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Degree Requirements
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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 computer-aided engineering tools which are emphasized are modeling, simulation, visualization, optimization, artificial intelligence and advanced design, documentation, manufacturing and information management. The program provides the graduate with a credential which represents the completion of advanced training in a particular engineering application area, coupled with an intensive concentration in computational procedures appropriate for that application area. The focus of the program is on advanced engineering design involving aerospace, civil and mechanical engineering systems. The program includes substantial project work designed to provide a background in the application of CAE techniques in real world situations. This program is not oriented to the engineering of electrical or computer systems. The USC Viterbi School of Engineering, through the Department of Electrical Engineering, offers various programs which focus on computer-aided engineering techniques related to electrical and computer engineering projects.The minimum requirement for the Master of Computer-Aided Engineering is 30 units. The curriculum has three segments: computer-aided engineering core, the discipline specific core and the computational electives.
Computer-Aided Engineering Core
Fifteen units are required, including courses emphasizing graduate level mathematics, basic computer science principles, an introduction to simulation, an overview of computer-aided engineering techniques, and computer-aided engineering projects. The core involves the choice of two simulation courses -- CE 529a, which involves finite element analysis and a structural orientation, and AME 535a, which involves a fluid mechanics orientation.The Master of Engineering program involves major design project work in the computer-aided engineering overview course, CE 550, and in the computer-aided engineering project course. Students have a choice of project courses. CE 551 is a generic course incorporating structural, fluid and thermal projects. AME 535b focuses entirely on fluid mechanics projects. Some students may wish to pursue specialized projects not covered in either of these courses. They may complete a specialized project by taking the AME or CE 590 directed research courses through an appropriate advisor.
| CAE Core Curriculum | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| AME 526 | Engineering Analytical Methods, or | |
| CE 525b | Engineering Analysis | 3 |
| AME 535a | Introduction to Computational Fluid Mechanics, or | |
| CE 529a | Finite Element Analysis | 3 |
| AME 535b | Introduction to Computational Fluid Mechanics, or | |
| AME 590 | Directed Research, or | |
| CE 551 | Computer-Aided Engineering Project, or | |
| CE 590 | Directed Research | 3 |
| CE 550 | Computer-Aided Engineering | 3 |
| CSCI 455x | Introduction to Programming Systems Design | 4 |
Discipline Specific Core
Six units are required involving advanced graduate level engineering courses. These courses are designed to focus on fundamental theory rather than design or computational techniques. All courses are to be taken from the same basic discipline, selected by the student. The possible basic disciplines include structural and solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermal analysis and combustion, geomechanics, and other areas of applied mechanics. The student is provided with a list of the acceptable courses in each discipline. In general, these lists include courses from the Departments of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering.Computational Electives
Nine units are required involving advanced graduate level engineering courses which focus on computational procedures. The student is provided with lists of acceptable computational electives. These electives are designed to cover the computational areas of geometric modeling, simulation, visualization, optimization, artificial intelligence and advanced design, documentation, manufacturing and information management. The student is permitted to spread electives over multiple computational areas.Certificate in Computer-Aided Engineering
The Certificate in Computer-Aided Engineering provides students possessing a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering, with a specialized education covering the use of computational techniques in the planning and design of engineering projects. This program is closely related to the Masters of Engineering in Computer-Aided Engineering program. For a student pursuing a master’s degree in some other area, the certificate makes it possible to add, at a reasonable cost, a credential representing advanced training in computer-aided engineering.The Certificate in Computer-Aided Engineering involves 12 units of course work.
| Prerequisite | units | |
|---|---|---|
| CSCI 455x | Introduction to Programming Systems Design, or equivalent courses covering undergraduate computer science topics including programming principles, data structures and software engineering | |
| CAE Core Curriculum | Units | |
|---|---|---|
| AME 535a | Introduction to Computational Fluid Mechanics, or | |
| CE 529a | Finite Element Analysis | 3 |
| AME 535b | Introduction to Computational Fluid Mechanics, or | |
| CE 551 | Computer-Aided Engineering Project | 3 |
| CE 550 | Computer-Aided Engineering | 3 |
| Computational Elective | ||
|---|---|---|
One course to be selected from a list of advanced courses covering the computational techniques most important in computer-aided engineering. |