Chemistry & Biochemistry

A student works in a research laboratory

An undergraduate student performs research in a biochemistry laboratory.

A student researcher uses as vacufuge in a research laboratory.

Members of the Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society at Explore Kent Chemistry Day 2017.

A student describes his research to a faculty judge during the annual Honors Week Poster Session.

An undergraduate student researcher uses a microscope in the Zheng lab.

Students in an analytical chemistry laboratory

Undergraduate Programs

Welcome to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Kent State University. We invite you to browse these pages that describe our instructional and research community.

Here you will find award-winning teachers, internationally recognized scholars, excellent research facilities, and active researchers creating new materials and new knowledge. Read about our course and degree offerings, and explore our photo and video galleries.

Our graduates can be found in local industry as well as Fortune 500 firms across the United States. Many of our undergraduate students pursue graduate education in chemistry or biochemistry; others complete professional training in medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy. Our Ph.D. alumni are researching and teaching at prestigious companies, colleges, and universities around the world.

Have you been part of the Kent State Chemistry and Biochemistry community? If you're an alumnus of our Department, please take a moment to let us know what you are doing now.

Our alumni do great things every day - we invite YOU to become part of our success story!

SAACS

The KSU Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society (SAACS) Chapter is a group for students interested in all disciplines related to and including chemistry. Planned activities are geared towards social and professional networking and development as well as community outreach for both chemistry promotion and service to help better our local community.

Recent events include hosting seminar speakers and a poster session; arranging local professional development seminars; professional networking; acting as Peer Advisors to incoming chemistry students, and various community se

Chemical Health & Safety

Access chemical and health safety resources, submit safety suggestions or submit incident reports.
Undergraduate Summer Research Experience (REU)

We are excited to announce that we have secured funding to host a scaled-down version of our REU program this summer! The application is now open, and we encourage all interested students to apply for consideration! Applications are due by 5:00pm on Monday, March 31, 2025.
Since its inception, our REU program has hosted participants from across the country in the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and the Advanced Materials and Liquid Crystal Institute research laboratories. From 2001-2015, 2017-2019, and 2022-2024, students have spent ten weeks collaborating with faculty and researchers on innovative projects in liquid crystals, biomaterials, nanomaterials, and biological membranes.
Pre-Pharmacy & Pre-Medicine Programs

Pre-pharmacy and Pre-medicine study may be completed at Kent State University by taking basic academic courses through the College of Arts and Sciences.

Students are required to complete a primary major. Students often choose to complete the primary major in Chemistry or Biological Sciences.