Jan 03, 2025  
2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Biology - Animal Biology (BS)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus

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A degree in biology provides students with the skills to succeed in diverse careers and tackle the challenges faced by society. Biology is a valuable major for students going into human health and veterinary disciplines, and graduate programs ranging from molecular biology to organismal biology to ecology, as well as a diversity of bachelor’s-level jobs. In addition to the curriculum requirements of the University and College of Arts and Sciences, students earning a biology BS must take courses indicated below and choose one of the seven tracks to complete.

Pre-vet option - Biology

Students who complete the K-State Core, College of Arts and Sciences Program requirements and Biology Major Requirements, with the exception of up to 15 credit hours from courses under their declared degree sub-option (Animal Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Human Health Biology, Integrative Biology, Plant Biology, or Computational Biology) and Biology Elective requirements, and have a minimum of 90 undergraduate credit hours prior to enrolling in the College of Veterinary Medicine at K-State, may earn a Biology degree after successful completion of at least 30 credit hours in veterinary medical school.

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 for Biology OR from approved interdisciplinary credentials within the unit).

OR

Any 9 credit hours in a single prefix (except for 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 hour microcredential (up to 5 credit hours may overlap with program).

Overlays: [9] credit hours

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

  • Ethical Reasoning Overlay, 1 course Credits: [3]
  • Global Perspectives Overlay, 1 course Credits: [3]
  • US Multicultural Overlay, 1 course Credits: [3]

Programs

Biology Requirements: 34-44 credit hours

Animal Biology Option: 12 credit hours

Major Electives: 14 credit hours

Choose 14 credit hours from the lists below. Must include one lab class. Courses used here may not be used elsewhere.

BS Natural and Quantitative Requirements: [14-16] credit hours

One course in each of the following, with at least two courses at the 300 level or above OR at any level with a prerequisite in the same discipline.

Natural Science course: [4-5] credit hours

Quantitative course: [3-4] credit hours

Choose one course option from the list below:

Natural Science, or Quantitative, or Social Science: [4-5] credit hours

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

BS Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Requirements: 6 credit hours

3 credit hours 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.

Fine Arts or Humanities Course: 3 credit hours

Non-Quantitative Social Science Course: 3 credit hours

Choose any social science course that does NOT have a MATH or STAT prereq

Free Electives: 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

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