W.V.T. RUSCH UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING HONORS PROGRAM

Enrichment Beyond Curriculum

The W.V.T. Rusch Undergraduate Engineering Honors Program (EHP) is designed to enrich the academic experience of highly motivated and talented Viterbi undergraduate students. EHP students will have the opportunity to enhance their engineering curriculum through the completion of a significant self-directed honors project in the form of either a thesis project (Research Track) or commercialization plan (Innovation Track). The vision of the Engineering Honors Program is to enhance the competitiveness of students for post-graduate opportunities. Program goals include:

Developing of a deeper understanding of the research and innovation process.
Fostering a scholarly community among Viterbi students.
Preparing students to pursue top-tier graduate programs or industry opportunities upon graduation.

Program Components

Research or Innovation Track Curriculum including Honors Colloquium and WRIT 340 Focus Section.
Honors Project either as an undergraduate Bachelor's thesis (Research track) or commercialization plan (Innovation track)
Special Events including weekly Colloquium speaker series and senior graduation celebration
Honors Designation on final transcript, upon graduation and successful completion of program

Program Tracks

Each student in the program must choose one of two tracks:

Innovation Track

The Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship (TIE) track of the Honors curriculum is focused on the identification of opportunities for new technologies and alignment of technology and innovation strategies. We operate under the philosophy that innovation is fundamentally a mindset; and therefore, it is applied as the structure underlying technical content.

Students who pursue the Innovation Track will:

Identify and evaluate technological innovations for viability and impact
Communicate effectively the value of technologies to non-engineers
Gain experience to pursue leadership roles at major technology companies or start their own entrepreneurial ventures

Course Plan:

ENGR 100 A/B: Honors Colloquium (1 unit each)
WRIT 340: Writing and Disciplinary Grand Challenges (4 units)
ENGR 494: Tech Development and Commercialization (2 units)
Engineering Honors Project [Commercialization Plan] (0-2 units)

Research Track

While academic coursework is focused on training students in the fundamental knowledge of engineering, research tackles the unknown problems and challenges facing society today. As such, the Research Track will complement rigorous academic coursework. Through immersion in a lab environment and interacting with graduate students and a faculty mentor, students will develop a professional network, while learning about the application of the scientific method and designing experiments.

Students who pursue the Research Track will:

Actively participate in scientific inquiry and the research process
Identify, approach and solve technical challenges
Present and explain research findings
Gain experience to apply for top-tier PhD programs

Course Plan

ENGR 100 A/B: Honors Colloquium (1 unit each)
WRIT 340: Writing and Disciplinary Grand Challenges (4 units)
Engineering Honors Project [Bachelor's Thesis] (0-2 units)

Curriculum Requirements

The Honors Colloquium is a two-semester seminar series that provides students with the opportunity to attend weekly lectures and network with academic and industry leaders in the field of engineering. The Honors Colloquium will introduce students to a broad range of current events and recent developments in our highly technological society. Course modules include: Tools for research, executing your own project, Communicating for impact, Leadership and teamwork, and resources for Professional / career development.

Students admitted to EHP must start their curriculum with ENGR 100A. Students should then take ENGR 100A and ENGR 100B in consecutive order over two semesters and receive course credit for both sections. It is very important that you do not register for the same course twice (for example, taking ENGR 100A for two semesters), because you will not be granted the unit value of the course the second time you take it. If you are unsure of which semesters of ENGR 100 you have already completed, please view your completed course summary or STARS report on OASIS.

For D-Clearance request, email viterbi.studentservices@usc.edu

This honors section of WRIT 340 is designed to provide students with the writing and communication skills needed to undertake an in-depth project (thesis, commercialization plan, lab-based research, etc.) within their discipline. Sustained research on a single topic will culminate at the end of the semester in a Research Proposal, a Commercialization Opportunity Plan, or another form of extended research-based writing intended to serve as the foundation of a senior project.

Course Substitution: Students may substitute this requirement with any section of WRIT 340 or Thematic Option requirements.

For D-Clearance request, email Suad Aziz at suadaziz@usc.edu

This course is required for students pursuing the Innovation Track. This course offers an introduction to the theory and practice of technology development and commercialization with an emphasis on how new technologies are formed and implemented into society.

Course Substitution: Students may substitute this requirement if they have taken a similar course related to commercialization, product design, or innovation. Substitution is granted on a case-by-case basis and must be approved in advance by the EHP Program Director.

For D-Clearance or course substitution requests, email viterbi.studentservices@usc.edu

The EHP experience will culminate in a self-directed Engineering Honors Project in the form of either a Bachelor's Thesis (for Research Track students) or a Commercialization Plan (for Innovation Track students).

The honors project is typically completed during senior year over the course of two semesters. Students must identify a faculty mentor who will serve as their thesis advisor / project advisor and meet with them on a frequent basis while completing the project. Students must solidify their project topic and advisor no later than Week 3 of their final semester at USC.

All graduating seniors must submit their honors projects by the first day of finals week (during their graduating semester) and must receive approval by project advisors and the EHP Program Director.

While completing the honors project, students have the option to receive course credit by enrolling in ENGR 400 A/B, or via a department directed research 490 course. To request D-Clearance ENGR 400 A/B, email viterbi.studentservices@usc.edu

Admission Requirements

Student must have at least 3 semesters remaining at USC (not counting the semester of application) to allow enough time for program completion.

Student must have a minimum 3.50 in both cumulative and major USC GPAs at the time of application. Students must also maintain the 3.50 minimum GPA upon completion of the program to receive the honors designation.

In the application, you must explain your motivation for pursuing the Engineering Honors Program, including your reason for choosing either the Research or Innovation Track. You should also explain how the EHP experience will enrich your long-term personal, academic and professional goals.

Application Timeline

Freshmen & Sophomores

Students with more than 3 semesters remaining at USC

Student with more than 3 semesters remaining at USC may apply for EHP during their second or fourth semester at USC (e.g. spring semester of freshman or sophomore year).

Application Opens
Monday, January 8, 2024

Application Deadline
Friday, February 9, 2024 at 11:59 PM (PST)

APPLY HEREfor students with 3+ semesters remaining

Applicants will receive admission decisions before spring break. Admitted students are encouraged to enroll in ENGR 100A for the following fall semester.

Juniors & Transfers

Students with 3 semesters remaining at USC

Students with 3 semesters remaining at USC must apply for EHP during fall semester of junior year. This includes incoming transfer students who are junior standing and expect to graduate within 2 years.

Application Opens
Wednesday, November 1, 2023

Application Deadline
Friday, December 1, 2023 at 11:59 PM (PST)

APPLY HEREfor students with 3 semesters remaining

Applicants will receive admission decisions before winter break. Admitted students must enroll in ENGR 100A for the following spring semester.

EHP Info Session

Friday, November 10, 2023 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM

This general info session is for all Viterbi undergraduate students interested in applying for the W.V.T. Rusch Undergraduate Engineering Honors Program (EHP). Learn about the program structure, expectation, and application process.

View Recording

FAQ

When you apply for EHP, you will be asked to declare either the Research or Innovation Track. However, it is very easy for you to change your track while you are completing your curriculum requirements. We encourage you to meet with the EHP Program Director and faculty mentors to discuss which track will be the best fit for you based on your interests and goals. Requests for track changes must be approved by EHP faculty or staff.

W.V.T. RUSCH UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING HONORS PROGRAM

Enrichment Beyond Curriculum

Program Components

Program Tracks

Innovation Track

Research Track

Curriculum Requirements

Admission Requirements

Application Timeline

Freshmen & Sophomores

Students with more than 3 semesters remaining at USC

Juniors & Transfers

Students with 3 semesters remaining at USC

EHP Info Session

Friday, November 10, 2023 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM

FAQ

Academic Resources

Co-Curricular Opportunities

Career Connections

Graduate School

Student Involvement

Diversity

Scholarships