Pre-Engineering

Admission Requirements for Non-Computer Science Majors

Non-Computer Science Majors 

Students must submit a Pre-Engineering Application (for non-CS intended majors) and are required to take at least three major related pre-engineering courses at USC for a letter grade in order to be reviewed. These pre-engineering courses vary by major. Please see the pre-engineering courses tab , for more information on critical major specific pre-engineering courses. 

Students interested in an Engineering Major (AME, ASTE, BME, CHE, CE, ECE, ENE, or ISE), must submit a Pre-Engineering Application. The Pre-Engineering Application for non-CS majors is open year round.

Keep in mind that students not yet in Viterbi are subjected to an engineering course cap of being able to take up to 4 engineering courses prior to admission for non-CS majors.

*PLEASE NOTE* that if you are accepted into Viterbi through an engineering major (AME, ASTE, BME, CHE, CE, ECE, ENE, or ISE) via the pre-engineering process, you CANNOT switch into a CS-related major (CSCI, CSBA, CECS, CSGA)

Top admission consideration is given to students who:   

• Take 14 to 18 units per semester 
• Have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA at USC
• Meet the B or better grade qualifiers for their pre-engineering courses
  • For non-CS engineering majors (AME, ASTE, BME, CE, CHE, ENE, or ISE), the three pre-engineering courses generally consist of an engineering course, science course, and MATH 126/129 or higher. The minimum grade qualifier is a B or higher.
  • Starting Fall 2024 for Incoming Students and New Pre-Engineering Students:
    •  For non-CS engineering major ECE, the two engineering courses consists of two EE courses, such as EE 105 & EE 155 or EE 141 & EE 155 (recommended EE coursework may vary per individual).
      • *Although it is not a pre-engineering requirement, it is strongly recommended ECE pre-engineering students enroll in pertinent math and science courses as to not fall behind on the ECE curriculum* 
  • For Current Pre-Engineering Students who Applied Before Fall 2024 :
    • For non-CS engineering major ECE, the two engineering courses have changed to also consist of two EE courses, such as EE 141 and EE 155 (recommended EE coursework may vary per individual).
    • ECE pre-engineering students who have taken or are enrolled in two EE courses by Fall 2024 will automatically be eligible for admissions review by the end of the semester. 
  • Your entire USC academic history will be considered with a focus on Viterbi major-related courses taken at USC.

Admission Requirements for Intended Computer Science Majors

Computer Science (CS)-Related Pre-Engineering

*This track is only available to CSCI, CSBA, CECS & CSGA applicants who applied prior to Fall 2024.

All pre-engineering coursework must be completed at USC by the end of the Spring 2025 semester.

Please note students not yet in Viterbi are subjected to an engineering course cap of  5 engineering courses for CS majors prior to admission.

CS-related Pre-Engineering students must take a minimum of 3 pre-engineering courses. Below are the course requirements:

• Must complete CSCI 103 
• CSCI 170 
• One math course that is Calculus II or higher in residency

*If the Challenge Exam is passed or all math courses are transferred, then there will be another pre-engineering course(s) for the intended major recommended for review in replacement.

Top Consideration Admission Requirements: 

• Be enrolled in 14-18 units per semester
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher 
• Receive a grade of B+ or higher in CSCI courses and a B or higher in other pre-engineering courses

Pre-Computer Science (CS) Pathway

Starting from Fall 2024, applicants interested in one of the Computer Science majors below, will need to apply through the Pre-Computer Science Pathway.

• Computer Science (CSCI)
• Computer Science Business Administration (CSBA)
• Computer Engineering and Computer Science (CECS)
• Computer Science Games (CSGA)

Step 1: Fill out the Pre-CS Pathway Interest Form

***The Pre-CS Pathway Interested Form will re-open before the end of May 2025.***

The application link will be posted on this webpage once it becomes available.

Step 2: Eligibility for Selection into the Pre-CS Pathway After Completing the Interest Form

After the Pre-CS Pathway Interest Form closes, you will be contacted by Viterbi Admissions and Student Engagement (VASE) regarding your status in the Pre-CS Pathway.

In order to be eligible for selection into the Pre-CS Pathway via the Pre-CS Pathway Interest Form, you must meet the following requirements:

• Have no more than 70 overall units completed (USC + transfer/AP units);
  • Only Spring 2025 admits are exempted from this rule. Spring admits may only apply to the Pre-CS Pathway in their first semester at USC as that is the next immediate cycle applicable to them, where the unit exception holds.  Admit terms will be verified upon interest form submission.
• Proof of credit/enrollment in CSCI 102 - Fundamentals of Computation
  • Proof of credit for CSCI 102 includes, having passed the CSCI 102 Challenge Exam or scoring a 4 or 5 in AP Computer Science A. Transferred computer science courses and AP Computer Science Principles scores are not accepted for CSCI 102 credit.
  • If you are enrolling in CSCI 102, you must pass the course with a B or better.

Due to high demand for Computer Science majors, the number of eligible students selected to continue on the Pre-CS Pathway is subject to seat availability. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the number of available CS seats, then students will be placed in a randomized lottery to continue on the Pre-CS Pathway of taking CSCI 103 and CSCI 170. VASE will be emailing qualifying students who submitted the Pre-CS Interest Form on lottery details. 

Please note that although you may be eligible for the Pathway, it does not guarantee being selected to continue on the Pre-CS Pathway. Students who are not selected may be eligible to resubmit their interest form when the next year’s form is open as long as no more than 70 total completed units have been surpassed. 

Step 3: If You Are Selected for the Pre-CS Pathway

Students who are selected for the Pre-CS Pathway must meet the following criteria by the end of the Spring term of the academic year in which they were accepted into the Pre-CS Pathway to earn official admission into the CS Department:

• A grade of B or better in each of the following courses: CSCI 102, CSCI 103, and CSCI 170
• An overall GPA of 3.0+

*PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING*

*The Computer Science Department does not accept transfer coursework to waive or substitute USC Computer Science coursework. All required CSCI coursework for your intended CS major must be completed at USC, regardless of any previous coursework from external institutions. 

*If selected to the Pre-CS track, CSCI 103 and CSCI 170 must be taken at USC. CSCI 103 cannot be waived with a Challenge Exam.

*The Computer Science Department does offer the CSCI 102 Challenge Exam to potentially waive CSCI 102. For more information and to check your eligibility for the Challenge Exam(s), please visit the CS Challenege Exam website.

*Core computer science courses with a grade of C- or below must be repeated; these courses may only be retaken once. Keep in mind that having received a grade of C- or lower falls below the B or better grade qualifier for top admission consideration, so it is up to your discretion if you choose to continue in the Pathway.

*Changes in the Pre-CS track,  does not affect students who are currently in the pre-engineering track (e.g., submitted a CS Pre-Engineering application in Spring 2024 or earlier) and who are on track for review for a CS major.*

If you have any questions about the Pre-CS Pathway, please email us at viterbi.studentservices.edu.