Jan 18, 2025  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Physical Science (BA)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus

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The Physical Science Interdisciplinary major focuses primarily on the study of nonliving matter. It concerns itself with the theoretical and observable natural phenomena of our world and universe. 

Cutting across a variety of Physical Science disciplines, it intentionally trades depth of learning for broader scope of inquiry. By offering more latitude in its curriculum design, it often allows students to prepare for less traditional or unique scientific ventures. It also occasionally serves as an undergraduate pathway to certain professional programs. 

To best meet individual needs and interests, career goals and the requirements of the major, close cooperation with your advisor is highly recommended. 

Students majoring in Physical Science must earn grades of C or better in all courses required for the major in the areas Physical Science Foundation, Physical Science Electives, and Senior Capstone, including transfer work applied to these areas. 

Kansas State University Core: 34-36 Credit Hours

KBOR Statewide Transfer (SWT) Courses: https://www.kansasregents.org/academic_affairs/transfer-articulation.

English (Written Communication Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours

Communication (Oral Communication Outcomes): 3 Credit Hours

Math & Statistics (Quantitative Literacy Outcomes): 3 Credit Hours

Natural & Physical Sciences (Natural & Physical Sciences Outcomes): 4-5 Credit Hours

Choose 1 subject area which must include a lab.

Social & Behavioral Sciences (Social & Behavioral Sciences Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours

At least 2 courses from 2 subjects under this area.

Arts & Humanities (Arts & Humanities Outcomes): 6 Credit Hours

At least 2 courses from 2 subjects under this area.

Free Electives (Institutionally Designated Area): 6 Credit Hours

Includes ALL 100 and 200 level courses at K-State or in Transfer. 
Note: One course may be used to satisfy more than one requirement. However, students must complete a total of 34-36 credit hours of general education courses.

For a Full Listing of K-State 100/200 level courses you may search those courses individually via the University Course Catalog.

TOTAL CREDITS: 34-36

Program Requirements: (10 credit hours)

Orientation: (1 credit hour)

Outside Concentration: (9 credit hours)

Outside credential of at least 9 credit hours (May be from any unit, except CHM, PHYS, GEOG, GEOL), OR from approved interdisciplinary credentials within the unit).

OR

Any 9 credit hours in a single prefix (except for CHM, PHYS, GEOG, GEOL) (all must be 300 level or above OR at any level with a prereq in the same prefix; up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program).

OR

Any 9 credit hours in a microcredential (up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program).

Overlays: ([9] credit hours)

May be fulfilled in K-State Core, Outside Concentration, electives, or the Program itself.

  • Ethical Reasoning Overlay Credits: [3]
  • Global Perspectives Overlay Credits: [3]
  • US Multicultural Overlay Credits: [3]

Program

Physical Science Foundation: (31-35 credit hours)

Complete the following foundational requirements. Note that several requirements have options

Math Requirements: (8 credit hours)

Chemistry Requirement: (8-10 credit hours)

Take either version of both Chemistry I and Chemistry II

Physics Requirement: (8-10 credit hours)

Take either version of both Physics I and Physics II

Physical Geography or Geology: (4 credit hours)

Physical Geography or Geology Requirement. Choose one combination of lecture and lab.

Statistics Requirement: (3 credit hours)

Physical Science Electives: (12 credit hours)

Select 12 credit hours from the following disciplines at 300+ level. 9 of the credits must come from CHM, GEOG, GEOL, PHYS.

  • CHM 300-799 
  • GEOG 300-799
  • GEOL 300-799
  • PHYS 300-799
  • MATH 300-799
  • STAT 300-799
  • CIS 300-799

 

Senior Capstone: (1 credit hour)

Students will complete a senior report/capstone experience in DAS 499.

BA Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Restricted Electives: (12 credit hours)

3 credit hours in each of the following, with at least 6 credit hours at 300 level or above OR at any level with a prerequisite in the same discipline.

One course in Humanities: (3 credit hours)

Any course or combination of courses in Fine Arts: (3 credit hours)

One Non-Quantitative Social Science; Any Social course that does NOT have a MATH or STAT prereq: (3 credit hours)

BA Second Language Restricted Electives: (3-16 credit hours)

Choose one of the following:

Option 1: (3-14 credit hours)

At least 3 credit hours of coursework culminating with level 4 or above (i.e., French 4, German 4, Spanish 4, etc.) or the equivalent of level 4 in a second language sequence.

Option 2: (16 credit hours)

At least 16 credit hours of coursework in which student takes the first and second levels of two different languages, selected from any language offered within the department of Modern Languages, ASL, or from any other second language transferred in at an equivalent level.

Option 3: (3 credit hours)

Students whose first language is not English may satisfy this requirement by meeting the English Proficiency Admission Standards for K-State or by completing the appropriate level of exit courses with the English Language Program.

Free Electives: (0-17 credit hours)

In addition to K-State Core Free Electives requirement, take any course so that the total credit hours completed equals 120.

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120

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