Graduate & Professional Degrees

Application deadline: December 15

Completion of the program requires a maximum effort by the student for a minimum of four years of full-time work.

Screening Procedure

The screening procedure consists of written examinations covering core mathematics content. Student must pass three written exams chosen from among the following five core subjects:

• Algebra
• Analysis
• PDE
• Probability
• Topology

The department offers the examinations twice a year, prior to the beginning of the Fall and Spring semesters. 

Either the Algebra or Analysis examination must be successfully completed by the end of the second semester in the program. All of the examinations must be successfully completed by the end of the fourth semester. 

The qualifying examination should follow one or two semesters after the successful completion of the screening procedure.

Qualifying Exam Committee

No later than at the end of the first semester after passing the screening procedure, the student must form a qualifying exam committee. The committee must consist of an adviser (committee chair) and four other faculty members, including at least one from another department. 

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination consists of written and oral components.

The written portion of the qualifying examination consists of a PhD dissertation proposal. This document (6 pages minimum) should include: an introduction and overview of the area of research, a statement of the proposed research problem, literature survey, proposed approach including techniques or methods to be employed and references. No preliminary results are required. This research proposal should be submitted to the qualifying exam committee at least one week before the oral component of the exam. 

The oral portion of the qualifying examination consists of a presentation of the PhD dissertation proposal and examination by the committee. The student must demonstrate research potential.

The student must register for MATH 794a in the semester immediately following successful completion of the qualifying examination.

Course Requirements

The student must complete, with no grade lower than B, a minimum of 60 units of courses carrying graduate credit. Courses outside of the Mathematics Department must be approved by the Graduate Committee.

The MBA Program for Professionals and Managers (MBA.PM) is a part-time, comprehensive MBA program that allows fully employed individuals to pursue their MBA degree. The program offers flexibility and a rich array of elective courses. Students in the MBA.PM program complete the degree in 33 months attending classes in fall, spring, and summer semesters. The degree can be completed in as little as two years for students who accelerate or up to five years for students who prefer a slower pace.

The MBA.PM offers the following advantages:

• The scheduling design allows students to complete the degree in a timely way, while continuing to work full time.
• Program flexibility allows students to tailor their selection of elective courses to their individual interests and scheduling preferences.
• PM.GLOBE, a program in which students choose from a set of courses designed to cultivate a global perspective on business (some of which include an international trip), gives all MBA.PM students first-hand exposure to international markets.
• A cohesive group of student colleagues proceed through the Core year together, providing opportunities for building relationships with other talented and ambitious individuals.
• Special academic and social activities enhance the richness of the MBA experience.
• Interaction between faculty and students enhances the overall learning experience.

The MBA.PM program's curriculum is offered at the University Park Campus in Los Angeles.

Students attend Core classes either two nights per week or on a Saturday hybrid schedule (50% in person) for 12 months. Students must complete the Core courses in the prescribed sequence and within the prescribed time frame. Elective courses are offered on a semester basis during the remaining portion of the program, including summer session.

During the elective portion of the program, MBA students are encouraged to pursue a course of study that meets their professional goals. Students design their course of study by taking electives offered in the Marshall School and by sometimes taking courses in other areas of the university. Up to 9 units of graduate-level electives may be taken at USC outside the Marshall School of Business for elective credit provided the student shows sufficient reason why a selected course is relevant to the Marshall School of Business program. Permission to take courses outside the Marshall School must be requested via petition to the MBA.PM Program Office in Popovich Hall 106.

International Exchange Program

The Marshall School offers a range of international semester-long and summer exchange programs in cooperation with leading business schools around the world. Since many of the exchange programs are taught in English, language proficiency is not a requirement for all countries. Students must complete the MBA core courses and maintain a 3.0 GPA in order to participate in the exchange program. This program is open to fulltime MBA and MBA.PM students.

Application

The program enrolls students one time per year in the fall. To obtain information regarding application criteria, class profiles, deadlines, and notification dates or to apply, visit marshall.usc.edu/mbapm or contact the Marshall MBA Admission Office in Popovich Hall (JKP) 308 - phone (213) 740-7846, fax (213) 749-8520, email gradadmissions@marshall.usc.edu.

Students with MS degrees in engineering or science disciplines can be accepted in these programs. Students must satisfy all other departmental degree requirements. Admission requirements follow the general admission rules for Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering graduate programs. For admission requirements, refer to Viterbi Graduate Degrees and Requirements at USC Viterbi School of Engineering. The program requires completion of a minimum of 27 units, with at least 18 units at the 500 level, and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for graduation. Students will be given advisement in the first semester of their study. A minimum of 15 units must be 500-level courses in major department. Four of the required units must be in one of the three engineering analysis offerings (AME 525, AME 526, or AME 540).

In addition to engineering analysis, students are required to take five core courses covering energy and propulsion, sustainable energy, alternative energy conversion devices, combustion, heat and mass diffusion, and fluid dynamics. Elective courses can be chosen in areas of specific interest to the student.

Information on the current approved courses that comprise these core and elective requirements is available from the department website ame.usc.edu.

The Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering in conjunction with the Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering offers programs leading to the degree of Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering and Master of Science in Engineering Management. This combined program is designed for graduate mechanical engineers whose career objectives lead to increasing technical management responsibilities.

In addition to the general requirements of the Viterbi School of Engineering, the combined degree of Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering/Engineering Management is also subject to the following requirements:

1. All applicants must meet the admission requirements of both the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and the Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering;
2. A minimum of 46 units is required;
3. A minimum of 18 units must be graduate level course work in AME, approved by an AME graduate student adviser;
4. A minimum of 20 units must be graduate level course work in ISE, approved by the ISE Engineering Management graduate student adviser and chosen from the course list under Master of Science in Engineering Management;
5. A minimum additional 8 units of acceptable course work must be chosen with the consent of the ISE Engineering Management graduate student adviser to form a coherent program.

Admission requirements follow the general admission rules for aerospace and mechanical engineering graduate programs. For admission requirements, refer to Viterbi Graduate Degrees and Requirements at USC Viterbi School of Engineering. The program of study depends upon the student's interests and background. The program requires completion of 27 units, with at least 18 units at the 500 level, and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for graduation. A minimum of 15 units must be 500 level courses in major department. Four of the required units must be in one of the engineering analysis courses: AME 525, AME 526 or AME 540.

In addition to the general requirements listed in this catalogue, the department has identified requirements in the following areas of specialization: Advanced Manufacturing; Combustion; Design; Dynamics and Controls; Energy Conversion; Fluid Dynamics; Heat Transfer; Mechanics and Materials; Quantitative Medical Engineering; Solid and Structural Mechanics. Core requirements and elective requirements are defined for each area of specialization. Information on the current approved courses that comprise these core and elective requirements is available from the department website ame.usc.edu. 

Note: Applications for this degree are not currently being accepted.

The program prepares students for professional careers in the nuclear power industry. The program also provides the necessary background for pursuing higher degrees, Engineer and PhD. Admission requirements follow the general admission rules for Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering graduate programs. For admission requirements, refer to Viterbi Graduate Degrees and Requirements at USC Viterbi School of Engineering. The program requires completion of a minimum of 27 units, with at least 18 units at the 500 level, and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for graduation. Students will be given advisement in the first semester of their study. A minimum of 15 units must be 500-level courses in major department. Four of the required units must be in one of the three engineering analysis offerings (AME 525, AME 526 or AME 540).

In addition to engineering analysis, students are required to take five core courses covering advanced engineering mathematics, nuclear thermal-hydraulics, nuclear reactor physics, nuclear physics relevant to human health, and nuclear safety and security. Elective courses can be chosen in areas of specific interest to the student. Information on the current approved courses that comprise these core and elective requirements is available from the department Website ame.usc.edu.

The PhD in Mechanical Engineering is awarded in strict conformity with the general requirements of the USC Graduate School. See general requirements for graduate degrees. The degree requires a concentrated program of study, research, and a dissertation. Each student wishing to undertake a doctoral program must first be admitted to the program and then take the screening examination. This examination will emphasize comprehension of fundamental material in the graduate course work. Further guidance concerning admission, the screening exam, and the full completion of courses, including those given outside the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, can be obtained from the AME student adviser and program coordinators.

The program prepares students who have backgrounds in mechanical engineering and related fields with the skills necessary to apply the essential principles of mechanical engineering to address medical issues pertinent to clinicians. It also aims to tackle the unique problems posed by space medicine, which demands engineers to not only be adept in aerospace and mechanical engineering but also capable of applying their knowledge to biological systems and medical challenges. This program is crucial not just to meet the growing needs of the industry but also to advance improvements in healthcare by combining mechanical engineering and transport principles, mathematical models, and medical knowledge.

Admission requirements follow the general admission rules for Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering graduate programs. For admission requirements, refer to Viterbi Graduate Degrees and Requirements at USC Viterbi School of Engineering. The program requires completion of a minimum of 28 units, with at least 24 units at the 500 level, and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 for graduation. Students will be given advisement in the first semester of their study. Four of the required units must be in Engineering Analysis (AME 525).

In addition to engineering analysis, students are required to take two quantitative, three medical, and one general AME-centered electives. Information on the current approved courses that comprise these core disciplines and elective requirements is available from the department website at ame.usc.edu.

JD students must complete at least 21 units of media and entertainment related classes to receive this certificate. JD students must submit their applications for this certificate program after completing the first year of law school. JD students complete the certificate requirements during their second and third years of law school, and courses may count both toward the JD degree and the certificate.

LLM, MSL and MDR students must complete at least 12 units of media and entertainment related classes to receive this certificate. LLM, MSL and MDR students complete the certificate requirements during the year they are taking their degree course work, and courses may count both toward the degree and the certificate.

All students are required to take both mandatory entertainment law courses (such as intellectual property) and a selection of elective entertainment law courses (such as copyright, legal issues in music and sports law).