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Return to: USC Viterbi School of Engineering    

Henry Salvatori Computer Science Center 104 (213) 740-4494 Fax: (213) 740-7285 Email: [email protected] Director: Cyrus Shahabi, PhD

Professors:   Michael Cody, PhD (Communication and Journalism) ; Ellis Horowitz, PhD (Computer Science, Eelectrical Engineering); Julia Higle, PhD (Industrial and Systems Engineering) ; Carl Kesselman, PhD (Industrial and Systems Engineering, Computer Science) ; Nenad Medvidovic, PhD (Computer Science) ; Viktor Prasanna, PhD (Electrical Engineering) ; Paul Rosenbloom, PhD (Computer Science) ; Cyrus Shahabi, PhD (Computer Science, Electrical Engineering) ; Gaurav Sukhatme, PhD (Computer Science, Electrical Engineering) ; Milind Tambe, PhD (Computer Science, Industrial and Systems Engineering) ; John Wilson, PhD (Spatial Science)

Associate Professors:  Shahram Ghandeharizadeh, PhD ( Computer Science) ; Yan Liu, PhD (Computer Science)

Assistant Professor:  Aleksandra Korolova, PhD (Computer Science)

Research Professors: Craig Knoblock, PhD (Computer Science) ; Yolanda Gil, PhD (Computer Science)

Research Associate Professor: Clifford Neuman, PhD (Computer Science)

Research Assistant Professors:  Yao-Yi Chiang, PhD  (Spatial Science) ; Jelena Mirkovic, PhD (Computer Science) ; Stefan Scherer, PhD (Computer Science)

Associate Professor of the Practice: Wensheng Wu, PhD

Senior Lecturers: Joseph Greenfield (Information Technology Program);  Tatyana Ryutov, PhD ( Computer Science )

Bachelor’s Degree

• •  Informatics (BA)

Master’s Degree

• •  Applied Data Science (MS)
• •  Communication Data Science (MS)
• •  Cyber Security Engineering (MS)
• •  Data Informatics (MS)
• •  Healthcare Data Science (MS)
• •  Spatial Data Science (MS)

Graduate Certificate

• •  Big Data Fundamentals Certificate

Informatics

• •  INF 250 Introduction to Data Informatics
• •  INF 351 Foundations of Data Management
• •  INF 352 Applied Machine Learning and Data Mining
• •  INF 429 Security and Privacy
• •  INF 454 Data Visualization and User Interface Design
• •  INF 510 Principles of Programming for Informatics
• •  INF 519 Foundations and Policy for Information Security
• •  INF 520 Foundations of Information Security
• •  INF 521 Application of Cryptography to Information Security Problems
• •  INF 522 Policy: The Foundation for Successful Information Assurance
• •  INF 523 Computer Systems Assurance
• •  INF 524 Distributed Systems and Network Security
• •  INF 525 Trusted System Design, Analysis and Development
• •  INF 526 Secure Systems Administration
• •  INF 527 Secure Systems Engineering
• •  INF 528 Computer Forensics
• •  INF 529 Security and Privacy in Informatics
• •  INF 549 Introduction to Computational Thinking and Data Science
• •  INF 550 Overview of Data Informatics in Large Data Environments
• •  INF 551 Foundations of Data Management
• •  INF 552 Machine Learning for Data Informatics
• •  INF 553 Foundations and Applications of Data Mining
• •  INF 554 Information Visualization
• •  INF 555 User Interface Design, Implementation, and Testing
• •  INF 556 User Experience Design and Strategy
• •  INF 557 Foresight for Engineers
• •  INF 558 Building Knowledge Graphs
• •  INF 559 Introduction to Data Management
• •  INF 560 Data Informatics Professional Practicum
• •  INF 561 Engineering Data Analytics
• •  INF 562 Integration of Medical Imaging Systems
• •  INF 563 Medical Diagnostics, Therapeutics and Informatics Application
• •  INF 570 Foundations of Communication Informatics
• •  INF 590 Directed Research
• •  INF 599 Special Topics

What are you looking for?

Suggested search, physics and computer science.

This interdisciplinary program is intended for students with dual interests in physics and computer science who wish to complete the essential courses for both majors within their normal four-year career. The program will prepare students for a career in a computer related field and/or science research.

Degree listings below reflect current requirements. Since actual graduation requirements depend on the specific year which a student enters USC, students should always consult with their advisor to determine course selection.

This is a sample program only. Your actual program should be developed in consultation with your advisor.

Shanechi-led USC Center for Neurotechnology Boosted by Grant From NIH BRAIN Initiative

Maja matarić receives acm athena lecturer award, the urbina effect, from dreams to degrees: usc viterbi class of 2024 graduates shape tomorrow, today, master’s class of 2024: “the best so far”, their research was interrupted, but their potential was not, usc launches school of advanced computing, usc and capital one establish new center for responsible ai in finance, the circuit: national engineering news from usc viterbi and the nae, viterbi news network: the bi-weekly usc viterbi news show, dr. allen and charlotte ginsburg human-centered computation hall, upcoming events, 2024 asee conference and exposition.

Date : Sunday, June 23, 2024 Time : 4:00pm to 4:00pm Location : Portland, Oregon

Speaker: -, - Talk Title: 2024 Conference of the American Society For Engineering Education Abstract: The 2024 Conference of the American Society For Engineering Education is taking place on June 23-26, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. The theme of the conference is "The Futur...   [Read More]

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Shana Douglas B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 2018

"My passion is volunteering and inspiring the future generation to go into STEM fields. I'm so happy to be apart of a school that shares those values."

Keyue Shen Assistant Professor of Biomedical Engineering

“I think the exciting part for me, as an engineer, is that we’re making something possible that was impossible in the past to help patients.”

Arynn O. Gallegos B.S. Electrical Engineering, 2020

"Working in my research lab has provided me with mentorship that has profoundly shaped my career and professional goals and to find opportunities I couldn't even dream of before starting college."

A.C. Mike Markkula B.S. ’64; M.S. ’66 Co-founder, Apple Inc.

"There is no way a student can graduate from the engineering school at USC without learning how to think through a problem and come to a correct and proper answer. That has served me well in everything I've done."

Jose Juan Ruiz B.S. Electrical Engineering, 2019

"Coming from community college, I was worried about transferring into a major university, but once I got to USC all my doubts were put to rest. From the professors, career opportunities, organizations, events, and friends I made here, I know I made the right choice in choosing USC"

Academic Departments

Aerospace & mechanical engineering.

• Astronautical Engineering

• Biomedical Engineering

The Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering & Materials Science

Sonny Astani Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering

Computer Science

Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering

Three USC Schools Collaborate to Reimagine the LA River

Researchers in landscape architecture, fluid mechanics and augmented reality have created an interactive hydraulic model installed alongside the Los Angeles River.

Space Archaeology at 17,000 Miles Per Hour

The preliminary findings from the first ever archaeological study of the ISS are shared during a presentation at USC.

• Alfred E. Mann Department of Biomedical Engineering

Turning a Tumor’s “Shield” into a Weapon Against Itself

USC Viterbi biomedical engineers have designed a new protein that targets and disables tumor cells’ defenses while marking cancer cells for death.

AI Platform to Revolutionize the Discovery of the Materials of the Future

The $2 million NSF project will harness AI to generate new optimized superalloys for game-changing applications from aerospace to healthcare.

Policy Influencer Jiachen Zhang Tackles Climate and Air Quality Challenges

Assistant Professor Jiachen Zhang brings her expertise in computational modeling and science-based public policy to her new role at Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

• Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science

Could AI Help Us Prepare for the Next Pandemic?

Computer science doctoral student Elizabeth Ondula leverages AI to enhance pandemic response strategies

Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering

Teaching robots to walk on the moon, and maybe rescue one another

USC, UPenn, Texas A&M, Oregon State, Georgia Tech, Temple University, and NASA Johnson Space Center are teaching dog-like robots to navigate craters of the moon and other challenging planetary surfaces in research funded by NASA.

Could Algorithms Help Us Make Better Choices in Uncertain Times?

Johannes Royset joins USC Viterbi, bringing expertise in operations and optimization and a background in naval applications.

Year in Review

Related Stories

Published on October 11th, 2016

Last updated on May 22nd, 2024

ABOUT THE SCHOOL

• 115 Year Celebration
• About Andrew Viterbi
• Diversity Equity & Inclusion
• Facts and Numbers
• Faculty Directory
• Ginsburg Hall
• USC Michelson Center

FROM THE DEAN

• Dean's Message
• Dean's Report
• Initiatives and Priorities
• Engineering +
• Strategic Plan

NEWS | MEDIA | EVENTS

• Keynote Lecture Series
• Media Contact & Press Releases
• Media Coverage
• Public Image Archive
• Publications
• Social Media
• Viterbi News Now

SCHOOL OF ADVANCED COMPUTING

• Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Division of Computing Education (DCE)
• Information Technology Program (ITP)
• Interdisciplinary Data Science (IDS)
• Information Science Institute (ISI)
• Institute for Creative Technologies (ICT)
• More to come soon

DEPARTMENTS AND ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

• Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
• Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science
• Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
• Engineering in Society Program
• Information Technology Program

EXECUTIVE AND CONTINUING EDUCATION

• Aviation Safety and Security Program
• Corporate and Professional Programs

ONLINE ACCESS

• Graduate Programs - DEN@Viterbi

SPECIALIZED GRADUATE PROGRAMS

• Financial Engineering Program
• Green Technologies Program
• Data Science Program
• Progressive Degree Program
• Systems Architecting and Engineering Program

RESOURCES AND INITIATIVES

• Academic Integrity
• Accreditation
• Awards Office
• John Brooks Slaughter Center for Engineering Diversity
• Division of Engineering Education
• Globalization
• K-12 Outreach
• USC Experts Directory
• Women in Science and Engineering

FIRST YEAR APPLICANTS

MASTER'S APPLICANTS

PHD APPLICANTS

TRANSFER APPLICANTS

RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT

• Search Faculty Research Areas
• Departments, Research Institutes and Centers
• Research Infrastructure
• Research Initiatives
• Research Vision
• Student Research
• Summer Undergraduate Research Experience

TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

• NSF I-Corps Hub: West Region
• Office of Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship
• USC Stevens Center for Innovation
• Viterbi News Network
• Diversity Equity Inclusion
• Dean’s Message
• Dean’s Report
• Media Contact & Press Releases
• More to Come Soon
• Informatics Program
• Graduate Programs – DEN@Viterbi
• First Year Applicants
• Master’s Applicants
• PHD Applicants
• Transfer Applicants
• Competitions
• Entrepreneurship
• I-Corps Node
• Viterbi Startup Garage
• Viterbi Student Innovation Institute (VSI2)
• Viterbi Venture Fund

• B.S. Students
• M.S. Students
• Ph.D. Students
• D-Clearance
• Directed Research
• Information for Graders and Course Producers
• Microsoft Imagine
• CS Student Organizations
• CS Library Guide
• CS Job Announcements
• M.S. Program

The Master of Science in Computer Science provides intensive preparation in the concepts and techniques related to the design, programming, and application of computing systems.  Students are provided a deep understanding of both fundamentals and important current issues in computer science and computer engineering so that they may either obtain productive employment or pursue advanced degrees. Additional details about our Master of Science programs can be found at the website of the Viterbi School of Engineering's Viterbi Admission & Student Engagement Office .

• Master of Science in Computer Science (General)
• Artificial Intelligence
• Data Science
• Game Development

Effective Fall 2024, the following specializations have been discontinued:

• Computer Security
• Computer Networks
• Software Engineering
• Intelligent Robotics
• Multimedia and Creative Technologies
• High Performance Computing and Simulation

An expanded M.S. degree is available, designed specifically for students with an academic background in engineering or science, but a limited background in computer science.

• Scientists and Engineers

An optional thesis and honors program is available for students in the M.S. program.

• Thesis Option
• Honors Program

The Department of Computer Science is also home to the USC Viterbi Data Science Program , which offers the following graduate degrees:

• Master of Science in Applied Data Science
• Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering
• Master of Science in Communication Data Science
• Master of Science in Environmental Data Science
• Master of Science in Healthcare Data Science
• Master of Science in Public Policy Data Science
• Master of Science in Spatial Data Science
• Graduate Certificate in Big Data Fundamentals

Published on June 14th, 2016

Last updated on January 11th, 2024

• Academic Programs
• Getting Started with CS@USC
• USC Course Catalogue
• USC Schedule of Classes
• Special Topics Courses
• Computer Science
• Computer Engineering and Computer Science
• Computer Science Games
• Computer Science and Business Administration
• Minor in Computer Science
• Progressive Degree Program
• Computer Science (General)
• High Performance Computing and Simulations
• Fall 2015 to Spring 2023
• Fall 2014 or Earlier
• Data Science Program
• Graduate Certificate
• Distance Education
• K-12 Outreach
• Chair’s Welcome
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• Annual Research Review
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• Faculty Directory
• Staff Directory
• B.S. Program
• Ph.D. Program
• Academic Advisement
• B.S. Application Information
• M.S. Application Information
• Ph.D. Application Information

Fellowships

Applicants to Ph.D. programs in engineering are considered for assistantships and fellowships provided that they have completed the application for admission and have submitted all supporting documents no later than December 15 of the year preceding the Fall term to which they are applying.

Fellowships are awarded based on exceptional merit and may consist of one of the following:

These fellowships include an annual stipend, tuition for full-time enrollment, and some mandatory fees. This includes the Orientation fee, the student programming fee, the student services fee, and Norman H. Topping Student Aid. Lab fees or other fees associated with coursework are not covered by the fellowship. All fellowship awards will be credited directly to the student's account. Please view the links below for more information.

USC Graduate School Fellowships USC Graduate School External Fellowships

USC Awards and Fellowship Database FinAid.org Nationally Coveted College Scholarships FastWeb.com’s Graduate Scholarships Petersons’ Graduate Scholarship Search Engine Profellow External-National-Fellowships-and-Scholarships-Information 2021-2022 (Coming soon!) External Fellowship Info Session Presentation 2021-2022 (Coming Soon!)

Did you apply for Nationally Competitive Fellowship Awards? Click here.

Fulbright Programs Social Science Research Council’s Fellowships and Prizes Institute of International Education’s Fellowships Mobility International USA’s Funding International Scholarships for Students from Developing Countries International Financial Aid and Scholarship Search Boren Fellowships for International Study

Fellowship FAQ's

Fellowships are awarded to students who achieve a high level of academic excellence and allow students to focus full time on their studies. Fellowships typically include tuition, student health and dental insurance, access to the Engemann Student Health center, and a stipend distributed over the course of the academic year. Some fellowships also cover mandatory fees such as the Graduate Student Programming fee, Norman Topping Student Aid Fund fee, and the Student Services fee. Lab fees and parking expenses are not covered by fellowships.

All parameters of your fellowship are outlined in your offer letter. We recommend that you review your offer letter carefully and become familiar with the terms of your fellowship.

International fellowship students must Passport Verification (PPV) upon arrival to USC; as well as attend a Viterbi One-Stop session to complete GLACIER paperwork.

Domestic and international fellowship students must be enrolled full-time to receive their fellowship. Full-time enrollment is equivalent to six advisor-approved units or GSRC-800 or 794ABCDZ. We recommend that Ph.D. students register at least two weeks prior to the start of the fall semester, and before the winter recess for the spring semester.

For more information on important dates and deadlines, please visit Ph.D. Important Dates and Deadlines.

Please also visit our   New Student Information website.

26th falls on a weekend or holiday. In which case, the payment will be available the business day prior to the 26th. Stipends are considered late after the 26th of each month. Though you may receive your stipends via direct deposit before the 26th of the month, please note that the stipend schedule does not run through Payment Services on the same day each month, so you will not always receive your stipend on the same day each month.

USC Fellowships are paid over 12 months.

If you have an external fellowship, your fellowship stipend will be disbursed per the foundation's guidelines.

We strongly encourage all of our students to sign up for direct deposit to ensure your payment is delivered as soon as it is available. Domestic Fellowship Students can have their stipends direct deposited through the Office of Payment Services (formerly called Disbursement Control). Please review set-up instructions for more information. If you do not sign up for direct deposit, your stipends will be mailed to your local address. If you do not have a local address on file and you do not sign up for direct deposit, your stipends will be mailed to your permanent address. Please make sure your local address is up to date in OASIS. You may access OASIS directing by logging into MyUSC

International Fellowship Students will receive their stipends through USC Payroll and can Direct Deposit Instructions for International Students New fellows, please note that GLACIER must be completed and processed before you can access Workday. If you do not sign up for Direct Deposit, your stipend will be a paper check and will be routed to the VASE Office. You will be notified when it is ready for pick up.

We strongly suggest that fellows contact the IRS directly, and/or consult with a tax professional. While receiving your fellowship, domestic students will not receive a W-2 form (although when you serve as a Teaching or Research Assistant you will receive a W-2).

This link  contains information regarding tax treatment of fellowship awards. In addition, please review the IRS 1098-t form. These links are not meant to be a comprehensive list of tax resources or forms that you should consider.

International Students should review the OIS website.

In general, you will receive enough tuition units to cover full-time enrollment during the academic year. Please refer to your fellowship offer letter for specific details. These units are split evenly between the fall, spring and summer semesters. If you wish to exceed the number of units stated in your offer letter, please contact your academic department’s staff graduate advisor for advisement. Requests for additional tuition over the fellowship are reviewed on a case by case basis by the VASE Office.

Neither fellowships nor assistantships will pay for audited classes. Funding packages will only pay for classes that count towards the degree. In addition, audited courses or courses not counted towards the degree in many scenarios will not count towards your full-time student status. This may affect your eligibility for funding as well as visa status for our international students. If you are uncertain what courses will be covered by your fellowship, please email [email protected].

You may accept a summer internship or a summer RA/TA position. If you are an international student and plan to work off-campus, you must apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

If it is after the 26th of the month and you still haven't received your stipend, or your stipend amount is incorrect, please email [email protected]. Please include your full name, USC ID# and amount in question. A staff member will work the appropriate department(s) to resolve the issue. As a reminder, students must be enrolled full-time (six advisor-approved units for credit towards the PhD program, or GSRC-800 or 794ABCDZ) by the recommended registration deadline in order for fellowship stipends to disburse on time.

New international fellows must submit GLACIER paperwork by the recommended deadline for processing by the University in order to be paid on time.

Continuing international students must update GLACIER paperwork if there is a change in status, such as changing from fellowship to an RA/TA.

Please work with your academic department administrator to complete your hiring paperwork. If you have remaining semesters of fellowship, please notify the VASE Office to defer your fellowship.

International students will need to update GLACIER paperwork to reflect the change in status working as a graduate assistant and receiving wages. If your fellowship also pays a top-off stipend while on RA/TA, please be sure that GLACIER indicates a fellowship stipend as well as wages, or your top-off stipend will not disburse.

Please review this printable chart   for additional information on several external fellowships held by our current PhD students. Many external fellowships receive an additonal top-off stipend from the USC Graduate School. Please contact Jennifer Gerson, Director, Doctoral Programs, at [email protected] or Tracy Charles, Doctoral Programs Coordinator, at [email protected] with any questions.

Graduate Assistantships

As a new Research Assistant, you may be required to complete a Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) Training before you can begin your assignment.

To ensure a successful TA experience right from the start, all new TAs must attend a training program. In addition to online resources for new TAs, we offer a one-day training program at the beginning of each semester. It is the responsibility of the TA Coordinator or Graduate Advisor to register new TAs for this program. The training will consist of a day-long session at the Viterbi School of Engineering. You must attend the entire session before you will be allowed to begin your duties in the classroom. Lunch will be provided.

Next TA Training:

Date: August

Time: 9am-12pm

Location: TBA

Published on July 11th, 2017

Last updated on August 10th, 2023

• New Student Information
• Academic Advisement
• DEN@Viterbi Student Services
• International Student Services
• Commencement Information
• Academic Policies and Support
• Academic Progress and Success Support
• Tuition and Funding
• Career Development
• Student Engagement
• Viterbi Mentorship
• Safety Resources
• Student Wellness
• Transportation Options

MS in Computer Science - Scientists and Engineers

Application deadlines.

Spring: September 1

Fall: December 15

• Program Overview
• Application Criteria
• Tuition & Fees
• Meet Our Students
• Career Outcomes
• DEN@Viterbi - Online Delivery
• Request Information

Designed for students with a Bachelor’s degree in engineering or science but a limited background in computer science, this comprehensive program combines an introductory sequence of undergraduate preparatory and foundational coursework with all the graduate breadth requirements necessary to satisfy the traditional MS in Computer Science.

Important:  Students admitted to this program are not able change to another program in computer science but may take electives from any computer science area.

• This program requires completion of 37 units of coursework
• Eligible for the OPT STEM extension
• USC Catalogue
• USC Schedule of Classes

Visit our Ready to Apply page for more information.

Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in any engineering or engineering-related disciplines including but not limited to: Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Info Engineering, Automation, Materials Science, Communication Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Telecommunication Engineering, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering, and BME.

Applications are reviewed holistically; simply taking these courses does not guarantee admission.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

The following materials are required to be included with your online application:

• Transcripts
• Personal Statement
• Letter of Recommendation (Optional)

NOTE:   The GRE is   not required   for 2024 applications. A decision on the GRE requirement for 2025 has not yet been made.

The following link will take you to an overview of the tuition & fees for graduate engineering students, including payment information. Both on-campus and DEN@Viterbi students pay the same tuition

Estimated Cost of Attendance - 37 Unit Program

Download the   Cost of Attendance to see a summary of tuition and fees by semester. The document is a typical example and the number of courses, and time to complete the program, will vary by student.

    MEGAN BULL

Which organizations/activities have you been involved with outside of the classroom? I recently joined the Graduates Rising in Data Science (GRIDS) club and have been a part of their External Affairs and Outreach leadership team since the end of February! I’ve helped put on a couple of events with them, including the GRIDS Hackathon and a NASA career talk.

What are some personal achievements or experiences you’d like to share? I started my first NASA internship in June 2021 on the People Analytics team at NASA Headquarters and am looking forward to starting on a new project at the same location with the Earth Science Division in the Weather and Atmospheric Dynamics Focus Area.

What advice would you give future Viterbi students? Go out of your way to make friends! Studying for a class is so much easier when you have a support system of other students in your program.

    KAMEL BASSEL M. GAZZAZ

What were the main reasons you chose to pursue this graduate program at USC? I come from a cognitive science background and want to bridge that with CS to work on cognitive systems, personified AI, human - AI interactions. The CS for Scientists & Engineers program at USC is a perfect fit for this interdisciplinarity.

Tell us ab out an exciting and unforgettable experience from your time so far at USC. Working on the AI digital assistant that allows astronauts to interact with their environment in AR using natural language and dialogue flow for the NASA - SUITS project has been great . It’s still ongoing, our team of USC and UA collaborators is called Team AEGIS, and we’re in the final round along with the teams from CMU, MIT, etc. The winning project will inspire the HUD for NASA’s upcoming Artemis mission!

What do you like most about living in Los Angeles? The versatility of being able to study at a top tier university, to go to the beach or go snowboarding, to rub elbows with top class executives, creators, founders, join any community with any interest, play any sport, hike, live the way you want to live. Whatever it is you’re into, it’s happening in LA, you just have to go find it.

What advice would you give future Viterbi students? Be curious, follow your dream, nurture your interests, and never compromise on your identity. Don’t just do LeetCode and try to become a full-stack because that’s what you think will bring success. I see so many people come here and get alienated from who they are, and so many others who find themselves here and become successful. Venture out, explore and be bold to talk to people (us engineers tend to be introverted or reserved, and it’s daunting being in a new country). The physical and metaphysical place you’re in once you get here opens all the doors for you. There are many others who share the same interests as you in each of the facets of your life. You just have to choose which one(s) you’re most excited about entering and then enjoy the rabbit hole that will lead you to an amazing life that is customized to your own passions.

    LAURA CASAS

What were the main reasons you chose to pursue this graduate program at USC? I chose to pursue a graduate program at USC for two main reasons. First, USC of fered a unique program that allowed anyone with science or engineering background to get a Masters degree in computer science. This program was specifically designed for those of us that did not have a computer science background and had not formally taken any CS courses. The program course requirements were focused on students learning the fundamentals of CS that are needed for any specialization. Second, USC of fered this program through DEN [online option]. This meant that I was able to pursue my graduate degree without having to uproot my life to a new geographical location.

What are some personal achievements or experiences you’d like to share? I received a BS in Physics (from USC), was in the aviation industry working as an Air Traffic Control Specialist and will be working as a Software Developer after graduating with an MS in Computer Science. Although it can be frightening/intimidating to change career paths, it is possible to do it, all it takes is a good support system, some mental determination and hard work!

What advice would you give future V iterbi students? My advice is to read through all assignment directions  thoroughly , usually there are a lot of helpful hints!

2022 First Destinations Survey - Outcomes*

Top Employers*

• Amazon Web Services   
• Meta Platforms, Inc.   

Alumni Employment - 2022* (Companies & Job Titles)

• Aiva Health - Back End Engineer   
• Amazon - Hardware Development Engineer, Software Development Engineer, Software Development Engineer I, Software Engineer   
• Amazon Studios - Software Engineer   
• Amazon Web Services - Software Development Engineer, Software Development Engineer I, Software Engineer   
• Antra Inc. - Software Engineer   
• Blizzard Entertainment - Software Engineer (BattleNetCheckoutBackend)   
• Bloomberg L.P. - Senior Software Engineer   
• Boeing - Engineer   
• Boston Consulting Group - Software Engineer   
• Bytedance - Frontend Development Engineer, Software Engineer   
• Cloudera Inc. - Software Engineer   
• Coinbase - Software Engineer   
• DARVIS - Computer Vision Engineer   
• DocuSign - Software Engineer   
• DoorDash - Software Engineer   
• DreamWorks Animation - Assistant Department Technical Director   
• Fb - Software Development Engineer   
• Fortinet - Software QA Engineer   
• FreeWill - Software Engineer   
• GoDaddy - Software Development Engineer II   
• Goldman Sachs - Analyst   
• Google - Optical Transport Network Engineer, Software Development Engineer, Software Engineer   
• Heron Systems Inc. (A Shield AI Company) - Machine Learning Engineer   
• Huawei - Software Development Engineer   
• Hyperconnect Labs Inc. - Software Engineer   
• IBM - Software Engineer   
• LinkedIn - Software Engineer   
• Machine Analytics - Machine Analytics Internship Team Lead Developer Full Stack   
• Meta Platforms, Inc. - Enterprise Engineer, Front End Engineer, Software Development Engineer, Software Engineer   
• Microsoft - Software Engineer, Software Engineer II   
• NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory - Data Scientist, DevOps Engineer   
• Northrop Grumman Corporation - Software Engineer, Software Engineer II   
• Nuro - Software Engineer   
• NVIDIA - Infrastructure Software Engineer Intern, Software Developer Infrastructure Architect, Software Engineer   
• Oracle - Software Engineer   
• Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority - Assistant Director Airworthiness   
• Pinterest - Software Engineer III   
• Refactor Games - Video Game Engineering Intern   
• RWS Group - Localization QA Tester   
• Salesforce - AMTS Software Engineer   
• SenseTime - Test Engineer   
• Snowflake - Software Engineer   
• Sonavi Labs - Senior Software Engineer   
• Sony Interactive Entertainment - Software Engineer   
• Splunk Inc. - Software Development Engineer In Test   
• StarFive Technology Co Ltd. - SoC Design Engineer   
• Stripe - New Grad Software Engineer   
• The MathWorks, Inc. - EDG Engineer, Web Software Engineer   
• Twitter - Software Enigneer   
• Uber - Software Engineer 1   
• University of Southern California - Resource Employee, Software Developer, Software Engineer   
• Walmart - Software Engineer Intern   
• Wealthfront - Software Engineer   
• Yahoo! Inc. - Software Development Engineer   

Internships (Summer 2023)**

Amazon ; ArcBest Technologies ; Arista Networks Inc ,; Aurora Innovation, Inc. ; Cisco Systems, Inc. ; Coinbase Inc. ; Confluent, Inc. ; Cowbell Cyber, Inc. ; DoorDash Inc. ; Dragonfruit AI, Inc ,; eBay ; Environmental Systems Research Institute ; Esri ; Fox and Bear Global Inc. ; Juniper Networks, Inc. ; KLA Corporation ; Lacework, Inc. ; L ions F loor ; MathWorks ; Meta ; Motorola Solutions ; Movn Health ; MultiNet ; NBC Universal ; NewsBreak ; Oracle ; Qualcomm ; Regeneron ; RVO Health ; Salesforce ; Siemens Corporation ; South Coast Air Quality Management District ; Spectro Cloud, Inc. ; Splunk Inc. ; Statsig ; SupplyFrame , Inc. ; Tesla, Inc .; The Trade Desk ; TikTok Inc. ; Veeva Systems Inc.; Veritas Technologies LLC  

* Information is based on a voluntary survey and should not be interpreted as a comprehensive view of the 2022 graduating class.

** Internship data is from CPT internships done by our international student population.

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 Requirements Schedule 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.

Course Intro:

Published on July 10th, 2017

Last updated on April 8th, 2024

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