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FAQ (Transfer)Transfer Applicants

Building a Transfer Courseplan

By June 8, 2012June 11th, 20122 Comments

Summer is a great time to start planning out a long-term transfer plan.  If your goal is to transfer to USC for next year – fall 2013 – check out our course recommendations In general, the course plan below will help to prepare you for transfer into an engineering major at USC.

The USC Viterbi School of Engineering offers over 30 engineering majors and areas of emphasis course recommendations vary by major.

FALL 2012

MATH

Depending on your math placement level, take the equivalent of MATH 125 (Calculus I) or MATH 126 (Calculus II) or MATH 226 (Calculus III).If you have already completed the equivalent of MATH 226, please contact a Viterbi transfer admission counselor for additional math advisement.

SCIENCE

For students taking MATH 125 take Chemistry*: Take the equivalent of CHEM 105a (General Chemistry).
For students taking MATH 126, MATH 226 or a higher level: you may also take the equivalent to CHEM 105a but we recommend contacting a Viterbi Transfer Admission Counselor via  phone (213) 740-4530  or email  viterbi.admission@usc.edu for course recommendations.If you plan to pursue Computer Science (Games) please take C++ Programming
For students majoring in Computer Science or Industrial & Systems Engineering majors: at any level of math, have the option of taking a computer programming course (C++) instead of chemistry.

WRITING

Take your 1st English composition course.

GE COURSE

Take 1 course from Categories I, II, IV* or V.* Engineers may satisfy Category IV prior to transfer by taking an additional course from Category I or II

WINTER INTERCESSION (OPTIONAL)

If you choose to enroll in a course, other than a GE Course, during the winter intercession term please contact a Viterbi Transfer Admission Counselor for a course recommendation.

SPRING 2013

MATH

Take the 2nd course in your math sequence (see fall semester explanation).

ENGINEERING RELATED COURSE

This will vary by major.  Please contact a Viterbi transfer admission counselor for advisement.

WRITING

Take the equivalent of WRIT 130 (Writing & Critical Reasoning).

GE COURSE

Take 1 course from Categories I, II, IV* or V. * Engineers may satisfy Category IV prior to transfer by taking an additional course from Category I or II.

Find Transferable Courses at Your School

Need help figuring out your schedule?  Email us at viterbi.admission@usc.edu and include:
  • your name
  • intended engineering major
  • unofficial transcript of  coursework completed and in-progress (a screen shot is fine! this is just for advisement)
  • current institution(s)
Viterbi Admission

2 Comments

  • Al says:

    Some art and humanity courses that are acceptable for GE in Stanford, UC Berkley, or Cal states, are transferable to USC, but not count for GE. I don’t understand the difference.

  • You’re right, USC follows a distinct GE pattern so a course that transfers to one university may not transfer to USC for credit.

    If you attend a community college visit the USC Articulation Website (https://camel2.usc.edu/articagrmt/artic_hist_range.aspx). Courses which fulfill core requirements: general education and writing will be listed in “Part 1” of the agreement. Just focus on Part 1 when you’re trying to determine if a course will transfer to USC for GE Category I, II, IV or V.