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USC Viterbi School of Engineering

Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
(Dynamics & Control)

Master of Science
Program Description Course Descriptions
Application Criteria How to Apply
Graduation Requirements Contact Information


Program Description [back to top]

The M.S. in Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering (Dynamics and Control) educates and trains multidisciplinary professionals in the modeling, analysis, simulation and control of complex time-evolutionary systems. It is a unique program of study that encompasses advanced analytical dynamics, nonlinear dynamical systems, linear and nonlinear dynamics and vibrations, and linear and nonlinear control. The program equips students to apply their knowledge to a variety of complex systems encountered in nature and society, especially those in civil, mechanical, and aerospace engineering and applied mechanics.

This degree provides the graduate student with a broad, well-rounded, advanced education that can be applied to many specific technologically-advanced fields in which dynamics and control play a pivotal role. Upon completion of the program, students are brought to the cutting edge of current research as well as relevant areas of application.



Application Criteria [back to top]


  • B.S. degree in engineering, math, or science from a regionally-accredited university

  • Cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

  • Satisfactory scores on the general portion of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) with a minimum score of 650 on the quantitative portion and 350 on the verbal portion

  • Two letters of recommendation

  • Statement of Purpose (optional)

  • For international students whose first language is not English, in order to be excused from the mandatory International Standard English (ISE) placement exam, applicants must score at least:
    • 250 or higher on the computer-based TOEFL
    • 600 or higher on the paper-based TOEFL
    • 100 or higher on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) with no less than 20 on each of the four individual sections

 

DEFICIENCY COURSES

Students without backgrounds in Dynamics and Control should take the deficiency courses listed below for credit. Please verify with the Program Coordinator, Dr. Firdaus E. Udwadia, before enrolling in these courses for credit.



Graduation Requirements [back to top]


A minimum of 27 units is required for the M.S. in Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering (Dynamics and Control) degree.

 

  • Required Core Courses: 15 units

  • Required Engineering Analyses course: 6 units

  • Electives: 6 units

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 is required for graduation


Course Descriptions [back to top]


Deficiency Courses

Course Units Spring Summer Fall
  • AME420 - Engineering Vibrations
    		• 3     *
  • AME451 - Linear Control Systems I
    		• 3 * * *


    Required Core Courses (15 units)

    Course Units Spring Summer Fall
  • AME521 - Engineering Vibrations II
    		• 3 *    
  • AME522 - Nonlinear Vibration
    		• 3     *
  • AME524 - Advanced Engineering Dynamics
    		• 3     *
  • AME541 - Linear Control Systems II
    		• 3     *
  • AME552 - Nonlinear Control Systems
    		• 3 *    


    Required Engineering Analyses Courses (6 units)

    Course Units Spring Summer Fall
  • AME525 - Engineering Analysis
    		• 3 * * *
  • AME526 - Engineering Analytical Methods
    		• 3 * * *


    Electives (6 units)

    Course Units Spring Summer Fall
  • AME523 - Random Vibrations
    		• 3      
  • AME545 - Modeling and Control Systems of Distributed Dynamic Systems
    		• 3 *    
  • AME548 - Analytical Methods in Robotics
    		• 3 * *  
  • AME580 - Orbital Mechanics I
    		• 3      
  • AME582 - Spacecraft Attitude Control
    		• 3 * *  
  • AME583 - Spacecraft Attitude Dynamics
    		• 3      
  • AME630 - Transition to Chaos in Dynamical Systems
    		• 3      




    How To Apply [back to top]

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


    June 1st Fall admission
    October 1st Spring admission
    February 15th Summer admission


    Please submit the following to the USC Office of Graduate Admission via the online application system by clicking here.

    • Statement of Purpose (optional)
      • The statement of purpose should describe succinctly 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.

    • Two Letters of Recommendation
      • Letters of recommendation should be from faculty or others (supervisors, professional colleagues, etc.) qualified to evaluate your potential for graduate study. They should be written on official letterhead.

    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)

    NOTE:  If you meet our minimum qualifications, you can get started BEFORE you are formally admitted to USC, as a "LIMITED" student! Click here for more information.


    Contact Information [back to top]

    For the USC Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering Department:

    Samantha Graves
    Student Services Advisor
    Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering
    Tel: 213-740-1735
    Fax: 213-740-7774

    Email: smgraves@usc.edu


    Professor Firdaus E. Udwadia
    Program Coordinator, Dynamics & Control
    Aerospace and Mechnical Engineering
    Tel: (213) 740-0495
    Fax: (213) 740-8071
    Email: fudwadia@usc.edu


    For the USC Distance Education Network (DEN):

    Ray Fujioka
    Master's and Professional Programs [MAPP]
    Tel: (213) 740-4488
    Fax: (213) 821-0851
    Email: info@den.usc.edu

     
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