Biology Undergraduate Program

The Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, the Department of Molecular Biosciences, and the Undergraduate Biology Program work together to offer the following undergraduate majors and degrees.

Biochemistry—B.A. & B.S.

Biochemistry is the study of life at the level of individual molecules. Biochemistry lies at the intersection of cell biology, physiology, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry. The B.A. Biochemistry major includes one year of biochemistry, as well as upper-division courses in cellular mechanisms and biological physical chemistry. The B.S. Biochemistry major includes two semesters of calculus, one year of biochemistry, analytical chemistry, biological physical chemistry, and upper-division courses in cellular mechanisms and related elective courses.

Biology—B.A.

Biology is the study of living systems and is the broadest biological sciences major available at KU. The B.A. Biology degree provides students with much flexibility in their major course choices and can include ecology, microbiology, organismal physiology, and biochemistry.

Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology—B.A. & B.S.

This set of majors focuses on the integration of biological systems at the whole organism level, and on how living organisms exist in populations, species, and communities within their environment. Core classes such as genetics, physiology, ecology, and evolutionary biology are combined with courses such as biochemistry, statistics, systematics, and organismal diversity to provide a strong foundation in biology. Students choose electives from a diverse set of classes that allow them to focus on areas of interest.

Human Biology—B.A.

This interdisciplinary major permits students to understand humans from a variety of academic viewpoints: anthropology, applied behavioral science, biology, psychology, and speech-language-hearing. Each human biology concentration offers major-level courses in topical categories that allow students to focus on areas that interest them most while retaining the interdisciplinary manner of the major. The broad nature of this major can prepare students for a variety of post-undergraduate opportunities.

Microbiology—B.A. & B.S.

Microbiology is the study of bacteria, viruses, the immune system, and their roles in human health, the environment and beyond. Job prospects for microbiologists with a bachelor's or higher degree continue to be strong. Upper-division courses in immunology, bacterial infectious diseases, virology, and microbial genetics couple laboratory courses with lecture courses to provide students with hands-on practical experience. The B.A. Microbiology major includes a choice of three upper-division lecture and laboratory course pairs, while the B.S. Microbiology major includes all four of the upper-division lecture and laboratory course pairs.

Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology—B.A. & B.S.

This set of majors emphasizes study of the fundamental systems of living organisms and leads to an integrated program of study in the biomedical sciences. Core classes in genetics, cell and developmental biology, and neurobiology are combined with critically important classes in subjects such as organic chemistry, evolutionary biology, and statistics. Additionally, students can choose from a diverse set of elective courses. The molecular, cellular, and developmental biology major provides education and training in a range of scientific areas vital to understanding human health and disease.