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Please note: Due to late revisions, some text on this page differs from what appears in the printed version of the USC Catalogue. The changes appear below as highlighted text, with corresponding explanations appearing in the right margin. Click here for more information.

Computer Engineering

Undergraduate Degree

Education Program Objectives

The undergraduate program in computer engineering and computer science has the following 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

Students attaining the Bachelor of Science degree in computer engineering and computer science would possess the scientific and engineering skills and knowledge that would enable them to design and implement computer systems that effectively and efficiently integrate developing hardware and software technologies. This degree is administered jointly by the Departments of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering.

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.

composition/writing requirementsUnits
WRIT 140*Writing and Critical Reasoning4
WRIT 340Advanced Writing3

General Education (see here)Units
General education* +20

Pre-major requirementsunits
Math
MATH 125Calculus I4
MATH 126Calculus II4
MATH 225Linear Algebra and Differential Equations4
MATH 226Calculus III4
EE 364Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, or3
MATH 407Probability Theory4
400-level math elective**4

Physics
PHYS 151L***Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics4
PHYS 152LFundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism4
Science elective****4

major requirementsUnits
Computer Science
CSCI 101LFundamentals of Computer Programming3
CSCI 102LData Structures4
CSCI 105Object-Oriented Programming2
CSCI 201LPrinciples of Software Development4
CSCI 271Discrete Methods in Computer Science3
CSCI 303Design and Analysis of Algorithms3
CSCI 377Introduction to Software Engineering3
CSCI 402Operating Systems3

Electrical Engineering
EE 101Introduction to Digital Logic3
EE 106LIntroduction to Computer Engineering/Computer Science3
EE 201LIntroduction to Digital Circuits3
EE 328LxCircuits and Electronics for Computer Engineers4
EE 357Basic Organization of Computer Systems3
EE 454LIntroduction to Systems Using Microprocessors4
EE 457xComputer Systems Organization3

Industrial and Systems Engineering
ISE 460Engineering Economy3

Senior Design Project
CSCI 477Design and Construction of Large Software Systems, or
EE 459LEmbedded Systems Design Laboratory3

Electives
Technical elective ++9
Free elective3-4
Total units:128

*GE Category VI is taken concurrently with WRIT 140.

**Any 400-level mathematics course except MATH 450.

***Satisfies GE Category III requirement.

****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 GE 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.

++Choose three from approved course list. Applicable courses include: CSCI 351, CSCI 410x, CSCI 445, CSCI 460, CSCI 464, CSCI 480, CSCI 485, CSCI 490x, CSCI 499; EE 450, EE 465, EE 477L, EE 490x, EE 499. Other courses may be applicable; please see an advisor for approval.

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 in computer engineering and computer science. No more than three courses (maximum 12 units) may be counted at the 400 level — at least 18 advisor-approved units must be taken at the 500 or 600 level.

All applicants must have taken the entrance requirement courses (or equivalent in other institutions) in order to be admitted to the program. Entrance requirement course credit cannot be applied toward the degree. A fundamental courser may be waived by taking a placement exam. In case a placement exam is not offered, a fundamental course may be waived by a designated faculty member. At least 18 units must be taken at the 500-level or above. At least 18 units must be taken in electrical engineering, 15 of which must be taken at USC. Units taken outside of electrical engineering or computer science must be approved in advance by a computer engineering advisor and must be substantive in content and related to the degree objective. Up to 3 units of Directed Research (EE 590) with a computer engineering faculty member may be applied toward the degree.

Entrance Requirement Courses Units
CSCI 455x Introduction to Programming Systems Design 4
EE 357 Basic Organization of Computer Systems 3
Students must take or waive all four of the following fundamental courses (with the option of EE 450 or EE 465):
Fundamental Courses
CSCI 402x Operating Systems3
EE 450 Introduction to Computer Networks, or
EE 465Probabilistic Methods in Computer Systems Modeling3
EE 457x Computer Systems Organization 3
EE 477L MOS VLSI Circuit Design4
Students must take at least two of the following core courses (with the option of EE 550 or EE 555):
Core Courses
EE 550 Design and Analysis of Computer Communication Networks, or
EE 555 Broadband Network Architectures 3
EE 557 Computer Systems Architecture 3
EE 577a VLSI System Design 3
Students must take at least 6 units from the following list of elective courses (cannot overlap with the core courses):
Computer Science: CSCI 545, CSCI 546, CSCI 547, CSCI 551, CSCI 555, CSCI 558L, CSCI 561, CSCI 565, CSCI 570, CSCI 584, CSCI 585, CSCI 595
Electrical Engineering: EE 532, EE 533ab, EE 536, EE 549, EE 550, EE 552, EE 554, EE 555, EE 557, EE 558, EE 560, EE 577ab, EE 579, EE 630, EE 650, EE 652, EE 653, EE 657, EE 658, EE 659, EE 677, EE 680, EE 681

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.

Doctor of Philosophy in Computer Engineering

The requirements for this degree will change in fall 2008. Students must take 60 units of course work, including two courses in theory and four courses from the following three areas: hardware, software and systems.

Show revised version

Course RequirementsUnits
The following course work must be completed; these courses can be included in the 60 units course work requirement:

Take two courses from Theory Area and four courses from the other three areas (hardware, software and systems), including at least one course from each area to total six courses.

Theory Area Courses
CSCI 570 Analysis of Algorithms 3
EE 465 Probabilistic Methods in Computer Systems Modeling, or
EE 549 Queuing Theory for Performance Modeling 3
EE 562a Random Processes in Engineering 3
EE 565a Information Theory 3
MATH 410 Fundamental Concepts of Modern Algebra, or
MATH 425a Fundamental Concepts of Analysis 4
MATH 432 Applied Combinatorics, or
MATH 533 Combinatorical Analysis and Algebra 4

Hardware Area Courses
EE 536a Mixed Signal Integrated Circuit Design 3
EE 552 Asynchronous VLSI Design 3
EE 557 Computer Systems Architecture 3

Software Area Courses
CSCI 565 Compiler Design, or
CSCI 595 Advanced Compiler Design 4
CSCI 577a Software Engineering 4
CSCI 585 Database Systems 3

Systems Area Courses
CSCI 551 Computer Communications 3
CSCI 555 Advanced Operating Systems 3
CSCI 561 Foundations of Artificial Intelligence 3
EE 543a Digital Control Systems 3
EE 554 Real Time Computer Systems 3
EE 550 Design and Analysis of Computer Communication Networks, or
EE 555 Broadband Network Architectures 3
EE 569 Introduction to Digital Image Processing 3

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 Master of Science, 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 Asynchronous VLSI Design 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