B.S. degree in Chemistry: Information

The B.S. degree in Chemistry offers comprehensive preparation in all the core areas of the chemical and molecular sciences. Combining rigorous coursework, hands-on training with the latest chemical instrumentations as well as a rich independent research experience, the B.S. degree in Chemistry prepares our graduates to pursue professional careers in the field of chemical and molecular sciences, or to continue their studies towards advanced degrees, usually the Ph.D., in chemistry or a related field in the molecular sciences.

B.S. degree in Chemical Research: Information

The B.S. program in Chemistry with emphasis in Research is one of the first undergraduate programs in the country that offers a research-focus undergraduate degree in Chemistry. The B.S. degree in Chemical Research provides a rich research experience for those students whose goal is to pursue research careers in various fields of the chemical and molecular sciences. The program leverages the strength of USC's Chemistry Department to offer a curriculum where research is integrated into the degree program under a purposeful structure:

1. immersing students in a genuine research culture from day one,
2. giving them first-hand experience in the research laboratory,
3. training them in the latest chemical research techniques and instrumentation, and
4. providing them with practical experience with how problems are formulated, investigated and solved in the process of scientific discoveries.

Research majors may choose from more than 30 active research groups in the Chemistry Department to complete their research requirement with.

B.S. degree in Biochemistry: Information

The B.S. degree in Biochemistry is offered jointly with the Department of Biological Sciences. The Biochemistry degree combines core foundational backgrounds from chemical, biological and molecular sciences to offer an integrated program focusing on the chemistry and molecular mechanisms of biology, with rigorous coursework and hands-on laboratory experiences. A B.S. degree in Biochemistry prepares students to pursue professional careers in chemistry and/or biology or for advanced studies in the field of biochemistry and molecular biology.

B.S. degree in Chemistry with emphasis in Chemical Biology: Information

Chemical Biology is the study of small molecules as targets to effect, manipulate or interrogate biological processes. With the rapidly expanding importance of chemical biology as a key discipline in the chemical and molecular sciences, the Chemistry Department offers a B.S. degree in Chemistry with emphasis in Chemical Biology. Building on solid groundings in general, organic, analytical and physical chemistry, the B.S. in Chemical Biology integrates core knowledge contents from the interface between chemistry and biology, combined with practical laboratory experience and access to the latest chemical instrumentations. Chemical Biology majors will receive thorough training and in-depth preparation to enable them to pursue careers in the field of chemical and molecular biology, biochemistry or any related field in the molecular sciences.

B.S. degree in Chemistry with emphasis in Chemical Nanoscience: Information

The field of chemical nanoscience focuses on the synthesis of nanoscale materials as well as the understanding of their chemical, structure and physical properties. When the dimension of bulk materials is systematically reduced novel properties emerge on the nanoscopic scale. Nanoscale materials are substantially smaller than bulk, yet they are not small enough to be molecular, and they often exhibit properties that are surprisingly different from most molecular-size systems. This new paradigm in the chemical and molecular sciences offers exciting possibilities, both in its potential for discovering new phenomena particular to the nanoscale and as a vehicle to producing new and useful devices.

The B.S. degree in Chemistry with emphasis in Chemical Nanoscience prepares students for a career in the rapidly growing field of nanosciance. The degree program enable students to understand the core chemical principles behind nanoscience and related technologies, focusing on: (1) the syntheses of nanomaterials, (2) their bonding and structural characteristics, and (3) their physical (electrical, optical and magnetic) properties. The B.S. degree in Chemical Nanoscience helps students build a solid foundation in chemistry and master the comprehensive core knowledge that is required for formulating and solving open problems in the field of nanoscience. The B.S. in Chemical Nanoscience combines rigorous coursework with hands-on laboratory experience in the latest experimental techniques and instrumentation and offers a capstone research experience in the area of nanoscience.