Dec 06, 2025

2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Biochemistry - Medical Biochemistry (BA)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus

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Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics seek to understand the molecular events of life processes. It applies chemical and physical techniques to elucidate the structure and organization of molecules, particularly macromolecules that are responsible for the structural organization as well as operation and control of all cellular processes. The emerging knowledge has broad importance and consequences for all areas of the life sciences.

The Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics offers work leading to bachelor of arts and bachelor of science degrees with majors in biochemistry, including areas of emphasis in medical biochemistry and molecular biophysics. The BA degree provides a liberal education with sufficient emphasis on science for students who wish to prepare for certain professional schools. The BS degree prepares students for professional careers in biochemistry or entry into graduate biochemistry training programs.

To graduate, a student must have a grade of C or better in all science and mathematics courses required for the degree, including transfer courses, as specified below. In addition, to graduate a student must have a 2.2 GPA in required science and mathematics courses taken at K-State.

Transfer students

Community college students who plan to transfer into either of the biochemistry curricula at the junior level should take the following science courses during their first two years of college:

A year of freshman chemistry—lecture and laboratory
A semester of analytical chemistry—lecture and laboratory
A year of organic chemistry—lecture and laboratory
A year of analytic geometry and calculus
A year of biology—lecture and laboratory

Completion of these science courses should allow students to go directly into biochemistry and advanced biology courses upon entry into a biochemistry curriculum.

Concurrent BS/MS program

A combined BS/MS program provides exceptional undergraduates an opportunity to obtain both a bachelor of science and a master of science in biochemistry in five years.

For details of application procedures and the program of study toward the MS degree, see the graduate catalog. Admission and retention in the program requires a 3.0 GPA. Students may apply after they have accumulated 45–90 hours towards the BS degree.

Kansas State University Core: 34-36 Credit Hours

K-State Core is the foundation for an impactful life and career after time at K-State.

The K-State Core framework covers six disciplinary areas: English, Communications, Mathematics & Statistics, Natural & Physical Sciences, Social & Behavioral Sciences, and Arts and Humanities. In addition, a seventh area is reserved for institutionally designated use, which K-State is keeping as free electives. In total, the framework takes up 34-35 credit hours of 100 and 200-level coursework. Students who complete their general education elsewhere cannot be required to take additional general education coursework in the disciplinary areas of the framework without permission from KBOR to continue requiring courses in the K-State Core.

General Education: K-State Core

Program Requirements

Orientation: 1 Credit Hour

DAS 101 - Discover, Create, and Thrive: Arts and Sciences Orientation Credits: 1

Outside Concentration: [21] Credit Hours

Outside credential of at least 9 credit hours:

*Biology Minor

Students in the BA in Biochemistry Degree - Medical Track complete a Biology minor based on the course requirements for the major.

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

The curriculum for this major assumes students enter college prepared to take Calculus.

Statistics Requirement: 3 Credit Hours

Choose one STAT course for 3 credit hours

Free Electives

Take any course to complete the total required 120 credits.The department recommends that students complete their electives, where possible, with upper division (>500 level) courses in BIOCH, BIOL, CHM, CIS, MATH, PHYS, or STAT. ASI 533, BIOL 410, BIOL 441, BIOL 442, MATH 221, 222, 340, PHILO 365, and PSYCH 470 are allowed.

BA Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Requirement: 9 Credit Hours

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

One course in Humanities Course: 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 science course that does NOT have a MATH or STAT prereq.

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.

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