College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
www.kent.edu/chemistry

About This Program

Kent State's Bachelor of Science in Chemistry program offers an exciting opportunity to pursue a dynamic career in the field. With a rigorous curriculum and hands-on experience, you will gain the skills and knowledge needed to excel in a wide range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, environmental science and more. Our program also provides a solid foundation for advanced studies in chemistry. Enroll now and start your journey toward a fulfilling career in chemistry. Read more...

Contact Information

• Scott Bunge | sbunge@kent.edu |
  330-672-9445
• Speak with an Advisor
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

Accreditation

The B.S. degree in Chemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS).

^{* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.}

Admission Requirements

The university affirmatively strives to provide educational opportunities and access to students with varied backgrounds, those with special talents and adult students who graduated from high school three or more years ago.

First-Year Students on the Kent Campus: First-year admission policy on the Kent Campus is selective. Admission decisions are based upon cumulative grade point average, strength of high school college preparatory curriculum and grade trends. Students not admissible to the Kent Campus may be administratively referred to one of the seven regional campuses to begin their college coursework. For more information, visit the admissions website for first-year students.

First-Year Students on the Regional Campuses: First-year admission to Kent State’s campuses at Ashtabula, East Liverpool, Geauga, Salem, Stark, Trumbull and Tuscarawas, as well as the Twinsburg Academic Center, is open to anyone with a high school diploma or its equivalent. For more information on admissions, contact the Regional Campuses admissions offices.

International Students: All international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE Academic score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive Program. For more information, visit the admissions website for international students.

Transfer Students: Students who have attended any other educational institution after graduating from high school must apply as undergraduate transfer students. For more information, visit the admissions website for transfer students.

Former Students: Former Kent State students or graduates who have not attended another college or university since Kent State may complete the reenrollment or reinstatement form on the University Registrar’s website.

Admission policies for undergraduate students may be found in the University Catalog's Academic Policies.

Some programs may require that students meet certain requirements before progressing through the program. For programs with progression requirements, the information is shown on the program's Coursework tab.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Chemistry Concentration Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

Industrial Chemistry Concentration Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.

²

Taking both CHEM 40555 and CHEM 40556 may be substituted in place of CHEM 40567 and 2 credit hours of concentration electives.

³

CHEM 40092 is strongly encouraged.

Materials Chemistry Concentration Requirements

¹

A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement. 

Graduation Requirements

Foreign Language College Requirement, B.S.

• Students pursuing the Bachelor of Science degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 8 credit hours of foreign language.¹ 
• The following programs are exempt from this requirement: The Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology and the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science.²
• Minimum Elementary I and II of the same language

¹

All students with prior foreign language experience should take the foreign language placement test to determine the appropriate level at which to start. Some students may start beyond the Elementary I level and will complete the requirement with fewer credit hours and courses. This may be accomplished by (1) passing a course beyond Elementary I through Intermediate II level; (2) receiving credit through one of the alternative credit programs offered by Kent State University; or (3) demonstrating language proficiency comparable to Elementary II of a foreign language. When students complete the requirement with fewer than 8 credit hours and two courses, they will complete remaining credit hours with general electives.

²

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science exemption exists under another college policy (Three-Plus-One Programs). The Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology exemption is due to its extensive collaboration with and contribution from the Information Technology program in the College of Applied and Technical Studies, which does not have a foreign language requirement.

Roadmaps

Chemistry Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Industrial Chemistry Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

Materials Chemistry Concentration

This roadmap is a recommended semester-by-semester plan of study for this major. However, courses designated as critical (!) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation.

University Requirements

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.

Kent Core Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Apply chemical knowledge to their profession.
2. Develop their abilities to plan and execute chemical experiments.
3. Prepare and deliver written and oral scientific reports.

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry is designed to provide a thorough foundation in the various fields of chemistry and the related sciences. The program is for students planning careers in the chemical industries or governmental laboratories, or who intend to do graduate work in chemistry. Students in the program have the opportunity to participate in an exchange program with the University of Leicester in England.

Chemistry students in specific concentrations may apply early to the M.S. degree in Chemistry and double count 9 credit hours of graduate courses toward both degree programs. See the Combined Bachelor's/Master's Degree Program policy in the University Catalog for more information.

The Chemistry major comprises the following concentrations:

• The Chemistry concentration is designed for students interested in careers as practicing chemists in industrial research and development, in government research laboratories or in academia. It includes a strong foundation in both chemistry and related disciplines (physics and mathematics) and provides opportunities to pursue advanced chemistry electives. This concentration meets the requirements for certification by the American Chemical Society and is ideal for students who plan to pursue graduate studies in chemistry.
• The Industrial Chemistry concentration provides solid background training in the major areas of chemistry, as well as practical training and related experiences in fields sought by local and regional chemical industries.
• The Materials Chemistry concentration is recommended for students interested in pursuing graduate study or industrial careers in materials science, including nanotechnology. Its requirements, similar to those of the traditional chemistry concentration, provide an opportunity for more in-depth study in the synthesis and characterization of inorganic and organic materials, including polymers.