Applied Biosciences

This degree opens doors for managerial and supervisory roles in laboratories, research units, business and also governmental and nonprofit organizations. Positions include as lab manager or director of quality assurance and mid- to senior-level scientific or technical positions, such as project manager.

Fields graduate work in include:

• Animal health
• Food science
• Consumer science
• Biomedical sciences
• Informatics and technology
• Engineering
• Communications
• Public policy
• Business
• Regulatory affairs

• Practical, real-world application and in-demand business skills for career advancement.
• Cross-disciplinary education
• Science-related courses that focus on animal health and food safety and security. Content areas include:
  • Animal science
  • Food science
  • Horticulture
  • Consumer science
  • Veterinary biomedical sciences
  • Leadership
  • Management
• Core competencies you'll learn:
  • Interpreting and applying data
  • Managing ambiguity
  • Project management
  • Building effective teams
  • Complex problem-solving
• Short completion time. It typically takes two years to earn a degree.
• Access to the industry mentor program. Students also have the opportunity to have a faculty mentor and, for those doing an internship, an internship mentor, arranged through their academic advisor.

All students who wish to earn the M.S. in Applied Biosciences are required to take AAI 858 - Capstone Experience I and AAI 859 - Capstone Experience II. The capstone courses provide the foundation for the program's assessment of student learning outcomes. Faculty evaluate each student's capstone project proposal in AAI 858 - Capstone Experience I, and each student's capstone project presentation in AAI 859 - Capstone Experience II, in order to determine if the student has met the program's student learning outcomes.

Student Learning Outcomes (SLO)

1. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of one or more relevant STEM fields.
2. Demonstrate graduate level oral and written communication skills in a professional STEM environment.
3. At an advanced level, effectively analyze quantitative data for use across multiple science disciplines.
4. Synthesize information from multiple disciplines in order to accurately identify problems.
5. Synthesize information from multiple disciplines in order to develop innovation solutions.

Courses and Assignments Used to Assess SLOs

1. AAI 858 - Capstone Experience I, Capstone Project Proposal

2. AAI 859 - Capstone Experience II, Capstone Project Presentation (Poster required/PowerPoint also often required by Major Professor)

Tailor the curriculum to fit your career goals with the program's vast course catalog. Regardless of degree track, your curriculum will consist of 15 credit hours of STEM skills, 9 credit hours of professional skills and 6 credits hours of core requirements.

See course offerings

There are two academic tracks within this program. You’ll be asked to declare a track at the time of admission. Each track is 12 credit hours within the total 30 credit hour program.

Animal Health Track

Food Safety and Security Track

If you want to further your applied biosciences knowledge and managerial skills, we offer three optional graduate certificates. You can complete these certificates on their own or while you earn your M.S. in Applied Biosciences degree. Earning the certificates while completing your degree can maximize your time, money and education.

Animal Health Regulatory Affairs Graduate Certificate

Combine the knowledge of animal science and veterinary medicine with skills needed to navigate governmental processes and regulations throughout a product's lifecycle. This program is 15 credit hours and fully online.

Professional Interdisciplinary Sciences Graduate Certificate

Professional Skills for STEM Practitioners Graduate Certificate

Students who live in Johnson County and who are applying to this program or one of its certificate programs may be eligible for a Johnson County resident scholarship.

These scholarships for Johnson County residents are sponsored by the Johnson County Education and Research Triangle, or JCERT. Scholarship awards are based on availability of funds. Applicants may be awarded up to $5,000 for the duration of their program of study, provided they meet minimum academic and enrollment requirements. Scholarship amounts vary depending on fund availability, merit and need.

Eligibility details:

• Applicant must be a resident of Johnson County, Kansas. Proof of residency will be required.
• Applicants must be resident at K-State Olathe and admitted to or seeking admission to the following JCERT mission-related programs:
  • Applied Biosciences (master's degree)
  • Professional Interdisciplinary Sciences (certificate)
  • Professional Skills for STEM Practitioners (certificate)

Apply for a Johnson County resident scholarship.

View all scholarships available at K-State Olathe.