Academic Programs

The USC Department of Computer Science offers an undergraduate degree with the following four majors: Computer Science, Computer Engineering & Computer Science, Computer Science Games, and Computer Science & Business Administration. An undergraduate minor in Computer Science is also offered, as well as a Progressive Degree Program where exceptional undergraduate computer science students can earn a M.S. degree with an extra year of study.

The department also offers a Master of Science in Computer Science with a General* option where students can design their own focus, or select from one of nine specializations: Artificial Intelligence, Computer Security*, Game Development, Computer Networks, Software Engineering*, High Performance Computing and Simulation, Intelligent Robotics, Multimedia and Creative Technologies, and Data Science*. The M.S. degree can be completed entirely with course work; however, an optional thesis is available for those students with an affinity for research.  Additionally, the department offers an M.S. in Computer Science for Scientists & Engineers* transitioning from other related disciplines to computer science.

A Graduate Certificate in Software Architecture* is available for engineers ready to develop the skills necessary to face the increasingly complex future in architecting systems, systems of systems and software intensive systems.

Our department is also home to the USC Viterbi Data Science Program, which jointly offers an undergraduate degree in Data Science with the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences.  The following graduate degrees are also offered through USC Viterbi or in partnership with other USC schools: Master of Science in Cyber Security Engineering*, Master of Science in Applied Data Science*, Master of Science in Communication Data Science, Master of Science in Healthcare Data Science, Master of Science in Public Policy Data Science, Master of Science in Environmental Data Science, and Master of Science in Spatial Data Science. Additionally, a Graduate Certificate in Data Science Foundations* and a Graduate Certificate in Applied Data Science* is available.

The department’s Ph.D. program in Computer Science prepares students for exciting careers in industry and academia. Some of our many areas of research include artificial intelligence, computer architecture, computer graphics, computer vision, databases, game design and development, machine learning, multimedia, networks, security, robotics, software engineering, and virtual reality.

*These programs can be completed online via the Distance Education Network.

All information contained here is summarized from the USC Catalogue and is considered non-official. For all rules, regulations, procedures, and outlines, please see the current academic year USC Catalogue. The USC Catalogue supersedes all other publications.

Published on August 11th, 2017

Last updated on February 3rd, 2023