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.
Biochemistry - B.S.
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- Zhiqiang Wang | zwang3@kent.edu |
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Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Biochemistry
5X社区鈥檚 Bachelor鈥檚 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.
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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 policy in the University Catalog for more information.
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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 .
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 .
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.
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Learning Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this program will be able to:
- Apply broad-based chemical and biochemical knowledge to their profession.
- Develop their abilities to plan and execute chemical and biochemical experiments.
- Prepare and deliver written and oral scientific reports.
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Coursework
On This Page
Program Requirements
Major Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) BSCI 10120 BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4 BSCI 30140 CELL BIOLOGY 4 BSCI 30156 ELEMENTS OF GENETICS 3 BSCI 30171 GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY 4 CHEM 10060 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) 4-6 or CHEM 10970 HONORS GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (KBS) or CHEM 11060 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I BOOST (KBS) CHEM 10061 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) 4 or CHEM 10971 HONORS GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) CHEM 10062 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1 CHEM 10063 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1 CHEM 30105 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY I 3 CHEM 30107 ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (WIC) 1 1 CHEM 30301 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3 CHEM 30475 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I (ELR) 1 CHEM 30476 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II 1 CHEM 30481 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I 3 CHEM 30482 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II 3 CHEM 40251 ADVANCED BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY (WIC) 1 2 CHEM 40261 BIOCHEMISTRY: BIOMOLECULE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION 3 CHEM 40262 BIOCHEMISTRY: METABOLISM AND GENE EXPRESSION 3 CHEM 40263 PHYSICAL BIOCHEMISTRY 3 CHEM 40567 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY FOR LIFE SCIENCES 4 CHEM 40568 ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 1 MATH 12002 ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) 4-5 or MATH 12021 CALCULUS FOR LIFE SCIENCES MATH 12022 PROBABILITY 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 13022GENERAL 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 23102GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS I (KBS) (KLAB)
and GENERAL UNIVERSITY PHYSICS II (KBS) (KLAB)Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1 Foreign Language (see Foreign Language College Requirement below) 8 6 3 2 9 General Electives (total credit hours depends on earning 120 credit hours, including 39 upper-division credit hours) 3 5 Concentration or Additional Requirements Choose from the following: 15 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120 - 1
A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.
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PHIL 21001 is recommended for students in the Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Dentistry/Pre-Podiatric Medicine concentration.
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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
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Major Requirements (courses count in major GPA) Major Electives, choose from the following: 9 Strongly Suggested Electives BSCI 40174IMMUNOLOGY BSCI 40220BIOINFORMATICS BSCI 40430ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY or BSCI 40460ADVANCED HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY BSCI 40462ADVANCED HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY: READINGS AND CASE STUDIES BTEC 40191SEMINAR: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY CHEM 40109BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY CHEM 40113CHEMICAL SEPARATIONS CHEM 40264MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY CHEM 40295SPECIAL TOPICS IN BIOCHEMISTRY CHEM 40365BIOLOGICAL INORGANIC CHEMISTRY CHEM 40796INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION 1 Other Suggested Electives CHEM 30106ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY II CHEM 30108ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY II (WIC) 2 CHEM 40195SPECIAL TOPICS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY CHEM 40302INORGANIC CHEMISTRY II CHEM 40364INTERMEDIATE INORGANIC CHEMISTRY LAB CHEM 40395SPECIAL TOPICS IN INORGANIC CHEMISTRY CHEM 40451ORGANIC MATERIALS CHEMISTRY CHEM 40476SPECTROSCOPIC IDENTIFICATION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS CHEM 40477INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY CHEM 40483INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY CHEM 40495SPECIAL TOPICS IN ORGANIC CHEMISTRY CHEM 40559NANOMATERIALS CHEM 40571SURFACE CHEMISTRY CHEM 40595SPECIAL TOPICS IN PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) 6 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 15 - 1
Maximum 4 credit hours of CHEM 40796 may be applied toward major electives.
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A minimum C grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.
Pre-Medicine/Pre-Osteopathy/Pre-Dentistry/Pre-Podiatric Medicine Concentration Requirements
Course List Code Title Credit Hours Concentration Requirements (courses count in major GPA) BSCI 40430 ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY 3 or BSCI 40460 ADVANCED HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY Concentration Electives, choose from the following: 6 BSCI 30517HUMAN ANATOMY or BSCI 30518VERTEBRATE ANATOMY BSCI 40174IMMUNOLOGY BSCI 40220BIOINFORMATICS BTEC 40191SEMINAR: RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY CHEM 30106ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY II CHEM 40109BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY CHEM 40264MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY CHEM 40302INORGANIC CHEMISTRY II CHEM 40365BIOLOGICAL INORGANIC CHEMISTRY CHEM 40477INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY LABORATORY CHEM 40483INTERMEDIATE ORGANIC CHEMISTRY CHEM 40796INDIVIDUAL INVESTIGATION 1 Additional Requirements (courses do not count in major GPA) PSYC 11762 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3 SOC 12050 INTRODUCTION 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
Graduation Requirements Summary 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
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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 programs offered by 5X社区; or (3) demonstrating 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.
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- 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.
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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 One Credits ! BSCI 10120 BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4 ! CHEM 10060 or CHEM 10970
or CHEM 11060GENERAL 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 12021ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) or CALCULUS FOR LIFE SCIENCES4-5 UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 17 Semester Two ! CHEM 10061 or CHEM 10971GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) or HONORS GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS)4 ! CHEM 10063 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1 ! MATH 12022 or MATH 30011PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS FOR LIFE SCIENCES or BASIC PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS3 Foreign Language 4 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 15 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 Hours 16 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 Hours 16 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 Hours 14 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 Hours 13 Semester Seven ! BSCI 30171 GENERAL MICROBIOLOGY 4 Major Electives 6 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 16 Semester Eight ! CHEM 40251 ADVANCED BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY (WIC) 2 ! CHEM 40263 PHYSICAL BIOCHEMISTRY 3 Major Elective 3 General Electives 5 Credit Hours 13 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 One Credits ! BSCI 10120 BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS (ELR) (KBS) (KLAB) 4 ! CHEM 10060 or CHEM 10970
or CHEM 11060GENERAL 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 12021ANALYTIC GEOMETRY AND CALCULUS I (KMCR) or CALCULUS FOR LIFE SCIENCES4-5 PSYC 11762 GENERAL PSYCHOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3 UC 10001 FLASHES 101 1 Credit Hours 17 Semester Two ! CHEM 10061 or CHEM 10971GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS) or HONORS GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (KBS)4 ! CHEM 10063 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (KBS) (KLAB) 1 ! MATH 12022 or MATH 30011PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS FOR LIFE SCIENCES or BASIC PROBABILITY AND STATISTICS3 SOC 12050 INTRODUCTION TO SOCIOLOGY (DIVD) (KSS) 3 Foreign Language 4 Credit Hours 15 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 Hours 16 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 Hours 16 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 Hours 14 Semester Six ! BSCI 40430 or BSCI 40460ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY or ADVANCED HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY3 ! CHEM 40262 BIOCHEMISTRY: METABOLISM AND GENE EXPRESSION 3 ! CHEM 40568 ELEMENTARY PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY 1 Kent Core Requirement 3 Kent Core Requirement 3 Credit Hours 13 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 Hours 16 Semester Eight ! CHEM 40251 ADVANCED BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY (WIC) 2 ! CHEM 40263 PHYSICAL BIOCHEMISTRY 3 Concentration Elective 3 General Electives 5 Credit Hours 13 Minimum Total Credit Hours: 120 -
Program Delivery
- Delivery:
- In person
- Location:
- Kent Campus
- Delivery:
Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Biochemistry - B.S.
Graduates of 5X社区鈥檚 Bachelor鈥檚 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鈥檚 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.
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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
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Biological science teachers, postsecondary
9.3%
much faster than the average
64,700
number of jobs
$85,600
potential earnings
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Biological technicians
4.9%
about as fast as the average
87,500
number of jobs
$46,340
potential earnings
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Chemical engineers
4.4%
about as fast as the average
32,600
number of jobs
$108,540
potential earnings
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Environmental engineers
3.1%
about as fast as the average
55,800
number of jobs
$92,120
potential earnings
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Forensic science technicians
14.1%
much faster than the average
17,200
number of jobs
$60,590
potential earnings
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Genetic counselors
21.5%
much faster than the average
2,600
number of jobs
$85,700
potential earnings
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Medical scientists, except epidemiologists
6.1%
faster than the average
138,300
number of jobs
$91,510
potential earnings
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Occupational health and safety technicians
4.8%
about as fast as the average
22,100
number of jobs
$53,340
potential earnings
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Pharmacists
-3.3%
decline
321,700
number of jobs
$128,710
potential earnings
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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
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Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' . 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.