Computer Engineering

Undergraduate Degree
E-mail: eesystem@pollux.usc.edu
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 132 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.
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.
Sample Four-Year Program
First Year, First Semester Units
EE 105 Introduction to Electrical Engineering, or
CSCI 105 Introduction to Computer Science 3
MATH 125 Calculus I 4
General education* Social Issues 4
WRIT 140* Writing and Critical Reasoning 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 4
____
14
Second Year, First Semester Units
CSCI 102L** Data Structures 4
EE 102L Introduction to Digital Circuits 2
MATH 226 Calculus III 4
PHYS 151L*** Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics 4
General education 4
____
18
Second Year, Second Semester Units
CSCI 201L Principles of Software Development 4
EE 357 Basic Organization of Computer Systems 3
MATH 225 Linear Algebra and Differential Equations 4
PHYS 152L Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism 4
WRIT 340 Advanced Writing 3
____
18
Third Year, First Semester Units
CSCI 271 Discrete Methods in Computer Science 4
EE 326L Essentials of Electrical Engineering 4
EE 457 Computer Systems Organization 3
ISE 460 Engineering Economy 3
Science elective**** 4
____
18
Third Year, Second Semester Units
CSCI 301 Theory of Computation 3
CSCI 402 Operating Systems 3
EE 327 Digital Electronics 3
MATH 407 Probability Theory 4
General education 4
____
17
Fourth Year, First Semester Units
CSCI 303 Analysis and Design of Algorithms 3
EE 454L Introduction to Systems Using Microprocessors 4
General education 4
Electives
***** technical 6
____
17
Fourth Year, Second Semester Units
EE 459L Senior Design Project, or
CS 477 Design and Construction of Large Software Systems 3 or 4
A 400-level Math course****** 4
Electives
***** technical 8
____
15 or 16
*Taken concurrently.
**CSCI 120 can substitute for CSCI 101 and CSCI 102 with permission of an advisor.
***Satisfies general education requirement for category III.
****See an advisor for a list of science courses that can satisfy this requirement.
*****See an advisor for a list of courses that can satisfy the technical elective requirement. A CECS major must take a set of courses for at least one of the following four areas of specialization as part of his or her 14 technical elective units.
a. Theory - CSCI 301, CSCI 410, CSCI 430
b. Multimedia and Graphics - EE 320, CSCI 351, CSCI 480
c. Advanced Circuit Design - EE 477, EE 478, EE 479
d. Software Systems - CSCI 351, CSCI 477, CSCI 485
******Any 400-level Mathematics course can be taken to satisfy this requirement except MATH 406 or MATH 450.
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 455 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 4
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 3
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.
Networks: CSCI 551, CSCI 558L, EE 549, EE 550, EE 555, EE 558, EE 650.
Computer Architecture: AE 549a, CSCI 565 or CSCI 595, EE 554, EE 653, EE 657, EE 659.
VLSI: EE 504L, EE 533ab, EE 536, EE 552, EE 577b, EE 582, EE 599, EE 630, EE 677.
CAD: CSCI 570 or CSCI 579, EE 552, EE 599, EE 658, EE 680, EE 681.
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.
VLSI: AE 549a, CSCI 551, CSCI 565, CSCI 570, EE 550, EE 554, EE 555, EE 657, EE 658, EE 659, EE 680, EE 681.
CAD: AE 549a, CSCI 551, CSCI 565, EE 504L, EE 533a, EE 536, EE 550, EE 554, EE 555, EE 577b, EE 582, EE 657.
Computer Architecture: CSCI 551, CSCI 570, CSCI 620, EE 504L, EE 533a, EE 536, EE 549, EE 550, EE 552, EE 555, EE 577b, EE 582, EE 658, EE 680, EE 681.
Networks: AE 549a, CSCI 565, CSCI 570, EE 504L, EE 533a, EE 536, EE 552, EE 554, EE 577b, EE 582, EE 657, EE 658, EE 659, 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 School of Engineering requirements for the Master of Science apply. Refer to the M.S. in Electrical Engineering VLSI Design and the M.S. in Electrical Engineering Computer Network degrees section for more information.
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 Multithreaded Architectures, Data-Flow Computing and Functional Programming 3
EE 656 Fault Tolerant Computer Systems 3
EE 657 Parallel Processing 3
EE 659 Interconnection Networks 3
Artificial Intelligence Units
CSCI 544 Natural Language Processing 3
CSCI 598 Expert Systems 3
CSCI 674 Advanced Topics in Computer Vision 3
EE 559 Mathematical Pattern Recognition 3
CSCI 561 Artificial Intelligence 3
CSCI 574 Computer Vision 3
CSCI 592 Symbolic Computation for Artificial Intelligence 3
Robotics Units
CSCI 545 Robotics 3
EE 546L Basic Robotics Laboratory 3
EE 547 Software Methods in Robotics 3
EE 548 Analytical Methods in Robotics 3
ME 541 Linear Control Systems II 3
Computer Networks and Distributed Systems Units
CSCI 551 Computer Communications 3
CSCI 555 Advanced Operating Systems 3
CSCI/EE 579 Graph and Combinatorial Algorithms 3
EE 450 Introduction to Computer Networks 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 649 Applied Performance Evaluation for Computer Systems 3
EE 650 Advanced Topics in Computer Networks 3
Digital Systems Design Units
EE 552 Logic Design and Switching Theory 3
EE 577ab VLSI System Design 3-2
EE 582 Technical Seminar on VLSI Design 1
EE 658 Diagnosis and Design of Reliable Digital Systems 3
EE 677 VLSI Architectures and Algorithms 3
EE 680 Computer Aided Design of Digital Systems I 3
EE 681 Computer Aided Design of Digital Systems II 3

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First Year, First Semester		Units
EE 105	Introduction to Electrical Engineering, or
CSCI 105	Introduction to Computer Science	3
MATH 125	Calculus I	4
General education*	Social Issues	4
WRIT 140*	Writing and Critical Reasoning	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		4
		____
		14

Second Year, First Semester		Units
CSCI 102L**	Data Structures	4
EE 102L	Introduction to Digital Circuits	2
MATH 226	Calculus III	4
PHYS 151L***	Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics and Thermodynamics	4
General education		4
		____
		18

Second Year, Second Semester		Units
CSCI 201L	Principles of Software Development	4
EE 357	Basic Organization of Computer Systems	3
MATH 225	Linear Algebra and Differential Equations	4
PHYS 152L	Fundamentals of Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism	4
WRIT 340	Advanced Writing	3
		____
		18

Third Year, First Semester		Units
CSCI 271	Discrete Methods in Computer Science	4
EE 326L	Essentials of Electrical Engineering	4
EE 457	Computer Systems Organization	3
ISE 460	Engineering Economy	3
Science elective****		4
		____
		18

Third Year, Second Semester		Units
CSCI 301	Theory of Computation	3
CSCI 402	Operating Systems	3
EE 327	Digital Electronics	3
MATH 407	Probability Theory	4
General education		4
		____
		17

Fourth Year, First Semester		Units
CSCI 303	Analysis and Design of Algorithms	3
EE 454L	Introduction to Systems Using Microprocessors	4
General education		4
Electives *****	technical	6
		____
		17

Fourth Year, Second Semester		Units
EE 459L	Senior Design Project, or
CS 477	Design and Construction of Large Software Systems	3 or 4
A 400-level Math course******		4
Electives *****	technical	8
		____
		15 or 16

Entrance Requirement Courses		Units
CSCI 455	Introduction to Programming Systems Design	4
EE 357	Basic Organization of Computer Systems	3
EE 454L	Introduction to Systems Design Using Microprocessors	4

Fundamental Courses		Units
CSCI 402x	Operating Systems	3
CSCI 410x	Translation of Programming Languages	4
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	3

Core Courses		Units
EE 557	Computer Systems Architecture	3
EE 577a	VLSI System Design	3

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	Multithreaded Architectures, Data-Flow Computing and Functional Programming	3
EE 656	Fault Tolerant Computer Systems	3
EE 657	Parallel Processing	3
EE 659	Interconnection Networks	3

Artificial Intelligence		Units
CSCI 544	Natural Language Processing	3
CSCI 598	Expert Systems	3
CSCI 674	Advanced Topics in Computer Vision	3
EE 559	Mathematical Pattern Recognition	3
CSCI 561	Artificial Intelligence	3
CSCI 574	Computer Vision	3
CSCI 592	Symbolic Computation for Artificial Intelligence	3

Robotics		Units
CSCI 545	Robotics	3
EE 546L	Basic Robotics Laboratory	3
EE 547	Software Methods in Robotics	3
EE 548	Analytical Methods in Robotics	3
ME 541	Linear Control Systems II	3

Computer Networks and Distributed Systems		Units
CSCI 551	Computer Communications	3
CSCI 555	Advanced Operating Systems	3
CSCI/EE 579	Graph and Combinatorial Algorithms	3
EE 450	Introduction to Computer Networks	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 649	Applied Performance Evaluation for Computer Systems	3
EE 650	Advanced Topics in Computer Networks	3

Digital Systems Design		Units
EE 552	Logic Design and Switching Theory	3
EE 577ab	VLSI System Design	3-2
EE 582	Technical Seminar on VLSI Design	1
EE 658	Diagnosis and Design of Reliable Digital Systems	3
EE 677	VLSI Architectures and Algorithms	3
EE 680	Computer Aided Design of Digital Systems I	3
EE 681	Computer Aided Design of Digital Systems II	3