The Master of Engineering program educates and trains multidisciplinary professionals in the use of computational techniques in the planning, design and management of engineering projects. The computer-aided engineering tools which are emphasized are modeling, simulation, visualization, optimization, artificial intelligence and advanced design, documentation, manufacturing and information management. The program provides the graduate with a credential which represents the completion of advanced training in a particular engineering application area, coupled with an intensive concentration in computational procedures appropriate for that application area. The focus of the program is on advanced engineering design involving aerospace, civil and mechanical engineering systems. The program includes substantial project work designed to provide a background in the application of CAE techniques in real world situations. This program is not oriented to the engineering of electrical or computer systems. The USC School of Engineering, through the Department of Electrical Engineering, offers various programs which focus on computer-aided engineering techniques related to electrical and computer engineering projects.

The minimum requirement for the Master of Computer-Aided Engineering is 30 units. The curriculum has three segments: computer-aided engineering core, the discipline specific core and the computational electives.

Fifteen units are required, including courses emphasizing graduate level mathematics, basic computer science principles, an introduction to simulation, an overview of computer-aided engineering techniques, and computer-aided engineering projects. The core involves the choice of two simulation courses — CE 529a, which involves finite element analysis and a structural orientation, and AE 535a, which involves a fluid mechanics orientation.

The Master of Engineering program involves major design project work in the computer-aided engineering overview course, CE 550, and in the computer-aided engineering project course. Students have a choice of project courses. CE 551 is a generic course incorporating structural, fluid and thermal projects. AE 535b focuses entirely on fluid mechanics projects. Some students may wish to pursue specialized projects not covered in either of these courses. They may complete a specialized project by taking the AE, CE, ME 590 directed research courses through an appropriate advisor.

Six units are required involving advanced graduate level engineering courses. These courses are designed to focus on fundamental theory rather than design or computational techniques. All courses are to be taken from the same basic discipline, selected by the student. The possible basic disciplines include structural and solid mechanics, fluid mechanics, thermal analysis and combustion, geomechanics, and other areas of applied mechanics. The student is provided with a list of the acceptable courses in each discipline. In general, these lists include courses from the Departments of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering.

Nine units are required involving advanced graduate level engineering courses which focus on computational procedures. The student is provided with lists of acceptable computational electives. These electives are designed to cover the computational areas of geometric modeling, simulation, visualization, optimization, artificial intelligence and advanced design, documentation, manufacturing and information management. The student is permitted to spread electives over multiple computational areas.

The Certificate in Computer-Aided Engineering provides students possessing a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, mechanical engineering or aerospace engineering, with a specialized education coveringthe use of computational techniques in the planninü and design of engineering projects. This program is closely related to the Masters of Engineering in Computer-Aided Engineering program. For a student pursuing a master’s degree in some other area, the certificate makes it possible to add, at a reasonable cost, a credential representing advanced training in computer-aided engineering.

The Certificate in Computer-Aided Engineering involves 12 units of course work.