Academics

The following degree programs are described in detail in the USC Catalogue.

The AME Department offers degree programs leading to the Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees in Aerospace Engineering and in Mechanical Engineering. The undergraduate programs are accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org.

Requirements

B.S. in Aerospace Engineering (BSAE)

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (BSME)

Educational Mission

The degree programs of the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering provide the educational foundation for success in all walks of life whether or not one's career path includes employment as a professional engineer, work in a field outside of engineering, or pursuit of further education.

Program Educational Objectives

Graduates of the undergraduate programs in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering are expected to attain the following objectives within a few years after graduation:

• Work as professionals within engineering or a related area in both small- and large-scale businesses; and/or
• Pursue further education through graduate school or professional development courses; and/or
• Become leaders within their chosen profession whether it be industry, academia, or service.

Student Outcomes

Upon completion of either the BSAE or the BSME programs, students will have acquired:

1) an ability to identify, formulate, and solve complex engineering problems by applying principles of engineering, science, and mathematics;
2) an ability to apply engineering design to produce solutions that meet specified needs with consideration of public health, safety, and welfare, as well as global, cultural, social, environmental, and economic factors;
3) an ability to communicate effectively with a range of audiences;
4) an ability to recognize ethical and professional responsibilities in engineering situations and make informed judgments, which must consider the impact of engineering solutions in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts;
5) an ability to function effectively on a team whose members together provide leadership, create a collaborative and inclusive environment, establish goals, plan tasks, and meet objectives;
6) an ability to develop and conduct appropriate experimentation, analyze and interpret data, and use engineering judgment to draw conclusions; and
7) an ability to acquire and apply new knowledge as needed, using appropriate learning strategies.

The Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programs are offered at the graduate level.

Requirements

Master of Science (M.S.) Degrees:

• M.S. in Aerospace Engineering (MSAE) - [DEN]
• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (MSME) - [DEN]
• M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (MSME): Energy Conversion - [DEN]
• M.S. in Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering (MSAME): Computational Fluid & Solid Mechanics - [DEN]
• M.S. in Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering (MSAME): Dynamics and Control - [DEN]
• M.S. in Product Development Engineering - [DEN]
• Dual Degree with Engineering Management:
  For additional information on these degrees, contact the AME graduate advisor at amegrad@usc.edu.
  • MSAE / M.S. in Engineering Management - [DEN]
  • MSME / M.S. in Engineering Management - [DEN]

Doctoral Degrees (Ph.D.):

• See general requirements for graduate degrees.
  • Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering
  • Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering

Student Outcomes

The Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering programs prepare the student to practice engineering at an advanced level in a specialization within aerospace or mechanical engineering and to recognize the benefit of solving problems using expertise from other engineering disciplines. Students improve their skills in setting up and solving problems by using contemporary tools and leveraging interaction with peers.

The Master of Science degree programs in the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering are designed to satisfy the following learning objectives:

• to provide breadth of knowledge to further an awareness of the interdisciplinary nature of aerospace & mechanical engineering;
• to provide depth of knowledge in a particular field of study;
• to further develop the ability to formulate problems, to synthesize and integrate information, to work collaboratively, and to communicate effectively;
• to educate students in methods of advanced analysis and the use of tools appropriate to an increasingly complex field;
• to prepare students for successful careers regardless of the path they follow.

Earn your master's degree entirely online!

Through DEN@Viterbi you may earn some degrees offered by AME entirely online. Degrees for which this is possible are marked with "[DEN]"

Course Deficiencies

If your academic background is not in Aerospace or Mechanical Engineering, you may want to check the expected course preparation for the various AME MS degree programs.