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College
College of Arts and Sciences

Department
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

208 Williams Hall
Tel: 330-672-2032
E-mail: chemug@kent.edu
Web: http://www.kent.edu/chemistry

Description

The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry has fewer required courses than the Bachelor of Science program, which allows students greater flexibility in choosing electives and additional concentrations. Although not intended for students planning to become practicing chemists, this degree program is well suited for those needing a strong chemistry background as preparation for other career opportunities. The degree may be used to meet pre-medicine and pre-dentistry requirements when appropriate courses from the biological sciences are used to fulfill elective hours. However, the B.S. in Chemistry–Biochemistry is strongly recommended for students interested in medical or dental school.

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry consists of  four concentrations: Biochemistry, Biochemistry - Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Dentistry, Chemistry and Materials Chemistry.

The Biochemistry concentration provides one of the strongest possible preparations for medical and dental school. Tailored for students interested in careers in medicine, dentistry or pharmacy, as well as those planning to pursue graduate study in biochemistry, it provides ideal preparation for students intending to pursue a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, having been designed to closely fit the requirements of the Northeastern Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). With careful planning students may transfer to NEOMED after three years at Kent, using 16 credit hours of courses from NEOMED to complete their Kent State degree requirements. With the appropriate electives, this degree concentration may be certified by the American Chemical Society.

The Biochemistry–Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Dentistry concentration provides one of the strongest possible preparations for medical and dental school, and is the recommended track for students intending to go on to medical or dental school.

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 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.
 

Career Opportunities

Chemists and materials scientists held about 94,100 jobs in 2008. Chemists accounted for about 84,300 of these, and materials scientists accounted for about 9,700 jobs. In addition, 24,800 chemists held faculty positions.

About 42 percent of chemistry graduates find employment in government research and analysis, forensic science, industrial research and development and manufacturing in fields such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, cosmetics, materials (liquid crystals, plastics, ceramics, paints and coatings, composites, nanotechnology), energy (petrochemicals, biofuels, energy storage), agriculture, the food industry, environmental science (water resource management, pollution monitoring), and instrument design. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)
 

Admission Requirements

General Admissions for Freshman Students: Students most likely to be admitted and succeed at the Kent Campus are those who have graduated with at least 16 units of the recommended college preparatory curriculum in high school, who have achieved a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher (on a 4.0 scale), and whose composite ACT score is 21 or better (980 combined critical reading and math SAT score). For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for new freshmen.

General Admissions for Transfer Students: Generally, a transfer applicant who has taken 12 or more semester hours with a college cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale may be admitted. An applicant who has taken fewer than 12 semester hours will be evaluated on both collegiate and high school records. For more information on admissions, visit the admissions website for transfer students.
 

Graduation Requirements

Minimum 121 total credit hours and 42 upper-division hours for graduation. Minimum 2.000 GPA overall and 2.000 GPA in major required for graduation.

Program Learning Outcomes

B.A. Chemistry

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of and an ability to apply the chemical knowledge taught in the courses that comprise the degree.

B.S. Chemistry

Graduates of this program will be able to:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of and an ability to apply the chemical knowledge taught in the courses that comprise the degree.

2. Develop their abilities to plan and execute chemical experiments in the Individual Investigation course (CHEM 40796) or senior honors research/thesis courses.
 

Study Abroad/Away Opportunities

Exchange program with the University of Leicester (UK)

 

Accreditation

American Chemical Society

Student Organizations

Bachelors of Arts: Alpha Chi Sigma

Bachelors of Science: Alpha Chi Sigma; American Medical Student Association, Kent State University; Phi Delta Epsilon

 

Advanced Degree Programs

Chemistry (M.S.) and (Ph.D.)