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Chemistry - B.A.

The Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry program offers a deep dive into the fascinating world of chemistry. With a focus on theoretical and practical knowledge, you'll explore the fundamental principles of chemistry, conduct experiments and gain valuable skills for a wide range of careers in the field. Whether you're interested in chemical research, teaching, or any other area, our program provides the foundation you need to succeed. Enroll now and unlock the secrets of the chemical world.

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Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry

Kent State University’s Bachelor of Arts Degree in Chemistry offers a flexible and interdisciplinary approach to the study of chemistry, catering to students with diverse interests and career goals. The program emphasizes foundational knowledge in chemical principles while allowing for a broader exploration of related fields such as biology, environmental science, and education. Students engage in hands-on laboratory experiences, developing essential skills in experimental techniques and data analysis. With a focus on critical thinking and problem-solving, graduates are well-prepared for careers in areas such as education, environmental policy, and chemical sales, or for pursuing advanced studies in chemistry or other interdisciplinary fields. This degree provides a solid foundation for those looking to integrate chemistry with other disciplines, making it an ideal choice for students seeking a well-rounded education.

Program Information for Chemistry - B.A.

Program Description

Full Description

The Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry allows students greater flexibility in choosing electives than the B.S. degree. Although not intended for students planning to become practicing chemists, the B.A. degree program is well suited for those needing a strong chemistry background as preparation for other career opportunities.

The program 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. degree in Biochemistry is strongly recommended for students interested in medical or dental school.

Students in the program have the opportunity to participate in an exchange program with the University of Leicester in England.

Admissions for Chemistry - B.A.

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 fundamental chemical knowledge as demonstrated by achieving passing grades in general chemistry courses.
  2. Comprehend the chemistry that underlies several fields, such as materials, industrial and biological chemistry.
  3. Demonstrate skills in basic scientific report writing through laboratory courses.
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 20481BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3-4
or CHEM 30481 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
CHEM 20482BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 2-3
or CHEM 30482 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
CHEM 30105ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY I 3
CHEM 30107ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (WIC) 11
CHEM 30284INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 4
CHEM 30301INORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3
CHEM 30475ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR) 1
CHEM 30476ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II 1
CHEM 40302INORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 2
CHEM 40567PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY FOR LIFE SCIENCES 4
CHEM 40568ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 1
MATH 11010ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
MATH 11022TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) 3
MATH 12002ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5
PHY 13001GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) 4
PHY 13002GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS) 4
PHY 13021GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) 1
PHY 13022GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB) 1
Chemistry Elective, choose from the following:1-3
CHEM 30106
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY II
CHEM 40248
ADVANCED BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40303
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY III
CHEM 40477
INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY
CHEM 40483
INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
CHEM 40796
INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION (Any Chemistry (CHEM) course pproved by Department)
Any Chemistry (CHEM) course approved by department
Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA)
UC 10001FLASHES 101 1
Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below)14-16
Kent Core Composition6
Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts (minimum one course from each)9
Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines)6
General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours)26
Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
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.A.

Students pursuing the Bachelor of Arts degree in the College of Arts and Sciences must complete 14-16 credit hours of foreign language.1
To complete the requirement, students need the equivalent of Elementary I and II in any language, plus one of the following options2:

  1. Intermediate I and II of the same language
  2. Elementary I and II of a second language
  3. Any combination of two courses from the following list:
  • Intermediate I of the same language
  • ARAB 21401
  • ASL 19401
  • CHIN 25421
  • MCLS 10001
  • MCLS 20001
  • MCLS 20091
  • MCLS 21417
  • MCLS 21420
  • MCLS 22217
  • MCLS 28403
  • MCLS 28404
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 14 credit hours and four courses, they will complete remaining credit hours with general electives.

2

Certain majors, concentrations and minors may require specific languages, limit the languages from which a student may choose or require coursework through Intermediate II. Students who plan to pursue graduate study may need particular language coursework.

Roadmap

Roadmap

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 11010 ALGEBRA FOR CALCULUS (KMCR) 3
UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours15
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 11022 TRIGONOMETRY (KMCR) 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Three
!CHEM 20481
or CHEM 30481
 BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
or ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
3-4
!CHEM 30475 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR) 1
!MATH 12002 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 5
!PHY 13001 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS I (KBS) 4
!PHY 13021 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY I (KBS) (KLAB) 1
Foreign Language 4
 Credit Hours18
Semester Four
!CHEM 20482
or CHEM 30482
 BASIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
or ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
2-3
!CHEM 30301 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3
!CHEM 30476 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II 1
!PHY 13002 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS II (KBS) 4
!PHY 13022 GENERAL COLLEGE PHYSICS LABORATORY II (KBS) (KLAB) 1
Foreign Language 4
 Credit Hours16
Semester Five
CHEM 30105 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY I 3
CHEM 30107 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (WIC) 1
!CHEM 40567 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY FOR LIFE SCIENCES 4
Foreign Language 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
 Credit Hours17
Semester Six
CHEM 30284 INTRODUCTORY BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY 4
CHEM 40568 ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 1
Foreign Language 3
Kent Core Requirement 3
General Elective 3
 Credit Hours14
Semester Seven
!CHEM 40302 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 2
Chemistry Elective 1-3
General Electives 11
 Credit Hours14
Semester Eight
General Electives 12
 Credit Hours12
 Minimum Total Credit Hours:120
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Chemistry - B.A.

Graduates of Kent State University’s B.A. Degree in Chemistry can pursue a wide range of careers in education, environmental policy, and industry. They may work as high school chemistry teachers, environmental consultants, or quality control analysts in laboratories. The program's strong emphasis on critical thinking and practical skills prepares graduates for roles in research, regulatory affairs, or chemical sales. Many also choose to continue their education in graduate programs, further enhancing their opportunities in specialized fields or academia.

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.
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