Oct 25, 2024  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Biology (BA)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus

The Biology BA combines the study of biological sciences with the study of language. It provides an excellent foundation in biology for students wishing to have interdisciplinary careers, including in education, policy, and law. In addition to the requirements of the University and College of Arts and Sciences, students earning a biology BA must take courses indicated below to meet graduation requirements.

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

Orientation: 1 credit hour

Outside Concentration: 9 credit hours

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

OR

Any 9 credit hours in a single prefix (except BIOL) (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]

Biology (BA) Major Requirements

Biology Requirements: 33 credit hours

Major Electives: 15 credit hours

Select a total of 15 credit hours.  No course used here can be used elsewhere.

BA Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Requirement: 9 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 Course: 3 credit hours

Choose any Social course that does NOT have a MATH or STAT prereq.

BA Natural and Quantitative Requirement: [6] credit hours

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

Natural Science or Quantitative course: [3] credit hours

Natural Science, or Quantitative, or Social Science : [3] credit hours

with MATH or STAT:

BA Second Language Requirement: 14 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., Frech 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: 3-8 credit hours

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

Total Hours Required for Graduation: 120