Computer Engineering is the creative application of engineering principles and methods to the design and development of hardware and software systems. The MS in Computer Engineering encompasses the design, development, testing, and evaluation of components, systems, and networks.
Research in Computer Engineering strives to achieve higher performance in the systems and components that are built as well as in the design process. At USC, research is focused in three main areas: Computer Architecture and Parallel Processing, Design and Analysis of Computer Networks and their Protocols, and VLSI Design and Computer Aided Design and Verification of VLSI. This degree program is administered by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
International Students: This program is eligible for the OPT STEM extension.
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 28 units is required for the MS in Computer Engineering degree
- A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required for graduation
Detailed Program Curriculum and RequirementsSchedule of ClassesAPPLICATION DEADLINES| SEMESTER | DEADLINE |
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| Spring 2021 (Final Deadline) | September 15, 2020 |
| Spring 2021 (Scholarship Consideration Deadline) | August 31, 2020 |
| Fall 2021 (Final Deadline) | January 15, 2021 |
| Fall 2021 (Scholarship Consideration Deadline) | December 15, 2020 |
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Visit our
Application Deadlines page for more information.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTSBachelor’s degree from an accredited institution in any engineering or engineering-related disciplines including but not limited to: Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automation, EELEC Information Engineering, and Telecommunication Engineering.
The following materials are required to be included with your online application:
ADDITIONAL MATERIALS FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTSEnglish Language Proficiency: In addition to application requirements above, international students whose first language is not English are required to take the TOEFL or IELTS. 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. Please review USC Graduate Admission – Proficiency in English.
USC GRADUATE APPLICATION
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 2020 - Summer 2021 | $2,148 | $6,444 | $8,592 |
| Fall 2019 - Summer 2020 | $2,075 | $6,225 | $8,300 |
TUITION & SAMPLE COURSE PLAN FOR 28 UNIT PROGRAM
STUDENT FEES
| Fee Description | Fee Amount | On-Campus | DEN@Viterbi |
|---|
| Mandatory Fees (approximate) | Fall 2019: $475
Spring 2020: $420 | | |
| Health Insurance | Fall 2019: $730
Spring 2020: $1,311 | | |
| Norman Topping Student Aid Fee | $8/semester | | |
| ENGR Computing Access Fee (On-Campus students) | $75/semester |
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| ENGR Computing Access Fee (DEN@Viterbi students) | $35/semester | |
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| Exam Proctoring | $40 - $100 per course | | |
Detailed Information on Tuition & Fees
This program is also available online to professional engineers through DEN@Viterbi. Because the DEN@Viterbi program provides a fully equivalent academic experience, the degree a USC engineering student earns is the same whether they are on-campus or online. 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@Viterbi
Detailed 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.
| Foundations |
| Additional approved Computer Engineering electives that will count toward the 20 units required in the computer engineering area. |
| CSCI 402 | Operating Systems (4 units) |
| EE 503 | Probability for Electrical and Computer Engineers (4 units) |
| EE 510 | Linear Algebra for Engineering (4 units) |
| Computer Engineering course work requirements |
| Take a minimum of 20 units of Computer Engineering courses from the three lists below, including at least one course from two of the three areas in Architecture, Networks and VLSI/CAD areas. Electives from the Foundations area will also count toward the 20 unit Computer Engineering requirement. |
| Computer Architecture Area |
| EE 457 | Computer Systems Organization (4 units) |
| EE 542 | Internet and Cloud Computing (3 units) |
| EE 557 | Computer Systems Architecture (4 units) |
| Networks Area |
| EE 450 | Introduction to Computer Networks (4 units) |
| EE 550 | Data Networks: Design and Analysis (4 units) |
| EE 555 | Broadband Network Architectures (3 units) |
| VLSI/CAD Area |
| EE 477L | MOS VLSI Circuit Design (4 units) |
| EE 536a | Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuit Design (4 units) |
| EE 536b | Mixed-Signal Integrated Circuit Design (4 units) |
| EE 537 | Modern Solid-State Devices (4 units) |
| EE 552 | Asynchronous VLSI Design (3 units) |
| EE 577a | VLSI System Design (3 units) |
| EE 577b | VLSI System Design (3 units) |
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