Viterbi School Information for Recently Admitted Graduate Students
Viterbi School Resources for Graduate Students
Current Student Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get advisement?
Undergraduate students are required to seek advisement prior to obtaining D-clearances. Students can receive advisement by going to the ISE Student Services Office, GER 247. Students should review their STARS reports prior to seeking advisement. STARS reports are available on OASIS. Graduate students must seek advisement from a faculty advisor. Faculty advisors assigned by major and last name (if the student is in the MSISE program). Faculty advisors are required to approve a plan of study for the student. New graduate students will have undergraduate prerequisites reviewed and may be required to take remedial courses prior to enrolling in graduate courses. Student should make appointments with their advisor well in advance of their registration appointment time. Students can make appointments by calling the ISE Department at (213)740-4893 or emailing isedept@usc.edu
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Who is my assigned advisor?
Undergraduate are assigned to Evelyn Felina, who is available at GER 243. You may also talk to departmental faculty if you would like additional advice on career paths and electives. Graduate students are assigned to faculty advisor based on their major. Students are strongly encouraged to see their faculty advisor each semester, and must see their advisor for approval of electives, pre-requisite courses, or any deviation from program requirements. Go to GER 247 to obtain your advisor assignment. Students may contact advisors at (213)740-4893 or or email isedept@usc.edu
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How do I remove a departmental condition of admission?
During the first semester at USC, a departmental condition of admission will not prevent the student from registering. Unless specified, the student is expected to meet the condition within the first semester. If the student cannot meet the condition, the ISE Graduate Committee will review the student's records to determine continuance in the program.
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What does it mean if I was conditionally admitted, based on pre-requisites?
Based on our initial review, you have not satisfied the program pre-requisites listed in the graduate student handbook. Upon your arrival at USC, we will make a more thorough review to determine which, if any, pre-requisite courses you will need to take at USC as part of your degree program. While these pre-requisites may reduce your flexibility when choosing electives, they usually do not require a longer then normal program. Pre-requisites are most stringent for the MS in Industrial and Systems Engineering. If you do not have an undergraduate degree in this area, you may want consider another major, such as the Master's in Engineering Management or the Master's in Operations Research Engineering, both of which have fewer pre-requisites. Students wishing to change majors can usually be accommodated.
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What does it mean if I was conditionally admitted, based on a grade of 'B' in each course?
In the admissions process, we determined that your undergraduate GPA or GRE scores are below the department's minimum standards. Because you otherwise show promise, you have been admitted to the program. However, admission is conditioned to your performance in the first 6 units completed at USC in your first semester. If, for some reason, you are unable to attain a GPA in excess of 3.0 in the first 6 units the department will consider remedies, which may include discontinuation from the program. However, discontinuation has been rarely used in the past.
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What do I do if the registration system doesn't allow me to enroll in classes?
A registration hold or restriction will prevent a student from enrolling in classes. Registration holds may be issued by various departments on campus, such as the American Language Institute (ALI), Office of Collections, or Admissions. You may check for any restrictions by going to OASIS. The student will need to contact the department from which the restriction was issued to resolve the hold or restriction.
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What are D-Clearance and prerequisite waivers?
D-Clearance is departmental clearance. If a course has a "D" designated after the 5-digit class number (such as 35100D), d-clearance is required prior to registration. Students request d-clearance for such courses online. The clearance will allow the student to register. Prerequisite waivers are required if a student does not have the course prerequisite on his USC records. Prerequisite waivers, similarly to d-clearances, must be enter by the Department. Students request prerequisite waivers as part of the d-clearance. If the prerequisite waiver is not entered into the system, the student will not be able to register for the course.
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How do I change my major?
Undeclared undergraduate students must go to the School of Engineering Student Affairs Office, RTH 110, for advisement. Students already in a major should obtain a "Change/Addition of Major, Minor, or Degree Objective Form from RTH 110 or the SAS Lobby, and seek advisement from the prospective major department. If the student is admissible to transfer, the form can be approved by the prospective department. All international students regardless of major and admitted graduate students not in ISE must submit a Graduate Application to change majors. Applications are available at the department or online. Graduate students already in a major within ISE can submit the "Change/Addition of Major, Minor or Degree Objective" form directly to the department. The ISE Graduate Committee will review the student's request to change major as if he/she is reapplying to the department.
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As an on-campus student, can I register for DEN courses?
No. Only students living near USC Satellite Centers are eligible to take DEN courses. If you have any questions, please contact DEN by phone at (213)740-4488 or by email at mharry@usc.edu
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What do I do when I am close to graduating?
Undergraduate students will receive a Degree Deficiency Summary Report in the mail. Students should compare the information on the Deficiency Summary Report with a current STARS report. Both of these reports are available on OASIS. Graduate students are expected to complete an Application for Master's Degree. This form and its instructions are available at the School of Engineering Graduate Affairs Office, OHE 332, (213) 740-6241, or online. Please submit the Application for Master's Degree the semester prior to expected graduation.
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