Update: 03/15/2024

Effective Fall 2024, the Artificial Intelligence Applications minor will require 20 units, previously requiring 18. This is due to ITP-216 being added as a prerequisite to ITP-259. Students who have declared the Artificial Intelligence Applications minor before June 1, 2024 can have ITP-216 waived, and can take ITP-259 directly so long as they have completed ITP-115/116. Students who declare the minor on or after June 1, 2024 must complete ITP-216, no exceptions will be made.

For clearance to register for ITP-259, or other questions or concerns regarding this minor, please reach out to itpadvising@usc.edu, or schedule a meeting with an advisor.

Artificial Intelligence Applications

Learn the basics of AI and core concepts with emphasis on tools and frameworks to solve real-world problems. Applications such as natural language processing, autonomous driving and computer vision will be experienced with hands-on learning. Ethical and human-centered perspectives will be explored.

Skills

Machine learning
Neural Networks
CNN
RNN
Machine vision
Natural Language Processing

Careers

Data Analyst
Predictive Modeler
Autonomous Vehicles
Customer Service Bots
Financial Sector Automation

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 (20 units)

Core requirements (16 units):

ITP-115 “Programming in Python” (2 units)
or ITP-116 "Accelerated Programming in Python" (2 units)
ITP-216 “Applied Python” (2 units) [prerequisite: ITP-115 or ITP-116]
ITP-259 “Basics of Artificial Intelligence” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-115 or ITP-116]
ITP-359 “Applied Neural Networks” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-259]
ITP-459 “Applied Machine Learning for Natural Language Processing” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-359]

Elective (4 units):

EIS-370 “Ethical Issues in Artificial Intelligence” (4 units)
ITP-429 “Embodied Artificial Intelligence” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-115 or ITP-116]
ITP-469 “Applied Artificial Intelligence for Cybersecurity” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-125 and (ITP-115 or ITP-116)]
PHIL-265 “Ethics, Technology and Value” (4 units)

Substitutions:

The following courses are also pre-approved electives for the minor. If you enroll in one of the following courses, please email our academic advisors so that they can update your STARS report. Substitution courses are not automatically applied to your minor requirements, so you will need to ask our academic advisors to make the change for you.

ITP-450 “High-Performance Computing in Applied Machine Learning” (2 units) [ITP-449 or DSCI-352 or MATH-449 or BUAD-425 or CSCI-467]

Specialization (12 units)

Core requirements (12 units):

ITP-115 “Programming in Python” (2 units)
or ITP-116 "Accelerated Python for Programmers" (2 units)
ITP-216 “Applied Python” (2 units) [prerequisite: ITP-115 or ITP-116]
ITP-259 “Basics of Artificial Intelligence” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-115 or ITP-116]
ITP-359 “Applied Neural Networks” (4 units) [prerequisite: ITP-259]

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.

The course plan below is simply a suggestion, other course plans many be possible. Please contact our academic advisors with questions about course sequencing, departmental clearance and course substitutions.

Semester 1

ITP-115: "Programming in Python"

Start writing programs in the Python language, an easy-to-read programming language used for web applications, data analysis, and scientific research.

ITP-116: "Accelerated Programming in Python"

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

ITP-216 “Applied Python” (2 units) [prerequisite: ITP-115 or ITP-116]

This course focuses on development of practical Python programming skills through project-based application. It is split into two parts: part one focuses on powerful features of the Python programming language itself (“Pythonic” programming), which allow students to quickly and easily manipulate data in ways not found in other languages.

Semester 3

Semester 4

Semester 5

"I chose an ITP minor because I wanted to develop technical skills along with my human sciences major. Little did I know that my ITP minor would affect the ways in which I study and analyze mass communication between people. As more and more information is being stored and analyzed, it is awesome to be able to see how people's behaviors can be analyzed through numbers."

-Oswaldo Morales, Communication

Class of 2022

"I've learned valuable programming skills as well as the ethics, design, and user experience that drives good technology. The opportunity to ideate and execute real projects each semester not only sparked my love of product management, but also gave me valuable experience in driving a team to success and course correcting when needed."

-Isabella Ortiz, Communication

Class of 2020

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 >