineering with the long-term goal of improving health care. With support from the multidisciplinary team in USC’s biomedical engineering department, his research has touched on multiple life science disciplines, including molecular diagnostics, bio-nanotechnology and proteomics. Liu’s research group has worked to develop a nanopore biosensing platform for rapid detection of tuberculosis biomarkers in blood samples of infected children.

Both of USC’s medical schools are ranked by U.S. News for the number of graduates serving in medically underserved areas.

Achieving a Healthier State

The University of South Carolina offers a world of opportunity for those interested in health-related careers. Nursing programs at all eight USC institutions help more nurses enter the workforce in a state with the nation’s lowest nurse-to-population ratio. Top-ranked exercise science, athletic training and online graduate nursing programs prepare students to be leaders in their fields. We're training future generations of doctors, nurses, pharmacists, biomedical engineers, clinical psychologists and public health professionals.

Health Sciences Degrees

A World of poathways 100 Healthy Science degrees

We are elevating life andhealth for all South Carolinians

Improving care in the Stroke Belt

South Carolina suffers from high rates of stroke, but USC researchers are on the case. At the University of South Carolina, we're committed to bringing improved care — and better outcomes — to the buckle of the nation's Stroke Belt.

Improving the Odds

Multiple black and white scans of a brain with red highlights.

Raising the bar in nursing

Nurses are essential to health care. In many states, like South Carolina, nurses are in short supply due to the role’s stressful working conditions and the demands of caring for an aging population. Learn how USC students, faculty, alumni and university leaders are advancing and expanding nursing education to help meet the health care needs of the state and nation.

A Commitment to Nursing Excellence

Nursing students working ina simulation lab

Improving access to health care

More than 25% of South Carolinians live in a rural area of the state that’s so far from a major city it prevents access to essential medical care. Rural populations, which are shown to experience higher incidences of medical emergencies such as stroke and cardiac events, simply cannot access the timely medical care needed for better outcomes. USC is working on many fronts to advance rural health care.

BRIDGING THE HEALTH CARE GAP

Nursing student entering records into a computer

Neuroscience expertise

From stroke to communication disorders to traumatic brain injuries, researchers at the University of South Carolina are working to better understand the brain and improve treatments and outcomes for patients. As part of its commitment, USC is planning to develop South Carolina’s first standalone clinical neurological and rehabilitation center.

Focusing on the Brain

A researcher looks at an image of a brain