College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
www.kent.edu/chemistry

About This Program

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 will develop the strong foundation in biochemistry needed for careers in research, medicine and pharmaceutical fields. Read more...

Contact Information

• Program Coordinators:
  • Alex Seed | aseed@kent.edu |
    330-672-9528
  • Zhiqiang Wang | zwang3@kent.edu |
    330-339-3391
• Speak with an Advisor
• Chat with an Admissions Counselor

Program Delivery

• Delivery:
  • In person
• Location:
  • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries*

^{* 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.}

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.

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

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

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

¹

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

Graduation Requirements

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.

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.

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.

University Requirements

All students in a bachelor's degree program at Kent State University must complete the following university requirements for graduation.

NOTE: University requirements may be fulfilled in this program by specific course requirements. Please see Program Requirements for details.

Kent Core Requirements

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.

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.