Technology and Applied Computing

Return to: USC Viterbi School of Engineering  

Rapp Research 201 (RRB 201)
(213) 740-4542
Email: Viterbi.TAC@usc.edu
tac.usc.edu

Interim Director: Erik A. Johnson, PhD

Associate Director: Kendra Walther, EdD

Assistant Directors: Kristof Aldenderfer, BS; Matthew Whiting, MS

Professor of Technology and Applied Computing​ Practice: Nitin Kale, MS

Associate Professors of Technology and Applied Computing​ Practice: Joseph S. Greenfield, PhD; Trina Gregory, MS; Sanjay Madhav, MS; Robert Parke II, MS; Kendra Walther, MS

Senior Lecturers of Technology and Applied Computing​: Kristof Aldenderfer, BS; Pierson Clair IV, MS; Gregg Ibbotson, MA; Reza Jafarkhani, PhD; Mike Lee, BS; Zune Nguyen, MS; Richard Vawter, MS, MBA; Matthew Whiting, MS 

Lecturers of Technology and Applied Computing​: Sinan Seymen, PhD; Hannah Nguyen, MS

Joint Senior Lecturer: Scott Easley, MS

Technology and Applied Computing (TAC) is a program within the School of Advanced Computing that aims to make technology education accessible to all USC students. TAC provides an opportunity for students to combine their major (X) with technology (TECH) — or X+TECH — enabling them to learn how to apply practical technical skills to, and demonstrate digital fluency in, their chosen major field.

TAC offers 14 minors and specializations in Applied Analytics, Artificial Intelligence Applications, Blockchain, Computer Programming, Connected Devices and Making, Cyber Governance, Cybersecurity, Digital Forensics, Innovation: The Digital Entrepreneur, Mobile App Development, Technical Game Art, Video Game Production, Video Game Programming, and Web Development.

TAC courses are open to all USC students.

Minors

TAC minors are open to undergraduate students in all majors.

To apply for a minor, students should meet the regular admissions standards and have a declared USC major. For specific information on admission and application procedures, see tac.usc.edu. Students should consult TAC’s advisers about course sequencing, departmental clearance, and course substitutions.

Please see the catalogue page for each minor for program descriptions and requirements.

Specializations

TAC specializations are open to students in all majors. Specializations are an alternative for students interested in gaining experience who do not have space to complete a full minor program. Specializations do not appear on transcripts, but students are eligible to receive certificates from TAC upon completion of required course work to document their successful completion of the specialization.

For specific information on admission and application procedures, see tac.usc.edu. Students should consult TAC’s advisers about course sequencing, departmental clearance, and course substitutions.

Please see tac.usc.edu/academics for program requirements.

Interdisciplinary Programs

TAC collaborates with other USC academic units that offer the following major and minor programs:

• Data Science (BA)*   
• Foundations of Data Science Minor  
• Intelligence and Cyber Operations (BA)  
• Law and Technology Minor  

Programs

Minor

• •  Applied Analytics Minor
• •  Artificial Intelligence Applications Minor
• •  Blockchain Minor
• •  Computer Programming Minor
• •  Connected Devices and Making Minor
• •  Cyber Governance Minor
• •  Cybersecurity Minor
• •  Digital Forensics Minor
• •  Mobile App Development Minor
• •  Technical Game Art Minor
• •  Video Game Production Minor
• •  Video Game Programming Minor
• •  Web Development Minor

Courses

Technology and Applied Computing

• •  TAC 101 Introduction to Business Information Technologies
• •  TAC 104 Introduction to Web Development
• •  TAC 115 Programming in Python
• •  TAC 116 Accelerated Programming in Python
• •  TAC 124 How Not to Get Hacked – Personal Cyber Security
• •  TAC 125L From Hackers to CEOs: Introduction to Information Security
• •  TAC 165 Introduction to C++ Programming
• •  TAC 168 Introduction to MATLAB
• •  TAC 170 You Are the Product: Introduction to Data Compliance
• •  TAC 180 Video Game Production
• •  TAC 181 Video Game QA Management
• •  TAC 190 Introduction to Adobe Photoshop
• •  TAC 215L Introduction to 3D Modeling, Animation and Visual Effects
• •  TAC 216 Applied Python
• •  TAC 228 Computer-Aided Modeling for 3D Product Design
• •  TAC 230x Video Game Quality Assurance
• •  TAC 249 Introduction to Data Analytics
• •  TAC 256 Blockchain
• •  TAC 259 Basics of Artificial Intelligence
• •  TAC 265 Object-Oriented Programming
• •  TAC 299 Special Topics
• •  TAC 301 Front-End Web Development
• •  TAC 303 Full-Stack Web Development
• •  TAC 304 Back-End Web Development
• •  TAC 308 Computer-Aided Design for Bio-Mechanical Systems
• •  TAC 310 Design for User Experience
• •  TAC 320 Enterprise Information Systems
• •  TAC 325 Ethical Hacking
• •  TAC 341 Android App Development
• •  TAC 342 iOS App Development
• •  TAC 344 Advanced iOS App Development
• •  TAC 345 Advanced Android App Development
• •  TAC 348 Making Smart Devices: Introduction to Electronics/Wearables
• •  TAC 349 Enterprise Data Analytics
• •  TAC 351 3D Character Modeling for Games
• •  TAC 356 Blockchain: Decentralized Applications
• •  TAC 357 Enterprise Networks: Design and Architecture
• •  TAC 359 Applied Neural Networks
• •  TAC 361 Character Rigging for Games
• •  TAC 365 Managing Data in C++
• •  TAC 366 Blockchain: Advances and Use Cases
• •  TAC 368 Cross-Platform App Development
• •  TAC 370 Cybersecurity Management and Operations
• •  TAC 371 Technical Character Animation for Games
• •  TAC 375 Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity Investigations
• •  TAC 380 Video Game Programming
• •  TAC 382 Mobile Game Development
• •  TAC 383 Database Systems: Storage and Retrieval using SQL
• •  TAC 388 Developing Connected Devices
• •  TAC 393 Video Game Project Management
• •  TAC 404 Advanced Front-End Web Development
• •  TAC 405 Advanced Back-End Web Development
• •  TAC 419 Advanced Cloud Analytics
• •  TAC 422 Configuring Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
• •  TAC 425 Web Application Security
• •  TAC 429 Embodied Artificial Intelligence
• •  TAC 435 Professional C++
• •  TAC 438 Advanced Gameplay Programming
• •  TAC 439 Compiler Development
• •  TAC 443 Malware Analysis and Reverse Engineering
• •  TAC 445 Apple Forensics and Security (macOS and iOS)
• •  TAC 446 Cyber Breach Investigations
• •  TAC 447 Mobile Device Forensics and Security
• •  TAC 448 Cyber Litigation Support
• •  TAC 449 Applications of Machine Learning
• •  TAC 450 High Performance Computing in Applied Machine Learning
• •  TAC 456 Blockchain: Capstone
• •  TAC 457 Network Security
• •  TAC 458 Defending and Investigating Compromised Networks
• •  TAC 459 Applied Natural Language Processing and Generative AI
• •  TAC 460 Web Application Project
• •  TAC 466 Building the High Tech Startup
• •  TAC 468 Connected Devices Project
• •  TAC 470 Technology and Applied Computing Practicum
• •  TAC 471 Consultancy Skills for Cyber Security Risk Management
• •  TAC 475 Advanced Digital Forensics and Incident Response
• •  TAC 476 Technologies for Interactive Marketing
• •  TAC 479 Cyber Law and Privacy
• •  TAC 480 Technology and Applied Computing Internship
• •  TAC 481 Game Programming Professional Development
• •  TAC 482 Engineering Database Applications
• •  TAC 483 Communication for Software Engineers
• •  TAC 485 Programming Game Engines
• •  TAC 486 Securing and Auditing Enterprise Resource Planning Systems
• •  TAC 489 In-Memory Data Modeling and Analytics
• •  TAC 491 Level Design and Development for Video Games
• •  TAC 496 The Startup Launchpad Lab
• •  TAC 499 Special Topics