DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Internationally recognized for strong academics and cutting-edge research, the University of Southern California (USC) is home to more than 40,000 students from more than 110 countries. Located in Los Angeles, a world-class center for arts, technology, and international trade; USC is among a small number of institutions on which the world depends for a steady stream of new knowledge and innovation. UNIVERSITY FIRSTS INCLUDE: First University-based Quantum Computing Center First and only Engineering Research Center for multimedia and Internet technologies awarded by the National Science Foundation First NIH Centers for Biomedical Simulations, Medical Ultrasonic Transducer Technology, Biomedical Informatics, and Genomics and Phenomics of Autism First all-in-one 3D printer (scan, print, copy and fax), developed through the Viterbi Startup Garage Early-Stage Technology Accelerator program
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USC: IN THE HEART OF LOS ANGELES
The University of Southern California, founded in 1880 in Los Angeles, provides a dynamic setting for students to explore a wide range of cultural and educational opportunities. This second largest metropolis in the United States is a hub of technological innovation and a global center for many industries including entertainment and electronic gaming; biomedical research and development; and aerospace and astronautics. Southern California’s moderate climate and varied landscape allows for yearround recreation including skiing, hiking, and surfing. Centrally located with close proximity to the ocean and beautiful beaches, the USC campus is within an hour’s drive to the desert and mountains. Los Angeles and the region also boast numerous venues for live music, theatre, art, and dance — there’s something for every student’s taste and budget. This ethnically diverse city also hosts an abundance of cuisines from around the world. As the heart of the entertainment industry, the world often turns to L.A. and Hollywood for the latest trends.
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VITERBI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING The Viterbi School of Engineering is one of the oldest and largest professional schools on the USC campus and consistently ranks among the top graduate engineering programs by U.S. News & World Report and the Academic Ranking of World Universities. Building on over a century of innovation in research and education — and energized by an underlying optimism that engineering delivers the promise of a better life — the Viterbi School continues to attract students and scholars from around the world.
INNOVATIVE FACULTY
MAJA MATARIĆ
PAUL RONNEY
MIKE GRUNTMAN
ELLIS MENG
CYRUS SHAHABI
ANDREA ARMANI
MURALI ANNAVARAM
KELLY SANDERS
USC Engineering began in 1905 4
Research centers & labs and a leader in federally-funded research
Faculty members elected to the National Academy of Engineering
and fulfilling the promise “ Aofdvancing engineering to empower society as the enabling discipline of our times — we call this Engineering+” — YANNIS YORTSOS, DEAN, VITERBI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
junior faculty recognized by MIT Technology Review as “the world’s 35 top innovators under 35” since 2009
Annual Research Expenditures
full-time faculty
29.5%
female graduate students
MILLION
70.5%
male graduate students
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AN EXCEPTIONAL COMMUNITY As a global leader in education and research, the University of Southern California is proud of its international reputation for excellence. The Viterbi School of Engineering is a diverse and welcoming community where students are encouraged to learn and grow from their peers and mentors. Graduate engineering students can take advantage of the wealth of resources available for an enriching student experience. The Viterbi Graduate Student Association (VGSA) promotes student interaction across engineering departments with various academic and social activities. To foster student innovation and entrepreneurship, the Viterbi Startup Garage offers hands-on workshops, world-class mentoring, and funding support. Viterbi School students have the opportunity to join over 45 student-run clubs and organizations including: Women in Computing, USC Rocket Lab, Minority Engineering Graduate Association, and Formula SAE Racing. As a student at USC, you will become part of the Trojan Family, a worldwide alumni network that provides a lifelong connection to the University and its partners. Trojan alumni can be found in all 50 U.S. states and virtually every region of the world. The Viterbi School’s community is comprised of talented and dynamic individuals. Students and faculty members with a broad range of experiences, interests, and ethnic backgrounds are a critical component to the rich learning environment at USC.
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AEROSPACE & MECHANICAL ENGINEERING Three major strategic themes guide the direction and enrich the contents of education and research programs: Biodynamical Systems, Energy Engineering, and Exploration Technologies RESEARCH AREAS
Computational Engineering and Information Technology Combustion and Heat Transfer Design and Manufacturing Dynamical Systems and Controls Fluid Mechanics High-Performance Advanced Materials Microgravity Studies Multi-Phase Flows Solid and Applied Mechanics
ASTRONAUTICAL ENGINEERING Focused, intellectually fit, and blending science and engineering fundamentals with specialized astronautics knowledge, graduates are well prepared to join the space industry and government space research and development centers RESEARCH AREAS
Advanced Spacecraft Propulsion Astronautics Atomic and Molecular Interactions Hypersonic and Supersonic Flows Kinetic Theory of Gases and Plasmas Micropropulsion Devices Monte-Carlo Simulations Nanosatellite Applications Non-Equilibrium in High-Temperature Gases Plasma and Material Processing Heliosphere and Planetary Magnetospheres Space Plasmas Space Exploration and Space Instrumentation Spacecraft Technologies Statistical Physics Transport in Particles and Radiation
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BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING Ranked in the top tier of all U.S. Biomedical Engineering departments in terms of research funding per faculty and hosts six internationally recognized research centers RESEARCH AREAS
Neural Engineering and Computation Biosignals & Biosystems Engineering Medical Devices Biomedical Imaging Systems Cellular-Molecular Bioengineering Biomechanics Biomedical Microelectromechanical Systems (BioMEMS)
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CHEMICAL & PETROLEUM ENGINEERING AND MATERIALS SCIENCE The Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science develops synergies between three disciplines to further the developments in energy production and delivery, nanotechnology, and chemical and biological processes RESEARCH AREAS
Engineering of Viruses, Proteins, and Membranes Smart Oilfield Technologies Materials for Optical Devices and Energy Ultrahigh Performance Computing and Simulation Composites, Polymers, and Films Systems and Synthetic Biology Reaction Engineering and Simulation Mechanical Behavior at the Nano and Micro Scale
CIVIL & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING
The Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering is educating professionals who will be responsible for creating a sustainable world by being planners, designers, constructors, and operators of the built and natural environment RESEARCH AREAS
Tsunami and Coastal Engineering Climate and Particulate Air Pollution Structural Control and Health Monitoring Construction IT and Human-Building Interaction Water Quality, Delivery and Access Optimization and Control of Networked Systems Probabilistic Modeling and Uncertainty Quantification Water, Energy and Environment
COMPUTER SCIENCE
A research and education leader in computation, information, and digital media, the department offers innovative environments for interdisciplinary study and collaboration
RESEARCH AREAS
Artificial Intelligence, Agents, Natural Language, and Vision Databases and Information Management Graphics, Games, and Multimedia Robotics, Brain Theory, and Computational Neuroscience Software Systems and Engineering Systems, Distributed Systems, and Communication Networks Theory and Computational Sciences
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ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING Among the Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical Engineering’s distinguished faculty are the inventors of the first high power laser, the error correction coding used in CDs, and the world’s most sophisticated face-recognition algorithm
RESEARCH AREAS
Communications and Networks Computer Engineering Control Systems Electromagnetics and Energy Conversion Integrated Circuits and Systems Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems and Nanotechnology Photonics and Quantum Electronics Plasma Quantum Information Processing Signal and Image Processing
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INDUSTRIAL & SYSTEMS ENGINEERING Faculty members work with the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, NASA, Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Office of Naval Research, the Center for Risk and Economic Analysis of Terrorism Events, the METRANS Transportation Center and private companies to stay at the forefront of innovation in analytics, informatics, and advanced manufacturing RESEARCH AREAS
Risk Modeling Energy Systems Decision Analysis Medical Informatics Stochastic Modeling Transportation Research Medical Decision Making Optimization Methodologies Production and Operations Management Nanomanufacturing and Nanoinformatics Rapid Automation Fabrication Technologies
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DOCTORAL PROGRAMS AT USC The Viterbi School aims to fully fund all candidates admitted to the Ph.D. program through assistantships and fellowships that cover tuition, a stipend, and health benefits. Most Ph.D. candidates at USC complete the degree program in an average of 5-6 years 60 course units are required for completion of the Ph.D. program
TYPICAL PH.D. PROGRAM TIMELINE AT USC*
(1 year before defense)
Ph.D. DISSERTATION AND DEFENSE * This information is provided as a general guideline, but the Ph.D. timeline may vary by academic discipline
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APPLICATION DEADLINE The Viterbi School aims to fully fund all candidates admitted for the Ph.D. program
GENERAL APPLICATION CRITERIA FOR DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
FALL DEADLINE
A bachelor’s degree or equivalent in engineering, math or hard science is required
for funding consideration
Demonstrated research experience
December 15
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and, if an international student, TOEFL or IELTS
Online application and $85 application fee
CONTACT US USC Viterbi School of Engineering 3650 McClintock Ave., OHE 106 Los Angeles, CA 90089-1455
Official academic transcripts
+1 213-740-4488 viterbi.gradprograms@usc.edu
gapp.usc.edu/connect
Letters of Recommendation and Statement of Purpose
Visit viterbi.usc.edu/PhD to review research areas and specific requirements for your program of interest
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USC VITERBI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING 3650 McClintock Ave., OHE 106 Los Angeles, California 90089-1455 +1 213-740-4488 viterbi.usc.edu/gapp viterbi.gradprograms@usc.edu