Program Overview

Bachelor of Science in Applied Biological Sciences

The Bachelor of Science in Applied Biological Sciences offers students a strong background in genetics, microbiology, cell biology, and biochemistry, as well as hands-on lab experience. Many students in this program continue on to pursue medical, dental, or pharmacy school, or graduate work in the health sciences with high success rates.

Program Overview

• The program is designed for students who have earned an associate’s degree or equivalent hours and wish to complete the upper-level courses necessary for a bachelor’s degree.
• The undergraduate program in applied biological sciences is offered in its entirety only at the KU Edwards Campus, 12600 Quivira Rd., Overland Park, KS 66213.

Degree Requirements

• 120 (minimum) total credit hours
• 45 (minimum) upper-division credit hours
• 40-42 General Science credit hours
• 30 Applied Biological Sciences Required credit hours
• 12 Applied Biological Science Elective credit hours, to include at least 2 credits of seminar/topics

General Science Requirements

• Molecular & Cellular Biology: BIOL 150 or BIOL 151
• Introductory Biology Lab for STEM Majors: BIOL 154
• 2nd Biology Course: BIOL 152 (recommended)
• Chemistry I: CHEM 130 or CHEM 190 & CHEM 191
• Chemistry II: CHEM 135 or CHEM 195 & CHEM 196
• Organic Chemistry I: CHEM 330 or CHEM 380
• Organic Chemistry I Laboratory: CHEM 331
• Organic Chemistry II: CHEM 335 or CHEM 385
• Physics: PHSX 114 & PHSX 115 or PHSX 211 & PHSX 216 and PHSX 212 & PHSX 236
• College Algebra: MATH 101 or MATH 104
• Statistics: BIOL 370, MATH 365, or PSYC 210

Applied Biological Sciences Course Requirements

• Career Preparedness: BSCI 315 and BSCI 415
• Genetics: BSCI 350
• Microbiology: BSCI 400
• Microbiology Laboratory: BSCI 401
• Laboratory in Genetics: BSCI 351
• Cell Structure & Function: BSCI 416
• Biochemistry: BSCI 600
• Biochemistry Laboratory: BSCI 601
• Capstone Project: BSCI 540 and BSCI 640
• Applied Biological Sciences Required Electives: 12 hours of BSCI courses numbered 400 or higher or BTEC 300, BTEC 310, BTEC 400, BTEC 475, BTEC 494, or BTEC 550, including at least 2 hours of a seminar/topics course

Major Hours & Major GPA

• Major Hours: 43-44 hours of major courses
• Major Hours in Residence: a minimum of 15 hours of KU resident credit in the major
• Major Junior/Senior Hours: a minimum of 12 hours from junior/senior courses (300+) in the major
• Major Junior/Senior Graduation GPA: a minimum of a 2.0 KU GPA in junior/senior courses (300+) in the major

Sample 4-Year Plan

• Freshman: BIOL 150, CHEM 130, MATH 101, Core 34: English, Core 34: Arts and Humanities
• Sophomore: CHEM 330, CHEM 331, PHSX 114, Core 34: Social and Behavioral Sciences, Core 34: Communications
• Junior: BSCI 315, BSCI 350, BSCI 351, BSCI 416, BSCI 600, Elective
• Senior: BSCI 421, BSCI 400+ Elective, BSCI 400+ Elective, BTEC 640, Elective, Core 34: Global Culture

Learning Outcomes

• Students will have the foundational content knowledge expected by secondary educational, commercial, governmental, and/or medical institutions to which students aspire to join and progress in their careers.
• Implement laboratory skills routinely used across all bioscience sectors.
• Leverage information in service of an argument, including selecting appropriate sources in line with target audiences.
• Functionally operate in the working world by operationalizing career readiness skills.

Study Abroad

Consult an advisor at least 4 months before undertaking study abroad. The Office of Study Abroad offers information about study in one of the many countries with special arrangements with KU.