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Student Clubs & Organizations
Learn more about Biology student clubs, organizations, and get involved.
Rock Chalk CentralBiology Clubs
Alpha Sigma Kappa - Women in Technical Studies, ASK for short is a STEM based social sorority, dedicated to academically and professionally encouraging women in generally male-dominated fields of study. This group values academic achievement and service at KU and in the community. We have a weekly chapter and various social events and ceremonies throughout the academic year. We are a group of women who support each other and have fun along the way. ASK is not panhellenic, but it still has many of the same aspects as big name sororities on campus.
Contact Email:kuaskwits@gmail.com
The KU chapter of American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB) seeks to provide students with the opportunity to advance their professional and research skills. Additionally, we strive to inspire K-12 students to pursue a field related to biochemistry or molecular biology through club outreach within the Douglas County area.
The American Society for Microbiology Jayhawk Chapter's objective is to promote student involvement and interest in microbiology related programs at KU through the sharing of information about research opportunities on campus, hosting speakers with vast experience in the field of microbiology, and first-hand experience of how microbiology relates to a variety of institutions vital to societies around the globe.
Contact Email: asmjayhawk@gmail.com
Tri-Beta provides a unique opportunity for students interested in biology to share their diverse undergraduate experiences. Our goal is to promote biological understanding and appreciation through research and activities that allow for exposure into the endless possibilities of the biological sciences.
Email:TriBeta@ku.edu
Our goal is to engage students in the Be The Match® mission to save lives by:
- Providing meaningful, unique opportunities for students to learn about blood cancers and other life-threatening diseases treated by a blood stem cell transplant.
- Increasing awareness of the need for young, committed, racially and ethnically diverse registry members who can save a life.
- Holding campus-wide education/awareness events, donor registry and fundraising events and activities to give the entire student body the opportunity to join in this social movement and global effort.
Contact Email: kubethematch@gmail.com
This organization was created to bring Black undergraduate students, graduate students, and faculty together in the natural sciences. This club was inspired by the trend #BlackandSTEM which has brought so many black researchers together. The organization is a great resource for networking, information, and advising from peers. Most information provided will be research and graduate school based.
An award-winning student affiliate chapter of the American Chemical Society, the KU Chem Club focuses its efforts on K-12 STEM outreach between the Kansas City metropolitan area and Topeka. At the annual Carnival of Chemistry, hosted by the chemistry department, the Chem Club hosts a number of chemistry demonstrations showcasing the wonders of science. In the past, we have also participated in events ranging from elementary school science fair plays to Earth Day parades. However, our member enrichment focus has grown over recent years. These activities have included tours of various industrial applications of chemistry, such as local breweries and research facilities. Study groups are organized for freshman and sophomore level chemistry courses before exams, led by upperclassmen. Annual trips are planned for the spring national American Chemical Society meeting. To find out about meeting times and how you can get involved, please reach out to ChemClub@ku.edu.
Contact Email: chemclub@ku.edu
Environs is a long-standing student-led environmental advocacy group at KU. We work to build the relationship between humankind and the rest of the natural world and promote sound environmental practices on our campus and in the Lawrence region. Our only request for joining is that you share our common interest in the environment, striving for a sustainable campus and world, and a willingness to help us work to achieve these goals. We host social events including hiking, movie nights, camping, and bird watching, and organize volunteer opportunities such as tending to the garden at the ECM.
Contact Email: environsku@gmail.com
The purpose of the KU Beekeeping Club is to educate students, the surrounding community, and all other interested parties in the amazing practice of beekeeping. We aim to provide a hands-on experience for people to learn about what it takes to become beekeepers, demonstrate how environmental conditions affect bees, and inspire future generations to take part in a centuries-old tradition.
Contact Email: kubeekeepingclub@gmail.com
The goal of botany club is to connect students with an interest in the subject of botany and to promote learning and activity related to the botanical sciences. We hope to provide fun and informational meetings as well as volunteer opportunities and special events.
Contact Email: kubotanyclub@gmail.com
MISSION STATEMENT:
- To provide students, faculty, staff, and community members the space and opportunity to learn about, experience and experiment with growing their own food and engaging in civic agriculture
- To inspire participants and the community to support local food systems;
- To encourage a connection with the earth and an appreciation of where food comes from
Contact Email: kucommunitygarden@gmail.com
https://rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/kucommunitygarden
The KU SEEDS club is open to undergraduate and graduate students interested in ecology, biology, and environmental science. We meet monthly, on the first Tuesday of the month at 6pm. No application or membership fees necessary to join the club. Just send an email to kuseedsclub@gmail.com to get added to our mailing list and receive more information about meetings. Semester activities usually include guest speakers and various outdoor activities (ie. hikes and nature walks).
Email: kuseedsclub@gmail.com
The KU STEM Initiative is a philanthropic organization focused on inspiring K-12 students to pursue STEM careers. Among younger students there are several misconceptions about STEM fields and certainly some intimidation towards taking math and science classes. Our organization will be focused on presenting to K-12 students about all of the possibilities involved in STEM careers, while also having our members share their individual passions and career paths. Our organization hopes to mentor younger students and spark their curiosity, while eliminating misconceptions about STEM fields. Our organization encourages anyone from any STEM field to join that has a desire to inspire and mentor K-12 students.
Contact Email: kusteminitiative@gmail.com
https://rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/kusteminitiative
The Women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Medicine) Mentoring Program (WiSTEMM) is an interdisciplinary program open to all undergraduate and graduate women in STEMM fields. The program will focus on providing resources, guidance, and support in order to enhance the personal, educational, and professional development skills that will help women excel in their STEMM careers at the University of Kansas. WiSTEMM was started in the spring of 2018 as is the result of a partnership with Jayhawks Breaking Barriers.
Contact Email: wistemm@ku.edu
https://rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/wistemm
NSCO is a student group associated with the KU Natural History Museum. NSCO members create natural science outreach events for the KU campus and the surrounding community. Members also have behind-the-scenes access to the museum and collections. Students from all disciplines are welcome! There is no need to be a science major; you just need an interest and enthusiasm for science outreach.
Contact Email E: nscoKansas@gmail.com
Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM) creates a forum for LGBTQIA+ students to meet, work together, and build lasting friendships. This community works to increase the visibility of LGBTQ students, specifically within STEM fields, building a network for LGBTQ students with both industrial and academic intentions. In addition, oSTEM seeks to provide outreach and advocacy for the entire University of Kansas student body.
Contact Email: oSTEMatKU@gmail.com
The Society of Sigma Gamma Epsilon was founded on March 30, 1915, at The University of Kansas. Nearly 200 chapters throughout the United States have been installed since 1915. The Society was established to recognize scholarship and professionalism in the Earth Sciences. It has for its objectives the scholastic, scientific, and professional advancement of its members and the extension of relations of friendship and assistance among colleges and universities which are devoted to the advancement of the Earth Sciences.
Contact Email: sge.alpha.ku@gmail.com
As the University of Kansas Student Chapter of the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), we share in our national organization's mission of furthering underrepresented minorities in STEM fields. While we do have this emphasis, our organization is all-inclusive, promoting outreach and professional development at all levels of scholastic advancement, be it high school, undergraduate or graduate students.
Contact Email: sacnasku@gmail.com
SASE KU is dedicated to developing the University of Kansas’s Asian heritage scientists and engineers in education and employment so that we can achieve our full career potential and be leaders in our respective fields.
Contact Email: sase.kansas@gmail.com
STEMTeach is a student-led group that seeks to provide a professional association for future math and science teachers to meet to discuss matters to better prepare them for the educational field, and to promote STEM learning. This organization is an affiliate of the STEMTeach KU program that is a collaboration between the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the School of Educations and Human Sciences, but all interested KU students are welcomed to be part of STEMTeach.
Pre-Health Clubs
The American Medical Women’s Association aims to create an enriching environment for women on the pre-health track. We hope to give back to the community through a variety of events spreading awareness and educating about women’s health issues. Our objective as the University of Kansas branch is to foster gender equity and empowerment while helping students prepare for a future in healthcare.
APhA is the largest association of pharmacists in the nation with APhA-ASP being the largest organization at the School of Pharmacy. We are passionate about our profession and cater to every field in pharmacy. We will be providing in person and online events including patient care, professional/career development, and advocacy for our profession. Follow us on instagram (@kuaphaasp) to get updates on when our meetings and events will be!
Contact Email: kuaphaasp@gmail.com
BMES is an engineering society dedicated to the application of engineering principles to medicine and biology. The society strives to encourage professional growth of its members through annual conferences, education about research and industry careers and opportunities, and to promote the biomedical engineering field.
Follow us on Instagram for more updates at bmesku
The purpose of Dream Journal KU is to bridge the gap between high-level medical professionals and the general public by making complex medical research accessible and understandable. Comprising pre-medicine, pre-PA, pre-dental, pre-optometry, and other pre-health path students, our objective is to seek out medically relevant research papers and distill their content into comprehensible summaries. Through this initiative, we aim to empower individuals from all backgrounds to engage with and comprehend the field of medicine, fostering a more informed and health-conscious society.
Contact Email: kudreamjournal@gmail.com
As a peer mentorship organization, our primary goal is to aid incoming pre-health students in achieving success in their future careers. We want to help students navigate their respective pre-health track while at KU and develop a thorough understanding of the intricacies of the world of healthcare. This organization facilitates these goals through member meetings focused on how to obtain certain certificates, tackling moral issues in medicine, building leadership and teamwork skills, finding volunteer opportunities, looking into upcoming technology in healthcare, bringing awareness to study abroad experiences, etc. Executive board meetings are held weekly, and five to six member meetings are held every semester. To get involved and receive our newsletters, sign up on Rock Chalk Central and join us on GroupMe.
Contact Email: futureleadersinhealthcare@gmail.com
Hearts for the Homeless provides free heart health information and blood pressure screenings to the Lawrence homeless community. Members gain valuable experience interacting with at-risk populations while learning about cardiovascular health. This is a great opportunity for pre-health students looking for volunteer experience, but it is open to students of all majors. There are even opportunities for receiving clinical volunteering hours that can be used for professional school applications. We hold 2 blood pressure screenings each month.
Contact Email: hearts4homelessku@gmail.com
International Pre-health Sciences Organization (IPSO) is a student-derived organization that focuses on stimulating and presenting students with resources catered to the pre-health realm. These resources include networking with healthcare professionals, research and shadowing opportunities, and career mentorships. Part of our mission is to remove the nescience revolving around individuals wanting to practice healthcare. Influencing and motivating students to strive for success regardless of their background or ethnicity is an intrinsic part of this organization’s morals and principles. IPSO will plan on holding a meeting each week, and every bi-weekly meeting will be held virtually. Members will only be required to attend two meetings per semester but will be welcome to attend all meetings. IPSO aims to introduce students to the international healthcare community, the global standards of excellence, and the perseverance essential to pursue healthcare as a career path.
Contact Email: ipsokansas@gmail.com
U MedSim aims to help students learn real-life healthcare skills and be exposed to different technologies used in hospital settings. We hope to do this by giving our members hands-on experience at medical simulation labs and furthering their knowledge of medicine. By learning more about different medical scenarios, we hope to provide our members with more information about healthcare careers.
KU Public Health Press aims to help students gain valuable experience by learning more about public health. We hope to do this by conducting interviews and writing articles related to medical news and public health information. By publishing our articles through various platforms we hope to provide the public with general knowledge on public health.
Musicians in Medicine is a club for students of all majors and backgrounds who want to contribute to health and well-being through musical performance. The idea of this organization stems from the desire to incorporate music in a way that can be valuable to the community while also allowing musicians to develop their skills in a relevant manner. This is accomplished through performances at assisted living and retirement facilities, and through fundraising/philanthropic performances to raise money for various health-related causes.
Email: kumusiciansinmedicine@gmail.com
https://rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/musiciansinmedicine
Phi Delta Epsilon International Medical Fraternity creates physicians of integrity with a life-long commitment to our guiding principles of philanthropy and education through fellowship, service, mentoring, and formal training in leadership, science, and ethics.
Contact Email: phidekupres@gmail.com
https://rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/phide
The purpose of KU's Pre-Dental Society (KUPDS) shall be to associate those students planning to attend dental school with the dental field and the process of applying to dental school. The Pre-Dental Society will offer dental related volunteer opportunities, dental shadowing opportunities, and opportunities to attend club sponsored workshops for taking the Dental Admissions Test or applying to dental school.
Contact Email: kupredental@gmail.com
https://rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/predentalsociety
The Pre- KU Nursing club serves to provide opportunities for those interested in nursing. We invite guest speakers who are professionals in the field. We also participate in service work.
Contact Email: kansaspnc@gmail.com
The Pre-OT club provides students with information about various OT professions, volunteer/shadowing opportunities, and how to apply to OT schools. It also features Q&A’s with professional guest speakers and current OT students. Members benefit from building personal and professional relationships, receiving support in their undergraduate studies, and learning about how to prepare for OT applications and careers. Meetings run hyrbid anywhere from 1 to 2 times a month.
Contact Email: ku.preotclub@gmail.com
https://rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/pre-otclub
The Pre-Pharmacy Club is for students interested in exploring more about the Doctor of Pharmacy degree and what the professional field will look like.
Contact Email: kuprepharmacy@gmail.com
https://rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/prepharmacy
The Pre-Physical Therapy Club is open to all students at the University of Kansas. Our common interest--physical therapy. One way or another, we all became interested in the field and are looking to learn more and potentially pursue a professional degree.
We like to bring in various speakers for meetings, connect PT students with other students and faculty, talk to admissions representatives from graduate schools, etc.
Email: jayhawkpreptclub@gmail.com
https://rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/prephysicaltherapyclub
A club that holds regular meetings for students interested in the Physician's Assistant profession. In addition to providing information about the career, working professionals are integrated into meetings as speakers and interactive resources. Feel free to reach out with questions about this organization, we are happy to help! Members can join by emailing prepaclubku@gmail.com or requesting membership through Rock Chalk Central. We have monthly meetings and workshops, which will be held virtually or in-person dependent upon the club's preference.
Contact Email: prepaclubku@gmail.com
https://rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/prephysicianassistantclub
Welcome! KU Pre-Veterinary Society is a great opportunity for students to gather and shadow at various animal hospitals and veterinary clinics, forming relationships with mentors. Members will volunteer with veterinary-related organizations and seek educational opportunities in the Lawrence community. Members must complete a required amount of community service hours. Participating in Pre-Veterinary Society looks great on resumes, and allows members to motivate one another to pursue a career in the field of Veterinary medicine.
Contact Email: kuprevetsociety@gmail.com
https://rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/preveterinarysociety
The purpose of this Student Chapter of the Society for Biomaterials (SFB) is to encourage the development, dissemination, integration and utilization of knowledge in biomaterials.
https://rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/kusocietyforbiomaterials
HOSA- future health professionals is the Premier- Pipeline to the healthcare industry. With over 260,000 members globally, HOSA FHP is the largest student led healthcare organisation. With leadership conferences, competitive events, healthcare speakers, fundraisers, service projects, and other outstanding opportunities, there is a place for everyone in HOSA. HOSA-FHP can give students the opportunities and resources needed to help advance their education and careers in the healthcare field.
The Kansas Chapter of HOSA-FHP, owned and operated by KU Medical Center's Area Health Education center is focused on expanding their collegiate division.
Contact Email: kuhosafhp@gmail.com
Pre-Med Society meetings are held twice a month and are each an hour long. Meetings consist of informational presentations, guest lectures, hands-on workshops, and updates from related on-campus organizations. Students gain the opportunity to learn from physicians, healthcare professionals, medical students, and make lifelong connections. Leadership, volunteering, and research opportunities are provided through involvement in the society.
Contact Email: kansaspremedsociety@gmail.com
https://rockchalkcentral.ku.edu/organization/premedsociety
The mission of KU Women in Medicine is to foster a collaborative and supportive environment for women pursuing a career in the healthcare field. Each month, our board creates opportunities and events for our members to have lasting impacts on our campus and our community, as well as better prepare members for the health field. We strive to make our club feel like a community of women supporting each other. You will also receive monthly emails with upcoming event information and opportunities!
Contact Email: kuwmedicine@gmail.com