The Department of Chemistry offers degree programs which provide undergraduate students with core instruction and excellent research opportunities. Graduates with a B.S. degree in Chemistry are well prepared to take a job as a professional chemist, or to continue their studies for an advanced degree, usually the Ph.D., in chemistry or a related area. The B.S. degree in Chemistry at USC is accredited by the American Chemical Society. The B.A. degree program is designed for students who are interested in chemistry, but intend to pursue a career in another field such as medicine, dentistry, law, or business. Because this curriculum is not as restrictive as the requirements for the B.S. degree, students find it easier to broaden the scope of their studies by either a double major or a major/minor combination. Students in both programs are encouraged to participate in research projects with the Chemistry faculty, typically during the junior and senior years.