Chemistry

Chemistry is an experimental science that seeks to understand the structure and function of molecules. Chemists synthesize new materials, and study their properties and how they interact with other compounds. The B.S. degrees offered by the department prepare students for independent laboratory work and research. The B.A. degree is less strongly focused on research and prepares students for professional degrees like medicine, dentistry and pharmacy.

Admission, Retention and Graduation

• The student must maintain a minimum 2.00 grade point average
• The student must obtain a grade of C- or better in all required chemistry courses

Introduction

In Northeast Ohio, there is a growing demand for professionals trained in polymer chemistry. The polymer industry is one of the major industrial sectors of the economy of Ohio. The BS/MS Polymer Chemistry degree was instituted to prepare students for jobs in this area. The program provides a quality undergraduate science degree coupled with a graduate degree from one of the premier polymer programs in the country.

Students who are admitted to this program can complete the undergraduate phase of the course of study in three years and then immediately begin graduate studies in polymer science. Under rare circumstances, a student can complete the undergraduate phase in four years after approval of the advisers. A student not proceeding to the graduate program in Polymer Science may complete the degree requirements for the BS Natural Sciences - Polymer Chemistry Concentration.

Students earn a Bachelors degree in Natural Science from the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences that is heavily weighted toward chemistry. They will be assigned an adviser in the Department of Chemistry and a co-adviser in the Department of Polymer Science who will advise them throughout their undergraduate program. Once the undergraduate degree is completed students begin studies to earn a Masters of Science from the College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering that will require two years of courses and research.

Admission, Retention, and Graduation

• Honors Students who express interest will be admitted into the 3+2 program after an interview
• Students must have a 3.70 grade point average in all undergraduate science and math classes at the end of the first semester in the third year
• Students who earn a grade less than a C- in any required science or math class will have to repeat the course and earn a grade of C- or better

Cooperative Education Program in Chemistry

Qualifications

Arrangements for entry into the program are on an individual basis and are initiated by the student during the second year of undergraduate study. Full-time B.S. chemistry majors at The University of Akron must meet the following requirements:

• Satisfactory completion of 60 credits with a quality point average of at least 2.3 in chemistry courses and on schedule in their curriculum.
• Acceptance by a cooperative education coordinator or director following a series of interviews
• Part-time students must have completed 60 credits with a 2.3 average and be on schedule in their curriculum
• Transfer students must have preparation equivalent to the minimum requirements for The University of Akron students and must have completed at least one semester of full-time study at The University of Akron

Placement in an industrial or other position is not guaranteed, and foreign students should recognize that many companies require U.S. citizenship or possession of a permanent visa. In any case, final acceptance of a student for any position is the decision of the employer.

Schedule

The work-study schedule for students in the co-op program is as follows:

Admission to Program

Interested students should attend a Cooperative Education orientation session. Students will be expected to remain with their employer for all co-op work periods in order to provide a progression of experience and responsibility. Employment must have approval of the department and the Cooperative Education director, but the University does not guarantee employment.

Registration

Students register for Cooperative Work Periods in the same manner that a student registers for any other University courses. The course is: BCAS 301 Cooperative Education.

A registration fee for each work period is charged to offset the expenses of administering the Co-op Program. Upon completion of a work period, a statement will appear on the student’s official transcript listing the course number and title. In place of a grade, “credit” or “no credit” will be given, depending upon the student’s satisfactory or unsatisfactory completion of the following:

• Work performance as evaluated by the employer
• Submission of a written Work Report and its approval by the Cooperative Education staff
• Submission of a Cooperative Work Period Summary Form 

Chemistry (CHEM)