July 16, 2008

Viterbi School Signs Unique Accelerated M.S. "VIP" Agreement with Cal Poly

Dean Yannis C. Yortsos of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering and Dean Mohammed Noori have formally initiated a unique collaboration, the Viterbi Integrated Masters of Science Program (VIP).

Beginning in September, qualified Cal Poly undergraduates will have the option of taking USC-equivalent courses in electrical and biomedical engineering at Cal Poly that will subsequently allow them to complete Viterbi masters degrees with six fewer units. The reduction eliminates redundancy in undergraduate and graduate course requirements, without compromising educational goals.

"The object of the program from the point of view of the Viterbi School," said Yortsos, "is to enlarge our school applicant pool of quality domestic master's students. We could not have found a better partner for this than Cal Poly."

"We see this as an opportunity for collaboration among the faculty of the two institutions," said Noori. "We will explore the possibility of expanding it further, perhaps to doctoral programs. This would offer an opportunity for us to work with the outstanding faculty and research facilities of USC."

The July 2 agreement signing took place on the USC campus under the smiling gaze of George Bekey, USC Emeritus University Professor and former Viterbi associate dean for research.  Bekey is now a research scholar in residence at Cal Poly and played a key role in bringing the two institutions together.  Both deans paid tribute to his presence.

* This article is copied with permission by the USC Viterbi School. See Viterbi News 

* See more on the Cal Poly-USC VIP program at USC News