DISCOVER ENGINEERING

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USC Pre-College > Summer Programs > Discover Engineering

Engineering is a field that impacts every aspect of life, including society, politics, and technology. If you have considered the study of engineering at the college level, the “Discover Engineering” course is an excellent way to preview what’s ahead. You will explore various disciplines of engineering through academic lectures and classroom discussions. You will gain practical experience through hands-on projects that involve designing, building, and testing. You will learn how to conduct research using design thinking and the engineering design process.

USC Summer Program Gallery: Discover Engineering
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PROGRAM DATES
June 15 – July 12, 2025

PREREQUISITES
Students who will not have completed Pre-Calc / Trig before June 15, 2025 but who wish to be considered for this course must submit the Pre-Calc / Trig Waiver with their application

COURSE DRESS CODE
None

DAILY SCHEDULE & ACTIVITIES
MONDAY – FRIDAY
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Classes in session
12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Lunch
1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. Classes in session

Tuition & Application
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COURSE OVERVIEW

Highlights

  • Participate in off-campus field trips
    • Previous trips have included the Hyperion Treatment Plant, Apple, and Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
  • Practice what you learn with engineering projects
    • Previous projects have included: building and launching rockets, building and flying RC airplanes, Arduino-based projects, designing and building bridges, building and flying drones, using 3D printers and building, programming robots and sensor devices, and AI

Topic of Study

  • Aerospace engineering
  • Biomedical engineering
  • Chemical engineering
  • Computer science
  • Electrical engineering
  • Environmental engineering
  • Industrial engineering
  • Mechanical engineering

HEAR FROM OUR FORMER STUDENTS

It’s a great learning experience, allowing you to practice working in a team, finishing projects on a deadline, and collaborating with other groups.
The projects were hands-on and a great learning experience, and taught me a lot about the different kinds of engineering that I wouldn't be able to get online.
The most valuable aspect of this course was the heavy emphasis on teamwork and problem solving. We were left alone for a lot of time and told to figure out our issues together, leading to collaboration and troubleshooting together.
I think that the most valuable aspect of this course was the exposure I got. Exploring Engineering went through many different fields of engineering that I have never gone through before. Even though I wasn't immediately good at something, I tried my best and relied on my teammates for help. This experience also helped me decide what my future major decision will be.
The most valuable aspects of this course for me were the variety of topics and the hands-on experience. I entered this class not sure what area of engineering I was most passionate about and wanted to explore. Now I feel more knowledgeable about what specific engineers do and why they do what they do. Also I really wanted hands-on experience which is why I picked this specific program and I definitely gained that.