Catalogue 2005-06

• The Schools
• USC Viterbi School of Engineering
  • Degrees and Requirements
  • Undergraduate Degrees
  • Graduate Degrees
  • Engineering
  • Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
  • Applied Mechanics
  • Astronautics and Space Technology
  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical Engineering
  • Civil Engineering
  • Computer-Aided Engineering
  • Computer Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Electrical Engineering
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Industrial and Systems Engineering
  • Information Technology Program
  • Manufacturing Engineering
  • Materials Science
  • Multimedia and Creative Technologies
  • Petroleum Engineering
  • Product Development Engineering
  • Sustainable Cities Program
  • Systems Architecture and Engineering

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Computer Engineering

Undergraduate Degree

Education Program Objectives

(1) Graduates will design and develop computer hardware that reflects the exigencies imposed by software design and development considerations.

(2) Graduates will develop software that makes efficient use of current and developing hardware technologies.

(3) Graduates will continue to develop the scientific and engineering skills and knowledge that will enable them to design and implement computer systems that effectively and efficiently integrate developing hardware and software technologies.

(4) Graduates will be exposed to extensive work experiences in both the areas of computer engineering and computer science.

(5) Most graduates will enter employment in their field.

(6) Some graduates will undertake graduate education in computer engineering and/or computer science.

(7) Graduates will engage in lifelong learning and understand contemporary developments in the field.

(8) The reputations of the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science departments, which jointly sponsor the CECS program, for attracting quality students and producing quality graduates, will be continuously improved.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Computer Science

In order to earn the Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Engineering and Computer Science, the student must: (1) earn 128 class units as described below; (2) achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on all course work undertaken at USC; (3) attain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on all course work completed in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at USC.

In addition, CECS majors must complete a minimum of 30 units of course work in Humanities and Social Sciences.

The following sample four-year program is only an example of how the required courses might be scheduled. A student does not have to take the required course work in the order specified in the sample program although it would be appropriate to try and follow it as closely as possible.

First Year, First Semester		Units
EE 106L	Introduction to Computer Engineering/Computer Science	3
MATH 125	Calculus I	4
WRIT 140*	Writing and Critical Reasoning	4

General Education Category VI*		4
		15

First Year, Second Semester		Units
CSCI 101L	Fundamentals of Computer Programming	3
EE 101	Introduction to Digital Logic	3
MATH 126	Calculus II	4

General Education Category V		4
Free elective		2
		16
Second Year, First Semester Units CSCI 105 Object-Oriented Programming 2 EE 201L Introduction to Digital Circuits 2 MATH 226 Calculus III 4 PHYS 151L** Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics 4 General Education Category II 4 16 Second Year, Second Semester Units CSCI 102L Data Structures 3 EE 357 Basic Organization of Computer Systems 3 PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4 MATH 225 Linear Algebra and Differential Equations 4 General Education Category I 4 18 Third Year, First Semester Units CSCI 201L Principles of Software Development 4 CSCI 271 Discrete Methods in Computer Science 3 EE 328Lx Circuits and Electronics for Computer Engineers 4 EE 457x Computer Systems Organization 3 Free elective 2-3 16-17 Third Year, Second Semester Units CSCI 303 Design and Analysis of Algorithms 3 EE 364 Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Electrical Engineering, or 3 MATH 407 Probability Theory 4 EE 454L Introduction to Systems Using Microprocessors 4 General Education Category IV+ 4 Technical elective*** 3 17-18 Fourth Year, First Semester Units CSCI 377 Introduction to Software Engineering 3 CSCI 402 Operating Systems 3 WRIT 340 Advanced Writing 3 Science elective**** 4 Technical elective*** 3 16 Fourth Year, Second Semester Units CSCI 477 Design and Construction of Large Software Systems, or EE 459L Embedded Systems Design Laboratory 3 ISE 460 Engineering Economy 3 400-level math elective++ 4 Technical elective*** 3 13 Minimum total units for degree 128 * Taken concurrently. ** Satisfies general education requirement for category III. *** Three courses are required. Applicable courses include: CSCI 351, CSCI 377, CSCI 410x, CSCI 445, CSCI 459, CSCI 460, CSCI 477L, CSCI 480, CSCI 485, CSCI 490x, CSCI 499; EE 321, EE 450, EE 459L, EE 465, EE 469, EE 477L, EE 478L, EE 479, EE 490x, EE 499; MATH 458. Other courses may be applicable; please see an advisor for approval. **** Any course in physics, biology or chemistry beyond the basic science requirement or in another scientific discipline. See department for approval. +The university allows Engineering majors to replace the General Education Category IV with a second course in Categories I, II, or VI. Choosing this option is the most efficient way to satisfy the 30-unit requirement in Humanities and Social Sciences. ++Any 400-level mathematics course can be taken to satisfy this requirement except MATH 450. Accelerated Dual Degree Programs: Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Computer Science/Master of Science in Computer Engineering; Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Computer Science/Master of Science in Computer Science Two accelerated dual degrees are offered: B.S., Computer Engineering and Computer Science/M.S., Computer Engineering and B.S., Computer Engineering and Computer Science/M.S., Computer Science. The accelerated dual degree program offers qualified students the opportunity to simultaneously complete the requirements for the B.S. and M.S. degrees in five years. Students are eligible for the accelerated dual degree program upon completing 96 or more units toward their B.S. with a GPA of 3.2 or higher. Qualified students who are interested should see their advisor in their junior year to begin planning for the inclusion of graduate courses during their senior year. Students should apply to the graduate program in the fall of their senior year. Eligible students will be automatically accepted to the M.S. program without needing to take the GRE. All requirements for both the B.S. and M.S. degrees must be met; however, up to six units of course work will be counted toward satisfying the unit requirements of both degrees for the B.S., Computer Engineering and Computer Science/M.S., Computer Engineering accelerated dual degree program. Up to nine units of course work will be counted toward satisfying the unit requirements for the B.S., Computer Engineering and Computer Science/M.S., Computer Science accelerated dual degree program. Application information may be obtained in the Viterbi School of Engineering Office of Admissions and Student Affairs. Students should see their departmental advisors for assistance with course selection. Minor in Multimedia and Creative Technologies See listing under Multimedia and Creative Technologies. Graduate Degrees The graduate program in computer engineering, offered through the Department of Electrical Engineering, is designed to provide students with an intensive background in the analysis, structure, design and function of digital computers and information processing systems. In addition to giving each student a fundamental background in digital logic, computer architecture and operating systems, a wide variety of elective courses allows for study in the following specialized areas: artificial intelligence; computer architecture; computer networks; computer system performance; design automation; fault-tolerant computers; microprocessors; parallel processing; real-time systems; robotics; and VLSI design. Master of Science in Computer Engineering The Master of Science in Computer Engineering is earned by completing an integrated program of at least 27 units of approved course work. It is expected that all applicants have taken the following required courses in order to be admitted to the program. If not, the student may be required to take these courses in addition to their 27 units. Entrance Requirement Courses Units CSCI 455x Introduction to Programming Systems Design 4 EE 357 Basic Organization of Computer Systems 3 EE 454L Introduction to Systems Design Using Microprocessors 4 In addition, it is expected that each student in this program take or have taken the equivalent of the following fundamental courses: Fundamental Courses Units CSCI 402x Operating Systems 3 CSCI 410x Translation of Programming Languages 3 EE 450 Introduction to Computer Networks 3 EE 457x Computer Systems Organization 3 EE 465 Probabilistic Methods in Computer Systems Modeling 3 EE 477L MOS VLSI Circuit Design 4 Students must take the following core courses: Core Courses Units EE 557 Computer Systems Architecture 3 EE 577a VLSI System Design 3 Depth Courses Each student must choose one of four areas of specialization: networks, computer architecture, VLSI and CAD. Six units of depth courses must be taken in the area of specialization. CAD: CSCI 570, EE 552, EE 599, EE 658, EE 680, EE 681. Computer Architecture: CSCI 565 or CSCI 595, EE 554, EE 653, EE 657, EE 659, SAE 549. Networks: CSCI 551, CSCI 558L, EE 549, EE 550, EE 555, EE 558, EE 650. VLSI: EE 504L, EE 533ab, EE 536, EE 552, EE 560, EE 577b, EE 630, EE 677. Breadth Courses The student must also take 6 units from the following list of breadth courses associated with his or her chosen area of specialization. For example, a student who chooses a specialization in VLSI must take 6 units from the VLSI breadth list. CAD: CSCI 551, CSCI 565, EE 504L, EE 533a, EE 536, EE 550, EE 554, EE 555, EE 577b, EE 657, SAE 549. Computer Architecture: CSCI 551, CSCI 570, EE 504L, EE 533a, EE 536, EE 549, EE 550, EE 552, EE 555, EE 577b, EE 658, EE 680, EE 681. Networks: CSCI 565, CSCI 570, EE 504L, EE 533a, EE 536, EE 552, EE 554, EE 577b, EE 657, EE 658, EE 659, EE 680, EE 681, SAE 549. VLSI: CSCI 551, CSCI 565, CSCI 570, EE 550, EE 554, EE 555, EE 657, EE 658, EE 659, EE 680, EE 681, SAE 549. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0) must be earned on all course work applied toward the master's degree in computer 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 which count as credit (CR) toward the master's degree are not computed in the grade point average. All other Viterbi School of Engineering requirements for the Master of Science apply. For more information, go to the M.S. in Electrical Engineering (VLSI Design) and the M.S. in Electrical Engineering (Computer Networks) degrees section. Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering The requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in computer engineering are in strict conformity with the requirements of the Graduate School. Program requirements for the Ph.D. in computer engineering are the same as those for the Ph.D. in electrical engineering except that the major field is computer engineering. See general requirements for graduate degrees. Screening and qualifying examinations are administered by the computer engineering faculty. Students should contact the Electrical Engineering-Systems Department Office for further information. Major Areas in Computer Engineering and Relevant Courses (not applicable to M.S., Computer Engineering requirements) Computer Systems Architecture Units EE 457x Computer Systems Organization 3 EE 554 Real Time Computer Systems 3 EE 557 Computer Systems Architecture 3 EE 653 Advanced Topics in Microarchitecture 3 EE 657 Parallel and Distributed Computing 3 EE 659 Interconnection Networks 3 Artificial Intelligence Units CSCI 544 Natural Language Processing 3 CSCI 561 Foundations of Artificial Intelligence 3 CSCI 574 Computer Vision 3 CSCI 674a Advanced Topics in Computer Vision 3 EE 559 Mathematical Pattern Recognition 3 Robotics Units AME 541 Linear Control Systems II 3 AME 548 Analytical Methods in Robotics 3 CSCI 545 Robotics 3 CSCI 547 Sensing and Planning in Robotics 3 Computer Networks and Distributed Systems Units CSCI 551 Computer Communications 3 CSCI 555 Advanced Operating Systems 3 EE 450 Introduction to Computer Networks 3 EE 532 Wireless Internet and Pervasive Computing 3 EE 549 Queueing Theory for Performance Modeling 3 EE 550 Design and Analysis of Computer Communication Networks 3 EE 555 Broadband Network Architectures 3 EE 650 Advanced Topics in Computer Networks 3 Digital Systems Design Units EE 552 Logic Design and Switching Theory 3 EE 560 Digital System Design -- Tools and Techniques 3 EE 577ab VLSI System Design 3-2 EE 658 Diagnosis and Design of Reliable Digital Systems 3 EE 680 Computer Aided Design of Digital Systems I 3 EE 681 Computer-Aided Design of Digital Systems II 3 Send feedback to univpub@usc.edu Produced by the Division of Student Affairs, Office of University Publications