Overview
The Strength and Status of a Top-Tier University Is Reflected in USC's Leading-Edge Computer Science Department
However it is measured or ranked, the University of Southern California (USC) is one of the world's foremost private research universities, and the Department of Computer Science continues to make many important contributions to that sterling reputation. USC welcomes the best and brightest from around the world by enrolling more international students than any other university in the country. The school's vibrant, diverse, and engaged academic culture encourages all stakeholders - staff, faculty, students, alumni, and friends - to pursue their dreams through hard work, passionate commitment, and a desire to do some good in the world.
The Computer Science Department at USC (CS@USC) strongly emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach, bringing the techniques and tools of computing to a wide range of other disciplines. This is one important way in which CS@USC enriches and expands the definition, and the scope, of "computer science research." The Department is involved in numerous joint projects with faculty members in many diverse disciplines. There are many research centers and institutes with state-of-the-art equipment and labs. The interdisciplinary strength is further enhanced by joint projects with professors in the School of Business, the School of Medicine, the Geography Department, and many others.
Master's and Ph.D. Degree Programs in Computer Science at USC Run the Gamut from Security to Games
The Computer Science Department offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. The department also has M.S. degrees with various specializations: computer networks, software engineering, computer security, high-performance scientific computing, multimedia and creative technologies, intelligent robotics, computer security, games development, and human language technology. All of these M.S. degrees require completion of 27 units of course work and a minimum GPA of 3.0, except for the M.S. in games development, which requires 33 units. No thesis is required for the M.S. degree, and full- or part-time study is available. Three semesters is the expected time for completion of an M.S. program for a full-time student with the appropriate qualifying background.
The doctoral program in computer science requires 60 units of coursework with a minimum GPA of 3.5, along with a minimum of 4 units of dissertation research. Approximately one year into the Ph.D. program, students must successfully complete a screening process then pass their qualifying examinations for candidacy. Completing their dissertation later earns them their Ph.D.
A Talented Roster of Computer Science Faculty Members Train, Guide, and Mentor Their Students
All computer science faculty members personalize their mentoring methods, although a common approach is to meet with each student individually at least weekly. Lab meetings are held perhaps every other week. Some teachers turn these meetings into potluck meals, with cooking chores assigned on a rotating basis. In addition, in most situations, students also present papers just as if they are attending a conference, and they benefit tremendously from the resulting critiques and constructive criticism that often spark new ideas and directions for inquiry. Students also get practice at writing grant proposals and other types of academic and professional papers early in their graduate school tenure. They go on to present their own work at conferences, while also mentoring undergrads and master's students as a portion of their Ph.D. work.
Tuition and Other Costs Can Be Offset by Financial Aid in the Form of Fellowships, Scholarships, and Stipends
There are a number of teaching and research assistantships available for qualified Ph.D. students. These awards can offset the cost of up to 12 units of tuition each semester, and for a summer program, while also providing a school-year (nine-month) stipend of between $1050 and $2100 per month (2009-10). Because the Graduate School itself also awards various fellowships and scholarships, interested individuals are advised to also contact the Graduate School directly. Information on the many other types of state and federal student aid programs are available in the Financial Aid Office.
Southern California Has Everything an Outdoors Lover Could Want, from Surfing and Boating to Skiing and More
It used to be a commonplace observation about USC that it was "just five minutes" from the center of Los Angeles, but with the continuing growth of the country's most populous county and second-most populous city, the "center" is sometimes hard to locate. Be that as it may, the University can be found on a large, secluded, landscaped campus with a quiet academic atmosphere, surrounded by the culturally inclusive, vibrant lifestyle of Southern California. Students are within minutes of the ocean for surfing and swimming. The inland San Gabriel Mountains and the Angeles National Forest offer hiking, camping, and general outdoors adventure. A short jaunt to the San Bernardino Mountains puts students in the vicinity of Lake Arrowhead and Crestline for snowboarding and skiing. All in all, the West Coast is a treasure-filled landscape, from the mountains to the sea.
