Dec 06, 2025  
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog

Microbiology - Medical Microbiology (BS)

Location(s): Manhattan Campus


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A degree in microbiology provides an excellent foundation for students moving directly into the job market, going into medical, dental, medical technology, and veterinary programs, or going into graduate programs in the biological sciences. Students can choose electives in prokaryotic microbiology, eukaryotic microbiology, biotechnology/genetic engineering, immunology, and infectious diseases. In addition to the requirements of the University and the College of Arts and Sciences, Microbiology majors must take the courses indicated below and choose one of the following two tracks to complete: General or Medical Microbiology.

Pre-vet option - Microbiology


Students who complete the K-State Core, College of Arts and Sciences Program requirements and Microbiology Major Requirements, with the exception of up to 15 credit hours from courses under their declared degree sub-option (General Microbiology or Medical Microbiology) and Microbiology Electives, and have a minimum of 90 undergraduate credit hours prior to enrolling in the College of Veterinary Medicine at K-State, may earn a Microbiology degree after successful completion of at least 30 credit hours in veterinary medical school.

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)


Outside Concentration: (4-9+ 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]

Program


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

Required for the Microbiology Degree: (45-49 credit hours)


Credit total assumes MATH 220 counted as part of the K-State Core 3

Choose one course from the following (credit hours included in total Required for the Microbiology Degree)


Choose one course from the following for 3-4 Credit Horus (CC 110 and CC 111 must be taken together to meet this requirement)

Required for the Medical Microbiology option: (9 credit hours)


BIOL 670 required for 3 Credit Hours; Students may then select two of the other 3 credit hour courses from the list

Major Electives for the Microbiology Degree: (11 credit hours)


Choose 11 credit hours from the lists below. At least 5 of the 11 credit hours must be laboratory. No more than 6 credits can be counted from courses outside of BIOL (Research Courses do not count toward this limit). Courses used here may not be used elsewhere.

BS Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences Restricted Electives: (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: Any course or combination of courses: (3 credit hours)


Non-Quantitative Social Science: Any social science course that does Not have a MATH or STAT prereq: (3 credit hours)


Free Electives: (4-9 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


Arts & Sciences common degree requirements for the BS are satisfied by the following:

​​​​​​​Natural and Quantitative

  • Natural Science: CHM 210 or CHM 220 (listed in Courses Required for the Microbiology Degree)
  • Quantitative: STAT 225, STAT 240, STAT 701, STAT 703; MATH 221, MATH 551, MATH 615; CC 110 plus CC 111, CC 210; CIS 200 (listed in Courses Required for the Microbiology Degree)
  • Natural Science, or Quantitative, or Social Science w/MATH or STAT prereq: (3 credit hours) CHM 230 or CHM 250 (listed in Courses Required for the Microbiology Degree)
  • Natural Science, or Quantitative, or Social Science w/MATH or STAT prereq: (3 credit hours) BIOL 255 (listed in Courses Required for the Medical  Microbiology  Degree Option)

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