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Biochemistry - B.S.

Our Biochemistry program equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to understand the molecular basis of life. With hands-on experiences in state-of-the-art labs and guidance from our experienced faculty, you'll develop the strong foundation in biochemistry needed for careers in research, medicine and pharmaceutical fields.

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Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry

Kent State University’s Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the chemical processes that underpin biological systems. The program combines rigorous coursework in chemistry, biology, and physics with hands-on laboratory experience, enabling students to explore topics such as enzyme function, metabolic pathways, and molecular genetics. Students develop critical analytical skills and proficiency in modern laboratory techniques, preparing them for research and practical applications in various scientific fields. Graduates of the program are well-equipped for careers in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and academic research, as well as for pursuing advanced studies in medicine, biochemistry, or related disciplines.

Program Information for Biochemistry - B.S.

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry provides strong preparation for students interested in pursuing graduate studies in biochemistry or medicine or planning a career as a practicing biochemist in industrial research and development, government research laboratories or academia.

With the selection of appropriate elective courses, students in the Biochemistry major meet the minimum requirements for certification by the American Chemical Society.

The Biochemistry major includes the following optional concentration:

  • The Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Dentistry/Pre-Podiatric Medicine concentration is the recommended track for students preparing for careers in medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, physician assisting or podiatry.

Students interested in careers in pharmacy have the opportunity to earn this B.S. degree while completing their studies towards a Doctor of Pharmacy degree at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). After three years at Kent State, students may apply to and attend NEOMED, and then transfer 20 credit hours of courses from NEOMED to complete their Kent State Biochemistry requirements.

In addition, Biochemistry students 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.

Admissions for Biochemistry - B.S.

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) by earning a minimum 525 TOEFL score (71 on the Internet-based version), minimum 75 MELAB score, minimum 6.0 IELTS score or minimum 48 PTE Academic score, or by completing the ELS level 112 Intensive Program. 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's Academic Policies.

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 program's Coursework tab.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  1. Apply broad-based chemical and biochemical knowledge to their profession.
  2. Develop their abilities to plan and execute chemical and biochemical 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)
BSCI 10120BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
BSCI 30140CELL BIOLOGY 4
BSCI 30156ELEMENTS OF GENETICS 3
BSCI 30171GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY 4
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 30107ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (WIC) 11
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
CHEM 40251ADVANCED BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY (WIC) 12
CHEM 40261BIOCHEMISTRY: BIOMOLECULE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION 3
CHEM 40262BIOCHEMISTRY: METABOLISM AND GENE EXPRESSION 3
CHEM 40263PHYSICAL BIOCHEMISTRY 3
CHEM 40567PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY FOR LIFE SCIENCES 4
CHEM 40568ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 1
MATH 12002ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 4-5
or MATH 12021 CALCULUS FOR LIFE SCIENCES
MATH 12022PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS FOR LIFE SCIENCES 3
or MATH 30011 BASIC PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS
Physics Electives, choose from the following:10
PHY 13001
& PHY 13002
& PHY 13021
& PHY 13022
GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS)
and GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS)
and GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB)
and GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB)
PHY 23101
& PHY 23102
GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I (KBS) (KLAB)
and GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II (KBS) (KLAB)
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 Mathematics and Critical Reasoning3
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each) 29
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) 35
Concentration or Additional Requirements
Choose from the following:15
Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration
Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Dentistry/Pre-Podiatric Medicine Concentration
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
1

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

2

PHIL 21001 is recommended for students in the Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Dentistry/Pre-Podiatric Medicine concentration.

3

The following are recommended for students in the Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Dentistry/Pre-Podiatric Medicine concentration: COMM 15000, ECON 22060, ECON 42086, PSYC 40111, PSYC 41363, SOC 42563.

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a Concentration

Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
Major Electives, choose from the following:9
Strongly Suggested Electives
BSCI 40174
IMMUNOLOGY
BSCI 40220
BIOINFORMATICS
BSCI 40430
ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY
or BSCI 40460
 ADVANCED HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
BSCI 40462
ADVANCED HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY: READINGS AND CASE STUDIES
BTEC 40191
SEMINAR: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
CHEM 40109
BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40113
CHEMICAL SEPARATIONS
CHEM 40264
MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
CHEM 40295
SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOCHEMISTRY
CHEM 40365
BIOLOGICAL INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40796
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION 1
Other Suggested Electives
CHEM 30106
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY II
CHEM 30108
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II (WIC) 2
CHEM 40195
SPECIAL TOPICS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40302
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
CHEM 40364
INTERMEDIATE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB
CHEM 40395
SPECIAL TOPICS IN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40451
ORGANIC MATERIALS CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40476
SPECTROSCOPIC IDENTIFICATION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
CHEM 40477
INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
CHEM 40483
INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40495
SPECIAL TOPICS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40559
NANOMATERIALS
CHEM 40571
SURFACE CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40595
SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)6
Minimum Total Credit Hours:15
1

Maximum 4 credit hours of CHEM 40796 may be applied toward major electives.

2

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

Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Dentistry/Pre-Podiatric Medicine Concentration Requirements

Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA)
BSCI 40430ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY 3
or BSCI 40460 ADVANCED HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
Concentration Electives, choose from the following:6
BSCI 30517
HUMAN ANATOMY
or BSCI 30518
 VERTEBRATE ANATOMY
BSCI 40174
IMMUNOLOGY
BSCI 40220
BIOINFORMATICS
BTEC 40191
SEMINAR: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
CHEM 30106
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY II
CHEM 40109
BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40264
MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY
CHEM 40302
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
CHEM 40365
BIOLOGICAL INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40477
INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
CHEM 40483
INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40796
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION 1
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
PSYC 11762GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3
SOC 12050INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3
Minimum Total Credit Hours:15
1

Maximum 3 credit hours of CHEM 40796 may be applied toward concentration electives.

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 following programs are exempt from this requirement: The Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology and the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science.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 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). The Bachelor of Science in Cybercriminology exemption is due to its extensive collaboration with and contribution from the Information Technology program in the College of Applied and Technical Studies, which does not have a foreign language requirement.
Roadmap
On This Page

Roadmaps

Additional Requirements for Students Not Declaring a 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
!BSCI 10120 BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
!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
or MATH 12021
 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR)
or CALCULUS FOR LIFE SCIENCES
4-5
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours17
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 12022
or MATH 30011
 PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS FOR LIFE SCIENCES
or BASIC PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS
3
Foreign Language 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
!BSCI 30156 ELEMENTS OF GENETICS 3
!CHEM 30475 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR) 1
!CHEM 30481 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3
Physics Electives 5
Foreign Language 4
 Credit Hours16
Semester Four
!BSCI 30140 CELL BIOLOGY 4
!CHEM 30301 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3
!CHEM 30476 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II 1
!CHEM 30482 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 3
Physics Electives 5
 Credit Hours16
Semester Five
!CHEM 30105 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY I 3
!CHEM 30107 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (WIC) 1
!CHEM 40261 BIOCHEMISTRY: BIOMOLECULE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION 3
!CHEM 40567 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY FOR LIFE SCIENCES 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Six
!CHEM 40262 BIOCHEMISTRY: METABOLISM AND GENE EXPRESSION 3
!CHEM 40568 ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours13
Semester Seven
!BSCI 30171 GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY 4
Major Electives 6
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Eight
!CHEM 40251 ADVANCED BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY (WIC) 2
!CHEM 40263 PHYSICAL BIOCHEMISTRY 3
Major Elective 3
General Electives 5
 Credit Hours13
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120

Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Dentistry/Pre-Podiatric Medicine 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
!BSCI 10120 BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4
!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
or MATH 12021
 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR)
or CALCULUS FOR LIFE SCIENCES
4-5
PSYC 11762 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
 Credit Hours17
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 12022
or MATH 30011
 PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS FOR LIFE SCIENCES
or BASIC PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS
3
SOC 12050 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3
Foreign Language 4
 Credit Hours15
Semester Three
!BSCI 30156 ELEMENTS OF GENETICS 3
!CHEM 30475 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR) 1
!CHEM 30481 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3
Physics Electives 5
Foreign Language 4
 Credit Hours16
Semester Four
!BSCI 30140 CELL BIOLOGY 4
!CHEM 30301 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3
!CHEM 30476 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II 1
!CHEM 30482 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 3
Physics Electives 5
 Credit Hours16
Semester Five
!BSCI 30171 GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY 4
!CHEM 40261 BIOCHEMISTRY: BIOMOLECULE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION 3
!CHEM 40567 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY FOR LIFE SCIENCES 4
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Six
!BSCI 40430
or BSCI 40460
 ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY
or ADVANCED HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY
3
!CHEM 40262 BIOCHEMISTRY: METABOLISM AND GENE EXPRESSION 3
!CHEM 40568 ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours13
Semester Seven
!CHEM 30105 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY I 3
!CHEM 30107 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (WIC) 1
Concentration Elective 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours16
Semester Eight
!CHEM 40251 ADVANCED BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY (WIC) 2
!CHEM 40263 PHYSICAL BIOCHEMISTRY 3
Concentration Elective 3
General Electives 5
 Credit Hours13
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Biochemistry - B.S.

Graduates of Kent State University’s Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry are prepared for a diverse array of careers in healthcare, research, and industry. They can pursue roles as laboratory technicians, research associates, or quality control analysts in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology firms, and academic institutions. The program’s strong foundation in biochemical principles equips graduates for positions in areas such as drug development, clinical research, and environmental testing. Additionally, many graduates choose to further their education in professional schools for medicine, pharmacy, or dental programs, or they may pursue advanced degrees in biochemistry, molecular biology, or related fields, expanding their career opportunities in both academia and industry.

Agricultural and food science technicians

4.1%

about as fast as the average

24,200

number of jobs

$41,970

potential earnings

Biochemists and biophysicists

4.0%

about as fast as the average

34,600

number of jobs

$94,270

potential earnings

Bioengineers and biomedical engineers

4.7%

about as fast as the average

21,200

number of jobs

$92,620

potential earnings

Biological science teachers, postsecondary

9.3%

much faster than the average

64,700

number of jobs

$85,600

potential earnings

Biological technicians

4.9%

about as fast as the average

87,500

number of jobs

$46,340

potential earnings

Chemical engineers

4.4%

about as fast as the average

32,600

number of jobs

$108,540

potential earnings

Environmental engineers

3.1%

about as fast as the average

55,800

number of jobs

$92,120

potential earnings

Forensic science technicians

14.1%

much faster than the average

17,200

number of jobs

$60,590

potential earnings

Genetic counselors

21.5%

much faster than the average

2,600

number of jobs

$85,700

potential earnings

Medical scientists, except epidemiologists

6.1%

faster than the average

138,300

number of jobs

$91,510

potential earnings

Occupational health and safety technicians

4.8%

about as fast as the average

22,100

number of jobs

$53,340

potential earnings

Pharmacists

-3.3%

decline

321,700

number of jobs

$128,710

potential earnings

Additional Careers
  • Biochemical engineers
  • DNA analysts
  • Fermentation technicians
  • Genetic engineers
  • Grant writers
  • National Institutes of Health officers
  • Quality control technicians
  • Research scientists
  • Science writers and communicators
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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