Graduate Degrees
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be earned on all course work applied toward the master's degree in electrical engineering. This average must also be achieved on all 400-level and above course work attempted at USC beyond the bachelor's degree. Transfer units count as credit (CR) toward the master's degree and are not computed in the grade point average.In addition to the general requirements of the School of Engineering, the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering is also subject to the following requirements: (1) a total of at least 27 units is required; (2) every non-EE course for graduate credit requires prior written advisor approval recorded each semester on a special request form in the student's department file; (3) no more than nine units at the 400 level may be counted toward the degree -- the remaining units must be taken at the 500 or 600 level; (4) at least 18 units must be taken in electrical engineering, those not in EE require written advisor approval and must be technical in nature; (5) to achieve a degree of breadth in their program, students are encouraged to take two technical courses outside their area of specialization but within EE; (6) at least 21 of the 27 units must be taken in the School of Engineering; (7) units to be transferred (maximum four with advisor approval) must have been taken prior to taking classes at USC -- interruption of residency is not allowed.
The aerospace controls option is available as an area of emphasis for MSEE students interested in learning to apply innovative control techniques to aerospace control problems. In addition to 18 approved units of electrical engineering courses, students in this option will take at least three of the following aerospace and mechanical engineering courses: AME 453 Engineering Dynamics (3); AME 531 Aerodynamics of Wings and Bodies (3); AME 532ab Flight Vehicle Stability and Control (3-3); AME 525 Engineering Analysis (3); AME 526 Engineering Analytical Methods (3); AME 580 Orbital Mechanics I (3).
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (Computer Networks)
Under the computer networks option students must satisfy the M.S., Electrical Engineering requirements with the exception that only 15 units of EE are required. It is expected that each student in this program will take or have taken the equivalent of the following fundamental courses: CSCI 402x, EE 457Lx, and EE 465.The following required courses must be included: CSCI 551, EE 450, EE 549 or EE 550, and EE 555. Suggested elective courses include: CSCI 555, CSCI 558L, CSCI 570, CSCI 694a, CSCI 694b, EE 535, EE 554, EE 557, EE 558, EE 590, EE 599, EE 650, EE 659. Any other course must be approved by a faculty advisor. Total units required for the degree is 27.Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (Multimedia and Creative Technologies)
See listing under Multimedia and Creative Technologies.Master of Science in Systems Architecture and Engineering
See the listing under Systems Architecture and Engineering.Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (VLSI Design)
The Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (VLSI Design) is earned by successfully completing the normal requirements for the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, with the following additional required courses: EE 533a; EE 577a; EE 577b or EE 533b; EE 552 and EE 582. If a student chooses to take EE 533b as well as EE 577b, the student may either count EE 533b as one of the courses for Area 2 or EE 577b as one of the courses for Area 1 or Area 3.The students must also take two courses from one of the following areas and one course from a second area:
Area 1: CSCI 455x, EE 560, EE 577b (see above), EE 658, EE 680 and EE 681.
Area 2: EE 448, EE 504L, EE 533b (see above), EE 536, EE 537 and EE 630.
Area 3: CSCI 455x, CSCI 570, EE 557, EE 560, EE 577b (see above), EE 659, EE 677.
With explicit approval of a faculty advisor, EE 599 Special Topics and/or 3 units of EE 590 Directed Research may be used to meet requirements for any of the approved areas.
The remaining courses must be technical electives approved by the advisor, and can including the following: EE 501, EE 502, EE 504L, EE 506, EE 540, EE 554, EE 560, EE 590, EE 601 and EE 677.
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (Microelectronics)
The Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (Microelectronics) is earned by successfully completing the normal requirements for the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, subject to the following course restrictions.Three courses in device fabrication: EE 504L, EE 513, and MASC 514L.
Three courses in the area of devices and circuits: EE 402, EE 448, EE 474, EE 533a, EE 533b, EE 536, EE 537, EE 577a, EE 577b, EE 601, EE 604, EE 605, EE 607 or EE 608.
Three courses in the area of materials: BME 410, CHE 476, EE 506, EE 529, EE 530, MASC 501, MASC 502, MASC 507 or MASC 518.
With the explicit approval of a faculty advisor, EE 599 Special Topics and/or 3 units of EE 590 Directed Research may be used to meet requirements in the area of devices and circuits or the area of materials.