The USC Viterbi School of Engineering and the USC School of Advanced Computing announced the launch of a new undergraduate degree program, the Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence (BSAI), a comprehensive and forward-looking degree that positions graduates to become leaders in one of the most transformative technologies of our time. This new degree reflects USC Viterbi’s enduring commitment to preparing students to participate in the AI revolution.
Designed collaboratively by three academic departments- the Thomas Lord Department of Computer Science, the Ming Hsieh Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, and the Daniel J. Epstein Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering—this new degree builds on USC’s long legacy in computing and leadership in AI education.
“While Artificial Intelligence permeates all our degree programs, we created this new, focused degree to meet the growing organization and industry demands for core AI graduates,” said Gaurav S. Sukhatme, Executive Vice Dean of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and inaugural Director of the USC School of Advanced Computing.
Students in the new BSAI degree will learn about the mathematical and statistical foundations that underpin AI, allowing them to understand and refine the performance of existing and future AI systems. They will also learn how to develop efficient AI algorithms, program new AI systems, and apply AI technology to other domains. They will be dextrous in both AI software and hardware and will have a grounding in evaluating the ethics of AI applications.
Available on the Common Application, the program’s first cohort will begin at USC’s University Park Campus in Fall 2026.
Enrolled students may choose one of three specialized tracks:
- Computing Foundations and Applications: Focused on developing and adapting AI algorithms (with courses centered on natural language processing, robotics, and computer vision).
- Computer Engineering, Signal Processing, and Controls: Emphasizing AI-enabled hardware design, signal processing, communications, and control systems.
- AI Systems and Operations Engineering: Preparing students to apply AI in large-scale systems through predictive and advanced analytics, data, and business process engineering.
During the course of their time on campus, students will have opportunity to interact with thought leaders and conduct research at the USC Viterbi School of Engineering’s renowned research centers, including the Information Sciences Institute, the Institute for Creative Technologies, the Center for Generative AI, the Center for AI in Society, and the Center for Ethics and Trust in Computing, along with centers aligned with global industry partners such as Amazon, Capital One, and Meta.
Students will also be able to enrich their education through co-curricular opportunities via participation in student organizations such as the Center for AI in Society’s student group CAIS++.
