<p>I recently graduated with a Business Administration degree with a concentration in Decision Science/Operation Research. I want to apply for the USC Viterbi Engineer School- Industrial Engineering/Operations Research program but I'm positive that I do not have the prerequisite courses to apply since I'm not from an engineering background. I did a quick search and found the undergraduate prereqs for the engineer majors:</p>
<p>Math Requirement
MATH 125 Calculus I 4
MATH 126 Calculus II 4
MATH 225 Linear Algebra and Linear Differential Equations 4
MATH 226 Calculus III 4</p>
<p>Does anyone know any additional math courses I would need to take to fulfill the admission requirements? I'm also wondering if I can take these courses at a community college and use it on my transcript for admission. Thanks!</p>
<p>According to USC, you need an engineering degree and courses in computer science, probability/statistics and engineering economy. I think you face a VERY UPHILL BATTLE because of the following:</p>
<p>1) No undergraduate engineering degree. USC may be a stickler on this. Usually a graduate engineering program will allow only Math, Physics and Chemistry majors as the only non-engineering majors AND THAT’S only when space is available. On top of that, usually the school will say that on their website. USC doesn’t. Some schools (USC could be one of them) who won’t even consider non-engineering majors. U-Arkansas for one is that strict.</p>
<p>2) The math courses you mentioned plus the computer science, statistics and engineering economy courses means that is a LOT of pre-reqs to take. While you could take the Calculus sequence at a CC, Linear Algebra is risky because at some schools, that is a 300-level course. I would also think you need more computer science than what a business major would require.</p>
<p>3) I know you had some computing and statistics courses in your DS/OR program but more than likely, they were business statistics courses because engineering programs will want probability/statistics courses that have Calculus as a pre-req.</p>
<p>4) Most engineering economy courses are junior-level courses so no CC for that course.</p>
<p>If you did O.R. through a Math program or it’s own O.R. department then I would say give it a try but I think you will have a ton of pre-reqs.</p>
<p>Don’t forget about undergraduate engineering courses as well as the calculus based physics sequence as prerequisites. To be blunt, it will be extremely hard to try and jump into graduate level engineering courses with no engineering background. Coming from business, I think it would be very overwhelming. The majority of graduate students will have an undergrad in engineering and strong backgrounds in mathematics and computer science. This will be some fierce competition in classes.</p>
<p>If engineering is truly your goal, then go for it but be prepared to put in some serious effort and be aware that there will be many prerequisites that you will have to take.</p>
<p>Thanks for everyone’s insights, I know I will face a lot of prerequisite courses but I am really adamant about trying to get into this program.</p>
<p>To be more specific I actually have two concentrations, Corporate Finance and Decision Sciences and a minor in Information Systems. I was already looking at their requirements but they do not list any prerequisite courses since they are assuming their applicants to have engineering degrees.</p>
<p>no0bzilla- Did you go for the USC’s MS in Operations Research Engineering? What do you think of the course compared to I/S Engg? I want to apply for the former and want to know what you think of both courses in comparison to one another?
If anyone else has any insights on this, they are welcome to share them. Thanks!</p>