USC
University of Southern California
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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

engineeringUnits
ENGR 102Freshman Academy2

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 Science3

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 Structures3
CSCI 200Object-Oriented Programming3
CSCI 201LPrinciples of Software Development3
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 Science2
EE 201LIntroduction to Digital Circuits4
EE 328LxCircuits and Electronics for Computer Engineers4
EE 357Basic Organization of Computer Systems3
EE 454LIntroduction to Systems Using Microprocessors4
EE 457Computer Systems Organization3

Engineering Economy/Business
Elective +3-4

Senior Design Project
CSCI 477abDesign and Construction of Large Software Systems, or2-2
EE 459LEmbedded Systems Design Laboratory3

Electives
Technical elective ++12
Free elective1-3
Total units:128

*GE Category VI is taken concurrently with WRIT 140.

**Satisfies GE Category III requirement.

***Any course in physics, biology or chemistry beyond the basic science requirement or in another scientific discipline. See advisor for list of approved courses.

+Engineering Economy/Business Elective (1 course) Applicable courses include: BUAD 301, BAEP 450x, ISE 460

++Technical Electives (4 courses) Applicable courses include: CSCI 300, CSCI 351, CSCI 445, CSCI 459, CSCI 460, CSCI 464, CSCI 477ab, CSCI 480, CSCI 485, CSCI 486, CSCI 490x, CSCI 491ab, CSCI 499; EE 450, EE 459L, EE 465, EE 477L, EE 490x, EE 499; MATH 458. Students may also choose one advisor-approved course from the 300- and 400-level ITP offerings. 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 course 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 CoursesUnits
CSCI 455xIntroduction to Programming Systems Design4
EE 357Basic Organization of Computer Systems3

Students must take or waive all four of the following fundamental courses (with the option of EE 450 or EE 465):

Fundamental CoursesUnits
CSCI 402xOperating Systems3
EE 450Introduction to Computer Networks, or
EE 465Probabilistic Methods in Computer Systems Modeling3
EE 457Computer Systems Organization3
EE 477LMOS VLSI Circuit Design4

Students must take at least two of the following core courses (with the option of EE 550 or EE 555):

Core CoursesUnits
EE 550Design and Analysis of Computer Communication Networks, or
EE 555Broadband Network Architectures3
EE 557Computer Systems Architecture3
EE 577aVLSI System Design3

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 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.

Course Requirements Units
The following course work must be completed; these courses can be included in the 60-unit 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 570Analysis of Algorithms3
EE 465Probabilistic Methods in Computer Systems Modeling, or
EE 549Queuing Theory for Performance Modeling3
EE 562aRandom Processes in Engineering3
EE 565a Information Theory3
MATH 410Fundamental Concepts of Modern Algebra, or
MATH 425a Fundamental Concepts of Analysis4
MATH 432Applied Combinatorics, or
MATH 533Combinatorical Analysis and Algebra4

Hardware Area Courses
EE 536aMixed Signal Integrated Circuit Design3
EE 552 Asynchronous VLSI Design3
EE 557 Computer Systems Architecture3

Software Area Courses
CSCI 565 Compiler Design, or
CSCI 595 Advanced Compiler Design4
CSCI 577a Software Engineering4
CSCI 585 Database Systems3

Systems Area Courses
CSCI 551Computer Communications3
CSCI 555 Advanced Operating Systems3
CSCI 561 Foundations of Artificial Intelligence3
EE 543a Digital Control Systems3
EE 554 Real Time Computer Systems3
EE 550 Design and Analysis of Computer Communication Networks, or
EE 555 Broadband Network Architectures3
EE 569 Introduction to Digital Image Processing3