Electrical Engineering - Computer Networks

Program Description [back to top]

The M.S. in Electrical Engineering (Computer Networks) is an area of emphasis for the electrical engineering student interested in data networks.

In addition to earning the M.S. in Electrical Engineering (Computer Networks) degree , students also have a choice of the following areas of emphasis:

• MSEE: Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (General)  
  
  
• MSEE-MC: Master of Science in Electrical Engineering with specialization in Multimedia and Creative Technologies
  
  
• MSEE-VL: Master of Science in Electrical Engineering with specialization in VLSI Design
  
  
• EEE: Engineer in Electrical Engineering

Application Criteria [back to top]

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering, math or science from a regionally-accredited institution
  
  
• Graduate Record Examination scores (less than five years old)
  
  
• International students whose native language is not English must earn a satisfactory score on the TOEFL (600 on the paper-based test; 250 on the computer-based test) or take the on-campus International Student English Examination (ISE) prior to initial registration.

ADMISSION STATISTICS**

• Average undergraduate cumulative GPA of students newly enrolled in USC graduate engineering programs is 3.37 (4.00 scale)
  
  
• Average GRE scores of students newly enrolled in USC graduate engineering programs is Quantitative 749 and Verbal 478

** These scores are averages.  Students with scores both above and below these averages were both admitted and not admitted.  The Viterbi School reviews all applications comprehensively and evaluates applicants on the entire application file with an emphasis on undergraduate institution, GPA, grades earned in pre-requisite courses and GRE scores.

FUNDAMENTAL COURSES

It is expected that each student in this program will take at USC or have taken the equivalent of the following fundamental courses:

• CSCI 402x: Operating Systems
• EE 450: Introduction to Computer Networks
• EE 457Lx: Computer Systems Organization
• EE 465: Probabilistic Methods in Computer Systems Modeling

Students who have previously taken equivalent courses elsewhere should obtain a waiver by passing the placement exam at USC, as this will allow additional electives to be taken.

Graduation Requirements [back to top]

A minimum of 27 units is required for the M.S. in Electrical Engineering (Computer Networks) degree.

• Minimum number of units in electrical engineering: 15 units (those not in EE are subject to written advisor approval and must be technical in nature)
  
  
• Minimum number of units in the Viterbi School of Engineering: 21 units
  
  
• Required Computer Networks courses: 9 units
  
  
• Computer Networks Electives: 6 to 15 units
  
  
• No more than 9 units at the 400 level may be counted toward the degree - the remaining units must be taken at the 500 or 600 level
  
  
• 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
  
  
• A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required for graduation

Thesis Option: With the approval of a supervising professor, qualified students may be allowed to pursue a thesis option. For more information, please refer to the USC Catalogue.

Course Descriptions [back to top]

How To Apply [back to top]

In order to evaluate any application for admission, application materials must be submitted by the deadlines listed:

June 15th Fall admission
October 1st Spring admission

Click here to complete the USC graduate application.

Please arrange to have the following sent to the USC Office of Admission as a hard copy (USC Graduate Office of Admission, University Park Campus, Los Angeles, CA  90089-0915):

• Official Transcript(s) from all post-secondary schools you have attended, and official translations if they are not in English.
  
  
• General GRE scores (no older than 5 years). Official scores must be sent through ETS to the University of Southern California, ETS code 4852)
  
  
• TOEFL scores (required for international students)

Contact Information [back to top]