Viterbi School of Engineering (VSE) at the University of Southern California (USC) claims that the world currently requires professionals who not only grasp the intricacies of computational advancements but also apply them across diverse fields like Chemistry, Manufacturing and Healthcare. Technology education encompasses various engineering disciplines such as electrical and computer engineering, consequently, no profession remains untouched by these technological developments, necessitating a concerted effort to train individuals accordingly, Yannis Yortsos, dean, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, told FE Education. “As part of this endeavour, our university has launched a new initiative called the Frontiers of Computing, aimed at establishing the School of Advanced Computing within the School of Engineering. This acknowledges the transformative impact of technology on our educational curriculum and industry landscapes, marking a transition into the future,” he said.
The University claims to operate about 22 professional schools, covering a spectrum from engineering and medicine to pharmacy and law. The university asserts that its student body across all schools totals approximately 45,000, encompassing both undergraduate and postgraduate students. This student population is supported by a faculty comprising roughly 3,000 members. Interestingly, the School of Engineering has a total enrollment of 10,000 students, with 3,000 (30%) hailing from India. “In the engineering field, especially at USC, the demand for computer science skills is skyrocketing. Whether it’s AI, machine learning or any other cutting-edge topic related to data science, the reliance on computing has made nearly every aspect of engineering increasingly quantitative,” he said.
VSE further claims to have many partnerships and Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Indian institutions such as BITS Pilani, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IIT Hyderabad).
Furthermore, Viterbi School of Engineering claims to offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes such as Mechanical Engineering, Chemical and Aerospace Engineering. Additionally, it also claims to offer Computer Science and Computer Engineering courses. The typical duration of an undergraduate programme is four years, if a student opts for a master’s degree, it adds another two, possibly one and a half, years. “However, the duration of a PhD programme varies depending on factors like programme quality, difficulty and advisor, but it typically lasts around five years for foundational studies,” Yortsos said.
The quality of the academic environment and the calibre of peers you interact with significantly influence your growth and success. Being surrounded by intelligent and capable individuals played a pivotal role. Therefore, being part of an ecosystem where you’re exposed to talented and diverse individuals. Such environments challenge, stimulate, and encourage you to think differently, ultimately shaping your unique identity, he said while responding to a query regarding how overseas education can contribute to the students who want to build a career in technology.