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.
Degree Requirements
Educational Program Objectives
The undergraduate programs in civil engineering have the following objectives:
(1) Professional Achievement
Graduates will be successful in their chosen field of engineering, compete effectively as problem-solvers in a world of technological change and become leaders in industry, academic or governmental institutions.
(2) Societal Impact
Graduates will make use of their knowledge of global and societal issues, environmental considerations and sustainability objectives to create a safe and healthy world.
(3) Organizational and Team-Building Skills
Graduates will use their organizational abilities, communication skills and strengths in collaborative teamwork to foster a productive and efficient work environment in the organizations with which they are associated.
(4) Professional Development
Graduates will uphold high ethical and professional standards, be active in professional engineering organizations, support the advancement of the practice of engineering and obtain professional licensure.
(5) Continuing Education
Graduates will engage in lifelong learning and be prepared to pursue graduate studies in engineering or other diverse fields such as business, law or medicine.
The Department of Civil Engineering must approve all curricula leading to a degree; please note this includes transfer credit and units for courses waived for subject credit only, which have been approved through the Degree Progress department.
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (131 Unit Program)
The B.S. in civil engineering has three tracks: general, construction and water resources.
A cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) is required for all courses taken at USC as well as for all courses taken within the Department of Civil Engineering. In addition, a minimum grade of C must be earned in each of the following courses: CE 205, CE 225, CE 309 and CE 325. See also the common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.
Composition/writing requirement | 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 |
Chemistry Requirement |
CHEM 105aL | General Chemistry, or |
CHEM 115aL | Advanced General Chemistry | 4 |
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 |
Physics Requirement |
PHYS 151L** | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 4 |
PHYS 152L | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
Other Requirements |
GEOL 305Lx | Introduction to Engineering Geology, or | |
BISC 220L | General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology | 4 |
Major requirements | Units |
Engineering |
ENGR 102 | Engineering Freshman Academy | 2 |
Civil Engineering |
CE 106 | Design and Planning of Civil Engineering Systems | 2 |
CE 107 | Introduction to Civil Engineering Graphics | 3 |
CE 108 | Introduction to Computer Methods in Civil Engineering | 2 |
CE 205 | Statics | 2 |
CE 207L | Introduction to Design of Structural Systems | 2 |
CE 225 | Mechanics of Deformable Bodies | 3 |
CE 309 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
CE 325 | Dynamics | 3 |
CE 334L | Mechanical Behavior of Materials | 3 |
CE 358 | Theory of Structures I | 3 |
CE 402 | Computer Methods in Engineering | 3 |
CE 408 | Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering | 3 |
CE 451 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 |
CE 453 | Water Quality Control | 3 |
CE 456 | Design of Steel Structures | 3 |
CE 467L | Geotechnical Engineering | 4 |
CE 471 | Principles of Transportation Engineering | 3 |
Capstone Courses |
CE 473 | Engineering Law, Finance, and Ethics | 3 |
CE 480 | Structural System Design, or | |
CE 465 | Water Supply and Sewage System Design | 3 |
Courses from Other Engineering Departments |
EE 202L | Linear Circuits, or | |
EE 326L | Essentials of Electrical Engineering | 4 |
| | 60 |
major electives | Units |
Elective | Civil Engineering | 6 |
Design Kernel*** | Civil Engineering Design Kernel Course | 6 |
Total units: | | 131 |
Tracks
In addition to the core courses, students are required to select one of the following tracks: General, Construction or Water Resources.
General Track
Choose one of the following: CE 480 as the capstone course and CE 482 as a required design kernel course; or CE 465 as the capstone course and CE 466 or CE 476 as a required design kernel course.
The civil engineering electives may be chosen freely.
Construction Track
Select CE 480 as the capstone course and CE 482 as a required design kernel course. Replace CE 453 with CE 412. The civil engineering electives must be chosen from the following list: CE 460, CE 461 and CE 462.
Water Resources Track
Select CE 465 as the capstone course and select one of the following as a required design kernel course: CE 466 or CE 476. The civil engineering electives must be selected from the following list: CE 466, CE 476, CE 477 and CE 490.
The Department of Civil Engineering must approve all curricula leading to a degree; please note this includes transfer credit and units for courses waved for subject credit only, which have been approved through the Degree Progress department.
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Structural Engineering) (131 Unit Program)
A cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) is required for all courses taken at USC as well as for all courses taken within civil engineering. In addition, a minimum grade of C must be earned in each of the following courses: CE 205, CE 225, CE 309 and CE 325. 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 |
Chemistry Requirement |
CHEM 105aL | General Chemistry, or | |
CHEM 115aL | Advanced General Chemistry | 4 |
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 |
Physics Requirement |
PHYS 151L** | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 4 |
PHYS 152L | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
Other Requirements |
GEOL 305Lx | Introduction to Engineering Geology | 4 |
| | 32 |
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | Units |
Engineering |
ENGR 102 | Engineering Freshman Academy | 2 |
Civil Engineering |
CE 106 | Design and Planning of Civil Engineering Systems | 2 |
CE 107 | Introduction to Civil Engineering Graphics | 3 |
CE 108 | Introduction to Computer Methods in Civil Engineering | 2 |
CE 205 | Statics | 2 |
CE 207L | Introduction to Design of Structural Systems | 2 |
CE 225 | Mechanics of Deformable Bodies | 3 |
CE 309 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
CE 325 | Dynamics | 3 |
CE 334L | Mechanical Behavior of Materials | 3 |
CE 358 | Theory of Structures I | 3 |
CE 402 | Computer Methods in Engineering | 3 |
CE 408 | Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering | 3 |
CE 451 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 |
CE 456 | Design of Steel Structures | 3 |
CE 457 | Reinforced Concrete Design | 3 |
CE 458 | Theory of Structures II | 3 |
CE 459 | Introduction to Structural Dynamics | 3 |
CE 460 | Construction Engineering | 3 |
CE 467L | Geotechnical Engineering | 4 |
CE 473 | Engineering Law, Finance, and Ethics | 3 |
Capstone Course |
CE 480 | Structural System Design | 3 |
CE 482 | Foundation Design | 3 |
Courses from Other Engineering Departments |
EE 202L | Linear Circuits, or | |
EE 326L | Essentials of Electrical Engineering | 4 |
| | 69 |
MAJOR ELECTIVES | Units |
Elective*** | Civil Engineering | 3 |
Total units: | | 131 |
The Department of Civil Engineering must approve all curricula leading to a degree; please note this includes transfer credit and units for courses waived for subject credit only, which have been approved through the Degree Progress department.
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Building Science) (136 Unit Program)
A cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) is required in all courses taken at USC, as well as for all courses taken within civil engineering. In addition, a minimum grade of C must be earned in each of the following courses: CE 205, CE 225, CE 309 and CE 325. See also the
common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.
COMPOSITION/WRITING REQUIREMENT | 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 |
Chemistry Requirement |
CHEM 105aL | General Chemistry, or | |
CHEM 115aL | Advanced General Chemistry | 4 |
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 |
Physics Requirement |
PHYS 151L** | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 4 |
PHYS 152L | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
Other Requirements |
GEOL 305Lx | Introduction to Engineering Geology | 4 |
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS | Units |
Engineering |
ENGR 102 | Engineering Freshman Academy | 2 |
Civil Engineering |
CE 106 | Design and Planning of Civil Engineering Systems | 2 |
CE 107 | Introduction to Civil Engineering Graphics | 3 |
CE 108 | Introduction to Computer Methods in Civil Engineering | 2 |
CE 205 | Statics | 2 |
CE 207L | Introduction to Design of Structural Systems | 2 |
CE 225 | Mechanics of Deformable Bodies | 3 |
CE 309 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
CE 325 | Dynamics | 3 |
CE 334L | Mechanical Behavior of Materials | 3 |
CE 358 | Theory of Structures I | 3 |
CE 408 | Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering | 3 |
CE 456 | Design of Steel Structures | 3 |
CE 457 | Reinforced Concrete Design | 3 |
CE 458 | Theory of Structures II | 3 |
CE 467L | Geotechnical Engineering | 4 |
Architecture courses |
ARCH 114 | Architecture: Culture and Community | 2 |
ARCH 214b | History of Architecture | 4 |
ARCH 205abL*** | Building Science I | 4-4 |
ARCH 305abL*** | Building Science II | 4-4 |
ARCH 405abL*** | Building Science III | 4-4 |
MAJOR ELECTIVES | Units |
Elective**** | Civil Engineering | 3 |
Total units: | | 136 |
The Department of Civil Engineering must approve all curricula leading to a degree; please note this includes transfer credit and units for courses waived for subject credit only, which have been approved through the Degree Progress department.
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (130 Unit Program)
A cumulative grade point average of C (2.0) is required for all courses taken at USC as well as for all courses taken within civil engineering. In addition, a minimum grade of C must be earned in each of the following courses: CE 205, CE 225, CE 309 and CE 325. See also the
common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.
composition/Writing requirement | 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 |
Chemistry Requirement |
CHEM 105aL | General Chemistry, or | |
CHEM 115aL | Advanced General Chemistry | 4 |
CHEM 105bL | General Chemistry, or | |
CHEM 115bL | Advanced General Chemistry | 4 |
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 |
Physics Requirement |
PHYS 151L** | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 4 |
PHYS 152L | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
Other Requirement |
BISC 220L | General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology, or | |
GEOL 305Lx | Introduction to Engineering Geology | 4 |
major requirements | Units |
Engineering |
ENGR 102 | Engineering Freshman Academy | 2 |
Civil and Environmental Engineering |
CE 108 | Introduction to Computer Methods in Civil Engineering | 2 |
CE 110 | Introduction to Environmental Engineering | 3 |
CE 205 | Statics | 2 |
CE 210L | Introduction to Environmental Engineering Microbiology | 3 |
CE 225 | Mechanics of Deformable Bodies | 3 |
CE 309 | Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
CE 325 | Dynamics | 3 |
CE 334L | Mechanical Behavior of Materials | 3 |
CE 358 | Theory of Structure I | 3 |
CE 408 | Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering | 3 |
CE 451 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 |
CE 453 | Water Quality Control | 3 |
CE 463L | Water Chemistry and Analysis | 3 |
CE 467L | Geotechnical Engineering | 4 |
CE 473 | Engineering Law, Finance, and Ethics | 3 |
CE 485 | Wastewater Treatment Design | 3 |
ENE 400 | Environmental Engineering Principles | 3 |
ENE 428 | Air Pollution Fundamentals | 3 |
ENE 429 | Air Pollution Control | 3 |
Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering |
AME 310 | Engineering Thermodynamics I | 3 |
| | 61 |
major elective | Units |
Design kernel*** | 6 |
Total units: | | 130 |
The Department of Civil Engineering must approve all curricula leading to a degree; please note this includes transfer credit and units for courses waived for subject credit only, which have been approved through the Degree Progress department.
Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering (132-134 Unit Program)
The degree has two tracks: Track 1: Environmental Systems and Processes (132 units); Track II: Environmental Biotechnology (134 units). A cumulative scholarship average of C (2.0) is required for all courses taken at USC as well as for all courses taken civil engineering. In addition, a minimum grade of C must be earned in each of the following courses: CE 205 and CE 309 or ENE 410. See also the
common requirements for undergraduate degrees section.
COMPOSITION/WRITING REQUIREMENT | Units |
WRIT 140* | Writing and Critical Reasoning | 4 |
WRIT 340 | Advanced Writing | 3 |
GENERAL EDUCATION (see here) | Units |
General education* + | 20 |
PRE-MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (Both Tracks) | Units |
Chemistry Requirement |
CHEM 105aL | General Chemistry, or | |
CHEM 115aL | Advanced General Chemistry | 4 |
CHEM 105bL | General Chemistry, or | |
CHEM 115bL | Advanced General Chemistry | 4 |
CHEM 322aL | Organic Chemistry | 4 |
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 |
Physics Requirement |
PHYS 151L** | Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics | 4 |
PHYS 152L | Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism | 4 |
| | 36 |
PRE-MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (Track II only) | Units |
Chemistry Requirement |
CHEM 322bL | Organic Chemistry | 4 |
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (Both Tracks) | Units |
Engineering |
ENGR 102 | Engineering Freshman Academy | 2 |
Civil and Environmental Engineering |
CE 108 | Introduction to Computer Methods in Civil Engineering | 2 |
CE 110 | Introduction to Environmental Engineering. | 3 |
CE 205 | Statics | 2 |
CE 210L | Introduction to Environmental Engineering Microbiology | 3 |
CE 309 | Fluid Mechanics, or | |
ENE 410 | Environmental Fluid Mechanics | 3 |
CE 408 | Risk Analysis in Civil Engineering | 3 |
CE 451 | Water Resources Engineering | 3 |
CE 453 | Water Quality Control | 3 |
CE 463L | Water Chemistry and Analysis | 3 |
CE 465 | Water Supply and Sewage System Design | 3 |
CE 473 | Engineering Law, Finance, and Ethics | 3 |
CE 484 | Water Treatment Design | 3 |
CE 485 | Waste Water Treatment Design | 3 |
ENE 400 | Introduction to Environmental Engineering Principles | 3 |
ENE 428 | Air Pollution Fundamentals | 3 |
ENE 486 | Design of Solid and Hazardous Waste Engineering Systems | 3 |
Courses from Other Departments |
CHE 330 | Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics | 4 |
GEOL 305xL | Introduction to Engineering Geology | 4 |
| | 56 |
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (Track I Only) | Units |
Civil and Environmental Engineering |
ENE 429 | Air Pollution Control | 3 |
Courses from Other Departments |
BISC 220L | General Biology: Cell Biology and Physiology | 4 |
PTE 463L | Introduction to Transport Processes in Porous Media | 3 |
| | 10 |
MAJOR REQUIREMENTS (Track II Only) | Units |
Civil and Environmental Engineering |
ENE 487 | Environmental Biotechnology and Bioremediation | 3 |
Courses from Other Departments |
BISC 320L | Molecular Biology | 4 |
BISC 330L | Biochemistry | 4 |
| | 11 |
MAJOR ELECTIVES (Track I Only) | Units |
Design kernel*** | 3 |
Total (Track I): | | 132 |
Minor in Environmental Engineering
See listing
here.
Minor in Construction Planning and Management
This program covers the most current theories and practice of construction planning and management. The program provides a valuable adjunct credential to professional school students pursuing careers in business administration, public administration, architecture, environmental studies, and other areas; and a unique opportunity for professional focus to students in the USC College.
Construction activities are complex. In contemporary society, effective planning and management of these activities requires specialized knowledge of the technical, economic and policy environment. This program couples the knowledge of how construction activities are organized with a broader understanding of the urban system in which construction projects are embedded. With the exception of statistics, all of the required courses are within the Department of Civil Engineering and the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development.
Any USC undergraduate who has completed the equivalent of two full-time semesters in good standing is eligible to pursue the minor program. This minor program is rigorous enough to serve as an introductory credential for students subsequently electing to pursue advanced studies in development, urban planning, construction management, architecture or allied fields.
Courses required
Seven courses consisting of at least 23 units are required for the minor.
Statistics
Students must complete an advisor approved course in statistics. Candidate courses include ECON 317, EE 364, ISE 220, MATH 208, PPD 404x, PSYC 274, SOCI 314 and similar courses. The statistics course must be at least three units.
Core Courses | Units |
CE 460 | Construction Engineering | 3 |
CE 461 | General Construction Estimating | 3 |
CE 462 | Construction Methods and Equipment | 3 |
PPD 358 | Urban and Regional Economics | 4 |
PPD 362 | Real Estate Fundamentals for Planning and Development | 4 |
| | 17 |
electives (select one) | Units |
CE 404 | Business and Intellectual Property Law for Engineers | 3 |
CE 412 | Contracts and Specifications | 3 |
CE 472 | Construction Labor Management | 3 |
PPD 437 | Advanced Finance and Investment for Planning and Development | 4 |
Advisement is provided by the Department of Civil Engineering. Students will normally complete statistics before enrolling in CE 461 but can be permitted to complete statistics as a corequisite subject to advisor approval. Students are advised to take CE 460 and CE 461 before taking CE 462. Students electing PPD 437 must have completed PPD 358.
Minor in Engineering Technology Commercialization
See listing under the
Special Educational Opportunities section.
Master of Science in Civil Engineering
The Master of Science in civil engineering is awarded in strict conformity with the general requirements of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering. A student may receive the Master of Science in civil engineering with a special option by specializing in one of the following courses of study: construction engineering; geotechnical engineering; structural engineering; environmental engineering; and transportation engineering. Students specializing in the transportation option and completing a thesis must include in their program 4 units of CE 594ab.
A general Master of Science in civil engineering without special designation is also given. Students pursuing this program will choose between the following special options: general, earthquake engineering, structural mechanics, water resources or ocean and coastal engineering.
A student who wishes to pursue the Master of Science in civil engineering without special designation and who has an interest in public works may take a selected sequence of 12 units in the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development. For further information, see the the Public Administration Professional Sequence section in the School of Policy, Planning, and Development.
Master of Science in Applied Mechanics
Students possessing a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, mathematics, or physics may work toward the Master of Science in applied mechanics. A student may be required to satisfy certain deficiencies considered prerequisite to the listed courses.
The Master of Science in applied mechanics is awarded in strict conformity with the general requirements for the Master of Science in civil engineering, except as modified by the following specific requirements. Students must include in their course work: (1) AME 530ab, CE 507, CE 508, CE 525ab, and CE 541b; (2) at least 6 units of electives from the following: CE 541a, CE 542, CE 543; (3) other electives may be substituted on approval of department chair; (4) there is no thesis option.
Master of Science in Environmental Engineering
Students with a bachelor's degree in engineering or science may work toward the Master of Science in environmental engineering. Students with degrees in fields other than engineering or science may be admitted on the recommendation of a program advisor and program director. Selection of courses will be determined through consultation with a program advisor to provide a maximum of training in the student's area of interest in environmental problems.
Master of Engineering in Environmental Quality Management
Environmental engineers with purely scientific and technological backgrounds are often excluded from certain high-level professional managerial positions in the manufacturing industry, public utilities or governmental agencies, although they are generally preferred for engineering, scientific and research positions. Their exclusion from these positions is often attributed to inadequate preparation in areas deemed important in recent years, including the following: project management, regulatory compliance, strategic and financial planning, decision making and human relations. Thus, effective and efficient management of modern environmental engineering projects requires broad technical knowledge and diverse skills in the above aspects. The Master of Engineering degree program in Environmental Quality Management intends to bridge the gap between the essentials of hard-core engineering and project management. The program is intended to provide the student with cutting edge instruction in the art and science of environmental management. It is also directed at teaching and training students how to integrate environmental considerations in the early planning of projects to improve environmental compatibility, reduce risks and incur financial savings in businesses and industries.
Required core courses | Units |
ENE 495 | Seminars in Environmental Engineering | 1 |
ENE 510 | Water Quality Management and Practice | 3 |
ENE 518 | Environmental Systems Engineering and Management | 3 |
ENE 535 | Air Pollution Management: Exposure, Health Effects and Risk | 3 |
MPW 950 | Technical Writing | 3 |
| | 13 |
engineering elective option (technical elective courses; choose one) | Units |
CE 504 | Solid Waste Management | 3 |
CSCI 576 | Multimedia Systems Design | 3 |
ENE 502 | Environmental and Regulatory Compliance | 3 |
ENE 505 | Energy and Environment | 3 |
ENE 506 | Ecology for Environmental Engineers | 3 |
ENE 516 | Hazardous Waste Management | 3 |
ENE 526 | Particulate Air Pollutants: Properties/Behavior/Measurement | 3 |
ENE 526 | Environmental Pollutants: Monitoring and Risk Assessment | 3 |
Business communication/Management and Organization Elective (choose one) | Units |
BUCO 445 | Oral Communication in Business | 4 |
BUCO 485 | Business Communication Management for Nonprofits | 4 |
BUCO 485 | Business Communication Management | 4 |
MOR 469 | Negotiation and Persuasion | 4 |
business administration and entrepreneurship/management and organization elective (choose one) | Units |
BAEP 451 | The Management of New Enterprises | 4 |
MOR 462 | Management Consulting | 4 |
Project Course | Units |
ENE 590 | Directed Research | 6 |
The approved project work will be a research activity designed for about 3-4 months during the summer period, performed by the student under the direction and supervision of a full-time faculty member. The work will involve the participation of leading professionals from the private industry and/or governmental agencies with whom the faculty member might maintain a professional relationship. The project will address an area of importance and primary interest to the industrial entity in question. It is believed that this type of partnership will be mutually beneficial to the graduating student, private industry and university faculty in generating a friendly and long-term professional relationship among them.
Master of Construction Management
Students possessing a bachelor's degree and with sufficient training in capital management and statistics may pursue the Master of Construction Management. This is an interdisciplinary degree program offered jointly by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development. A single application is made to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. The purpose of the Master of Construction Management program is to educate and train multidisciplinary professionals to understand and execute the broad array of technical and non-technical activities associated with construction management. The program provides special attention to the function of the constructor in real estate development. The core of the program is drawn from the MSCE program in construction engineering and management, and from the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development's Master of Real Estate Development program. The Master of Construction Management also includes courses from the Marshall School of Business.
Applicants to the program are expected to have completed undergraduate course work in engineering economy or business finance.
Core Curriculum | Units |
ARCH 511L | Seminar: Building Systems | 4 |
CE 501 | Functions of the Constructor | 3 |
CE 502 | Construction Accounting and Finance, or | |
GSBA 510 | Accounting Concepts and Financial Reporting | 3 |
CE 556 | Project Controls – Budgeting and Estimating | 3 |
CE 566 | Project Controls – Planning and Scheduling | 3 |
Track Requirement: Two courses, both from track 1, track 2 or track 3 | Units |
Track 1: Real Estate Markets Track |
RED 509 | Market Analysis for Real Estate, or | |
RED 598 | Real Estate Product Development | 4 |
RED 542 | Finance of Real Estate Development | 3 |
Track 2: Finance Track (if Track 2 is chosen, GSBA 548 must be taken as a prerequisite) |
FBE 570 | Advanced Topics in Real Estate Finance | 3 |
FBE 591 | Real Estate Finance and Investment | 3 |
Track 3: Real Estate Development Track (If Track 3 is chosen, GSBA 548 must be taken as a prerequisite) |
FBE 565 | Economics of Urban Land Use: Feasibility Studies | 3 |
FBE 566 | Advanced Topics in Real Estate Finance | 3 |
Additional advisor approved technical and advanced electives | 10-11 |
Total minimum units | | 33 |
The minimum requirement for the Master of Construction Management degree is 33 units. At least three elective courses totaling at least 9 units are required for this degree. These may be taken from the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, other engineering departments, the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development, the USC School of Architecture, the USC Davis School of Gerontology, the USC Gould School of Law or the USC Marshall School of Business subject to advisor approval. Admission to some classes requires advanced prerequisites and is subject to availability and approval of the instructor.
General Requirements
Residence and Course Load
The normal time required for earning the Master of Construction Management is three semesters, including one summer semester beginning in June and continuing through the spring semester ending in May. Students are expected to participate in extracurricular activities associated with the Master of Construction Management program, including the speaker series and field trips. A candidate must complete the last four semester units of course work at USC.
Students who wish a leave of absence for a semester or longer must request it from the chairman of the Civil Engineering department in writing. Such leaves may be granted for up to one year.
For further information see the USC School of Policy, Planning, and Development section on joint degree programs.
Master of Engineering in Computer-Aided Engineering
The Master of Engineering program educates and trains multidisciplinary professionals in the use of computational techniques in the planning, design and management of engineering projects. The emphasized computer-aided engineering subjects are modeling, simulation, visualization, optimization, artificial intelligence and advanced design, documentation, manufacturing and information management. The program provides the graduate with advanced education in a particular engineering subject area, associated with aerospace, civil or mechanical engineering. This advanced engineering education is coupled with an intensive concentration in computational procedures appropriate for that subject area. The program also includes substantial project work to provide a background in the application of CAE techniques in real world situations.
For further information see the listing under Computer-Aided Engineering.
Master of Engineering in Structural Design
The Master of Engineering program emphasizes the design of engineered structural systems. The design of new structures and the upgrading of existing structures, for adverse loading conditions, requires additional studies which extend beyond the basic concepts stressed in an undergraduate program. Modern computational methods will be used to evaluate the functional demands on the designed system, and a comprehensive design project will be used to integrate the concepts presented during the course of study. The program is focused on the needs of students who are planning to enter professional practice and not continue for a more advanced degree and on the needs of practicing engineers who have been out of school for several years and who want to upgrade their engineering skills.
The course of study requires the successful completion of 30 semester units. It is designed to be completed in one year of study, including the design project which must be taken during the first seven-week summer session.
required courses | Units |
Structural Analysis (two courses, 6 units) |
CE 459 | Introduction to Structural Dynamics | 3 |
CE 529a | Finite Element Analysis | 3 |
CE 540 | Limit Analysis of Structures | 3 |
Structural Design (four courses, 12 units) |
CE 528 | Seismic Analysis and Design of Reinforced Concrete Bridges | 3 |
CE 536 | Structural Design for Dynamic Loads | 3 |
CE 537 | Advanced Reinforced Concrete Design | 3 |
CE 538 | Prestressed Concrete Design | 3 |
CE 539 | Advanced Steel Structures | 3 |
Design Project (one course, 3 units) |
CE 549 | Building Design Project, or | |
CE 590 | Directed Research | 3 |
Elective Courses (three courses, 9 units) |
CE 457 | Reinforced Concrete Design | 3 |
CE 458 | Theory of Structures II | 3 |
CE 478 | Timber and Masonry Design | 3 |
CE 480 | Structural Systems Design | 3 |
CE 482 | Foundation Design | 3 |
CE 488 | Computer Applications in Structural Analysis and Design | 3 |
CE 501 | Functions of the Constructor | 3 |
CE 525b | Engineering Analysis | 3 |
CE 533 | Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering | 3 |
Engineer in Civil Engineering
Requirements for the Engineer in civil engineering are the same as set forth in the general requirements.
Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering and Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (Environmental Engineering)
The Doctor of Philosophy with a major in civil engineering and the Doctor of Philosophy with a major in engineering (environmental engineering) are also offered. See
general requirements for graduate degrees.
Areas of specialization for Doctor of Philosophy level students are: structural engineering, structural mechanics, earthquake engineering, coastal engineering, water resources engineering, construction engineering and management, soil mechanics and foundation engineering, hydrology, hydrodynamics and transportation.
Certificate in Computer-Aided Engineering
The Certificate in Computer-Aided Engineering is a limited version of the Master of Engineering in Computer-Aided Engineering (CAE) program. It is designed to focus on providing an understanding of the overall field of computer-aided engineering. It includes a course covering the necessary computer science skills and a course introducing basic simulation techniques used in computer-aided engineering. In addition, the certificate provides knowledge in the use of CAE tools in a project environment. See the listing under
Computer-Aided Engineering.
Graduate Certificate in Engineering Technology Commercialization
See listing under the
Special Educational Opportunities section.
Graduate Certificate in Transportation Systems
The graduate certificate in Transportation Systems is an interdisciplinary program administered by the Department of Civil Engineering. The certificate program allows students to specialize in transportation applications, while simultaneously receiving a degree in their home department. The certificate in transportation systems combines elements of transportation engineering with transportation policy, planning and project management. The program is especially appropriate for students intending to pursue careers as developers of transportation technologies, or as implementors of technologies within government agencies.
Students electing the certificate program apply to the Department of Civil Engineering. Course prerequisites for the program are:
(1) one course in statistics or uncertainty, equivalent to ISE 225, PPD 404x or CE 408;
(2) one course in engineering economy, equivalent to ISE 460;
(3) one course in microeconomics, equivalent to ECON 203; and
(4) one course in a contemporary high level programming language.
These prerequisites may be satisfied after enrollment in the certificate program by taking the indicated courses or their equivalent. Graduate students cannot receive credit for courses numbered below 400. Detailed admissions requirements are published by the Department of Civil Engineering.
The courses taken for the certificate may be applied later to the Master of Science in Civil Engineering, transportation option.
Qualified students holding a bachelor's degree also have the option of enrolling in the certificate program without receiving a separate graduate degree.
The curriculum consists of five graduate courses for a total of 17 units.
certificate Requirements | Units |
CE 471 | Principles of Transportation Engineering, or | |
CE 519 | Transportation Engineering | 3 |
CE 583 | Design of Transporation Facilities, or | |
CE 585 | Traffic Engineering and Control | 3 |
ISE 515 | Engineering Project Management | 3 |
PPD 633 | Urban Transportation Planning and Management | 4 |
PPD 634 | Institutional and Policy Issues in Transportation | 4 |