Design Strategy

Business of Innovation

Extended Reality

Interactive Technologies

Transformative AI

Product Innovation

Innovation Quest

Venture Development: Powered by the Innovation Quest

The USC Iovine and Young Academy’s Bachelor of Science innovative degree offers a four-year course of study focused on the intersection of technology, business, human-centered design and communication. 

Through its signature Challenge-Based Reflective Learning framework, students develop an agile mindset to analyze complex challenges, develop systems-level strategies, and intersectional expertise to lead transformational change and innovation in their desired career path. 

The Academy is comprised of the following intersectional areas:

The Bachelor of Science degree requires a total of 128 units which includes 52 units in the core, 36 units in major electives, and 40 units in university-required coursework. The degree allows students to experience most of the Academy’s intersectional areas while learning how these areas work synergistically to spark new ideas, technologies, ventures, and humane solutions for meaningful impact. 

The curriculum core covers the areas of design strategy, business of innovation, interactive technologies and product innovation as interconnected and interdependent areas of knowledge. Based on this rigorous core, students can then use their elective courses to shape their own intersectional pathways within or across the Academy’s intersectional areas. Students can engage in electives within the Academy that build their capacity for venture development, preparing them to successfully initiate their projects into the world. These electives are chosen from a list of pre-approved courses offered by USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering, Marshall School of Business, School of Cinematic Arts, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and Keck School of Medicine.

In consultation with their academic advisor, students may petition to take courses outside the pre-approved list offered by USC schools, as well as from the Academy’s Master of Science in Integrated Design, Business and Technology program. In addition to required courses, students may elect to participate in other experiences such as Industry Projects and Labs, internships, as well as USC study abroad programs.

 Academy majors will complete each of the following core courses:

The Practice of Design: Ideation to Innovation

Design Strategy: Problem Solving for Organizations

Industry Practicum I: Designing and Implementing Real-World Solutions 

The Garage Experience I and II: Developing your Venture

In addition to the above required core courses, students must choose 12 units of technical courses including:

Introduction to Interactive Physical Computing

Introduction to Data Innovation and Analytics

Cybersecurity, Privacy, and Trust in Connective Healthcare

Dev III: Designing Applications for Emerging Platforms

In addition to the 52 units of core, students will complete 36 units of major elective courses to shape their own pathways within or across the Academy’s intersectional areas listed below: 

Students can also choose up to 12 their major elective units from pre-approved courses offered outside of the Academy (information below).

Major Electives Offered by USC Partner Schools

Students can enhance their degree through collaborations with USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering, Marshall School of Business, School of Cinematic Arts, Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism, and Keck School of Medicine.  Elective offerings from partner schools cover areas including programming and development; artificial intelligence and machine learning; data science; cybersecurity; robotics; business and entrepreneurship; marketing; legal essentials; communication and media; themed entertainment; games; and health sciences.

In addition to the Academy’s core curriculum and major electives, students must complete USC’s General Education courses which provide a comprehensive introduction to the breadth of knowledge required to be a well-educated person in the 21st century. For more information about USC’s general education requirements, visit the USC General Catalogue. 

*Note that the Curriculum for 2024-2025 is being substantially revised to increase student options in choice of classes. The details are subject to approval by the University Committee on Curriculum. 