Why USC Viterbi?
Six Things That Make Our Engineering Experience Different
There are a ton of great engineering programs across the country, each offering rigorous academics, talented faculty, and opportunities to learn. So what makes the USC Viterbi experience different?
It starts with a simple idea: engineering isn’t just about learning technical skills, but it’s about learning how to solve meaningful problems. From your first semester, you’ll be encouraged to think creatively, collaborate with others, and explore how engineering connects with nearly every aspect of society.
Here are six ways USC Viterbi approaches engineering differently.
1. You begin engineering on day one.
You don’t have to wait until your sophomore or junior year to start learning about what you came here to study. At USC Viterbi, you’ll take engineering, computer science, or artificial intelligence courses immediately in your first semester while building a strong foundation in math and science.
You will enroll in your Introduction to Engineering/CS/AI course within your chosen discipline, giving you an early look at the field you’re pursuing while helping develop the academic and professional skills needed for success. You’ll work on hands-on projects, collaborate with classmates, connect with faculty and peers, and begin developing the problem-solving mindset engineers use every day. Learning starts immediately because becoming an engineer starts immediately. Our Engineering First-Year Academy course complements the intro course by introducing our ethics-based Engineering in Society curriculum, AI tools & skillsets, as well as interdisciplinary engineering problem solving related to the Grand Challenges.
We encourage you to explore the curriculum for your academic interest to see the courses, experiences, and opportunities that await you.
2. Faculty teach every class.
All USC Viterbi classes are taught by faculty (not graduate students). The professors leading your classes are leaders in research, innovation, and mentorship. They are actively advancing work in areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics, healthcare, sustainability, and space exploration. Our professors bring emerging discoveries into the classroom while helping students connect what they’re learning to challenges beyond campus.
3. Your education should go beyond your major.
The future’s biggest challenges rarely fit into one discipline. Through our Engineering Plus philosophy, you can explore your interests across USC while earning your engineering degree. Some combine engineering with business or entrepreneurship. Some continue to pursue their passions in music, theatre, dance, or the arts. Others explore healthcare, design, philosophy, psychology, or public policy. We want you to build an education that reflects your interests and prepares you to solve complex problems from multiple perspectives.
4. Learning doesn’t stop when class ends.
Some of the most memorable engineering experiences happen outside the classroom. USC Viterbi’s design teams give students the opportunity to build rockets, race cars, autonomous vehicles, and other innovative projects alongside classmates who share their interests. Unlike many universities, the USC Viterbi Design Teams welcome students regardless of prior experience, creating opportunities to learn by doing from the very beginning. Students also become involved in professional organizations building leadership skills, expanding their networks, and finding a community within Viterbi.
5. Research begins earlier than you might expect.
Many students associate research with graduate school, but participating in real research as an undergraduate is an important part of the USC Viterbi experience. Whether you’re interested in artificial intelligence, biomedical engineering, robotics, sustainability, or aerospace, you’ll find opportunities to work alongside faculty and graduate students on projects that address real-world challenges. These experiences help students discover new interests while applying classroom learning in meaningful ways.
6. Los Angeles becomes part of your education.
Studying engineering, computer science, or artificial intelligence at USC means learning in one of the world’s most dynamic innovation hubs. Los Angeles (and the west coast at large) offers access to startups, established technology companies, healthcare organizations, entertainment studios, aerospace leaders, research institutions, and entrepreneurial communities. Through internships, industry partnerships, and professional experiences, students gain opportunities to connect what they’re learning in the classroom with the industries shaping the future.
More than an engineering degree
Hopefully you can see that choosing an engineering school is about more than selecting a major. It’s about finding a place where you’ll be challenged, supported, and inspired to grow. At USC Viterbi, you’ll learn from faculty who are leaders in their fields, explore interests beyond engineering through Engineering Plus, gain hands-on experience through research and design teams, and discover opportunities that extend far beyond the classroom.
It’s an education designed not only to prepare you for your first job, but to help you become the kind of engineer the future needs.
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