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

About This Program

The Ph.D. degree in Chemistry provides students with opportunities for research in the areas of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, as well as biochemistry. Many of the research topics are built around interdisciplinary themes in biomedical research (bioanalytical, bioinorganic and biophysical chemistry) and materials science (nanomaterials, liquid crystals, photonic materials, spectroscopy, surface science).

Contact Information

• Erin Michael-McLaughlin | enmichae@kent.edu | 330-672-2032

• Connect with an Admissions Counselor: U.S. Student | International Student

Program Delivery

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

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* 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.}

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited college or university¹
• Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
• Official transcript(s)
• Goal statement
• Three letters of recommendation
• English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following:²
  • Minimum 71 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.0 IELTS score
  • Minimum 50 PTE score
  • Minimum 100 DET score

¹

Completion of undergraduate courses consisting of one year each in analytical chemistry or biochemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, calculus and physics is expected.

²

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores will not be considered for admission.

Application Deadlines

• Fall Semester
  • Priority deadline: December 15
• Spring Semester
  • Priority deadline: September 15

Applications submitted by these deadlines will receive the strongest consideration for admission.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

¹

Each doctoral candidate, upon admission to candidacy, must register for CHEM 80199 for a total of 30 credit hours. It is expected that a doctoral candidate will continuously register for Dissertation I, and thereafter CHEM 80299, each semester, until all requirements for the degree have been met.

Candidacy for Degree

To be admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree, the student must pass a written examination in the field of specialization. The form and time of the examinations are determined by the departmental Graduate Student Handbook. Those failing this examination may repeat the examination once. After passing the written examination, the student must present a detailed written proposal for their dissertation research. The successful oral defense of this proposal and its acceptance by the advisory committee admits the student to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.

Graduation Requirements

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an improved knowledge of a specialization within chemistry.
2. Plan and execute chemical experiments.