Computer Programming

Write programs for desktop applications, mobile apps, web applications, and video games by practicing coding, design, and debugging in multiple languages. Upon completion of the minor, students will have strong experience with the application of programming languages in several different contexts.

Skills

C++, Java, and Python
Object-oriented programming
Software development
Debugging

Careers

Software Developer
DevOps Engineer
Web Developer
Mobile Developer

Requirements

All minors at USC need 16 units that only meet minor requirements and do not meet any other major, minor, or GE requirement.
All courses completed for your minor or specialization must be completed for a letter grade.
You must earn a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA in the courses completed for your minor or specialization.

Minor (18 units)

Complete One of the Following (2 units):

ITP-115 “Programming in Python” (2 units)
or ITP-116 "Accelerated Programming in Python" (2 units)
or ITP-165 “Introduction to C++ Programming” (2 units)

Core requirements (8 units):

ITP-265 “Object-Oriented Programming” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-115 or ITP-116]
ITP-365 “Managing Data in C++” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-265]

Electives (8 units):

ITP-216 “Applied Python” (2 units) [prerequisite: ITP-115 or ITP-116]
ITP-259 “Basics of Artificial Intelligence” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-216]
ITP-303 “Full-Stack Web Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-265 or CSCI-103]
ITP-341 “Android App Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-265 or CSCI-103]
ITP-342 “iOS App Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-265 or CSCI-103]
ITP-344 “Advanced iOS App Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-342]
ITP-345 “Advanced Android App Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-341]
ITP-368 “Cross Platform App Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-265 or CSCI-103]
ITP-380 “Video Game Programming” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-365 or CSCI-104]
ITP-435 “Professional C++” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-365 or CSCI-104]
ITP-439 “Compiler Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-365 or CSCI-104]
ITP-330 "Computational Thinking Through Programming" (4 units)[corequisite: ITP-115 or ITP-165 or CSCI-102]
ITP-348 “Making Smart Devices: Introduction to Electronics/Wearables” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-115 or ITP-116 or ITP-165 or CSCI-102]
ITP-382 “Mobile Game Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-265 or CSCI-103]
ITP-404 “Advanced Front-End Web Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-303]
ITP-405 “Advanced Back-End Web Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-303]
ITP-430 "Computational Education Capstone" (4 units)[prerequisite: ITP 115, ITP 330; one of the following: EDUC 435, EDUC 436]
ITP-438 “Advanced Gameplay Programming” (4 units) [recommended preparation: ITP-380]
ITP-449 “Applications of Machine Learning” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-216]
ITP-483 “Mobile Game Development” (2 units) [prerequisite: ITP-365 or CSCI-104L]

Specialization (10 units)

Complete One of the Following (2 units):

ITP-115 “Programming in Python” (2 units)
or ITP-116 "Accelerated Programming in Python" (2 units)
or ITP-165 “Introduction to C++ Programming” (2 units)

Core requirements (4 units):

ITP-265 “Object-Oriented Programming” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-115 or ITP-116]

Elective (4 units):

ITP-365 “Managing Data in C++” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-265]
ITP-216 “Applied Python” (2 units) [prerequisite: ITP-115 or ITP-116]
ITP-259 “Basics of Artificial Intelligence” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-216]
ITP-303 “Full-Stack Web Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-265 or CSCI-103]
ITP-341 “Android App Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-265 or CSCI-103]
ITP-342 “iOS App Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-265 or CSCI-103]
ITP-344 “Advanced iOS App Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-342]
ITP-345 “Advanced Android App Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-341]
ITP-368 “Cross Platform App Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-265 or CSCI-103]
ITP-380 “Video Game Programming” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-365 or CSCI-104]
ITP-435 “Professional C++” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-365 or CSCI-104]
ITP-439 “Compiler Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-365 or CSCI-104]
ITP-330 "Computational Thinking Through Programming" (4 units)[corequisite: ITP-115 or ITP-165 or CSCI-102]
ITP-348 “Making Smart Devices: Introduction to Electronics/Wearables” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-115 or ITP-116 or ITP-165 or CSCI-102]
ITP-382 “Mobile Game Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-265 or CSCI-103]
ITP-404 “Advanced Front-End Web Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-303]
ITP-405 “Advanced Back-End Web Development” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-303]
ITP-430 "Computational Education Capstone" (4 units)[prerequisite: ITP 115, ITP 330; one of the following: EDUC 435, EDUC 436]
ITP-438 “Advanced Gameplay Programming” (4 units) [recommended preparation: ITP-380]
ITP-449 “Applications of Machine Learning” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-216]
ITP-483 “Mobile Game Development” (2 units) [prerequisite: ITP-365 or CSCI-104L]

Frequently Asked Questions:

If you've taken CSCI-102 or ITP-165:

ITP-115/116 will be waived, and you will be able to register for ITP-265 immediately.

If you've taken CSCI-103 or EE-155

ITP-115 will be waived, and ITP-265 will be substituted with CSCI-103/EE-155. If CSCI-103/EE-155 is currently counting for another major or minor, you will need to take an additional Computer Programing elective for this minor (16 units must be uniquely counting towards your Computer Programming minor).

If you've taken CSCI-104 or EE-355

ITP-115 will be waived, and ITP-265 will be substituted with CSCI-104/EE-355. If CSCI-104/EE-355 is currently counting for another major or minor, you will need to take an additional Computer Programing elective for this minor (16 units must be uniquely counting towards your Computer Programming minor).
Depending on how you did in CSCI-104, we may recommend taking ITP-365 or we may recommend you take an additional elective in place of ITP-365. Please reach out to itpadvising@usc.edu for additional info on this.

If you've taken a non-USC course, which is already substituting for CSCI-102/103/104

Transfer courses that are already counting in place of CSCI-102/103/104 may count in place of ITP-115/265/365 respectively.

If you passed the CSCI-102/103 challenge exam

You can have ITP-115/ITP-265 waived. Please reach out to itpadvising@usc.edu for more information.

If you are self-taught, or took a course at another university that is not appearing on your STARS report:

We may be able to waive a course depending on your knowledge.

To waive a course in this minor, you will need to:

Find the syllabus to the course that you have taken outside of USC.
Email the syllabus along with a paragraph description of why you believe this course should allow you to be waived out of the ITP course (if there is no syllabus, please submit a detailed explanation of your programming experience/knowledge).
Your request will be reviewed by ITP faculty.
Once a determination has been made, you will be notified via email.

If you are approved to have one or more courses waived, please keep in mind that you will need to take extra elective(s) and will need 18 total units to complete the minor.

Course Plan

Use the chart below to plan your course schedule to complete your minor. Pay careful attention to prerequisites. Make sure you consult with your major advisor about how best to incorporate the requirements for your minor with your major and general education requirements.

Please contact our academic advisors with questions about course sequencing, departmental clearance and course substitutions.

Semester 1

ITP-115: "Programming in Python" (2 units)

Start writing programs in the Python language, an easy-to-read programming language used for web applications, data analysis, and scientific research. You'll learn to think like a programmer to solve problems, control flow, and implement graphical user interfaces (GUIs) to create simple programs.

ITP-116: "Accelerated Programming in Python" (2 units)

The course is intended to teach the fundamental concepts of the Python programming language to those students who already have experience with a previous programming language.

Semester 2

Semester 3

Semester 4

"Taking this minor has opened so many doors for my career. I have been working at a music-tech start ups for the last year now and completed internships in data analytics for bigger music companies, simply because I had a bit of technical proficiency."

-Rebecca Clemmons, Economics

Class of 2021

"I initially thought that taking ITP minor would help my hobby projects after graduation. I was wrong. My career is dependent on all of the skills I learned from ITP classes. The minor program was designed for hands-on experience from game/app development to data analytics and serious algorithm classes. These helped me tremendously in my day to day job."

-Daniel Pham, Electrical Engineering

Class of 2017

What our students and alumni say

Next steps

How can I add this program?

Apply online

Current USC students can use our online application to declare a minor or specialization. Your application will be processed within 4 to 9 business days, and you will be notified at your official USC email address of your admission to the program of your choice.

Complete your application >

Contact us with questions

If you have a question about the program, you're welcome to write to us or schedule an advisement appointment. We can help you navigate our program requirements and resources and refer you to other offices as needed.

Contact our advisors >