Biology
KU Biology guides students in the study of life itself, where they learn how about how life works at all levels, ranging from the microscopic to entire ecosystems. Working closely with our sister departments – Molecular Biosciences and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology – Undergraduate Biology teach classes in topics ranging from Virology and Biochemistry to Genetics and Ecology.
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Undergraduate Degrees
There are many paths to becoming a Biology Jayhawk. Discover which is right for you, and explore our majors and minor.
Advising
Connect with an Advisor today for information about degree paths, course schedules, and life as a KU Biology student.
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Graduate Programs
Our graduate programs can help you advance your career or delve deeper into a specific facet of biology. KU has two a globally-recognized graduate programs that offer PhDs, masters degrees and certificates.
Research
Undergraduate Biology offers diverse research opportunities led by faculty within the departments of Molecular Biosciences & Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. These faculty researchers drive the leading edge of scientific research across a broad range of areas.
Admissions
Everything you need to know about our Biology program and how to apply.
Resources
Check out our sorted lists of important resources for faculty and staff and students.
Biology Jayhawk stories
KU professors implement alternative teaching method in biology classrooms
Dr. Dyan Morgan and Dr. Eileen hotze have developed a new teaching method that features TED talks and discussion prompts alongside their standard curricula, which has led to students being more engaged and demonstrating a deeper understanding of the material.
Electrocuting spores, for science
Biological sciences major Kit Savoy knows that if humans are going to thrive in space, they’ll need microbes. And since wind and animals are hard to come by in outer space, Savoy built a parallel plate capacitor to see whether electric fields can disperse fungal spores instead. It’s mycology plus astrobiology, with a dash of physics thrown in for good measure. Rock Chalk, Kit!
KU announces new 2026-2027 Self Memorial Scholars
Twenty-one students have been selected to receive the University of Kansas Madison and Lila Self Memorial Scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year. The award is given to outstanding seniors from KU who will be transitioning into their first year of a master’s or doctoral program at KU in the fall 2026 semester.
Four students receive Kansas Biological Survey Student Research Awards for 2026
The Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research at KU has awarded $4,000 in funding this spring for student research to be conducted in the coming academic year. Four students will receive assistance through the research center’s 2026 Student Research Awards.
KU Libraries select Sprints Week participants for research and teaching collaborations
The University of Kansas Libraries have selected three faculty and academic staff members to collaborate with specialized teams of librarians during Sprints Week, May 18–22, an intensive program designed to address course development and research challenges.
KU Ichthyology collection reaches milestone with Missouri Department of Conservation partnership
The University of Kansas Ichthyology Division at the Biodiversity Institute & Natural History Museum has reached a milestone of more than 45,000 cataloged lots, aided by a substantial collection from the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Biology Student Feedback Form
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