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Chemistry - Ph.D.

The Ph.D. in Chemistry offers an unparalleled opportunity to make a lasting impact in the field. With a curriculum that emphasizes research and collaboration, you'll gain the skills needed to become a leader in the industry and make groundbreaking discoveries in chemistry. Our program also provides opportunities for interdisciplinary studies, research collaborations with faculty members and teaching experience.

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Ph.D. Degree in Chemistry

Kent State University’s Ph.D. Degree in Chemistry offers an intensive and research-focused program designed for students aspiring to become experts in the field. The curriculum emphasizes advanced study across various branches of chemistry, including organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical chemistry. Students engage in significant original research, working closely with faculty mentors to explore cutting-edge topics and develop innovative solutions to complex scientific problems. The program prepares graduates for careers in academia, industry, and government, equipping them with the skills necessary for leadership roles in research and development.

Program Information for Chemistry - Ph.D.

Learning Outcomes

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.
Admissions for Chemistry - Ph.D.

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.

Coursework

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
CHEM 70894COLLEGE TEACHING OF CHEMISTRY 1
CHEM 80898RESEARCH 6-36
Approved Chemistry Lecture Electives6
Chemistry Core Electives, choose from the following:9
Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 70109
BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CHEM 70113
CHEMICAL SEPARATIONS
CHEM 70115
APPLICATIONS OF SPECTROSCOPY AND IMAGING
Biochemistry
CHEM 70261
BIOCHEMISTRY: BIOMOLECULE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION
CHEM 70262
BIOCHEMISTRY: METABOLISM AND GENE EXPRESSION
CHEM 70263
PHYSICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 70327
MODERN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
CHEM 70352
INORGANIC MATERIALS CHEMISTRY
CHEM 70365
BIOLOGICAL INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Organic Chemistry
CHEM 70473
STEREOSELECTIVE ORGANIC SYNTHESIS
CHEM 70476
SPECTROSCOPIC IDENTIFICATION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
CHEM 70483
INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
CHEM 70485
PHYSICAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Physical Chemistry
CHEM 70541
ADVANCED PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
CHEM 70563
QUANTUM CHEMISTRY
CHEM 70564
COMPUTATIONAL CHEMISTRY
Chemistry Seminar Electives, choose from the following:4
CHEM 72191
SEMINAR: ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CHEM 72291
SEMINAR: BIOCHEMISTRY
CHEM 72391
SEMINAR: INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
CHEM 72491
SEMINAR: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
CHEM 72591
SEMINAR: PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
Chemistry Seminar in Development/Problem Solving Electives, choose from the following:4
CHEM 70291
SEMINAR: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN BIOCHEMISTRY
CHEM 70391
SEMINAR: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
CHEM 70591
SEMINAR: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
CHEM 71191
SEMINAR: PROBLEM SOLVING IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CHEM 71491
SEMINAR: PROBLEM SOLVING IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Culminating Requirement
CHEM 80199DISSERTATION I 130
Minimum Total Credit Hours for Post-Baccalaureate Students90
Minimum Total Credit Hours for Post-Master's Students60
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

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Chemistry - Ph.D.

Graduates of Kent State University’s Ph.D. Degree in Chemistry are well-prepared for a variety of high-level careers in academia, industry, and research institutions. They may pursue positions as university professors, leading independent research projects while teaching the next generation of scientists. In the private sector, they can work as research scientists, pharmaceutical developers, or regulatory affairs specialists in companies focused on drug development, materials science, or environmental technology. Additionally, many graduates find opportunities in government research labs or policy-making positions, contributing their expertise to address societal challenges in health, safety, and the environment.

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

Additional Careers
  • Patent law
  • Product development
  • Formulation
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.

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