Advisement & Registration

TAC classes are open to all students, and our introductory classes do not require a background in technology or engineering. No matter what your major is, you can learn how to use the latest tools, programming languages, and applications. You’ll also gain critical insight into technology’s increasing impact on our world.

You can:

  • declare a minor,
  • declare a specialization, or
  • enroll in a wide range of electives.

TAC also coordinates with departments at the Viterbi School of Engineering and the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences to offer majors in Data Science (BA) and Intelligence and Cyber Operations (BA).

Student advising is based on last name:

Eric Perez | Last Names A-L
Aya Almukhtar | Last Names M-Z

For students that have one or more declared minor/specialization programs:

Please use the Advise USC appointment portal, and schedule an appointment with the advisor that corresponds with your last name (see above) https://usc.edu/advise

For students that no do not have a declared TAC minor/specialization:

Please use one of the appointment links below:

Eric Perez | Last Names A-L:  Schedule an appointment >
Aya Almukhtar | Last Names M-Z: Schedule an appointment >

 

 

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Registration

Eligibility

Most of our classes are open to all students. You do not need a background in technology or engineering in order to enroll in our introductory classes.

Additionally, you do not need to declare a minor or specialization in order to take TAC  classes. However, if you are considering adding a minor or specialization after taking an TAC class, be sure to complete the class on a letter-graded basis.

D-Clearance

Most TAC classes do not require departmental clearance (“d-clearance”) in order to register during the normal registration period, with the exception of ITP-470 and ITP-480, and sections that are high in demand. Once a section becomes full during the registration period, d-clearance is added, and students interested in registering in the course must request to be added to a waitlist. Please see the Waitlists section below for more information.

After the first week of classes each semester, you may need the instructor’s permission to add any TAC class.

Instructions to get d-clearance >

Prerequisite waivers

We advise students to complete all required prerequisites. Some students have already completed preparatory course work in CSCI, EE, or ISE or have worked on their own programming projects. In these cases, skipping a prerequisite and registering for a higher-level course may benefit the student.

After you complete a course, you cannot go backward and complete its prerequisite in a later semester for credit.

See list of pre-approved waivers >

Waitlists

The Fall 2024 waitlist is now active: https://tally.so/r/w4jjLA 

 Please keep in mind the following:

  • Submitting a waitlist request form does not guarantee that you will be able to register for the requested course.
  • Waitlist priority is not solely based on when the student requested to be added, but other factors are considered including graduation date, minor/major requirements, and availability of alternative classes.
  • If you are given d-clearance to register, you will be notified by TAC advising, and you will have until the end of the day before your d-clearance expires.
  • If you are not able to register for a course you are on the waitlist for, please reach out to itpadvising@usc.edu to discuss possible substitute courses to maintain degree progress.
Substitutions

We advise students to complete all courses as required per the program’s curriculum. Substitutions are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and are only granted based on the course’s academic relation to the minor. Substitutions are reviewed by faculty and are subject to limitations.

ITP-470 Directed Project

In ITP-470, students pursue individual practical or exploratory projects in Applied Computing under the guidance of faculty.

Registration guidelines and steps >

ITP-480 Internship

In ITP-480, students earn academic credit while completing an internship in technology.

Registration guidelines and steps >

Advisement

Individual appointments

Appointments are available for students currently pursuing or interested in minors or specializations in TAC.

While scheduling an appointment, please choose the appropriate academic advisor based on your last name:

Walk-in advisement

Spring 2024 walk-in advisement availability will be available from 1/8/24 up until the Spring 2024 registration deadline, 1/26/24.

Tuesday 11am - 2pm | Eric Perez | RRB-207 | Zoom
Wednesday 10am - 12pm | Aya Almuhktar | RRB-209 | Zoom
Thursday 10am-2pm | Eric Perez | RRB-207 | Zoom
Friday 11am - 2pm | Aya Almuhktar | RRB-209 | Zoom

Contact information

TAC minors, specializations, or elective courses:

Data Science (Bachelor of Arts):

Intelligence and Cyber Operations (Bachelor of Arts):

Minors & Specializations

Eligibility

To declare a minor, you must:

  • be a currently enrolled undergraduate student at USC,
  • have a declared major, and
  • be in good academic standing.

To declare a specialization, you must:

  • be a currently enrolled student at USC,
  • have a declared major, and
  • be in good academic standing.
Admission

Admission to each minor and specialization is on a rolling basis. You should start taking the classes for your minor or specialization by your junior year. Most minors at TAC require 4 semesters to complete, although sometimes you may be able to complete a minor in 3 semesters.

You may choose to officially add the minor or specialization to your student record before you take any classes or after you have completed the introductory class. You must officially declare the minor or specialization before you graduate.

Apply online >

Curriculum updates

TAC updated many of its minor programs and courses in Fall 2019. Students who started their minor course work prior to Fall 2019 may follow a transitional course plan. Information about the curriculum updates and transitional course plans is available online.

Curriculum updates >


The following rules apply to all programs:


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#1. Unique Units

All minors at USC require 16 units of course work that count only for the minor and not for any other major, minor, or GE requirement. For minors that require 18 units, a maximum of 2 units may be shared with another major, minor, or GE requirement.

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#2. Letter-graded classes

All classes completed for minor or specialization credit must be completed for a letter grade.

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#3. Minimum GPA

You must earn a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA in the minor or specialization course work.

Published on June 6th, 2017Last updated on October 10th, 2024