Courses of Instruction

Electrical Engineering-Systems
Hughes Aircraft Electrical
Engineering Center
(213) 740-4446
FAX: (213) 740-4449
E-mail: eesystem@pollux.usc.edu

Electrical Engineering-Electrophysics
Powell Hall of Information Sciences and Engineering 602
(213) 740-4700
FAX: (213) 740-8677
E-mail: eepdept@mizar.usc.edu

Co-Chairs: Robert A. Scholtz, Ph.D. (Systems)
Hans H. Kuehl, Ph.D. (Electrophysics)

Associate Chairs: Martin Gundersen, Ph.D. (Electrophysics); George Papavassilopoulos (Systems)

Faculty

Zohrab A. Kaprielian Dean's Chair in Engineering: Leonard M. Silverman, Ph.D.

Lloyd F. Hunt Chair in Electrical Power Engineering: Tsen-Chung Cheng, Sc.D.

W.M. Keck Chair in Engineering: P. Daniel Dapkus, Ph.D.

Charles Lee Powell Chair in Computer Engineering: Melvin Breuer, Ph.D. (Computer Science)

Charles Lee Powell Chair in Computer Engineering: Alvin Despain, Ph.D. (Computer Science)

William M. Hogue Professorship in Electrical Engineering: William H. Steier, Ph.D.

George T. Pfleger Professorship in Electrical Engineering: Robert W. Hellwarth, Ph.D. (Physics)

Northrop Assistant Professorship in Electrical Engineering: Sandeep K. Gupta, Ph.D.

Professors: Michael Arbib, Ph.D. (Computer Science, Neurobiology, Biomedical Engineering); Stanley P. Azen, Ph.D. (Preventive Medicine and Biomedical Engineering); George A. Bekey, Ph.D. (Computer Science and Biomedical Engineering and Speech Science and Technology); Melvin Breuer, Ph.D.* (Computer Science); Tsen-Chung Chen, Sc.D.; John Choma, Jr., Ph.D.*; Clarence Crowell, Ph.D. (Materials Science); P. Daniel Dapkus, Ph.D.; Jack Feinberg, Ph.D. (Physics); Robert M. Gagliardi, Ph.D.; Murray Gershenzon, Ph.D.* (Materials Science); Seymour Ginsburg, Ph.D. (Computer Science); Kenneth Goldberg, Ph.D. (Computer Science); Solomon W. Golomb, Ph.D. (Mathematics); Martin Gundersen, Ph.D. (Physics); Robert W. Hellwarth, Ph.D. (Physics); Ellis Horowitz, Ph.D. (Computer Science); Kai Hwang, Ph.D. (Computer Science); Petros Ioannou, Ph.D.; Edmond Jonckheere, Ph.D.; Robert Kalaba, Ph.D. (Biomedical Engineering and Economics and Speech Science and Technology); Hans H. Kuehl, Ph.D.*; P. Vijay Kumar, Ph.D.; Anthony F. J. Levi, Ph.D.; Victor O.K. Li, D.Sci.; William C. Lindsey, Ph.D.; Vasilis Z. Marmarelis, Ph.D. (Biomedical Engineering); Jerry M. Mendel, Ph.D.; Ramakant Nevatia, Ph.D. (Computer Science); Chrysostomos L. Nikias, Ph.D.; George P. Papavassilopoulos, Ph.D.; Alice C. Parker, Ph.D.; Andreas Polydoros, Ph.D.; V. Prasanna, Ph.D.; Aristides Requicha, Ph.D. (Computer Science); Michael J. Safonov, Ph.D.; Steven B. Sample, Ph.D.; Alexander A. Sawchuk, Ph.D.; Robert A. Scholtz, Ph.D.; John Silvester, Ph.D.; William H. Steier, Ph.D.; William G. Wagner, Ph.D. (Physics); Charles L. Weber, Ph.D.; Lloyd R. Welch, Ph.D.; Curt F. Wittig, Ph.D. (Chemistry and Physics); Stanley M. Yamashiro, Ph.D. (Biomedical Engineering)

Associate Professors: Michel Dubois, Ph.D. (Physics); Jean-Luc Gaudiot, Ph.D.; Keith Jenkins, Ph.D.; Thomas Katsouleas, Ph.D.; Bart Kosko, Ph.D.; Chung-Chieh Kuo, Ph.D.; Richard Leahy, Ph.D.* (Biomedical Engineering, Radiology); Alan H. McCurdy, Ph.D.; Richard Nottenburg, Ph.D.; Bing J. Sheu, Ph.D. (Biomedical Engineering); Armand R. Tanguay, Jr., Ph.D. (Materials Science); Alan Willner, Ph.D.; Zhen Zhang, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors: Peter Beerel, Ph.D.; Gerard Medioni, Ph.D. (Computer Science); Massoud Pedram, Ph.D.*; Antonio Ortega, Ph.D.; Timothy Pinkston, Ph.D.; Aluizio Prata, Jr., Ph.D.*

Adjunct Professors: Paul L. Feintuch, Ph.D.; Lloyd Griffiths, Ph.D.; Kirby Holte, Ph.D.; Virendra N. Mahajan, Ph.D.; Mostafa Shiva, Ph.D.; Bernard Sklar, Ph.D.; Trieu-Kien Truong, Ph.D.; Monte Ung, Ph.D.

Adjunct Associate Professors: James Ellison, Ph.D.; Bayesteh Ghaffary, Ph.D.; Srinivasiengar Govind, Ph.D.; Alan Kost, Ph.D.; Sukhan Lee, Ph.D. (Computer Science); Ram C. Mukherji, M.S.; Edgar Satorius, Ph.D.; Keith Soo Hoo, Ph.D.; Ali A. Zahid, M.S.

Adjunct Assistant Professors: Douglas Bender, Ph.D.; Baron Grey, Ph.D.; Lute Maleki, Ph.D.; Alexander Niechayev, Ph.D.; Peter R. Pawlowski, Ph.D.; Gandhi Puvvada, M.S.; Peter A. Rosenberg, Ph.D.; Joshua Sharfman, M.S.; Paul Singer, Ph.D.; Toyone Mayeda, M.A.

Research Professor: Milton Birnbaum, Ph.D.

Research Associate Professor: Keith L. Price, Ph.D. (Computer Science)

Instructors in Electrical Engineering: Joe Ed Baker, Engr.; Sidney A. Wielin, B.S.

Emeritus Professors: Kurt Lehovec, Ph.D. (Materials Science); Jack Munushian, Ph.D.; Eberhardt Rechtin, Ph.D. (Industrial and Systems Engineering and Aerospace Engineering); Irving S. Reed, Ph.D. (Computer Science); Jan Smit, Ph.D. (Materials Science); William G. Spitzer, Ph.D. (Physics and Materials Science); David B. Wittry, Ph.D. (Materials Science)

*Recipient of university-wide or school teaching award.

Electrical Engineering Honor Society:

Eta Kappa Nu

Degree Requirements

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. In addition, a grade of D (minimum passing) or better must be earned in each required course in the Bachelor of Science curriculum. See also the common requirements for undergraduate degrees.

First Year, First Semester		Units
MATH 125	Calculus I	4
CSCI 101L	Fundamentals of Computer Programming	3
CHEM 105aL	General Chemistry, or
CHEM 115aL	Advanced General Chemistry, or
MASC 110L	Materials Science	4
COMP 101*	Introduction to Expository Writing	4
		____
		15

First Year, Second Semester		Units
MATH 126	Calculus II	4
PHYS 151L	Fundamentals of Physics I: Mechanics, Waves, and Sound	4
EE 105	Introduction to Electrical Engineering	3
COMP 102*	Topics in Expository Writing	4
		____
		15

Second Year, First Semester		Units
EE 101	Introduction to Digital Logic	3
MATH 226	Calculus III	4
PHYS 152L	Fundamentals of Physics II: Thermodynamics, Electricity, and Magnetism	4
Elective	See requirements for graduation	4
		____
		15

Second Year, Second Semester		Units
EE 202L	Linear Circuits	4
MATH 245	Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I	4
PHYS 153L	Fundamentals of Physics III: Optics and Modern Physics	4
Elective	See requirements for graduation	4
		____
		16

Third Year, First Semester		Units
EE 301a	Introduction to Linear Systems	3
EE 364	Introduction to Probability and Statistics	3
MATH 445	Mathematics of Physics and Engineering II	4
Electives	See requirements for graduation	7
		____
		17
Third Year, Second Semester		Units
EE 330	Electromagnetics I	3
ISE 360	Engineering Economy	3
Electives	See requirements for graduation	11
		____
		17

Fourth Year, First Semester		Units
Electives	See requirements for graduation	18
		____
		18
Fourth Year, Second Semester		Units
Electives	See requirements for graduation	18
		____
		18
Requirements for graduation		Units
Humanities and Social Sciences		20
Expository Writing Program COMP 101 and 102*		8
Engineering electives (see below)		42
Minimum unit requirement for graduation		131

*Expository Writing Program (COMP 101 and 102) is required unless Verbal SAT score is 670 or above or an ACT English score of 30 is achieved. See Common Requirements.

Engineering Electives

Forty-two units of engineering electives are required for the B.S.E.E. degree. All elective courses are to be 200-level or above. Any course which could be used to satisfy a humanities or social science requirement may not be used as an engineering elective.

The entry-level courses listed under three of the four following topical areas are required:

Communication, Control and Signal Processing: EE 241 (3), EE 301b (3)

Computer Engineering: EE 102L (2), EE 357 (3)

Electromagnetics and Energy Conversion: EE 370 (3), EE 470 (3)

Electronic Devices and Circuits: EE 338 (3), EE 348L (4)

Areas of Specialization

In addition, the courses in at least one of the 13 areas of specialization listed below are required:

Communication, Control and Signal Processing

Control Systems (take 3 of 4): EE 401 (3), EE 454L (4/CD*), EE 482 (3), EE 485a (3)
Systems (take 3 of 4): EE 434L (3/CD*), EE 467x (3), EE 482 (3), EE 483 (3)
Digital Signal Processing: EE 402 (3/D**), EE 434L (3/CD*), EE 483 (3)
Communication Networks (take 3 of 4): EE 450 (3), EE/CS 455x (4), EE 467x (3), CS 402x (3)
Modern Communication Systems: (take 3 of 4) EE 401 (3), EE 447L (4/D**), EE 450 (3), EE 467x (3)
Robotics (take all 4): EE 454L (4/CD*), EE 482 (3), EE 546L (1), CS 445 (3).

Computer Engineering

Computer Architecture and Organization: EE 454L (4/CD*), EE 457x (3), EE 459L (3/CD*)
Hardware/Software (take 3 of 4): CS 402x (3), EE/CS 455x (4), EE 454L (4/CD*), EE 457x (3)
Computer Networks (take 3 of 4): CS 402x (3), EE/CS 455x (4), EE 450 (3), EE 457x (3).

Electromagnetics and Energy Conversion

Energy Conversion (take 3 of 4): EE 440 (3), EE 442 (3), EE 443 (3), EE 444L (4/D**)
Lasers: EE 471 (3), EE 472 (3), EE 473L (3/D**).

Electronic Devices and Circuits

Electronic Circuits (take 3 of 4): EE 447L (4/D**), EE 448 (3/D**), EE 478L (4/CD*), EE 479L (4/D**)
Integrated Circuits: EE/MS 438L (3/D**), EE 448 (3/D**), EE 477L (4/CD*).
* CD - Capstone Design Elective
**D - Design Elective

At least one elective must be a non-EE engineering science elective, either from the list below: CE 205, 225, 309, 325; CHE 472; ME 201, 310, 452, 453; or others by special advisor approval.

At least three courses must be taken from the following list of design courses: EE 402, 434L*, 438L, 444L, 448, 447L, 454L*, 459L*, 473L, 477L*, 478L*, 479L, including one of the asterisked capstone design courses.

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; CS/EE 455x; EE 457x; EE 478L.

Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering and Computer Science

See the listing under Computer Engineering.

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (Manufacturing Engineering)

If a student chooses six courses (9 to 18 units) from a prescribed program, he or she may graduate with the special designation Area of Emphasis in Manufacturing Engineering on the transcript. Details are given under Manufacturing Engineering.

Minor in Multimedia and Creative Technologies

See listing under Multimedia and Creative Technologies.

Minor in Music Recording

A minor in music recording is offered through the 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 School of Music.

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. 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 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 course for graduate credit requires prior written advisor approval recorded each semester on the study plan in the student's department file; (3) no more than nine units at the 400 level may be counted toward the degree - the remaining 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 are subject to 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 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: ME 453 Engineering Dynamics (3); AE 512 Aerodynamics of Wings and Bodies (3); AE 515ab State Space for Aeronautical Engineers (3-3); AE 516ab Flight Vehicle Stability and Control (3-3); AE 525ab Engineering Analysis (3-3); ME 553ab Advanced Analytical Mechanics (3-3); AE 580 Orbital Mechanics (3).

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (Computer Networks)

Under the computer networks option students must satisfy the MSEE requirements with the exception that only 15 units of EE are required and the following courses must be included in the program: EE/CSCI 450; EE/CSCI 465 or EE 549; CSCI 402; CSCI 555 or CSCI 558L; CSCI 551; EE 550 or EE 555; EE 557 or EE 554. Students who can demonstrate that they have already taken these courses (or equivalent) may be waived out of the requirement by memo from a faculty advisor. All courses must be approved by a faculty advisor. A list of suggested electives is available from the department office.

Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (Multimedia and Creative Technologies)

See listing under Multimedia and Creative Technologies.

Master of Science in Systems Architecture and Engineering

See the listing under Systems Architecture 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 533a; 577a; 577b or 533b; 552 and 582.

The students must also take three courses from one of the following areas and one course from a second area:

Area 1: CSCI/EE 455x, EE 658, 680 and 681.
Area 2: EE 448, 536, 537 and 630.
Area 3: CSCI/EE 455x, EE 557, CSCI 570, EE 677.

The remaining courses must be technical electives approved by the advisor, and can including the following: EE 501, 502, 504L, 506, 532, 540, 554, 560L, 590, 601 and 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 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, 571ab, 572ab, 573ab, 575, 576, 578, 604; Plasma Science-EE 539, 570ab, 572ab; Power and Machinery-EE 510, 511, 512, 513, 514, 521, 524, 525, 526, 527, 528, 620, 621; Quantum Electronics-EE 529, 530, 531, 532, 539, 540; Solid State-EE 501, 502, 504L, 506, 507, 508, 533, 537, 601, 602, 604, 606, 607, 609; Integrated Circuits-EE 471, 501, 504L, 506, 533, 536, 537, 540, 569, 577, 585, 601, 602, 604, 605, 606, 630; Optics-EE 529, 530, 531, 532, 539, 540, 559, 566, 569, 589, 629ab, 642, 669.

Major Fields in Electrical Engineering - Systems

Students may major in the following fields: Biomedical Engineering and Biomathematics-EE 591ab, 593, 595, 596; Communication Theory-EE 550, 551, 562ab, 563, 564, 565ab, 566, 567, 568, 569, 583, 595, 664, 666, 667, 669; Computer Engineering-EE 541, 545, 546L, 547, 548, 549, 550, 552, 553, 554, 555, 557, 560L, 561, 574, 577ab, 578, 582, 597, 649, 650, 653, 656, 657, 658, 677, 680, 681 (see program listing for the Master of Science in Computer Engineering); Intelligent Systems-EE 559, CSCI 561, CSCI 574; Signal Processing-EE 559, 562a, 566, 569, 583, 586L, 589, 668, 669, 683, 689; Systems and Controls-EE 541, 544, 553, 563, 582, 585, 586, 587, 588, 593, 596, 597, 680, 684, 685.

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