Two people from MFD getting their picture clicked at graduation ceremony

Happy and excited students getting their picture clicked on graduation

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Undergraduate Advising

Advising

Welcome to the Undergraduate Program at the Mork Family Department! Our undergraduate advisors are happy to assist you in charting your academic path. Students will meet with an academic advisor each semester prior to registering for classes to discuss their course plans and schedules. Advisement is required each semester for all Viterbi undergraduate students to review their course plans and lift their mandatory advisement hold.

The Mork Family Department of Chemical Engineering offers a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering. Within our department, students have the opportunity to choose from four areas of emphasis: biological and pharmaceutical engineering, materials engineering, energy and sustainability, and petroleum and subsurface engineering. These areas of emphasis are indicated on the transcript in parentheses alongside the primary major name.

Office of Undergraduate Advising and Student Affairs
Hedco Chemical Engineering HED 204
UG Advisor: William Wences

UG Student Path to Graduation

Degree Completion: Broadly speaking, completion of the B.S. program in the Mork Family Department requires the following:

Completion of 134 units, including core coursework and electives

Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA overall

Note for Continuing Students: To stay on the path toward graduation, we encourage you to consult with your respective University Catalogue to ensure enrollment in the appropriate courses. Regularly review your STARS report or internal transcript at least once per semester.

All USC students are responsible for knowing and understanding the student STARS report. Regularly review your STARS report at least twice a semester, including after course registration. Please see this link for assistance with understanding the STARS report. Additionally, log in to my.usc.edu and verify in OASIS that all your requirements are fulfilled and that your mailing details are accurate.

Note for Graduating Students: As you approach your expected final semester, log in to my.usc.edu and verify in OASIS that all your requirements are fulfilled and that your mailing details are accurate. Please note that diplomas are mailed to your permanent address approximately six weeks after Commencement. Additional information can be accessed at:

viterbiundergrad.usc.edu/commencement

commencement.usc.edu

Note for International Students: All F-1 and J-1 international students must adhere to U.S. government immigration regulations, including those pertaining to course and degree requirements, to maintain their student status. For further information, please consult with the Office of International Services.

Bachelors of Science Degree Offerings

In addition to reviewing the degree requirements below, please note that it is the student's responsibility to review their respective catalogue year for degree requirements, their STARS report, and their unofficial transcript. This ensures they are on track to meet all academic obligations and can plan their courses effectively. Stay informed and proactive in your academic journey!

Chemical Engineering, B.S.

Please refer to the University Catalogue and sample course plan for degree requirements.

CHE Course Plan

Chemical Engineering, B.S. (Biological & Pharmaceutical Engineering)

Please refer to the University Catalogue and sample course plan for degree requirements.

CHEBP Course Plan

Chemical Engineering, B.S. (Energy & Sustainability)

Please refer to the University Catalogue and sample course plan for degree requirements.

CEES Course Plan

Chemical Engineering, B.S. (Materials Engineering)

Please refer to the University Catalogue and sample course plan for degree requirements.

CEEM Course Plan

Chemical Engineering, B.S. (Petroleum Engineering)

Please refer to the University Catalogue and sample course plan for degree requirements.

CHPE Course Plan

Progressive Degree Program (PDP)

The Progressive Degree Program (PDP) is a valuable opportunity for USC students to earn credits toward a Master’s Degree while completing their Bachelor’s Degree at USC. Please refer to this link for more information.

FAQ

Declared MFD majors are required to meet with an adviser once per semester for mandatory advisement. These check-ins, occurring once per semester, serve as invaluable opportunities for students to receive personalized guidance and support in navigating their academic progress. Our advisors will assist with reviewing students' progress toward degree completion, providing guidance on course selection for upcoming semesters, and helping students make informed decisions based on their interests, career goals, and academic strengths.

Incoming freshmen and transfer students can anticipate being contacted by an undergraduate advisor for academic guidance during orientation. Continuing students can expect their advisor to reach out for academic advisement starting mid-October (Fall) and early March (Spring). Our department kindly recommends booking your appointment before your upcoming registration permit to ensure that any departmental clearances are granted in a timely manner.

Please see message from the Office of Pre-Health Advising:

Are you considering a health professions path? The Office of Pre-Health Advising is here to support you! On the attached flyer you can see how to self-refer on AdviseUSC as "Pre-Health" to receive information on our resources and services, including scheduling advising appointments. We work with all current undergrad and graduate students - no matter your major or minor of choice - alumni, and postbacc students.

Looking forward to connecting with you!

The Office of Pre-Health Advising

Current MFD students interested in changing their major are encouraged to reach out to their academic advisor to initiate the transfer process. Additionally, please consult the respective department's website for admissions/transfer requirements, as well as the University Catalogue for degree requirements. Please note that some departments allow major declaration at any time of the year, while others have specific admission periods once per year.

Viterbi students who wish to declare a major in the Mork Family Department are advised to initiate the process by contacting mfdinfo@usc.edu. Please provide your full name and USC ID in your email. An undergraduate advisor will respond within 2-3 business days to arrange an advisement appointment with you to create a tentative course plan.

D-Clearances:

- D-Clearance stands for Departmental Clearance. If a course section has a “D” after the 5-digit class number (such as 28700D), D-clearance is required prior to registration.
- Our undergraduate advisors will work with MFD undergraduate students on issuing CHE d-clearances during mandatory advising.

D-Clearances for Non-MFD Students:

- All D-clearance requests for courses managed by the Mork Family Department (excluding DEN courses) must be submitted on myViterbi> D-clearance. Our department can only lift D-clearances for CHE on-campus classes.
  - How to Request D-Clearance
  - Note on Timeline: Please allow 3-4 business days for our department to grant D-clearances.

Non-Mork Courses:

- The Mork Family Department cannot provide D-clearances for other departments. Please consult with your advisor first to ensure the course is approved, and then contact the appropriate department to request d-clearances.
- Please note that the BME, CE, CSCI, EE, ENE, MFD, and ISE departments require students to complete D-Clearance requests via the D-Clearance Request Manager in myViterbi.
- Please pay special attention to the departmental announcements on the myViterbi system indicating when non-major students are eligible to request D-Clearance.

CHE, MASC, and PTE 490 are directed research for undergraduate students. Enrollment in 1-2 units is typical, and you will earn a credit, as opposed to a letter grade. If you have any questions regarding the directed research process, please contact your CHE undergraduate advisor.

If you wish to enroll in directed research, you will need first to set up a meeting with an MFD professor to discuss this option and commit to a topic and research plan. Once you have gotten the preliminary approval from your professor, contact your undergraduate advisor to initiate the following:

1. Log on to http://myviterbi.usc.edu.
2. On the main page of My Viterbi, under Student Resources, select the Directed Research link.
3. Click CHE and on the next page you will need to select a Term, Class (CHE 490), Units (1-2), and Faculty. You will also need to include a Project Description of about 3-4 sentences. If a professor you wish to work with is not listed on the dropdown faculty menu, please email your CHE advisor.
4. An automatic email will be sent to the professor alerting him or her of your request. They will log in to myViterbi to either approve or deny your request.
5. You will receive a confirmation email that your request has either been approved or denied.
6. Once your D-Clearance is processed, you will need to log on to Web Registration to enroll in the course.

If you receive a prerequisite error because you took a prerequisite course at another institution (i.e. transfer courses) or was waived out due to AP/IB credits (ex: CALC AB), please request a prerequisite waiver from the dept. Even if the course is being applied in your STARS report (as course substitution or waiver), if the listed prerequisite course does not have the same prefix and course number, you will need a prerequisite waiver for the subsequent course.

To request a pre-requisite waiver or departmental clearance for a course outside of MFD, please contact the department that manages the course. For example, to request clearance for an ISE course, you will need to contact the ISE department. Pre-requisite and departmental clearance information can be found by searching for the department on the Schedule of Classes Schedule of Classes.

A hold may be placed on your student record that restricts access to university services, including registration, transcripts, diploma, USCard, and housing.

To find out more about the most common holds and how to clear them, please refer to the information provided here. For assistance with removing other holds, please get in touch with your academic advisor and consult the Course Information section on your OASIS portal.

Registering for 500-level courses is possible. PDP students are able to register once they receive d-clearance.

Non-PDP students: You will need to first get the course approved by your undergraduate MFD advisor. Then you will need to request the d-clearance, or permission to take the course (whether or not it is within MFD). You will then need to obtain a letter of approval from your undergraduate MFD advisor. Finally, you must request to be added to the course via this link. Please upload your letter of approval from your advisor. The Office of Academic Records and Registrar will then add you to the course. You cannot add the course yourself.

International master’s students are required to enroll in a full course of study in classes (minimum 12 units) that meet their degree requirements during the fall and spring semesters. Summer admits are required to enroll in a full course load during their first summer session.
Reduced Course Load Exceptions: International (F-1/J-1) students are required to enroll and complete a full course load each semester in order to maintain valid non-immigrant student status. There are only a few exceptions to the full-time enrollment requirement for the fall and spring semesters. Each exception (category) has its own criteria and can be accessed through the Office of International Services.

In-Person Learning Requirements

- Immigration regulations require F-1 and J-1 student’s physical attendance for classes during each fall and spring semester of their program. If the summer term is the student’s first or last semester at USC, then physical attendance for classes is also required.

Online Course Load Limitations

- No more than one online class (up to 3 units) per semester can be counted towards the full course of study for an F-1 or J-1 student. If you only need to be registered in one course to complete your degree program during your final term, it must be in person.

For additional details, please consult the Office of International Services.

Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a work authorization that allows F-1 international students to participate in paid off-campus academic internships during their degree program. The purpose of CPT is academic, not just for employment purposes, and the internship must be considered an integral part of a student’s degree program. Students must have a specific job/internship offer to apply. If the internship is an unpaid or volunteer position, CPT is not required. Students CANNOT accept any kind of compensation for work performed in an unpaid internship. For more information, please contact the Office of International Services.

Please note: CHE Academic Advisors cannot sign off on CPT paperwork, all forms must be signed by an advisor in the VASE Office.

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a benefit given to F-1 international students who are completing a Bachelor’s or graduate degree in the United States. Its purpose is to provide an opportunity for employment experience in a student’s field of study. OPT is approved by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

More information regarding the necessary paperwork and online workshop to start the application process can be found here: OIS OPT information.

Please note: CHE Academic Advisors cannot sign off on OPT paperwork, all forms must be signed by an advisor in the VASE Office.

Published on July 16th, 2024Last updated on October 15th, 2024