Dr. Peter Beerel

Professor

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Biography

Peter Beerel received his B.S.E. degree in Electrical Engineering from Princeton University in 1989, and both his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University in 1991 and 1994, respectively. He joined the Department of Electrical Engineering-Systems at the University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering in 1994, where he currently serves as a Full Professor and Associate Chair of the Computer Engineering Division. He is also the Research Director at USC's Information Sciences Institute. Between 2006 and 2008, he was the Faculty Director of Innovation Studies at USC Stevens Institute for Innovation. In 2008, he co-founded TimeLess Design Automation, which focused on commercializing asynchronous ASIC flows for high-performance systems. Dr. Beerel has received several awards for his research and teaching, including the VSoE Outstanding Teaching Award and the National Science Foundation CAREER Award. His research spans circuits, micro-architecture, and algorithms targeting energy-efficient, secure, and sustainable computing. He has worked on multidisciplinary problems, including using drones to mitigate wildfires, and has supervised students who achieved recognition for their paper submissions in various forums.

Research Interests

Experience

Professor

— Present

University of Southern California • Los Angeles, CA

Teaching and conducting research in Electrical and Computer Engineering, focusing on various topics including CAD and VLSI.

Research Director

— Present

USC Information Sciences Institute • Los Angeles, CA

Leading research initiatives in information sciences.

Faculty Director

— Present

USC Stevens Institute for Innovation • Los Angeles, CA

Directed innovation studies, promoting entrepreneurship and commercialization.

Co-founder

— Present

TimeLess Design Automation • Los Angeles, CA

Co-founded a company aimed at commercializing asynchronous design tools.

Awards

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IEEE ASYNC Symposium Paper Award

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ICCCNT Paper Award

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USC Stevens Commercialization Award

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National Academy Inventors Inductee

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IEEE ASYNC Symposium Paper Award

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Viterbi School of Engineering USC Faculty Service Award

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IEEE Outstanding Engineer Award

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IEEE Region 6, Southern Area Outstanding Engineer Award

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Large-Scale NSF ITR Award Recipient

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IEEE ASYNC Symposium Paper Award

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USC School of Engineering Junior Faculty Research Award

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Philips Corporation & SUN Microsystems Charles Molnar Award

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USC School of Engineering Outstanding Teaching Award

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USC NSF Career Award

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USC Zumberge Fellow

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Stanford University Philips Fellowship

Requirements for University of Southern California

Master Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Listening
Required:20
Reading
Required:20
Writing
Required:20
Speaking
Required:20
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Listening
Required:6
Reading
Required:6
Writing
Required:6
Speaking
Required:6
Overall
Required:6.5
GRE General
Prerequisites
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Math, or Hard Science
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Official transcripts
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Letters of Recommendation (not required for MS CS, but allowed)
Specialization Notes

GRE is NOT required for Master's applicants for 2025-2026.