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Educational Program Objectives
The electrical engineering program objectives are designed to promote technical competence, professional development and citizenship in the global community.
Technical Competence
Graduates will have the proficiency in mathematics, science and engineering necessary to apply these disciplines to the solution of problems encountered in modern electrical engineering practice.Graduates will have the ability to model, analyze, design and experimentally evaluate components or systems that achieve desired technical specifications subject to the reality of economic constraints.
Professional Development
Graduates will have the professional skills necessary to compete effectively in a world of rapid technological change as well as to assume leadership roles within industrial, entrepreneurial, academic or governmental environments in the broad context of electrical engineering.Graduates who have chosen an appropriate plan of study will be capable of professional redirection into such diverse fields as medicine, business, law, computer science, multimedia and music through graduate-level studies and the process of lifelong learning.
Citizenship in the Global Community
Graduates will have the capabilities and communication skills necessary to function effectively both as individuals and as members of multidisciplinary teams in a diverse global economy.Graduates will have an understanding of the importance of high ethical and professional standards as well as the significance of engineering decisions and solutions in a global, environmental and societal context.
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
The requirement for the degree is 131 units. A cumulative scholarship average of C (2.0) is required for: (a) all courses taken at USC; (b) all courses taken within the Department of Electrical Engineering; (c) all upper division courses taken within the Department of Electrical Engineering. See also the common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.| composition/writing requirements | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| WRIT 140* | Writing and Critical Reasoning | 4 |
| WRIT 340 | Advanced Writing | 3 |
| General education (see here) | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| General education* + | 20 | |
| pre-major requirements | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Math Requirement | ||
| MATH 125 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 126 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 226 | Calculus III | 4 |
| MATH 245 | Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I | 4 |
| MATH 445 | Mathematics of Physics and Engineering II | 4 |
Physics Requirement | ||
| PHYS 151L** | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 4 |
| PHYS 152L | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| PHYS 153L | Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics | 4 |
Chemistry Elective | ||
| CHEM 105aL | General Chemistry, or | |
| CHEM 115aL | Advanced General Chemistry, or | |
| MASC 110L | Materials Science | 4 |
| major requirements | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | ||
| CSCI 101L | Fundamentals of Computer Programming | 3 |
Electrical Engineering | ||
| EE 101 | Introduction to Digital Logic | 3 |
| EE 105 | Introduction to Electrical Engineering | 3 |
| EE 200L | Foundations of Electrical Engineering Systems | 4 |
| EE 202L | Linear Circuits | 4 |
| EE 330 | Electromagnetics I | 3 |
| EE 364 | Introduction to Probability and Statistics for Electrical Engineering and Computer Science | 3 |
Industrial and Systems Engineering | ||
| ISE 460 | Engineering Economy, or | |
| BUAD 301 | Technical Entrepreneurship | 3 |
| Major electives | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| Electives | See requirements for graduation | 42 |
| Total units: | 131 | |
**Satisfies GE Category III requirement.
+The university allows engineering majors to replace the GE Category IV with a second course in Categories I, II or VI.
Requirements for Graduation:
Engineering ElectivesEngineering electives are to be chosen from the courses listed under entry-level electives and areas of specialization. At least one elective must be an asterisked course.
Entry-Level Electives
The entry-level courses listed under two of the four following topical areas are required:Communication, Control and Signal Processing: EE 241 (3), EE 301 (3)
Computer Engineering: EE 201L (3), EE 357 (3)
Electromagnetics and Solid State: EE 338 (3), EE 470 (3)
Electronic Devices and Circuits: EE 338 (3), EE 348L (4)
Areas of Specialization
Courses in at least one of the 10 areas of specialization listed below are required:
Communication, Control and Signal Processing
Signal Processing and Communication (take four): EE 434L (4/CD*), EE 467x (3), EE 469 (3), EE 475 (3), EE 483 (3), EE 484 (3/CD*)Controls and Robotics (take four): EE 482 (3), CSCI 445 (4), EE 454L (4), EE 459L (3/CD*)
Computer Engineering
Computer Architecture and Organization: EE 454L (4), EE 457x (3), EE 459L (3/CD*)Hardware/Software (take three): CSCI 402x (3), CSCI 455x (4), EE 454L (4), EE 457x (3)
Computer Networks (take three): CSCI 402x (3), CSCI 455x (4), EE 450 (3), EE 457x (3).
Electromagnetics and Solid State
Electromechanics and Energy Systems (take three): EE 370 (3), EE 415 (3), EE 422 (3/CD*), EE 423L (3/CD*), EE 443 (3)Lasers and Photonics: EE 471 (3) or PHYS 438a (4); (take two) EE 472 (3), EE 473L (3/CD*), EE 474 (3)
Solid State: EE 471 (3) or PHYS 438a (4); (take two) PHYS 440 (4), EE 438L (3), EE 439 (3)
Electronic Devices and Circuits
Electronic Circuits (take three): EE 447L (4/CD*), EE 448L (4), EE 478L (4/CD*), EE 479 (3)Integrated Circuits: EE 438L (3), EE 448L (4), EE 477L (4).
*CD -- Capstone Design Elective
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (Computers)
The Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering (computers) is earned by successfully completing the normal requirements for the Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering with the following courses chosen as EE electives: EE 454L; CSCI 455x; EE 457x; EE 478L.
Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Computer Science
See the listing under Computer Engineering.
Minor in Music Recording
A minor in music recording is offered through the USC Thornton School of Music to provide undergraduate students with the background necessary to enter the field of recording engineering and to familiarize them with the design needs of modern recording equipment. The minor is recommended to electrical engineering majors with extensive musical training who would like to combine their technical and musical abilities while learning the engineering applications of physical and mathematical principles to the art of music recording. See the listing under the Thornton School of Music.
Minor in Engineering Technology Commercialization
See listing in the Special Educational Opportunities section.
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 and through an accumulation of no more than 45 units. 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 Viterbi 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 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; (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 Viterbi 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); ASTE 580 Orbital Mechanics I (3).
Viterbi Integrated Master of Science Program (VIP) for the General Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
The Viterbi Integrated Master of Science Program (VIP) allows selected undergraduates from U.S. institutions that are partnered with the Viterbi School to complete the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering with a 6-unit reduction of the total 27 units required.
The VIP Master of Science in Electrical Engineering is subject to the following requirements: (1) students must complete a total of at least 21 units; (2) at least 18 units must be completed at the 500 or 600 level; (3) at least 18 units must be taken in electrical engineering, (4) a minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be earned on all course work applied toward the master’s degree in electrical engineering and all course work attempted at USC beyond the bachelor’s degree. Students are encouraged to complete two technical courses outside their area of specialization but within EE to achieve a degree of breadth in their plan of study.
To be eligible for the VIP program, students must have completed the equivalent of at least two 400-level preparatory courses at their undergraduate institution from the list below prior to enrollment at USC. A designated department advisor for the USC VIP program must approve the course selections.
| CSCI 402x | Operating Systems | 3 |
| EE 401 | Transform Theory for Engineers | 3 |
| EE 441 | Applied Linear Algebra for Engineering | 3 |
| EE 448L | Communication Electronics | 4 |
| EE450 | Introduction to Computer Networks | 3 |
| EE 454L | Introduction to System Design Using Microprocessors | 4 |
| EE 457x | Computer Systems Organization | 3 |
| EE 464 | Probability Theory for Engineers | 3 |
| EE 465 | Probabilistic Methods in Computer Systems Modeling | 3 |
| EE 470 | Electromagnetics II | 3 |
| EE 477L | MOS VLSI Circuit Design | 4 |
| EE 482 | Linear Control Systems | 3 |
| EE 483 | Introduction to Digital Signal Processing | 3 |
Students applying to the VIP must be recommended by a faculty representative at a partner undergraduate institution; complete the regular graduate admission application (with exception of the GRE); and hold junior standing in electrical engineering with a 3.5 GPA or better on major related course work.
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 450, EE 457Lx, and EE 465. The following required courses must be included: CSCI 551, EE 549 or EE 550, and EE 555. Suggested elective courses include: CSCI 530, CSCI 555, CSCI 558L, CSCI 570, CSCI 694a, CSCI 694b, EE 532, EE 535, EE 554, EE 557, EE 558, EE 579, EE 590, EE 599, EE 650, EE 652, EE 659. Any other course must be approved by a faculty advisor. 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. 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 Architecting and Engineering
See the listing under Systems Architecting 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 536a; EE 577a; EE 577b or EE 536b; and EE 552. If a student chooses to take EE 536b as well as EE 577b, the student may either count EE 536b as one of the courses for Area 2 or EE 577b as one of the courses for Area 1 or Area 3. 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.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 448L, EE 504L, EE 536b (see above), EE 537 and EE 630.
Area 3: CSCI 455x, CSCI 570, EE 557, EE 560, EE 577b (see above), EE 659 and 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.
Second Master's Degree
A graduate student who already holds a master's degree from USC or another accredited engineering school may apply up to four units toward a second master's degree with the permission of the chair of the major department. All credit, including the transferred units, must be earned within seven calendar years.
Engineer in Electrical Engineering
Requirements for the Engineer in electrical engineering are the same as those listed under Engineer degree, except that both areas of concentration must be in electrical engineering.
Doctor of Philosophy in Electrical Engineering
The Doctor of Philosophy with a major in electrical engineering is awarded in strict conformity with the general requirements of the USC Graduate School. See general requirements for graduate degrees. Departmental requirements for this degree consist of a concentrated program of study and research and a dissertation. Each student wishing to undertake a doctoral program must first be admitted to the program and then take the screening examination. This examination will emphasize comprehension of fundamental material in one of the 13 specialized areas of electrical engineering listed below. Listed under each area are courses offered by the Department of Electrical Engineering which will provide basic background for the examination and partial preparation for the dissertation. Not all courses listed are required for preparation for the screening examination in any specific area. Consult a separately published guide, available from the department office, for more information concerning examination content and scheduling. Further guidance concerning the full completion of courses, including those given outside the department, which are recommended for preparation for the dissertation, can be obtained from the faculty in each technical area.
Major Fields in Electrical Engineering -- Electrophysics
Students may major in the following fields: Electromagnetics-EE 570ab, EE 571ab, EE 572ab, EE 573ab, EE 575, EE 576, EE 578, EE 604; Plasma Science-EE 539, EE 570ab, EE 572ab; Power and Machinery-EE 510, EE 511, EE 521, EE 524, EE 525, EE 526, EE 527, EE 528; Quantum Electronics-EE 529, EE 530, EE 531, EE 539, EE 540; Solid State-EE 501, EE 502, EE 504L, EE 506, EE 507, EE 508, EE 537, EE 601, EE 604, EE 606, EE 607; Integrated Circuits-EE 471, EE 501, EE 504L, EE 506, EE 536ab, EE 537, EE 540, EE 569, EE 577, EE 585, EE 601, EE 604, EE 605, EE 606, EE 630; Optics-EE 529, EE 530, EE 531, EE 539, EE 540, EE 559, EE 566, EE 569, EE 589, EE 642, EE 669.
Major Fields in Electrical Engineering -- Systems
Students may major in the following fields: Biomedical Engineering and Biomathematics-EE 593; Communication Theory-EE 535, EE 538, EE 550, EE 551, EE 562ab, EE 563, EE 564, EE 565ab, EE 566, EE 567, EE 568, EE 569, EE 583, EE 595, EE 663, EE 664, EE 666, EE 667, EE 669; Computer Engineering-CSCI 561, EE 532, EE 545, EE 547, EE 548, EE 549, EE 550, EE 552, EE 553, EE 554, EE 555, EE 557, EE 560, EE 574, EE 577ab, EE 578, EE 579, EE 650, EE 653, EE 657, EE 658, EE 677, EE 680, EE 681 (see program listing for the Master of Science in Computer Engineering); Intelligent Systems-EE 559, CSCI 561, CSCI 574; Signal Processing-EE 500, EE 517, EE 519, EE 522, EE 559, EE 562a, EE 566, EE 569, EE 583, EE 586L, EE 589, EE 591, EE 592, EE 596, EE 619, EE 668, EE 669, EE 689; Systems and Controls-EE EE 553, EE 563, EE 585, EE 586, EE 587, EE 588, EE 593.