Image
A student works in a research laboratory.

Chemistry - B.S.

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'll 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 towards a fulfilling career in chemistry.

Contact Us

Apply Now
Request Info
Schedule a Visit

Program Information

Program Description

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.
Admissions

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. 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.

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 Coursework tab.

Learning Outcomes

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.
Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
CHEM 10060GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) 4-6
or CHEM 10970 HONORS GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS)
or CHEM 11060 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I BOOST (KBS)
CHEM 10061GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) 4
or CHEM 10971 HONORS GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS)
CHEM 10062GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
CHEM 10063GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
CHEM 30105ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY I 3
CHEM 30301INORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3
CHEM 30475ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR) 1
CHEM 30476ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II 1
CHEM 30481ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3
CHEM 30482ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 3
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below)8
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each)9
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credits hour, including 39 upper-division credit hours)5
Concentrations
Choose from the following:67
Chemistry
Industrial Chemistry
Materials Chemistry
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Chemistry Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
CHEM 30106ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY II 2
CHEM 30107ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (WIC) 11
CHEM 30108ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II (WIC) 12
CHEM 30284INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 4
CHEM 40302INORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 2
CHEM 40303INORGANIC CHEMISTRY III 2
CHEM 40364INTERMEDIATE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB 1
CHEM 40477INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 1
CHEM 40483INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 1
CHEM 40555PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I 3
CHEM 40556PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY II 3
CHEM 40557PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 2
CHEM 40568ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 1
MATH 12002ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5
MATH 12003ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS II 5
MATH 22005ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS III 4
PHY 23101GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I (KBS) (KLAB) 5
PHY 23102GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II (KBS) (KLAB) 5
Advisor-Approved Chemistry (CHEM) Upper-Division Elective (40000 level)3
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)6
General Electives9
Minimum Total Credit Hours:67
1

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

Industrial Chemistry Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
CHEM 30051CAREER PATHWAYS IN CHEMISTRY 1
CHEM 30106ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY II 2
CHEM 30107ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (WIC) 11
CHEM 30108ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II (WIC) 12
CHEM 40302INORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 2
CHEM 40364INTERMEDIATE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB 1
CHEM 40567PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY FOR LIFE SCIENCES 24
CHEM 40568ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 1
ECON 22060PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS (KSS) 3
MATH 12002ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5
MATH 12003ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS II 5
MATH 12022PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS FOR LIFE SCIENCES 3-4
or MATH 22005 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS III
PHY 22564INTRODUCTION TO MATERIALS PHYSICS 3
PHY 23101GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I (KBS) (KLAB) 5
PHY 23102GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II (KBS) (KLAB) 5
Chemistry Elective, choose from the following:3
CHEM 40352
INORGANIC MATERIALS CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40451
ORGANIC MATERIALS CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40559
NANOMATERIALS
CHEM 40571
SURFACE CHEMISTRY
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:12
ACCT 23020
INTRODUCTION TO FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING
BA 44152
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
CHEM 30284
INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40092
INTERNSHIP IN CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY (ELR) 3
or CHEM 40796
 INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION
CHEM 40113
CHEMICAL SEPARATIONS
CHEM 40352
INORGANIC MATERIALS CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40451
ORGANIC MATERIALS CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40557
PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
CHEM 40559
NANOMATERIALS
CHEM 40571
SURFACE CHEMISTRY
ENGR 43080
INDUSTRIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
PLST 48401
PATENT LAW
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)3
General Electives6
Minimum Total Credit Hours:67
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

Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
CHEM 30050INTRODUCTION TO MATERIALS CHEMISTRY 2
CHEM 30106ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY II 2
CHEM 30284INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 4
CHEM 40053MATERIALS CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 2
CHEM 40302INORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 2
CHEM 40303INORGANIC CHEMISTRY III 2
CHEM 40352INORGANIC MATERIALS CHEMISTRY 3
CHEM 40364INTERMEDIATE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB 1
CHEM 40451ORGANIC MATERIALS CHEMISTRY 3
CHEM 40555PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I 3
CHEM 40556PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY II 3
CHEM 40557PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 2
MATH 12002ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5
MATH 12003ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS II 5
MATH 22005ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS III 4
PHY 23101GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I (KBS) (KLAB) 5
PHY 23102GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II (KBS) (KLAB) 5
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:1-2
CHEM 30107
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (WIC) 1
CHEM 30108
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II (WIC) 1
CHEM 40477
INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
CHEM 40483
INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40568
ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
CHEM 40571
SURFACE CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40796
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)6
General Electives7
Minimum Total Credit Hours:67
1

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

Graduation Requirements

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
2.000 2.000

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 Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science is exempt from this requirement.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 fewer 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).

Roadmap
On This Page

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.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
!CHEM 10060
or CHEM 10970
or CHEM 11060
 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS)
or HONORS GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS)
or GENERAL CHEMISTRY I BOOST (KBS)
4-6
!CHEM 10062 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
!MATH 12002 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Two
!CHEM 10061
or CHEM 10971
 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS)
or HONORS GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS)
4
!CHEM 10063 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
!MATH 12003 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS II 5
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Three
!CHEM 30475 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR) 1
!CHEM 30481 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3
!MATH 22005 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS III 4
!PHY 23101 GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I (KBS) (KLAB) 5
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Four
!CHEM 30301 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3
!CHEM 30476 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II 1
!CHEM 30482 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 3
!PHY 23102 GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II (KBS) (KLAB) 5
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Five
!CHEM 30105 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY I 3
!CHEM 30107 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (WIC) 1
!CHEM 40477 INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 1
!CHEM 40483 INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY 1
!CHEM 40555 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I 3
Foreign Language 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Six
!CHEM 30106 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY II 2
!CHEM 30108 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II (WIC) 2
!CHEM 40556 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY II 3
!CHEM 40568 ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 1
Foreign Language 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
!CHEM 40302 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 2
!CHEM 40557 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 2
Chemistry (CHEM) Upper-Division Elective (40000 level) 3
General Electives 6
 Credit Hours13
Semester Eight
!CHEM 30284 INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 4
!CHEM 40303 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY III 2
!CHEM 40364 INTERMEDIATE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB 1
General Electives 8
 Credit Hours15
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

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.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
!CHEM 10060
or CHEM 10970
or CHEM 11060
 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS)
or HONORS GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS)
or GENERAL CHEMISTRY I BOOST (KBS)
4-6
!CHEM 10062 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
!MATH 12002 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Two
!CHEM 10061
or CHEM 10971
 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS)
or HONORS GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS)
4
!CHEM 10063 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
!MATH 12003 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS II 5
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Three
!CHEM 30475 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR) 1
!CHEM 30481 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3
!MATH 12022
or MATH 22005
 PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS FOR LIFE SCIENCES
or ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS III
3
!PHY 23101 GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I (KBS) (KLAB) 5
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Four
!CHEM 30051 CAREER PATHWAYS IN CHEMISTRY 1
!CHEM 30301 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3
!CHEM 30476 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II 1
!CHEM 30482 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 3
!PHY 23102 GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II (KBS) (KLAB) 5
ECON 22060 PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS (KSS) 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Five
!CHEM 30105 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY I 3
!CHEM 30107 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (WIC) 1
!CHEM 40302 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 2
!CHEM 40567 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY FOR LIFE SCIENCES 4
Foreign Language 4
 Credit Hours14
Semester Six
!CHEM 30106 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY II 2
!CHEM 30108 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II (WIC) 2
!CHEM 40568 ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 1
!PHY 22564 INTRODUCTION TO MATERIALS PHYSICS 3
Concentration Elective 3
Foreign Language 4
 Credit Hours15
Semester Seven
Chemistry Elective 3
Concentration Electives 6
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Eight
!CHEM 40364 INTERMEDIATE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB 1
Concentration Elective 3
General Electives 11
 Credit Hours15
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

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.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
!CHEM 10060
or CHEM 10970
or CHEM 11060
 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS)
or HONORS GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS)
or GENERAL CHEMISTRY I BOOST (KBS)
4-6
!CHEM 10062 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
!MATH 12002 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Two
!CHEM 10061
or CHEM 10971
 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS)
or HONORS GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS)
4
!CHEM 10063 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1
!MATH 12003 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS II 5
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Three
!CHEM 30475 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR) 1
!CHEM 30481 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3
!MATH 22005 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS III 4
!PHY 23101 GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I (KBS) (KLAB) 5
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Four
!CHEM 30050 INTRODUCTION TO MATERIALS CHEMISTRY 2
!CHEM 30301 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3
!CHEM 30476 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II 1
!CHEM 30482 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 3
!PHY 23102 GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II (KBS) (KLAB) 5
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Five
!CHEM 30105 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY I 3
!CHEM 40302 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 2
!CHEM 40451 ORGANIC MATERIALS CHEMISTRY 3
!CHEM 40555 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I 3
Foreign Language 4
 Credit Hours15
Semester Six
!CHEM 40303 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY III 2
!CHEM 40352 INORGANIC MATERIALS CHEMISTRY 3
!CHEM 40364 INTERMEDIATE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB 1
!CHEM 40556 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY II 3
Foreign Language 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Seven
!CHEM 40557 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 2
Kent Core Requirement 3
Chemistry Electives 1-2
General Electives 7
 Credit Hours13
Semester Eight
!CHEM 30106 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY II 2
!CHEM 30284 INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 4
!CHEM 40053 MATERIALS CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 2
General Electives 5
 Credit Hours13
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus
Accreditation

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

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries

Chemical technicians

2.8%

slower than the average

68,100

number of jobs

$49,820

potential earnings

Chemistry teachers, postsecondary

4.3%

about as fast as the average

26,400

number of jobs

$80,400

potential earnings

Chemists

4.7%

about as fast as the average

86,700

number of jobs

$79,300

potential earnings

Food scientists and technologists

4.4%

about as fast as the average

14,200

number of jobs

$73,450

potential earnings

Forensic science technicians

14.1%

much faster than the average

17,200

number of jobs

$60,590

potential earnings

Natural sciences managers

4.8%

about as fast as the average

71,400

number of jobs

$137,940

potential earnings

Secondary school teachers, except special and career/technical education

3.8%

about as fast as the average

1,050,800

number of jobs

$62,870

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* 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.
© 2024 Kent State University All rights reserved.