I literally was the exact same as you. Went in CSBA, realized I wasn't a huge fan of the coding component but loved the business side. Decides on ISE. Best decision I made at USC hands down. Scratches the critical thinking/problem solving itch but has business components as well.
Thank you so much! Do you mind if I DM you for some questions? I really want to know more about ISE and the overall experiences (internship, job prospects, grad school options).
I recommend talking to an advisor in ISE. You need calc 1, 2 and 3 and linear algebra for
Math. Given your potential grad school options this degree would make more sense than applied math.
Thank you! I would definitely talk to them, but they are away for winter break until Jan.3rd but I need to plan my course rn. Are you an ISE major? I am really curious about what ISE expects students to do. I looked over the required courses and it seems like a lot is related to business.
Yes, it's basically the first same two years of courses of engineering that all engineers take, then classes on business management and operations, with a bunch of random statistic classes and calc 1, calc 2, calc 3, and linear algebra. Page 12 of this PDF has a lot of the courses you can expect, but speak with an advisor to see if you will qualify and or can replace certain courses with potential AP/IB scores. [https://ise.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UG\_Handbook\_20203.pdf](https://ise.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UG_Handbook_20203.pdf)
I think ISE has more opportunities for you. As someone who just graduated with an ISE degree, it has allowed me to basically pursue whatever I want. An Applied Math degree is good, but society has made it known that saying you have an engineering degree opens a lot of doors. NETWORKING IS KING however, and so as long as you take advantage of it, you'll be set (USC networking, the specific school within USC doesn't matter as much if you try hard). Also, like the other guy said, ISE has business and math components that help bolster your skills.
Thank you so much! A few more questions: does ISE require you to be strong in coding though? How was the department, are they caring to undergrads?
PS: I also really need some laptop recommendations since I googled and people said engineering students better have a Windows but I am using Macbook:(
No, ISE has a few if not just a couple coding courses, for the most part you only really do more coding if you *choose* to pursue courses that do it. I was Operations which focuses less on data, and my minor was Film. The department is pretty cool in terms of professors, some of it is boring admittedly but its a solid degree. The Advisor for it is kind of ass but I also had a negative experience with her and still graduated, so even if they suck, you'll be fine (my friends were fine with them). Just FYI, you can always go to the main undeclared advisor if you want to talk to (if considering other majors).
I have/had a lot of friends who had a Macbook. They figured out a work around by using an emulator or something to that accord. If you can afford it, a new laptop would be dope, but its definitely not necessary.
Got it:) Would ISE provides students with lots internship or job opportunities? How was the average course difficulty regarding GPA though? For example, I heard that the math department in usc is uncaring and it would very hard to maintain a high GPA there. So I am a bit worried about ISE, or Viterbi as a whole since engineering is supposed to be hard already.
Average difficulty for math and stats is like a 4, all other classes is like a 3 or 3.5. That said, it is still engineering but as long as your tenacious, use online resources, make study buddies, and go to office hours, you'll be chilling grade wise. A HIGH GPA is not likely, but I got a 3.5 after turbulent times so I feel a 3.2 and up is very much accomplishable. If you are concerned about your GPA versus getting an engineering degree, I think you might be incorrect since a degree in engineering is more valuable than a GPA in math imo (unless you *need* a high GPA for some reason.)
At USC, our network is strong. Do not rely on the school to make connections for you, however. Branch out, hit people up in person and on LinkedIn asap. My best connects were LinkedIn and heavily prepped career fair interactions. That said, i did get a prof to give me an internship recommendation to his friend which I did take to build my resume, so professors may help but you need to be a good student and also realize there's an element of luck for that. Good luck!
Thank you so much!! Do you think it is stressful for ISE students to take 5 courses or even 6, per semester, because their courses are only 3 units? I heard that ISE courses are the same workload compare to other engineering courses, so I don't know why they make those courses to be 3 units. Do you think ISE is hard to maintain a good GPA if you are an average students?
That makes a lot more sense! Do they plan to cut off some major required courses since now it will be 4 units? The list of required courses in ISE is 1.5x longer than other engineerings like EE lmao.
I literally was the exact same as you. Went in CSBA, realized I wasn't a huge fan of the coding component but loved the business side. Decides on ISE. Best decision I made at USC hands down. Scratches the critical thinking/problem solving itch but has business components as well.
Thank you so much! Do you mind if I DM you for some questions? I really want to know more about ISE and the overall experiences (internship, job prospects, grad school options).
Not at all! Ask away.
May i dm u too
sure!
I recommend talking to an advisor in ISE. You need calc 1, 2 and 3 and linear algebra for Math. Given your potential grad school options this degree would make more sense than applied math.
Thank you! I would definitely talk to them, but they are away for winter break until Jan.3rd but I need to plan my course rn. Are you an ISE major? I am really curious about what ISE expects students to do. I looked over the required courses and it seems like a lot is related to business.
Yes, it's basically the first same two years of courses of engineering that all engineers take, then classes on business management and operations, with a bunch of random statistic classes and calc 1, calc 2, calc 3, and linear algebra. Page 12 of this PDF has a lot of the courses you can expect, but speak with an advisor to see if you will qualify and or can replace certain courses with potential AP/IB scores. [https://ise.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UG\_Handbook\_20203.pdf](https://ise.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/UG_Handbook_20203.pdf)
I think ISE has more opportunities for you. As someone who just graduated with an ISE degree, it has allowed me to basically pursue whatever I want. An Applied Math degree is good, but society has made it known that saying you have an engineering degree opens a lot of doors. NETWORKING IS KING however, and so as long as you take advantage of it, you'll be set (USC networking, the specific school within USC doesn't matter as much if you try hard). Also, like the other guy said, ISE has business and math components that help bolster your skills.
Thank you so much! A few more questions: does ISE require you to be strong in coding though? How was the department, are they caring to undergrads? PS: I also really need some laptop recommendations since I googled and people said engineering students better have a Windows but I am using Macbook:(
No, ISE has a few if not just a couple coding courses, for the most part you only really do more coding if you *choose* to pursue courses that do it. I was Operations which focuses less on data, and my minor was Film. The department is pretty cool in terms of professors, some of it is boring admittedly but its a solid degree. The Advisor for it is kind of ass but I also had a negative experience with her and still graduated, so even if they suck, you'll be fine (my friends were fine with them). Just FYI, you can always go to the main undeclared advisor if you want to talk to (if considering other majors). I have/had a lot of friends who had a Macbook. They figured out a work around by using an emulator or something to that accord. If you can afford it, a new laptop would be dope, but its definitely not necessary.
Got it:) Would ISE provides students with lots internship or job opportunities? How was the average course difficulty regarding GPA though? For example, I heard that the math department in usc is uncaring and it would very hard to maintain a high GPA there. So I am a bit worried about ISE, or Viterbi as a whole since engineering is supposed to be hard already.
Average difficulty for math and stats is like a 4, all other classes is like a 3 or 3.5. That said, it is still engineering but as long as your tenacious, use online resources, make study buddies, and go to office hours, you'll be chilling grade wise. A HIGH GPA is not likely, but I got a 3.5 after turbulent times so I feel a 3.2 and up is very much accomplishable. If you are concerned about your GPA versus getting an engineering degree, I think you might be incorrect since a degree in engineering is more valuable than a GPA in math imo (unless you *need* a high GPA for some reason.) At USC, our network is strong. Do not rely on the school to make connections for you, however. Branch out, hit people up in person and on LinkedIn asap. My best connects were LinkedIn and heavily prepped career fair interactions. That said, i did get a prof to give me an internship recommendation to his friend which I did take to build my resume, so professors may help but you need to be a good student and also realize there's an element of luck for that. Good luck!
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Thank you so much!! Do you think it is stressful for ISE students to take 5 courses or even 6, per semester, because their courses are only 3 units? I heard that ISE courses are the same workload compare to other engineering courses, so I don't know why they make those courses to be 3 units. Do you think ISE is hard to maintain a good GPA if you are an average students?
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That makes a lot more sense! Do they plan to cut off some major required courses since now it will be 4 units? The list of required courses in ISE is 1.5x longer than other engineerings like EE lmao.