USC School of 
Engineering
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Minor in Interactive Multimedia

A minor in interactive multimedia is open to undergraduate students in all majors. This minor provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to apply and develop interactive multimedia tools within a variety of industries. Although this program is geared towards the non-technical student, computer literacy is a key component to being successful in this program.

Students must apply to the program through the School of Engineering, and approval of the student’s advisor will be required on the application form. Students are required to complete a minimum of 19 units of course work consisting of both core requirements and elective courses.

Successful completion of the interactive multimedia minor requires a minimum of a 2.0 GPA in the following courses.

Core Courses Units

ITP 105* Introduction to Computer Technologies and
Applications
2
ITP 210 Multimedia Applications for Windows 2
EE 320 Digital Media Basics for Multimedia 3
CTPR 309 Introduction to Interactive Media 4
JOUR 412 Introduction to Online Publishing 4
____
13-15

*May be waived based on demonstrated computer literacy.

Students will choose two elective courses from the following list (6-8 units):

Cinema-TV

CNTV 483 Interactive Entertainment and Multimedia 4
CTPR 488 Interactive Game Design 2

Engineering

EE 450 Introduction to Computer Networks 3
CSCI 351* Programming and Multimedia on the
World Wide Web
3

*Prerequisites waived if students are competent in programming.

Journalism

JOUR 411 Introduction to Computer-Assisted Reporting 4
JOUR 475 Publications Design and Technology 4

Fine Arts (Multimedia Design)

FA 302 Graphic Design for Fine Arts 4
FA 310 Matrix Lab: Introduction to Computer Imaging
in the Arts
4
FA 410 Matrix Lab: Topics in Computer Imaging
in the Arts
4
____
Total units required for completion of minor: 19-23 units


Minor in Multimedia and Creative Technologies

A minor in multimedia and creative technologies is available to undergraduate students majoring in electrical engineering, computer engineering/computer science and computer science and to other students who have sufficient background for the required courses and elective courses. This minor provides students with the skills necessary to compete in the multimedia industry.

Students must apply to the School of Engineering for the minor and departmental approval will be required. At least 16 units must be taken outside of the major department.

Required courses Units

ITP 210 Multimedia Applications for Windows, or
ITP 211 Multimedia Authoring 2
CTPR 405 Filmic Expression 4
CSCI 351 Programming and Multimedia on the
World Wide Web
3
EE 321 Introduction to Integrated Media Systems 3
____
12

Electives Units

EE 450 Introduction to Computer Networks, or
CSCI 480 Computer Graphics 3
at least one course from the following:
CTAN 452 Introduction to Computer Animation 2
CNTV 483 Interactive Entertainment and Multimedia 4
FA 310 Matrix Lab:
Introduction to Computer Imaging in the Arts
4
FA 410 Matrix Lab:
Topics in Computer Imaging in the Arts
4
MUEA 474abx Electronic Synthesizer Techniques 2-4, 2-4


Master of Science in Computer Science (Multimedia and Creative Technologies)

Students may earn a specialization in multimedia and creative technologies by completing the general requirements for the Master of Science in Computer Science and the following additional courses:

Every student must complete CSCI 576 Multimedia Title Development (3). Students must also complete at least two courses selected from one of the two specialization tracks: Graphics and Vision or Networks and Databases.

Graphics and Vision Track Units

CSCI 480 Computer Graphics 3
CSCI 482 Introduction to Geometric Modeling 3
CSCI 574 Computer Vision 3
CSCI 580 Image Synthesis 3
CSCI 582 Geometric Modeling 3
CSCI 674 Advanced Topics in Computer Vision 3
EE 569 Introduction to Digital Image Processing 3

Networks and Databases Track Units

CSCI 485 File and Database Management 3
CSCI 551 Computer Communications 3
CSCI 558L Internetwork and Distributed Systems Laboratory 3
CSCI 585* Database Systems 3
CSCI 586 Database Systems Interoperability 3
CSCI 694ab Topics in Computer Networks and
Distributed Systems
3-3
CSCI 695ab Seminar in Advanced Database Systems 1-4, 1-4
EE 450 Introduction to Computer Networks 3


Suggested Core and Elective Courses

Since this specialization is systems oriented, it is recommended (but not required) that students select CSCI 555 Advanced Operating Systems and EE 557 Computer Systems Architecture as two of their three core courses. Additional electives may be aken from the two tracks or from the partial list of suggestions below.

CSCI 561ab* Artificial Intelligence 3-3
CSCI 577ab* Software Engineering 4-4
CSCI 583 Computational Geometry 3
CSCI 588 Specification and Design of User Interface Software 3
CSCI 590 Directed Research max 6
EE 554 Real Time Computer Systems 3
EE 597 Microsystems Technology for Multimedia 3
ITP 411x Interactive Multimedia Production 3

*Also satisfies a core course requirement in the general requirements for the M.S. degree in Computer Science.


Master of Science in Integrated Media Systems

The Master of Science in Integrated Media Systems is an interdisciplinary degree offered by the Computer Science and Electrical Engineering Departments. It is available to students who satisfy the following admission requirements: (a) B.S. degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Electrical Engineering; or (b) a bachelor’s degree in another area of engineering or science or mathematics; however, the student must have the equivalent of USC course CSCI 455 and may be required to take additional prerequisite courses for entry into this program; (c) undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above; and (d) satisfactory general GRE scores of at least 400 verbal, 650 quantitative and 550 analytical.

Students can enter this program in fall or spring semesters, and it is available to full-time and part-time students.

Deficiency courses, e.g., CSCI 455, cannot be counted toward the 27 units and must be taken if needed.

1. The M.S. in Integrated Media Systems requires a minimum of 27 units. It is a course-work-based program, although students can choose to take up to six units of directed research.

2. ITP 411 Interactive Multimedia Production is a required course.

3. The field of integrated media systems has been broken into four areas of specialization: media processing and hardware design, graphics and visualization, interconnection networks, and multimedia information management. Each area has one 400- or 500-entry level course associated with it (noted by asterisk). The student must take two of the four entry level courses (only one from each area). The student must take the 400-level course, unless he or she already has had an equivalent course. If the student uses the 400-level course as the entry course, the 500-level course may be taken later in the program. The entry level courses will provide the student with some breadth across the field.

4. The remaining 18 units can only be taken from an approved list of IMS courses that will be updated annually.

5. The student must take two 3-unit area courses in both of the two areas of specialization within which the student has already taken the two entry-level courses. These courses must be from the approved list of courses. Doing this will provide the student with some depth as well as breadth. If the student takes the 400-level entry-level course to satisfy requirement (3), she or he may take the 500-level entry level course to satisfy requirement (5).

6. The remaining six units can be chosen by the student. Some possibilities are:

• Directed Research (3-6 units): useful for the student’s "portfolio."

• If the student has only taken 6 units of 400-level courses, she or he could take one of the other two entry-level courses and a 500-level course from that area of specialization. Doing this will provide the student with even greater breadth.

• Six more units either in one or from both areas of specialization, thereby gaining even greater depth.

• A mixture of directed research and six additional units in one or both areas of specialization.

7. A maximum of nine units can be taken at the 400-level.


Approved Courses for the M.S. in Integrated Media Systems (four areas of specialization)

Media Processing and Hardware Design

EE 469* Introduction to Digital Media Engineering 3
EE 519 Speech Recognition and Processing for Multimedia 3
EE 569* Introduction to Digital Image Processing 3
EE 577a VLSI System Design 3
EE 586L Advanced DSP Design Laboratory 4
EE 590 Directed Research 1-12
EE 596 Wavelets 3
EE 597 Microsystems Technology for Multimedia 3
EE 599 Special Topics:
Digital System Design:
Tools and Techniques,
or Immersive Audio
2-4, max 9
EE 669 Selected Topics in Digital Image Processing 3

Graphics and Visualization

CSCI 480* Computer Graphics 3
CSCI 482 Introduction to Geometric Modeling 3
CSCI 574 Computer Vision 3
CSCI 576 Multimedia Systems Design 3
CSCI 580* 3D Graphics and Rendering 3
CSCI 582 Geometric Modeling 3
CSCI 588 Specification and Design of User
Interface Software
3
CSCI 590 Directed Research 1-12
EE 569 Introduction to Digital Image Processing 3

Interconnection Networks

CSCI 402x Operating Systems 3
CSCI 551* Computer Communications 3
CSCI 558L Internetworking and Distributed Systems Laboratory 3
CSCI 590 Directed Research 1-12
EE 450* Introduction to Computer Networks 3
EE 555 Broadband Network Architectures 3
EE 590 Directed Research 1-12

Multimedia Information Management

CSCI 485* File and Database Management 3
CSCI 555 Advanced Operating Systems 3
CSCI 561ab Artificial Intelligence 3-3
CSCI 570 Analysis of Algorithms 3
CSCI 577ab Software Engineering 4-4
CSCI 585* Database Systems 3
CSCI 586 Database Systems Interoperability 3
CSCI 590 Directed Research 1-12

*Entry level course


Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (Multimedia and Creative Technologies)

Students may earn a specialization in multimedia and creative technologies by completing the general requirements for the Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and the following additional requirements:

(1) At most four units of electives can be taken outside of the School of Engineering with advisor approval. Some examples are CTAN 452 Introduction to Animation (2 units) and CNTV 483 Interactive Entertainment and Multimedia (4 units).

(2) Computer Science courses that are cross-listed with EE can (but do not have to) count toward the 18 EE units. Up to nine units of other CSCI courses that either are or are not cross-listed can also be used. Multimedia and creative technologies draws heavily on concepts and techniques from computer science.

(3) Students must include CSCI 576 Multimedia Systems Design (3 units) in their program.

(4) Students can only take courses from the list of approved courses, except that with advisor approval students may include in their program one multimedia-related EE 599 Special Topics course (2-4 units) or three units of electives not chosen from the approved list. Every course requires prior approval from the faculty advisor, recorded each semester on the plan of study form.

(5) Students may include a maximum of six units of EE 590 Directed Research in their programs. Before registering for these units, the faculty advisor must approve a written description of the intended multimedia research project signed by the faculty member who will supervise the student.

(6) Students entering this program are expected to have already completed either at USC or at another institution formal course work equivalent to USC course EE 441 Applied Linear Algebra for Engineering. This course can be waived if a student can demonstrate equivalent knowledge of the material and if the course instructor will certify it.

(7) C programming is extensively used so all students must be proficient in it. Otherwise CSCI/EE 455x must be taken.


Approved Courses for the Multimedia Specialization

Course in Biomedical Engineering

BME 527 Introduction to Technology and Telemedicine 4

Courses in Electrical Engineering Units

EE 450 Introduction to Computer Networks 3
EE 464 Probability Theory for Engineers 3
EE 469 Introduction to Digital Media Engineering 3
EE 483 Introduction to Digital Signal Processing 3
EE 500 Neural and Fuzzy Systems 3
EE 519 Speech Recognition and Processing for Multimedia 3
EE 549 Queueing Theory for Performance Modeling 3
EE 550 Design and Analysis of Computer
Communication Networks
3
EE 555 Broadband Network Architectures 3
EE 562a Random Processes in Engineering 3
EE 569 Introduction to Digital Image Processing 3
EE 577a VLSI System Design 3
EE 583 Adaptive Signal Processing 3
EE 586L Advanced DSP Design Laboratory 4
EE 590 Directed Research 1-6
EE 596 Wavelets 3
EE 597 Microsystems Technology for Multimedia Applications 3
EE 669 Selected Topics in Image Processing 3

Courses in Computer Science Units

CSCI 455x Introduction to Programming Systems Design 4
CSCI 480 Computer Graphics 3
CSCI 482 Introduction to Geometric Modeling 3
CSCI 485 File and Database Management 3
CSCI 551 Computer Communications 3
CSCI 555 Advanced Operating Systems 3
CSCI 558L Internetwork and Distributed Systems Laboratory 3
CSCI 561a Artificial Intelligence 3
CSCI 570 Analysis of Algorithms 3
CSCI 574 Computer Vision 3
CSCI 576 Multimedia Title Development 3
CSCI 577a Software Engineering 4
CSCI 580 Image Synthesis 3
CSCI 582 Geometric Modeling 3
CSCI 585 Database Systems 3
CSCI 586 Database Systems Interoperability 3
CSCI 588 Specification and Design of User Interface Software 3

Courses from the School of Cinema-Television Units

CTAN 452 Introduction to Computer Animation 2
CTPR 483 Interactive Entertainment and Multimedia 4

Course in Information Technology Units

ITP 411x Interactive Multimedia Production 3