MS in Computer Science - Scientists and Engineers
Application Deadlines
Spring 2018: September 15, 2017
Fall 2018: January 15, 2018
USC GRADUATE APPLICATION- Program Overview
- Application Information
- Tuition & Fees
- DEN@Viterbi - Online Delivery
- Request Information
Please Note: Requirements for graduation, course offerings, course availability, track offerings, and any other degree requirements are subject to change. Students should consult with an academic advisor prior to registering for any classes.
- A minimum of 37 units (33 degree applicable units) is required for the MS in Computer Science – Scientists and Engineers degree
- Preparatory Programming Requirement Course: 4 units
- Foundational Requirements Courses: 7 units
- Breadth Courses: 16 units
- Elective Courses: 9-11 units
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation
- A maximum of 11 units may be taken from approved 400-level courses in either Electrical Engineering or Computer Science; the remaining units must be approved courses at the 500 or 600 level
- Only one doctoral (600-level) course can be counted in the degree
| SEMESTER | DEADLINE |
|---|---|
| Spring 2018 (scholarship consideration) | August 31 |
| Spring 2018 (FINAL) | September 15 |
| Fall 2018 (scholarship consideration) | December 15 |
| Fall 2018 (FINAL) | January 15, 2018 |
- An undergraduate degree in engineering, math or hard science from a regionally-accredited university.
- Applicants whose background is not in computer science may consider the MS in Computer Science (Scientists and Engineers).
- Satisfactory cumulative undergraduate GPA (grade point average)
- Satisfactory GRE test scores. All scores must be officially reported to the university directly by ETS.
- Substantial background in computing constitutes a minimum requirement.
Transcripts: Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
GRE General Test: Satisfactory and valid test scores. Valid GRE scores must be dated within five years of the start of the intended application semester. The fall semester starts in August, and the spring semester starts in January. Official scores must be reported from ETS directly to USC using ETS school code 4852. A department code is not required.
Resume/CV (Required)
Statement of Purpose (Optional): The statement of purpose should succinctly describe your reasons for applying to the proposed program at the Viterbi School of Engineering, your preparation for this field of study, study interests, future career plans, and other aspects of your background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating your aptitude and motivation for graduate study.
Letters of Recommendation (Optional): Letters of recommendation should be from faculty or others (supervisors, professional colleagues, etc.) qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study.
English Language Proficiency: In addition to the general admission criteria listed above, international students whose first language is not English are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS examination to be considered a candidate for admission. There is no minimum TOEFL or IELTS score required for admission to the Viterbi School. For possible exemption from additional language requirements, you must achieve an Internet Based TOEFL (iBT) score of 90, with no less than 20 on each section or an IELTS score of 6.5, with no less than 6 on each band score. For more details on English Proficiency Criteria for the University of Southern California, please visit USC Graduate Admission – Proficiency in English.
The following is an overview of the tuition & fees for graduate engineering students. Both on-campus and DEN@Viterbi students pay the same tuition.
TUITION
| Academic Year | Per Unit Rate | 3-unit Course | 4-unit Course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2016 - Summer 2017 | $1,845 | $5,535 | $7,380 |
| Fall 2017 - Summer 2018 | $1,937 | $5,811 | $7,748 |
TUITION & SAMPLE COURSE PLAN FOR 37 UNIT PROGRAM (Residential Students Only)
STUDENT FEES
| Fee Description | Fee Amount | On-Campus | DEN@Viterbi |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory Fees (approximate) | Fall 2017: $450 Spring 2018: $400 | ||
| Health Insurance | Fall 2017: $646 Spring 2018: $1,170 | ||
| Norman Topping Student Aid Fee | $8/semester | ||
| ENGR Computing Access Fee | $35/semester | ||
| Exam Proctoring | $40 - $100 per course |
If you are interested in beginning classes as a DEN@Viterbi student next semester, explore the requirements and steps to enrolling as a Limited Status Student.
Learn More About DEN@ViterbiDetailed Program Curriculum and RequirementsSchedule of Classes
DEN@VITERBI ONLINE COURSE OFFERINGS
The following courses and program requirements serve as program planning for DEN@Viterbi students. Course offerings and availability are subject to change. Please consult with advisor if you have any questions.
| Preparatory Programming Requirement |
| 1 Course – 4 units total. |
| CSCI 455 | Introduction to Programming Systems Design (4 units) |
| CSCI 455 is a preparatory requirement for this program, but the units for this course do not count toward the 33 units required for the degree. |
| Foundational Requirements |
| 2 Courses Required – minimum 7 units total. |
| EE 457 | Computer Systems Organization OR EE 450 (4 units) |
| EE 450 | Computer Networks OR EE 457 (3 units) |
| CSCI 402 | Operating Systems (4 units) |
| Breadth Requirements |
| 4 Courses Required – 16 units total. |
| CSCI 561 | Foundations of Artificial Intelligence (4 units) |
| CSCI 570 | Analysis of Algorithms (4 units) |
| CSCI 571 | Web Technologies (4 units) |
| CSCI 585 | Database Systems (4 units) |
| Elective Courses |
| Select two courses, 7-8 units, from approved 500- to 600-level course work from Computer Science. |
| See departmental advisor for a list of approved electives. |